FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

OKTOBERFEST: Kick off the monthlong Oktoberfest celebration at Wunder Garten. The beer garden — which has first-come, first-serve seating and requires masks — is getting the party started with German beers, Steinholding contests, raffles, and more. Every Friday, Federalist Pig will provide an authentic pig roast on site. Grab your lederhosen and don’t miss it. (Wunder Garten, 3 p.m., prices vary)

A LIVE BIRTHDAY EVENT: Iconic music venue Black Cat turns 27 on Friday. While you can’t visit the venue for a live show, you can celebrate the venue from the comfort of your home. All night, the venue will be putting on a livestream featuring new local bands, and performances. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the club and performers, according to the website. (9 p.m., FREE but donations accepted)

CAN’T SLEEP: Haven’t been able to sleep since March? You’re not alone. Tune into an informative and fun Profs & Pints Online session devoted entirely to insomnia. This live talk will be focused on what the field of psychology knows about their common sleep disorder as well as how to treat it. You may come away from it able to sleep a bit easier. (7 p.m., $12)

DAY AT THE MUSEUM: Four more Smithsonian museums are reopening on Friday, so plan a museum day. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum will all be opening their doors for the first time since mid-March. Masks, as well as timed tickets are required to grab yours as soon as possible and enjoy a day at the museum. (Museums vary, times vary, FREE)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

BOW TO THE QUEEN: IN Series, a local opera company, is kicking off its digital opera season with a festival weekend event. On Saturday, join the opera company for a midnight re-imagining of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A Fairy Queen is an episodic podcast opera re-imagining of the classic, starring a Grammy-award winning orchestra and cast. All performances during opening weekend are free of charge. (Midnight, FREE)

POP-UP MARKET: Soufside Market, a completely Black-owned market, is open again on Saturday. You can shop Black-owned cosmetics, candles, fresh produce, clothes. The market is every Saturday through the end of September, so don’t miss out. It’s also still accepting vendors. (2510 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 10 a.m., prices vary)

I LIKE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT: Get moving with a full day of free virtual programming with the Kennedy Center on National Dance Day. It’s the 11th anniversary of the Kennedy Center celebration which spotlights dance organizations and schools from across all eight wards. Each virtual dance program is appropriate for beginners as well as master dancers and will include ballet, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary dance. (11 a.m., FREE)

CLEAN WATER: Spend your Saturday morning doing some good and clean up the river. Join the Anacostia River Keeper for a socially distanced cleanup of the Anacostia River. All necessary tools will be provided and masks are required. (Kenilworth Park, 9 a.m., FREE)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK: Black Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend, so grab a meal from a Black-owned restaurant. Participating venues including restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and more. You can download a bingo card that includes spots for brunch or dinner, vegan eats, happy hour, and beyond. Complete your bingo card by supporting Black-owned restaurants throughout the month for a chance to win a prize. (Various restaurants, Sept. 18-27, prices vary)

BLENDED: Have you ever wanted to make your own hot sauce? Join Cultivate the City for an interactive workshop featuring the farm’s fresh peppers. The workshop will start with a tour of gardens and a harvest of the fresh peppers. Then, there will be a lesson on making different hot sauce blends. You’ll walk away with knowledge of how to make your own blends, how to awaken flavors in different peppers without killing your taste buds, and how to make a shelf-stable product. (H Street Farms, 1 p.m., $30)

GARDEN MUSIC: Head to the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna for a concert in the gardens. The Virginia Chamber Orchestra is putting on a free show in the Korean Bell Garden. Bring a blanket or a chair and have a listen. Picnicking isn’t allowed, but you can bring a snack. The show is free with garden admission. (Meadowlark Botanical Garden, 3 p.m., $3-$6)