FRIDAY, OCT. 27
DC DESIGN WEEK: Looking to level up your creative practice? The American Institute of Graphic Arts’ DC Design Week is here to help. Taking over venues across the city for the next week, Design Week provides workshops, panels, career advice and “non-stuffy networking” for local creatives. This year’s theme, Level Up, is intended to help designers of all disciplines step up their game. (Various locations; through Nov. 3; $17+)
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and Bryant Street NE is celebrating early with a Día de los Muertos block party. This fiesta callejera celebrates loved ones who have passed away with joyful Mexican traditions like intricate face painting, commemorative altar displays, festive music and more. (Bryant St Market; 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; FREE)
NEW YORK ARABIC ORCHESTRA: Take a musical journey through the Arab world this weekend with the New York Arabic Orchestra, who will bring their eclectic repertoire to The Barns at Wolf Trap. Under the artistic direction of composer Layth Sidiq, the orchestra’s 12 musicians will blend traditional and modern Arabic sounds. (The Barns at Wolf Trap; 6:30 p.m.; $27)
SPELLBOUND: This weekend, the D.C. area has a Halloween party for just about everyone. If your Spotify playlists are littered with Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush and The Cure, you might consider RSVPing to Spellbound: A New Wave Halloween Party happening at DC9 on Friday. Local musicians will take on the music of Blondie, Depeche Mode, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. (DC9 Nightclub; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15+)
For more Halloween events happening this weekend, check out our Halloween guide.
COMEDY CUATES: If you want to ja ja ja this Friday, stop by Room 808, where local and out-of-town comedians will be participating in Comedy Cuates: ¡Comedia en Español! Catch Nelson Fuentes, Elena Torres, Victor Gonzalez and more as they perform comedy acts in Spanish and ring in Día de los Muertos. (Room 808; 8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $10)
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: Night of the Living Dead will have you squealing both in laughter and in fear. A stage adaptation of the 1968 classic film, Rorschach Theatre’s Night of the Living Dead kicks off this weekend with a handful of pay-what-you-can preview performances. (Rorschach Theatre; through Nov. 19; pay what you can)
MORE: Transatlantic Forum for Environmental and Climate Justice (Copley Formal Lounge; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; FREE), Anna Katalkina Art Demonstration (McLean Community Center; 11 a.m.; FREE), Howl-O-Ween (Gateway Park; 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; FREE), Georgetown Heritage Halloween Ghost Cruise (C&O Canal Lock 3; 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; $100+), Chinese Prime Rib Dinner (Any Day Now; 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $80), Screening of City of Symphonies (Dupont Underground; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), DC Monster Mingle (Emery Heights Community Center; 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Halloween Horror Comedy Combo (City-State Brewing; 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $15), Hocus Pocus Double Feature (Eden Center; 7 p.m.; FREE), Rocky Horror Picture Show (metrobar DC; 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Vinyl Williams (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $19.32), Artloween Bash (Black Cat; 8 p.m.; $10+), Halloween Party (Clyde’s of Chevy Chase; 9 p.m.-12 a.m.; FREE)
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
MORE DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: Delve into Day of the Dead traditions this weekend at the National Museum of the American Indian. From dance performances to papel picado artist demonstrations, the museum’s Día de los Muertos celebration will teach you how to honor your ancestors the Mexican way. (National Museum of the American Indian; Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
For more ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos, check out our guide.
HARVEST FESTIVAL: You’ll find cooking demos, face painting, a petting zoo and more at this Saturday’s Harvest Festival, presented by KonsiderDis and Washington Parks and People. Taking place at the Marvin Gaye Greening Center, an urban farm in Deanwood, the fifth annual Harvest Festival exists to facilitate conversations and community. (Marvin Gaye Greening Center; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; FREE)
HALLOWEEN ON SCREEN: Get in the Halloween spirit with AFI Silver’s annual Halloween on Screen horror movie extravaganza. This year’s killer lineup is filled with ‘70s cult classics like Don’t Look Now, Ganga & Hess, Phantom of the Paradise, The Wicker Man, Suspiria, and of course, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (AFI Silver; through Nov. 2; $15)
MORE: MVT Fall Fun Day (Milian Park; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; FREE), Halloween Scavenger Hunt Bar Crawl (Dacha Beer Garden Navy Yard; 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; FREE), Fall Festival (Wangari Gardens; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), Reggaeton Brunch (El Rey U Street; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $25+), Abbondanza! A (Halloween) Natural Wine Party (The Pizza Garden at Sonny’s; 12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $65+), Fall Frolic (Glen Echo Park; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), District of Punk Walking Tour (Gallery Place; 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; $25+), Hip Hop Halloween Bar Crawl (U Street NW; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $20+), Mahani Teave (Kennedy Center Terrace Theater; 2 p.m.; $50+), Nightmare on M Street (Dupont Circle; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $35+), Hill Family Biking: Halloween Ride (Maury Elementary; 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; FREE), Sketch Night of Frights (DC Improv; 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $20), Basics with Babish (Sixth & I; 7:30 p.m.; $25+), Christian McBride (George Mason University; 8 p.m.; $30+), Halloween Masquerade at The Haunted Hotel (The Watergate Hotel; 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; $60+), Sammy Obeid and Reem Edan (Miracle Theatre; 8 p.m.; $30), Halloween Showcase (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.; $15), Dylan Pfaff Halloween Show (Shaw’s Tavern; 9 p.m.; FREE), Halloween Party (Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm; 9 p.m.-12 a.m.; FREE), HellBENT: Double Feature (9:30 Club; 10 p.m.; $25), Brujeria: The Halloween Party (Bulldog Sports Bar; 10 p.m.; $15+)
SPONSORED MEET THE PIANO MASTER: Washington Performing Arts presents Sir András Schiff in an evening of spontaneous musical selections and nuanced personal reflections at Strathmore. The pianistic icon’s programs regularly include Bach concerti, complete cycles of Beethoven sonatas, and other classical favorites. Event is tailored specifically for D.C. audiences. (Nov. 8, 8 p.m.; $35+)
SUNDAY, OCT. 29
HALLOWEEN ON O STREET: If you’ve never been to The Mansion on O Street, now’s your chance. And if you have been, you know there’s always more to discover. The exuberant museum and hotel is opening its doors all weekend for Halloween Nights Fun & Sweets, complete with a treasure hunt and a costume contest. (O Museum in The Mansion; through Oct. 31; $50)
PUMPKIN CARVING CLASS: It’s not a competition, but you’ll have the most impressive pumpkin on your block after Right Proper’s Pumpkin Carving Class. Pumpkin carver extraordinaire Suzy Mink will be leading the class in a special design. A pumpkin, carving tools, and one beer are included with your ticket. (Right Proper Brewing Company; 12 p.m.; $35)
MORE: Mid-Atlantic Antiques Festival (Aix La Chapelle Farm; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $10), Reproductive Rights in America (Washington Hebrew Congregation; 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE+), Natural Dye Workshop (Rhizome DC; 1 p.m.; $20+), Conservatory Classic Jazz Band (Alfio’s La Trattoria; 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; $15), Sherman Circle Spooktacular (Sherman Circle NW; 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), Vagabon (9:30 Club; 6:30 p.m.; $20)
