FRIDAY
2
OCTOBER
The Ember List · Washington, DC
Free things to do in Washington, DC
We reviewed 6,000+ Washington-area events to pick the 27 best free things to do in Washington, DC between October 2 and October 8. Updated daily.
Highlights for October 1 – October 3
Hispanic Heritage Month Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa (Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, American History Museum)
Guided bilingual tour of the ‘¡Puro Ritmo!’ exhibition exploring the history and energy of salsa music. Thursday–Sunday, October 1–4, 10:30 AM–2:30 PM. Free. Registration required.
Great Valley Gathering (Courthouse Park, Fresno, CA)
Three‑day public festival celebrating living traditions, music, dance, storytelling, craft, and foodways of California’s Central Valley. Friday, October 2, 12 AM–12 AM. Free.
Cooking Up History: The Global Journey of Macaroni and Cheese with Karima Moyer‑Nocchi (Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, American History Museum)
Culinary historian Karima Moyer‑Nocchi discusses the history of macaroni and cheese and demonstrates a Caribbean‑style macaroni pie. Friday, October 2, 12 PM–1 PM. Free.
Closing Reception and Open Studios at DC Arts Studios (Willow Street Gallery, Washington, DC)
First‑Friday open studios and a reception celebrating the group exhibition ‘We Are the Ones.’ Friday, October 2, 6–8 PM. Free.
Moonshot Studio (Moonshot Studio, The Kennedy Center)
Hands‑on art‑making sessions where kids 5 and up can explore projects in a studio setting. Saturday & Sunday, October 3–4, 11 AM. Free. Ages 5+; open walk‑in during studio hours.
21st Century Consort: An Unsecret Garden (Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn Museum)
A musical exploration of gardens featuring works like Schoenberg’s *The Book of the Ha* and other nature‑inspired pieces. Saturday, October 3, 5–7 PM and Sunday, October 4, 2–6 PM. Free. Registration recommended.
Mean Girls (Justice Forum, The Kennedy Center)
Free screening of the 2004 teen comedy film in the Justice Forum. Saturday, October 3, 7:30 PM. Free.
Our best picks: free things to do in Washington, DC — October 2–8
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National…
Mac and cheese may be a beloved American classic, but its history spans oceans. Join culinary historian Karima Moyer-Nocchi, author of The Epic History of Macaroni and Cheese: From Ancient Rome to Modern America , for a conversation and live cooking demonstration. Moyer-Nocchi will demonstrate just one of the dish’s fo…
Join us Friday, Oct. 2 from 6-8pm for our First Friday Open Studios and the closing reception for the latest exhibit at Willow Street Gallery, We Are the Ones. We Are the Ones is a juried group exhibition exploring the power of collective action and transformation. Bringing together 18 multidisciplinary artists from ac…
SATURDAY
3
OCTOBER
Step back in time with a ranger-led tour of the Old Stone House, the oldest building in the nation’s capital. Discover what life was like in the 18th century as you explore its simple rooms, learn about early residents, and uncover the stories hidden within its stone walls. Perfect for visitors of all ages, this short…
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National…
The REACH. Moonshot Studio at the REACH celebrates creativity and the artist in everyone through hands-on art-making. The recommended age is 5 years old and above. Stop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on (most) Saturdays & Sundays to explore our projects.
Register to Attend In-person Register to Watch the Livestream The Musée du Louvre’s Islamic Art Department was established in 2003 and holds over 18,000 objects. In this talk, department director Souraya Noujaim presents some of the masterpieces that could not make the journey to Washington for the exhibition From the…
FREE Registration recommended. As the Hirshhorn anticipates celebrating its newly revitalized Sculpture Garden’s opening at the end of October, the 21st Century Consort will mark this significant moment with a musical exploration of gardens and the life that unfolds within them. An Unsecret Garden invites audiences int…
Millennium Stage Films. Join us for a free film screening in the Justice Forum at the REACH. Mean Girls follows Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), a 16-year-old girl who moves to a public high school in Illinois after being homeschooled in Africa by her zoologist parents.
SUNDAY
4
OCTOBER
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National…
Join docent Sushmita Mazumdar every first Sunday of the month as she guides you to use pencil and paper to consider the unique ideas and expressions of Asian artists from various traditions spanning the continent across centuries. All materials will be provided. No reservation needed.
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition th…
The REACH. Moonshot Studio at the REACH celebrates creativity and the artist in everyone through hands-on art-making. The recommended age is 5 years old and above. Stop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on (most) Saturdays & Sundays to explore our projects.
FREE Registration recommended. As the Hirshhorn anticipates celebrating its newly revitalized Sculpture Garden’s opening at the end of October, the 21st Century Consort will mark this significant moment with a musical exploration of gardens and the life that unfolds within them. An Unsecret Garden invites audiences int…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Chloe Kimes is an independent artist and songwriter based in Nashville, TN and hers is a name you ought to know. Consistently producing difficult and honest storytelling, incomparable vocal delivery, and an undeniable sound, she needs not much explanation but simply your atten…
MONDAY
5
OCTOBER
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Converse with a docent. Learn how African Americans flourished in their own communities during the Era of Segregation 1876-1968 despite the turmoil around them. Under a time of intense pressure to take away their rights as citizens, African Americans not only survived the challenges set before them but crafted an impor…
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistl…
TUESDAY
6
OCTOBER
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National…
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistl…
ADA Seating Policy: If you are purchasing a ticket for a companion, this ticket must also be designated as an ADA seat.
WEDNESDAY
7
OCTOBER
7–9 p.m. ET Since its beginnings as a New York City film festival in 2007, ReelAbilities has grown into an international organization using disability-focused cinema year-round to improve storytelling, access, and opportunity. Its new Rediscover initiative uses landmark film to connect history, community, culture, and…
Join curator Diana Greenwold for an exclusive tour of A Museum in the Making , an exhibition that tells the story of a bold experiment in art and design that still shapes our galleries today. Artists, architects, and designers transformed museum founder Charles Lang Freer’s Detroit home to display art in new ways. Lear…
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistl…
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