Last year’s Bethesda Row Arts Festival (Photo courtesy of Bethesda Row Arts Festival)
Walk around an outdoor art gallery
See four blocks on Bethesda Row transform into an outdoor art gallery with 190 artists this weekend. The Bethesda Row Arts Festival will showcase original artwork—including photography, paintings, sculpture, and jewelry—at every price point (well, up to $20,000). For free, you can walk around and see live music and performance art. Bands and artists expected to perform include Hari Vasan, Bourbon Moon, and the 19th Street Band. Rain or shine, the event kicks off Saturday and continues through Sunday.
4841 Bethesda Ave., Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Eat, drink, and see live music on H Street
The Hurricane Florence-postponed H Street Festival is finally set to take place this weekend. With food and drinks from vendors and free live music and performances, this festival is sure to be packed—there’s an expected attendance of 150,000 people taking over 11 blocks on H Street. In previous years, the festival has included a Ben’s Chili Bowl half-smoke eating contest and a marinara dunk tank.
H Street, Saturday, noon-7 p.m.
Take your kids and be a builder for the day
Let the the National Building Museum teach your kids how to pour cement and spackle a wall at the 25th anniversary of its Big Build Community Day. You can also learn more about the inner workings of elevators, how drones are used in the construction industry, and the ins and outs of home remodeling. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet contractors, plumbers, electricians, iron workers, and more. The event is recommended for children ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome.
National Building Museum, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Go back in time and see blacksmiths and carpenters
At Peirce Mill Heritage Day, step back in time to the early 1800s to see blacksmiths, carpenters, bluegrass musicians and more at this historic building at the edge of Rock Creek Park. The waterwheel will be in action and there will be children’s crafts. Built in 1820 to 1829 by Isaac Peirce, a former Quaker from Pennsylvania, the grist mill was restored by the National Park Service to showcase the agricultural history of the District.
Peirce Mill, 2401 Tilden St. NW, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Help others clean up Kingman Island
Ocean Conservancy is hosting this year’s International Coastal Cleanup at Kingman Island. Last year, the organization picked up over 4,000 pounds of debris along the shores of Anacostia with more than 500 volunteers. Sunscreen, bug spray, and water refills will be available on site, along with grabbers, trash bags, and gloves for the cleanup, but you can also bring your own. Head down with your closed-toe shoes and reusable water bottle this Saturday.
Kingman Island, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
MORE: Go to this “Really Really” free market; Celebrate the harvest of Bridge Park Plots and THEARC Farm
Want more ideas for your weekend—even if they cost a little money?
10 Things To Do In And Around D.C. This Weekend
6 D.C. Food And Drinks Events To Feast On This Week
15 Concerts You Don’t Want To Miss Around D.C. This Week
