FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

HOME RUN IN PARADISE: Go ahead and admit that you know all the words to the chorus of “Margaritaville” at a Jimmy Buffet-themed night at Nationals Park. The Nats will be up against the Miami Marlins, and to get in the spirit, the park is hosting a Margaritaville pregame party featuring Jimmy Buffet cover band Tropical Attitudes. Attendees will also receive a concession credit and can snag a special t-shirt to declare their ParrotHead status and Nats fandom. (Nationals Park, 7:05 p.m. game, $35-$46)

L’ART DE LA DANSE: In what we hope is a recreation of the scene in the library from Beauty and the Beast, the French Embassy will host a night of dancing. Try out the tango, the Viennese waltz, and the salsa in the ballroom (there are lessons first—phew!) When you need some energy, there are desserts, and when you need some courage, there’s wine—both available for purchase. (Embassy of France, 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., $35)

FUNNY ON A FRIDAY: Austin comedian Maggie Maye has been featured on Conan and Last Call With Carson Daly. In addition to being the funny one doing stand up onstage at Bier Baron, you’ll know it’s her because her style is—in her own words—“like a 5-year-old whose dad has her for the weekend.” (The Comedy Loft at Bier Baron Tavern, 7:30 p.m., $15, with a two-item minimum)

MORE: Shop Made In D.C. relocation sale (Shop Made In D.C. Dupont, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., free entry), Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!(Wolf Trap, 6:30 p.m., $45), Comedian Robert Mac (Colony Club, 8 p.m., $8)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

BRUNCH, BUT PUT IT ON A CRUISE: Feast while you sail during this two-hour cruise along the Potomac. Brunch will include a buffet and bottomless mimosas, along with live music, and of course, great scenery. (Departs from 580 Water St, 10:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $85)

DISTRICT TUNES: Groove to tunes from D.C. artists at the fourth annual Labor Day Weekend Music Festival, put on by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The two-day festival kicks off at The Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, with GoGo Symphony, Zen Warship, and Kokayi in the lineup. (The Lincoln Theatre, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE with RSVP)

SUNFLOWERS: The bright, golden flowers hit peak bloom in late August and early September, and this weekend you can catch them in their finest hour at the first annual Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farm in Benedict, Md. Spend some time roaming the farm’s sunflower fields, or go pick some yourself for $5/bunch. There will also be live music, hay rides, and a petting zoo, along with food and drink available for purchase. (Serenity Farm, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5 per car to enter)

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS: The Library of Congress’ National Book Festival is returning to the Washington Convention Center, and this year there are more than 140 authors, poets, and illustrators on the docket. Catch a talk from one of your favorite authors, including Ruth Bader Ginsberg and chef JoséAndrés. Here’s a handy guide to help you plan your festival itinerary. (Washington Convention Center, various events, 9:30 a.m.- 8 p.m., FREE)

PUTT-PUTT POP UP: Put your putt-putt skills to the test and catch the last day of this outdoor, nine-hole miniature golf course pop up in Rosslyn. The course has even got miniature-versions of some local landmarks, like Dark Star Park. To celebrate its final day, the pop up is offering a free round for all kids under 10, along with face-painting and balloon animals. Booze, candy, and popsicles will be available for purchase from the course’s adjoining Candy BAR. Online ticket sales have ended, but the pop up will be accepting walk-ups. (1401 Wilson Blvd, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $5 for one round)

MORE: Middle Eastern Food Festival (Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church in McLean, 11 a.m.-11 p.m, free entry), DC Saturday Night Fever Comedy Showcase (Comedy Club DC, 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m., $10), DC Murals Walking Tour (Columbia Heights Station, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., $15)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 

SWACHOS: For $50 this weekend, you can get unlimited food and drink at the Great American Pig Out 4. What’s on the menu? You can expect endless Lagunitas beer, swachos (pork + nachos), cornbread, pulled pork, and more all day. $50 covers all food and drink, but if you’re just there for the food, you can get a $25 ticket. (American Ice Company, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., $25-$50)

