Featured Events in Washington D.C. in May 2025 (May Updated)

Artificial lights have become such a common nighttime fixture that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution extend beyond our reduced view of the stars, but solutions can have an immediate impact. Through more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why the dark night matters, rekindle your connection to the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?

在盛大的會展活動一年接著一年地展開之際，2025年ATD國際會議暨博覽會的腳步又近了。這場在華盛頓特區中舉世知名的美國哥倫比亞特區沃爾特·E·華盛頓會議中心舉辦的盛會，將於2025年5月20日揭開序幕。屆時，行業領袖、專業人士和思想自由家將匯聚一堂，共同探討最新的學習和發展趨勢，展望行業的未來。 作為一個別具意義的會展平台，這次會議不僅匯聚了來自世界各地的精英，更代表著極高的專業水準和嶄新的創新理念。對於尋求專業成長和網絡擴展的參與者而言，2025年ATD國際會議暨博覽會無疑是一個不容錯過的機會。踏上這個舞台，您將與行業內的佼佼者一同領略未來學習的可能性。 請即預定您的位置，與各界精英一起開拓視野、共創未來。這場會議，定將成為一個轉捩點，劃分出您職業路徑上的前與後。

2025 Brookland House and Garden Tour This year's house and garden tour will be on Sunday, May 18th from 12 noon to 5:00 pm. Neighbors in Brookland and across the city look forward to this tour with eagerness each year because of the diversity of lovely houses and gardens in our neighborhood. For complete details, visit www.gbgc.org Proceeds will go towards supporting the Greater Brookland Garden Club. The GBGC is a registered 501(c)3. This is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. All profits from this event will go towards planting and maintaining public garden spaces in the community. TICKETS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED ONLINE IMPORTANT: GUIDEBOOK PICK-UP Your purchased ticket needs to be exchanged for a guidebook the day of the tour. The guidebook will have all the house info along with a map of locations. Pick-up location: 3400 12th St NE - in front of St. Anthony Catholic School. Pick-up times : 11AM - 3PM, Sunday, May 18th. FAQs Where Can I buy Tickets the Day of the Event? We typically sell out prior to the tour date! However, if any tickets are available, you will be able to buy online until sold out - Remember to pick up your guidebook at St. Anthony Catholic School at 3400 12th St. NE What's the refund policy? No refunds. Can't make the event? Share with a friend so that they can enjoy! Is there a Rain Date for the event? This is a rain or shine event! No rain date. Can I bring my dog? Please leave your pet at home! Other Questions? Email info@gbgc.org with any additional questions Information Source: Greater Brookland Garden Club | eventbrite

Artificial lights have become such a common nighttime fixture that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution extend beyond our reduced view of the stars, but solutions can have an immediate impact. Through more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why the dark night matters, rekindle your connection to the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?

Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle! From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs.

Committed to both craft and causes, this visionary artist-activist continues to inspire us today. One of the defining artists of the 20th century, Elizabeth Catlett addressed the injustices she witnessed and experienced in America and Mexico through her bold prints and dynamic sculptures. See more than 150 of her creations in this exhibition, including rarely seen paintings and drawings. Trace the career of this cultural force—from her roots in Washington, DC, Chicago, and New York to the remarkable body of work she made during some 60 years in Mexico. In striving to make art for the people, Catlett put social justice at the very center of her work.

YOU ARE BUYING TICKETS TO THE 11AM SHOW Doors Open at 11AM Shows Start at 12:00PM We're back for a fabulous Mother's Day Drag Brunch at Throw Social! 4 flocking fabulous queens take to the stage to perform in this sassy, extravagant, fantabulous event! $25 ADMISSION includes admission // seat // and a complimentary meet & greet with the Queens! food and drink are NOT included but a brunch buffet, LIMITED a la carte menu, and cocktails will be available for purchase Bottomless Mimosas available for $25 per person Choose from an Endless Brunch Buffet or a LIMITED a la carte menu! BUFFET MENU ($30) - scrambled eggs - breakfast potatoes - French Toast - Waffles - Assorted Danishes & Muffins - Bacon - Biscuits & Gravy - Corn Beef Hash Brown - Salad Bar - Margherita Flatbreads - Action Carving Station w/ Ham Dollar Bills provided onsite! AGES 18+ Information Source: SADBrunch | eventbrite

Timeless Muchasurveys Czech painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), exploring his revolutionary contributions to graphic design and the enduring influence of his signature style. Featuring over 100 works from the Mucha Trust Collection, the exhibition traces Mucha’s artistic evolution—from his early training to his rise as a leading figure in the Art Nouveau movement—highlighting his intricate linework, flowing forms, and highly stylized designs that transformed poster art, commercial illustration, and visual aesthetics worldwide. In the 1960s, Mucha’s distinctive style was revived in the vibrant poster art of the counterculture movement, becoming a hallmark of psychedelic rock posters, album covers, comic books, and Japanesemanga.

