Things to do the week of Sept. 8-11, 2025
We've gathered up things to do across the nation's capital, including museum exhibits, concerts, only-in-DC events and much more. Don't miss our things to do this weekend and things to do this month as well.
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Monday
The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture
The Smithsonian American Museum’s new exhibit examines sculpture’s role in understanding and constructing race in the United States. Across 82 sculptures created between 1792 and 2023 by 70 different artists, visitors can observe historical and modern works that inspire conversation and reflections on how power, identity and race are intertwined.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
State Fairs: Growing American Craft
After five years of research and months of preparation, the Renwick Gallery debuts this extraordinary exhibit that is the first to survey American state fairs’ unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. Personal stories and regional traditions will be showcased across more than 240 artworks. Highlights include a life-size butter cow made on-site, size-96 boots from the State Fair of Texas and a pyramid of 700 glass jars of preserved fruits and vegetables.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Prolific in both its output and turnover, The Brian Jonestown Massacre still packs a punch 35 years into its existence. The collective is led by Anton Newcombe, whose fiery approach has led to some tumultuous working relationships … along with some amazing guitar rock. Buckle up for this show at 9:30 Club.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Tuesday
Photo by Matthew Murphy
The Sound of Music
The Kennedy Center stages a production of one of the great musicals with three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien as director. The Sound of Music transports the audience to the hills of Austria for unforgettable songs and a tale of resilience, love and resistance.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Superchunk
Punk legends Superchunk fittingly visit Black Cat in DC, one of the city’s best spots to see a concert. Since emerging from Chapel Hill in 1989, the group has crafted an immaculate discography that consistently delivers scintillating guitar anthems. Their veteran chops will be on full display.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sparks
Lovingly known to music fans as “your favorite band’s favorite band,” Sparks consists of Russell and Ron Mael. As distinctive in look as they are in sound, the duo – along with a long list of collaborators – have been modulating rock and pop music in their image since the early 1970s. Sparks have tried on every genre and each one fit perfectly. Lincoln Theatre is lucky to have them.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Wednesday
Experience Art Ave
Don’t miss this free outdoor art gallery from Golden Triangle BID, featuring 13 stunning, large-scale sculptures and window artworks by acclaimed artists, just steps from the White House. Discover interactive elements during the day or visit in the evening to see the artworks colorfully illuminated.
Free to Access | More Info
800 Connecticut Avenue – 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW, including Farragut Square
Damn Yankees
The minds behind this new adaptation of an American classic include Lortel Award winner Will Power, Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright and Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Sergio Trujillo. From its pure love of baseball to its femme fatale and fateful pact with the Devil, Damn Yankees promises to be a crowd-pleaser at Arena Stage.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Merry Wives
Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts the regional premiere of a hilarious take on one of The Bard’s most famous farces. The infamous Falstaff is dropped into modern Harlem low on money and decides to pursue the purses of two West African wives. Schemes are launched to thwart the prospective thief and plenty of hilarity ensues.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Thursday
National Gallery Nights
One of the city's most popular museums hosts this after-hours extravaganza that uses a lottery system to handle the high demand. Expect the East Building of the National Gallery of Art to be decked out in Back to School style, with activations that bring to mind the excitement of the first day of the new school year.
6-9 p.m. | More Info
National Gallery of Art East Building, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
The Great Privation
Timelines jump and collide in this innovative production at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. The Great Privation shows a mother and daughter guarding the grave of their husband and father to prevent resurrectionists from tampering with it, circa 1832. On the same grounds in the present, another mother and daughter are summer camp counselors. The two stories intersect in fascinating ways.
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Hunx and His Punx
Back in the halcyon days of 2009, a group called Hunx and His Punx formed on the West Coast and proceeded to set the world on fire. Okay, maybe it was just the indie rock scene in select cities in the U.S., but nevertheless, lead singer Seth Bogart (he’s Hunx) and Shannon Shaw (also of Shannon & The Clams) put on epic shows packed to the brim with breezy surfpunk and promiscuity. Now, the blistering throwback act has reunited.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
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