FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
SAY CHEESE: Get ahead of the rest of your Instagram feed and explore 29 immersive experiential installations at 29Rooms before anyone else on its opening day in D.C. The pop-up of collaborations between local artists, activists, brands, influencers, and musicians continues through Sunday, Oct. 27. (DC Armory, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., $34)
T.V. TIME: Show creator and original host Joel Hodgson brings his cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000 to the National Theatre for three live shows this weekend. If you’re a MSTie, there’s no better time to see the show: Hodgson says The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour will be his last.(National Theatre, 7 p.m., $59-$99)
UNFORGETTABLE: NSO Pops celebrates the centennial of Nat King Cole’s birthday with Nat King Cole at 100 program. The presentation—which continues through the weekend—features performances of his biggest hits from Patti Austin, Eric Benét, Freddy Cole, Dulé Hill, and BeBe Winans, plus musical direction by Terri Lynne Carrington. (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 8 p.m., $29-$99)
EAT UP: Tired: bottomless cocktails. Wired: bottomless doughnuts. District Doughnut is celebrating 5 years with a night of all-you-can-eat doughnuts. Flavor options include vanilla bean glazed, brown butter, funfetti, and pumpkin glazed. (District Doughnut, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., $10)
MORE: City Paper Community Conversations: History of D.C. Music (Public Bar Live, 3 p.m. doors, 4 p.m. panel, FREE), Game Night (The Eleanor, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., free entry), After Hours Halloween Scavenger Hunt (Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, 7 p.m., $35), Molly Sarlé (Songbyrd downstairs, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $15), The Roast of Harry Potter (Town Tavern, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., $25-$35)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
FESTIVAL FEATURE: With an ideal fall forecast slated for Saturday, head to the National Arboretum’s OAKtoberfest music celebration. The day features a performance by The Shmoods, formerly known as the DMV Hip-Hop Orchestra. (National Arboretum, 12 p.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
MUSIC MOMENT: The South Dakota Symphony Chamber Ensemble’s Lakota Music Project makes its D.C. debut with a program of both native and non-native music as part of the Smithsonian Year of Music. The performance is group’s first together outside of South Dakota. (National Museum of the American Indian, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., FREE)
A SEASONAL CLASSIC: Revisit a Halloween classic and take in a seasonal showing of Hocus Pocus at the Smithsonian’s Warner Bros. theater. Catch a Saturday 35 mm screening and celebrate with a party fit for a witch; there’s also a chance to catch a digital screening on Sunday. (National Museum of American History, 3 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., $8.50-$10)
MORE:Run for Remembrance 5K (West Potomac Park, 8 a.m., $40), Halloween Scavenger Hunt (Balance Gym, 9 a.m., $16.66), Terere at the Mall (Smithsonian Institution Castle, 11 a.m., FREE), Down in the Reeds Festival (1010 Butternut St NW, 11:00 a.m.-7 p.m., $10 suggested donation) Felted Pumpkins Workshop (The Lemon Collective, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., $50), D.C. United Playoff Party (The Wharf, 3:30 p.m., FREE), Taste of the Harvest (11th Street Bridge Park, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE), Sneaks with La Neve and Clear Channel (Black Cat, 8 p.m., $12 advance/$15 day of show)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
CRAFTY: The second annual Brookland Exchange DC Makers Market at the Arts Walk in Brookland is your chance to score a homemade creation courtesy of 40 different area artists and businesses. The event also features live entertainment all afternoon. (The Arts Walk Brookland, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free entry)
EAT UP: New Kitchens on the Block introduces the restaurants everyone will be raving about in the weeks and months to come. Get a sneak peak and sample from Emmy Squared, Maialino Mare, Hi/Fi Taco, Pearl’s Bagels, and more at one of two Sunday sessions. (Mess Hall, 12 p.m.-2 p.m. or 3 p.m.-5 p.m., $85+)
CANDY TIME: Just because Saturday is sold out doesn’t mean your kids can’t enjoy the annual Boo at the Zoo, with 40 treat stations, plus a dance party and karaoke. Tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday’s annual trick or treat celebration. (Smithsonian National Zoo, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $30)
MORE:School Garden Bike Tour (District Hardware and Bike, 10 a.m., FREE), San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins (FedEx Field, 1 p.m., $25+), Fall Harvest Family Days (George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $12 youth/$20 adults), Fall Hikyoga (Theodore Roosevelt Island Park, 3 p.m.-4:15 p.m., $18+)