See three awe-inspiring sculptures by an American artist who transforms tires to explore environmental concerns. For over four decades, Chakaia Booker has cut, coiled, and contorted tires, sculpting the industrial waste into spectacular abstract forms. Booker uses discarded tires both as a commentary on cultural histories and experiences and as a sustainable practice. Salvaging the tires avoids their disposal into landfills, where they trap and emit methane gas. Her works encourage us to consider the history of the material of tires as well as the effect rubber can have on our future. Three monumental wall relief sculptures—Acid Rain (2001), Echoes in Black (Industrial Cicatrization) (1996), and It’s So Hard to Be Green (2000)—are presented. Each sculpture spans 20 to 21 feet wide and features a mass of curled bands of tire rubber, some interspersed with spiky shards, coiled strips, and loops made from inner tubes. Booker’s six-part photogravure series Foundling Warrior Quest (II 21C) (2010) showcases the artist as a mythical being foraging in a harsh, industrial landscape.

See three awe-inspiring sculptures by an American artist who transforms tires to explore environmental concerns. For over four decades, Chakaia Booker has cut, coiled, and contorted tires, sculpting the industrial waste into spectacular abstract forms. Booker uses discarded tires both as a commentary on cultural histories and experiences and as a sustainable practice. Salvaging the tires avoids their disposal into landfills, where they trap and emit methane gas. Her works encourage us to consider the history of the material of tires as well as the effect rubber can have on our future. Three monumental wall relief sculptures—Acid Rain (2001), Echoes in Black (Industrial Cicatrization) (1996), and It’s So Hard to Be Green (2000)—are presented. Each sculpture spans 20 to 21 feet wide and features a mass of curled bands of tire rubber, some interspersed with spiky shards, coiled strips, and loops made from inner tubes. Booker’s six-part photogravure series Foundling Warrior Quest (II 21C) (2010) showcases the artist as a mythical being foraging in a harsh, industrial landscape.

See three awe-inspiring sculptures by an American artist who transforms tires to explore environmental concerns. For over four decades, Chakaia Booker has cut, coiled, and contorted tires, sculpting the industrial waste into spectacular abstract forms. Booker uses discarded tires both as a commentary on cultural histories and experiences and as a sustainable practice. Salvaging the tires avoids their disposal into landfills, where they trap and emit methane gas. Her works encourage us to consider the history of the material of tires as well as the effect rubber can have on our future. Three monumental wall relief sculptures—Acid Rain (2001), Echoes in Black (Industrial Cicatrization) (1996), and It’s So Hard to Be Green (2000)—are presented. Each sculpture spans 20 to 21 feet wide and features a mass of curled bands of tire rubber, some interspersed with spiky shards, coiled strips, and loops made from inner tubes. Booker’s six-part photogravure series Foundling Warrior Quest (II 21C) (2010) showcases the artist as a mythical being foraging in a harsh, industrial landscape.

To mark the paperback release of the New York Times bestseller, Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism, former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Stephen Breyer offers a provocative analysis of the textualist philosophy of the current Supreme Court’s supermajority and makes the case for a more pragmatic approach of the Constitution. Justice Breyer will be in conversation with Neal Katyal, former Acting Solicitor General of the United States. Katyal is currently the Paul and Patricia Saunders Professor of National Security Law at Georgetown Law and is a partner at Milbank LLP. He has argued 52 cases before the Supreme Court of the U.S. with Politics and Prose Bookstore Events at Sixth & I Click here for directions to our historic building. For details about accessible seating and entry, click here . Click here to review our event policies, security procedures, and food and beverage policies. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your ticket to someone else. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your in-person ticket to a virtual ticket Information Source: Sixth & I: Talks | eventbrite

In Mark Twain , Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow illuminates the fascinating life of the writer long celebrated as the father of American literature. Drawing on Twain’s archives, Chernow captures the person whose career reflected the country’s westward expansion, industrialization, and foreign wars, and who was the most important white author of his generation to grapple so fully with the legacy of slavery. Mark Twain is a moving tribute to the talent and humanity of America’s first and most influential literary celebrity. with Politics and Prose Bookstore Events at Sixth & I Click here for directions to our historic building. For details about accessible seating and entry, click here . Click here to review our event policies, security procedures, and food and beverage policies. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your ticket to someone else. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your in-person ticket to a virtual ticket Information Source: Sixth & I: Talks | eventbrite

