Our end-of-the-week picks for April 11-13, 2025
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
Blooming Wonders: A Best of Spring Exhibition
ARTECHOUSE’s annual springtime exhibit has become a must-see for locals and visitors alike. This year’s display brings together past smash-hit cherry blossom-themed installations as well as a new interactive experience. Fix your gaze upon immense floral landscapes, spellbinding digital visualizations and surreal spring-themed environments. Use discount code 'AEF10' for 10% off your tickets.
Tickets
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20002
Annie
Few characters and plays are as iconic as Annie. An orphaned girl is at the center of the beloved musical, following her struggles and triumphs and showcasing her indomitable spirit along the way. Featuring a slew of unforgettable songs, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Tomorrow” and “Maybe,” the family-friendly production is sure to be a hit with every type of audience this January at The National Theatre.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Mosaic Theater: cullud wattah
Set in 2016, cullud wattah finds Marion and her sister caught in the middle of the Flint, Mich. water controversy. Marion is about to get a promotion when her sister begins participating in protests accusing Marion’s employer of poisoning the town’s water. The family unit is challenged in unexpected ways across a story that goes beyond the headlines.
Tickets
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Saturday
Cherry Blossom Parade
Witness DC's grandest petal procession with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC. Catch everything from giant helium balloons to elaborate floats to live musical performances. Enjoy prime performance viewing in the grandstand (tickets are $25-$40), or stand along the parade route – which runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue NW – for free.
More Info
Sakura Matsuri: Japanese Street Festival
The Sakura Matsuri, produced by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, returns for two exciting days again this year. The event will present over 80 cultural groups, art vendors, food booths and dozens of hours of programming. You can also enjoy a Ginza Marketplace, popular Japan Now! Pavilion, a cosplay contest, sake tasting and more. This goes down on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd to 7th Streets NW.
More Info
DC Beer Festival
The annual DC Beer Festival takes place at Nationals Park, making for one of the District’s best outdoor parties of the year. Across two sessions, more than 80 breweries showcase their seasonal suds as local food trucks divvy out their tastiest offerings. The event also features live music and access to a dueling piano bar.
Session 1: 12-3 p.m. | Session 2: 5-8 p.m. | Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Sister Act at Ford's Theatre
Based on the smash hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act makes for divine musical comedy at Ford’s Theatre this upcoming spring. The Tony-nominated musical follows a nightclub singer who takes to a convent to hide from the mob. Self-discovery and glorious group harmonies ensue. The play features original music by the legendary Alan Menken.
Tickets
511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Melissa Etheridge
With her signature smoky vocals, folk-based pop songwriting and heart-on-her-sleeve lyrics, Melissa Etheridge has crafted an amazing career. Since coming out as a lesbian in 1993, Etheridge has also been at the forefront of publicly advocating for gay and LGBTQ+ rights. The legendary songwriter’s spring tour will bring her to DC’s Warner Theatre.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Shane Gillis
If you’re a stand-up comedian and you’re doing Bud Light commercials with Post Malone, you’ve done something right. Shane Gillis is a household name, with his latest special Beautiful Dogs seeing tremendous success on Netflix. Expect Capital One Arena to be packed for one of the hottest acts in stand up.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Sunday
Guerrilla Girls: Making Trouble
An artist collective that continues to make its mark today, Guerrilla Girls celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2025. The National Museum of Women in the Arts honor the attention-grabbing group known for their provocative, text and graphic-based prints that denounce discrimination. Their work uses bold and eye-catching aesthetics to call out gender disparity and other important social injustices across billboards, banners, buildings and other sites. The museum’s extensive collection informs the exhibit that features an expansive and enthralling chronology of Guerilla Girls’ vital work.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen
Known for his rigorous work in creating jaw-dropping paintings, Adam Pendleton will showcase new and recent pieces as well as single-channel video in this landmark exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum. Pendleton’s first solo showcase will highlight his contributions to contemporary American painting and utilize the architecture of the Hirshhorn and the vast history of DC’s National Mall.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
In the Tower: Chakaia Booker – Treading New Ground
The National Gallery of Art presents three extraordinary sculptures from visionary artist Chakaia Booker in its East Building this spring. Booker transforms tires – cutting, coiling and contorting them – to sculpt industrial waste into awe-inspiring abstract forms. The environmentally conscious work inspires visitors to ponder the effect of materials on the natural world.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Reasons to Gather: Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped
The Japanese tea practice of chanoyu revolves around the appreciation of utensils that assist in the preparation and consumption of matcha (powdered green tea). This new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art presents 11 historic tea utensils and accessories, including ceramics, hanging scrolls, boxes and wrapping cloths. All the objects tell a story of trade and exchange across Asia and reveal a vast network of tea practitioners.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Uncle Vanya
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall welcomes acclaimed English actor Hugh Bonneville to its stage for a tension-filled production. Bonneville plays the titular role in this play that sees a family and its traditions torn apart when its elderly figurehead debuts a new young wife. Audiences will be dazzled by this dramedy from the mind of Anton Chekhov.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
