It’s Independent Bookstore Day! Celebrate the wonderful world of books, reading, knowledge and fun with your favorite independently owned and operated stores! Use this fun map to explore! We love you, East City Books, Solid State Books, Capitol Hill Books and all the other stores on this list! If you hit six or more, you get fun stuff!
Want to be a tourist in our neighborhood? Barracks Row Main Street has a monthly walking tour on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sign up here.
In case you missed this volunteer opportunity last weekend, you can show up again at Stanton Park this Saturday, 10 am, and work with Revive Stanton Park!
The United States National Arboretum is holding their annual plant sale on Saturday, April 26. This is a great opportunity to score great plants, especially native ones. For more information and to support the Arboretum by joining FONA, click here.
Now on April 27, join Hill Family Biking from 4-6:30 p.m. to celebrate their 2nd Birthday! The ride will celebrate the new protected bike lanes on Florida Ave NE and honor Dave Salovesh, a DC bike advocate who passed six years ago after being struck by a driver on Florida Ave. The ride starts at 12th Street NE and K St NE and ends at Lincoln Park with FREE pizza, cupcakes, face painting, Nolan the Magician, and more! We’ll be there with merch and smiles, too! Come celebrate biking, community, and safety with us!
Sponsored: We were approached to tell you, our readers, about this beautiful house on 7th Street NE, right off H Street NE. Check out this reel about the house and check out the open house on Sunday, April 27, 1-3 pm!
OFF-HILL
At Penn Social, learn more about the flu and why it keeps bedevling us all. For more info and tickets, click here.
Don’t forget! The Anacostia Community Museum is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they always have something fun going on! Learn more here.
April is Deaf and Hard of Hearing History month and the city has several interesting events planned. A Jubilee focused on accessibility and multimodal education on April 30? To learn more about the Mayor’s Office of Deaf, Deaf Blind and Hard of Hearing (citizens?), click here.
Looking for a fun and different lunch? I was recently invited to try the revamped menu at Mecha Noodle Bar in Union Market and it was really delicious. Their ramen and pho are tasty and highly customizable, but I have not been able to stop thinking about their spareribs. They are dainty but pack a punch and the meat is fall-off-the-bone good.
Hey there, hep cats! Do you love knowing about the newest restaurants before they are open? Then Mess Hall’s New Kitchens on the Block event is for you! On April 26, taste new bites and new libations from new kitchens! Featuring new concepts from industry pros like Kevin Tien and Victor Albisu among others, this is a can’t-miss event. Get your tickets here.
Finally, if you love home tours, the LeDroit Park Home and Garden Tour on April 26 is the one for you! Grab your tickets here. Want to volunteer? Click here and get a free ticket!
PLAN AHEAD
Oh Lawd, they running! The Chihuahuas, that is! The annual Running of the Chihuahuas is coming to the Wharf again on Saturday, May 3. More info to come, but check The Wharf’s page for all the fun here. This is going to be a crazy weekend, because it’s also Derby Day. Whoo!
By the way, the Because They Are Funny Comedy Festival will be back at the Wharf in October, but if you think you’re a funny person, you should enter the Breakout Comedian of the Year contest! Submissions are now open for this career-launching opportunity for up-and-coming stand-ups. The winner takes home $10,000 and a shot at Hollywood talent representation. Want to enter? Are you….
- 21+ and a U.S. resident who identifies as African, Latino, Indigenous American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.
- Submit a 4-5 minute stand-up routine via YouTube or Vimeo.
- Deadline: May 31, 2025
Good luck! Click here to find out more and to apply.
CHAWbaret is happening May 2 and 3. This evening of songs and FUNdraiser for CHAW is an annual tradition. Learn more and get your tickets here.
The Capitol Hill Restoration Society is holding their annual House and Garden Tour on May 10 and 11. This is a great chance to peek into some gorgeous Hill homes and gardens and meet neighbors. Learn more and get your tickets here.
Okay, this is not even in DC but it’s too cool not to share: Gateway Community Development Corporation has their annual open studios tour this coming May 10, 2025. Click here for more information and a list of participating artists. There’s an afterparty too!
On May 26, celebrate local photography as Exposed DC celebrates local photography at MLK Library. For more information and to RSVP, click here. Proud to say that one of my images is included in this collection.
BIG AND TRUE! Open Streets is finally coming to Capitol Hill! The event, which prioritizes people and fun over cars, will take place on Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will close a one-mile stretch of Hill roads: from North Carolina Avenue SE at 6th Street to 11th Street SE, through two blocks of East Capitol Street SE and finally continuing on Massachusetts Avenue SE, stopping at 17th Street SE. Learn more here and mark your calendar!