American Soft Power: Disassembly of Institutions | Focus: Voice of America Join us at the for a thought-provoking discussion on the current state of American soft power. Our speaker, Beth Mendelson, and moderator, Ilya Ponomarev, will explore how the traditional mechanisms of U.S. influence—media, diplomacy, cultural institutions, and international aid—are shifting, eroding, or being redefined in an age of political polarization, institutional skepticism, and rising authoritarianism. About the Speaker – Beth Mendelson   With over 30 years of experience in communications and media, including 19 years at Voice of America, Ms. Mendelson offers a deeply informed perspective on current U.S. institutional shifts. She was an award-winning documentary filmmaker and Executive Producer at Voice of America, specializing in issue-driven storytelling. Her recent film Jamala: Songs of Freedom follows Ukrainian singer Jamala during the early hours of Russia's 2022 invasion and her activism for Ukraine.  Other selected works include:  Symphony of Courage – about Afghan music students escaping to Portugal  Turkey: Breaking the Silence – on media repression in Turkey  After Parkland – exploring school gun violence in the U.S.  Boko Haram: Journey From Evil – with original Boko Haram footage and stories of resistance  A Single Step – on global women leaders, hosted by Sally Field  AIDS: Living in the Shadows – hosted by Elton John  John F. Kennedy: A Legacy Remembered, Immigration: The New Face of America, and A Fateful Harvest  With 30 years in media, Mendelson has worked for PBS, CNN, ITN, ARD, and MSNBC, and produced content for organizations including the World Bank, USAID, and the State Department. She formerly led VOA’s Afghanistan Service.  About Free Peoples of Russia House   Founded by the Congress of People’s Deputies (a shadow parliament of the Russian Republic), the Free Peoples of Russia House is a nonprofit platform for the democratic opposition to the Putin regime. The House hosts regular events, including panel discussions, fundraising, and cultural programming, and facilitates dialogue between resistance representatives and the American political elite. Oversight is provided by a board of trustees chaired by President Lech Wałęsa and President Viktor Yushchenko.  Information Source: eventbrite

Welcome to the Howard University Themed Trivia Day Party ! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at Takoma Station Tavern where we'll test your knowledge on all things related to Howard University. Put on your thinking caps and get ready to compete with fellow Bison fans. Whether you're an alum, a student, or just a fan, this event is perfect for anyone looking to show off their Bison pride. You may even win a prize! Don't miss out on this exciting event filled with trivia, music, and great company. See you there! Information Source: eventbrite

Experience the wonders of nature through the eyes of an artist. Look closely at works of art that depict insects and other animals, as well as real specimens. Art played a key role at the dawn of natural history in 16th and 17th century Europe. Advances in science and technology, trade, and colonial expansion enabled naturalists to study previously unknown and overlooked insects, animals, and other beestjes, or "little beasts." Artists such as Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel helped deepen and spread knowledge of these creatures through highly detailed and playful works that inspired generations of printmakers, painters, decorative artists, and naturalists. A delight for all ages, this exhibition uniquely showcases nearly 75 of these paintings, prints, and drawings, as well as specimens and taxidermy from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Learn about the rich exchanges between artists and naturalists that have fueled our fascination with creatures big and small on Earth. Watch a new film by artist Dario Robleto to see how the intersection of art and science continues to inspire us.

Join DSTRKT Events on Sunday, May 18th at Dirty Habit for our 2025 World Whiskey Day Celebration! Get a FREE RSVP and join us at Dirty Habit in the Glass room & on the outdoor patio for good music, strong drinks, and spring vibes...PLUS: ✔️Delicious spring menu curated especially for DSTRKT Events ✔ Smokes by Petworth Cigars ✔ Whiskey Flights ✔ Music by DJ Shindig ✔ 30 & Up mature vibes ✔ Bottle service & table reservations available ✔️FREE Entry with RSVP Table reservations/bottle service sections can be reserved HERE. * PLEASE READ THE FAQ SECTION before reserving a table* PLEASE, PLEASE!! This event WILL sell out so get your tickets or table NOW! Questions? Contact TC@DSTRKTDC.COM Information Source: D S T R K T | eventbrite

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Baking Yesteryear comes Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Roadtrip, a cross-country culinary journey with 100 uniquely American recipes. From the deserts of the Southwest to the shining Atlantic Coast, the USA is as sweet as it gets. Social media personality B. Dylan Hollis takes you on a delicious road trip to taste everything from the coffee-crazed creations of the Pacific Northwest to the larger-than-life sheet cakes of Texas. Hollis will be in conversation with Emily Heil , a reporter covering national food news and trends for The Washington Post . *All books will be pre-signed by the author. A book signing will follow the event for those who would like a name added to their book. Events at Sixth & I Click here for directions to our historic building. For details about accessible seating and entry, click here . Click here to review our event policies, security procedures, and food and beverage policies. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your ticket to someone else. Click here for step-by-step instructions to transfer your in-person ticket to a virtual ticket Information Source: Sixth & I: Talks | eventbrite

