WASHINGTON — It's weekend time! Celebrate the first week of November with a number of activities around the DMV, from markets to get you in the holiday spirit to others that let you hang on to cider and pumpkin patch season just a little longer.
Every week, WUSA9 is giving you the details on at least nine local activities to check out in your off time. We'll give you three ideas (and, sometimes, a bonus item or two) every week each in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Have any more events you think your neighbors should know about? Email the time, place and description to bashford1@wusa9.com.
DC
- Recurring; Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
- 444 E Street, NW | Washington, DC 20001
- Admission: $20
- Organizer: National Law Enforcement Museum
For history buffs, this unique tour will be sure to pique their interest. The tour takes visitors back in time, to see how the four presidential assassinations impacted the ways federal law enforcement changed in light of these events focusing on the FBI and Secret Service.
"The tour focuses on the rise of federal law enforcement as a result of both successful assassinations and assassination attempts. The tour lasts roughly 75 – 90 minutes and covers about 1.2 miles," organizers specify.
The tour will begin in the National Law Enforcement Museum at the History Beat exhibit, where visitors will start by watching the Presidential Assassinations video. The tour will then take guests outside to begin the walking portion.
- Saturday, Nov. 5 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Admission: Starts at $50
- Organizer: Nationals Park
Beer lovers, rejoice! This event gives all who attend the opportunity to taste test more than 80 breweries, plus live music and access to the dueling piano bar and food truck alley.
The craft breweries will be on-site, ready to serve up their fall seasonal brews. Attendees can also enjoy cover bands and DJs throughout the park, lawn games and vendors.
- Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Embassy of the Czech Republic, 3900 Spring of Freedom Street Northwest Washington, DC 20008
- Organizer: Embassy of the Czech Republic
- Admission: Reservations are required and admission is free.
Despite the warm temperatures this weekend, it's never too early to get into the Christmas spirit and grab a few unique items to stuff under the tree in the coming weeks.
"Browse stands filled with beautiful handcrafted ornaments, Bohemian crystal, exquisite bead and glass jewelry, fine art, Moravian wines and traditional liquors," organizers shared. "Enjoy the taste and smell of mulled wine as well as an assortment of delicious Czech pastries and gingerbread, and savory cuisine."
Plus, visitors can see live animals from the nativity scene. Stick around to listen to children of American Sokol Washington DC and Slavic American Sokol performing Czech Christmas carols and live music by Czech pop artist Thom Artway.
- Sunday, Nov. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
- 3000 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, District Of Columbia (Meet across the street from the zoo, a TTD representative will be visible)
- Admission: $20
- Organizer: Things to Do DC
"Look for items, answer trivia, get exciting pictures and win big prizes!" organizers share about this wild scavenger hunt.
"How does it work?
- Upon arrival, we will break you into teams. Each team will be given a list of several items to retrieve, pictures to take, or answers to get from the zoo The items are all of little or no cost.
- The winning team will be the one that collects the most points. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
Throughout the day, you’ll learn about and explore fascinating subjects of a wide range at the zoo. There are a large number of items listed and what you see depends upon your team’s resolve, speed, and ability to have fun!"
MARYLAND
- Saturday, Nov. 5 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- 5310 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-3704, United States, Located on the plaza in front of Bloomingdale's
- Admission: Free
- Organizer: The Shops at Wisconsin Place
"Unwind and enjoy festivities including a pop-up beer garden by Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co., live local music by The Original Moonlighters, snacks and drinks, caricature art, arts and crafts, games and more!" this festive event description reads.
"Enjoy cocktails and fall seasonal favorites at The Capital Grille, savour a freshly baked pastry and warm drink at Le Pain Quotidien, or stroll the shops to find the latest fall fashion and beauty trends you'll love!"
- Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794
- Admission: $5, or $7 for a multi-day pass. Children under 10 are free.
- Organizer: A to Z Crafts
Tis the season to get going on your holiday shopping! Here's a cool place to start -- check out the Howard County Crafts Spectacular.
"A craft show featuring over 350 artists and crafters," the event description reads, also highlighting their free gift wrapping, free parking and free courtesy shuttles back to your car, along with door prizes every 15 minutes throughout the weekend.
The event will also feature magic shows on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3 p.m.
- Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852
- Admission: Tickets start at $35; vary based on seat locations
- Organizer: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
This unique re-telling of the classic story of love and temptation centers the perspective of a Black American soldier during the Vietnam War.
". . . this world-premiere theatrical adaptation effortlessly blends supreme storytelling with the virtuosity of the BSO’s musicians," organizers describe.
"For the second half, the full BSO takes the stage to perform Rune Bergmann’s new suite from Prokofiev’s epic ballet, Romeo and Juliet, full of breathtakingly gorgeous music."
VIRGINIA
- Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Dulles Expo Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center
- Admission: Starts at $12.50. Kids under the age of 12 are free.
- A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to WGTS 91.9, a local non-profit Christian radio station. In addition, visitors are invited to bring a can of food for a food drive to support Food for Others.
- Organizers: Pathway Vendors LLC
"Bring your friends, family, and appetite for a delicious weekend shopping experience!" the event description reads.
"The top coffee shops, coffee roasters, chocolatiers, gourmet food purveyors, and unique artisans from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and abroad will gather."
- Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Great Country Farms, 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135
- Admission: $14/child & $16 /adult
- Organizer: Great Country Farms
Pack your loved ones in the car for a road trip and one last pumpkin patch hurrah this weekend... this time, to get rid of your leftover jack-o'-lanterns!
Proud carvers can send their works of art flying before they rot on the porch at Great Country Farms Smashin' stations.
"The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to our upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40ft lift," organizers detail.
"You will be sure to love giving your pumpkin one final ride. What happens to all those smashed pumpkins?… the pigs and cows love to eat them and we compost the rest."
Plus, stick around all day for a full schedule of events, from cider-pressing demonstrations to marshmallow roasting and a cow train ride.
- Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 7310 Beulah St, Alexandria, VA 22315
- Admission: Free
- Organizer: Nalls Produce
Or maybe you never got to carve a pumpkin in the first place, and there's no better time than the present? You're in luck at Nalls Produce!
"We provide the pumpkins and shared kid-safe tools, and you provide the creativity!" organizers share. "Carve your own pumpkins at Nalls for FREE and leave them here to light up Beulah Street . . . Then, drive by after dark on Saturday or Sunday to see them all lit up!"
Organizers say carving will take place outside and plenty of space will be provided so that families can maintain social distancing. Carving will be available the entire five-hour period.