Our end-of-the-week picks for Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2025
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this Labor Day weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
DC JazzFest
One of DC’s ultimate summer traditions brings national and local musicians to a range of venues all over the city, including The Wharf. Some concerts are free; most are ticketed. A lineup stacked with talent and free performances are just some of the many reasons why you should check out this year's edition of DC JazzFest.
More info
DC Festival of Magic
Back at the Capital Hilton for a fifth year, the DC Festival of Magic brings together the best magicians in the Mid-Atlantic region for three nights of Labor Day weekend entertainment that will make your head spin.
More Info
Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Summer Restaurant Week
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's annual promotion has been extended until Aug. 31. The celebration annually features deals from more than 150 restaurants throughout the DC area.
Nationals Postgame Concert Series: Ja Rule & Ashanti
Purchase tickets to the Nats’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays and you also gain access to one of the coolest shows of the month. Ja Rule and Ashanti teamed up for some of the biggest hits of the 2000s, including “Wonderful,” Mesmerize” and “Always On Time,” and now the duo will take the stage at Nationals Park for an awesome late-summer concert. On-field passes are available.
Game begins at 6:45 p.m. | Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Saturday
Essex Hemphill: Take Care of Your Blessings – Final Weekend
The Phillips Collection showcases the relationship between the trailblazing work of poet and activist Essex Hemphill and contemporary visual art in a new exhibit. Hemphill was born in Chicago and raised in DC, where he became one of the most outspoken LGBTQ+ advocates of his time, both through his poetry and the spoken word. Hemphill tragically died of an AIDS-related illness in 1995 at the age of 38, but his work powerfully lives on, as can be observed in Take Care of Your Blessings, which puts him in dialogue with artists of his time and the present.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Justin Favela, Capilla de Maíz
Justin Favela: Capilla de Maíz
Multidisciplinary artist Justin Favela reimagines the Renwick Gallery’s Rubenstein Grand Salon with Capilla de Maíz, which translates to “Maize Chapel”. The site-specific installation features gold-fringed walls and piñata corncobs, with its visual effect showcasing the importance of corn to North American culture. The introduction of this piece marks the reopening of the Gallery along with the new exhibit, State Fairs: Growing American Craft.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
Sesame Street the Musical – Final Weekend
A can’t-miss slice of family entertainment comes to the Kennedy Center. Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and many more of your Sesame Street friends will be live onstage to perform iconic songs and stir up plenty of furry fun that all ages can enjoy.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Harry Potter franchise continues to offer spellbinding entertainment. The record-breaking play that won six Tony Awards, including Best Play, comes to The National Theatre. Harry’s son, Albus, befriends Draco Malfoy’s son, leading to a riveting adventure that can alter the past and future.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
PARADE
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts stages the 2023 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival. PARADE focuses on Leo and Lucille Frank, a recently married Jewish couple who are struggling to adjust to life in Georgia. Leo is then accused of a heinous crime, leading to a rigorous test of justice, devotion and humanity.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World
Go behind the velvet ropes of the coolest awards show in herstory. RuPaul’s Drag Race brings an all-star lineup of performers to The Anthem for an unforgettable night. Catch Jimbo as Joan Rivers, Daya Betty as Lady Gaga, Jaida Essence Hall as Beyoncé, Jorgeous as Ariana Grande, Kim Chi as Celine Dion and Vanessa Vanjie as Rihanna.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Sunday
Bond In Motion – Final Weekend
Across more than six decades of films, James Bond has become the on-screen embodiment of spies for millions. The International Spy Museum pays homage to the fictional character, along with his allies and adversaries, with a breathtaking display of iconic vehicles from the movies. In total, visitors can fix their eyes on 17 pieces, including cars, motorcycles, submarines and even more from the Q Branch Garage.
Hours & Admission
International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection
The National Gallery of Art’s new exhibit of stunning watercolors allows you to travel from the Washington Monument to Yosemite National Park and back to the waters of New England. Experience how artists took a format meant for mapping and landscaping and elevated it to transcendence.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
AfroPlus Festival Presented by Events DC
Head to the RFK Festival Grounds for a day packed with live music and dancing. The AfroPlus Festival features Afrobeat stars Gunna and Asake, soca artist Machel Montano and Caribbean favorites Shenseea and Shatta Wale. There will also be a variety of food vendors and cultural showcases.
Tickets
RFK Festival Grounds, 2500 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
Play On!
Does a musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set to the music of Duke Ellington sound like a good time to you? Us too. Signature Theatre’s latest production follows Vy, who discovers that the doors of opportunity in 1930s Harlem are closed to her. She then disguises herself as a man to sing her songs for the Duke himself. A tale packed with intrigue, mistaken identity and incredible jazz tunes ensues.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Monday
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
National Symphony Orchestra's Free Labor Day Concert – Sept. 1
The National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The performance is free to attend and tickets are not required. Seating is first-come, first-served.
More info | Free Admission
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.