Job Seekers and Employers are welcome! Information Source: Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition | eventbrite

Join us for an all-day celebration on the day we launch the Exposed DC Photography Collection at the DC Public Library ! This celebration of local photography will showcase more than 300 stunning images throughout the day on the MLK Library 5th floor and its incredible roof deck. This one-day-only event will feature multimedia artist Robin Bell with a live video remix of the collection. Through projection mapping and archival artistry, Bell will transform images from the Exposed DC Photography Collection into a dynamic, site-specific performance and installation. The site-specific installation will continue through the evening reception, when DJ Sequoia and v:shal will join us on the roofdeck to provide music. The entire event is free and open to the public . Tax-deductible donations to support the work behind the Exposed DC collection and celebration can be made through Eventbrite and on site. The event will run continuously, with daytime hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and reception from 5 to 9 p.m. More event details to come! --- This project is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Information Source: Exposed DC | eventbrite

Welcome to the 1708 Lounge "Kappa Cigar Day Party" ! Get ready for a day filled with good vibes, great music, and of course, cigars. Join us at the Historic Kappa House on Sat May 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM for an unforgettable experience. This is the perfect event to kick-off your Memorial Day Weekend. This event will feature four (4) levels of entertainment, including: · Premium Open Bar · Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres · Cigar Giveaways · Multiple Cigar Vendors on site · Souvenir Giveaways · More to come! Music Provided by DJ Detoxx Special Guest: Mike Jackson of CigaR&B Information Source: Dr. Rondelle Price | eventbrite

SUNDAY MAY 25TH 2025 5:00PM - 10:00PM THE ROOFTOP SOCIAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EDITION PERCH ROOFTOP LOUNGE CAMBRIA HOTEL CAPITAL WATERFRONT 69 Q STREET SW WASHINGTON DC 20024 ADVANCE TICKETS JUST $10 MORE AT THE DOOR AMENITIES INCLUDE: ROOFTOP INDOOR/OUTDOOR LOUNGE FULL FOOD MENU (ROOFTOP) CRAFTED COCKTAILS VALET PARKING - $20 FOR BOTTLE SERVICE/TABLE RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL/TEXT 202.590.6323 TWO DJ'S SPINNING HIP-HOP, R&B, AFRO BEATS, SOCA, SALSA, TOP40 & MORE! **MUST BE 21 & OLDER **ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS THANK YOU TERRY FRASIER SOCIAL ARCHITECTS Information Source: SOCIAL ARCHITECTS - TERRY FRASIER | eventbrite

Artificial lights have become such a common nighttime fixture that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution extend beyond our reduced view of the stars, but solutions can have an immediate impact. Through more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why the dark night matters, rekindle your connection to the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?

Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle! From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs.

Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle! From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs.

Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle! From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs.

Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, and techniques. How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition invites you into a world of lace ruffs, jousting, hawks, bad handwriting, scandal, and political factions. Experience the playbooks, the people, and the spectacular fails, as courtiers tried to navigate the minefield of working for a boss who could shower you with riches or chop off your head. The exhibition features more than 60 objects from the Folger’s collection to demonstrate the “rules” for how to be a successful courtier. They show how historical and literary figures ranging from royal advisors to household staff used cunning, cutthroat, and creative means to acquire power and curry favor with the Tudor monarchs.

Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, and techniques. How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition invites you into a world of lace ruffs, jousting, hawks, bad handwriting, scandal, and political factions. Experience the playbooks, the people, and the spectacular fails, as courtiers tried to navigate the minefield of working for a boss who could shower you with riches or chop off your head. The exhibition features more than 60 objects from the Folger’s collection to demonstrate the “rules” for how to be a successful courtier. They show how historical and literary figures ranging from royal advisors to household staff used cunning, cutthroat, and creative means to acquire power and curry favor with the Tudor monarchs.

Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, and techniques. How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition invites you into a world of lace ruffs, jousting, hawks, bad handwriting, scandal, and political factions. Experience the playbooks, the people, and the spectacular fails, as courtiers tried to navigate the minefield of working for a boss who could shower you with riches or chop off your head. The exhibition features more than 60 objects from the Folger’s collection to demonstrate the “rules” for how to be a successful courtier. They show how historical and literary figures ranging from royal advisors to household staff used cunning, cutthroat, and creative means to acquire power and curry favor with the Tudor monarchs.