PARTY @ THE W: It’s your last chance to wear white this weekend, and the W Hotel is hosting its annual labor day party. Dress up in your favorite summer looks, sip cocktails and champagne on the roof, and enjoy the view of the city. DJ Pouria and Mark Azar will be providing the music. And if you’d like to book a table for you and you friends, you can do that as well. (The W Hotel, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $20)

MIMOSAS: It’s a good weekend for foodies—Library Tavern is hosting a special labor day edition of their Bachata Brothers Brunch. From 2 p.m.-8 p.m., indulge in their brunch options and $3 mimosas. (Quick tip: ladies can get free mimosas from 3 p.m.-4 p.m.) The Bachata Brothers will be playing, as they do every Sunday at Library Tavern. Sit back, enjoy some reggaeton, bachata, and salsa music, and get a charcoal hookah if you’d like. (Library Tavern, 2 p.m.-8 p.m., a la carte)

LEGOLAND: The LEGO-themed amusement park is going on the road before it opens in New York next year. On its stop at National Harbor this weekend, preview the upcoming amusement park, play with the building stations, see some giant LEGO models of animals, and more. The event is geared towards 2 to 12 year olds, but it’s open to all ages. And on Sunday, National Harbor is screening The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part at 6 p.m. (East Pier – National Harbor, Friday-Monday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., FREE)

OUTDOOR CONCERT: The annual concert from the National Symphony Orchestra is back this Sunday on the West Lawn of the Capitol. D.C. jazz artist and actress Nova Payton and Florida-born artist Mykal Kilgore will be performing R&B hits. If you want to get there a few hours early to hear their open rehearsal, stop by around 3:30 p.m. (U.S. Capitol Building West Lawn, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Historical Masonic Temple Returns w/The Sounds Of The Chuck Brown Band (Prince Hall Masonic Temple, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., $20-$30), Sunset for Dancers Zouk in the Park (Georgetown Waterfront Park, 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $10), Sung Si Kyung Live In USA “The Song” (Warner Theatre, 7 p.m., $82-$172), Bottomless Mimos-ha’s: The End of Hot Girl Summer (The Wonderland Ballroom, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., FREE, 21+)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

BRUNCH: It’s the last day to indulge in this weekend’s holiday brunches. For $48 this Monday, you can indulge in Teddy & The Bully Bar’s unlimited brunch menu, featuring bottomless mimosas, a waffle station, and an omelette station. The rest of their brunch menu is available here, and if you’d like to make a reservation to ensure your spot, that may not be a bad idea. (And that’s just one of the Labor Day brunches on offer around town.) (Teddy & The Bully Bar, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $48)

IT BEGINS WITH THE WORDS: Think of the annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival as a sort of sneak peek for D.C. theater. More than 70 local companies, including The Welders, Mosaic Theater Company, and Ford’s Theatre, present free readings, open rehearsals, and workshops of productions still in development. The festival wraps up after three days on Monday: Highlights include a performance of The Velveteen Rabbit from Adventure Theatre MTC, and a reading of Inherit the Windbag, the new play coming to Mosaic from Washington Post writer Alexandra Petri. (Kennedy Center, various times, FREE)

FESTIVALS: What’s Labor Day without a festival or two? Or four? There are a handful of Labor Day festivals happening in Greenbelt, Kensington, Herndon, and Gaithersburg. If you want to soak up the last little bit of summer with games, parades, carnival rides, or even wine and beer tastings, these might be worth a drive. (various times and locations, FREE)

MORE: LAWN (National Building Museum, 10 a.m. – 5 pm., $16), Comedy Shuffle (Bier Baron Tavern, 7 p.m., FREE), Labor Day BBQ party (The Midlands Beer Garden, 12 p.m., FREE entry)