Is there anything else to do other than listen to “The Life of a Showgirl”? I mean, you could always read what Pitchfork has to say about it, amirite? Or, you know, not. Let’s find you other ways to have fun. But first:
TAYLOR SWIFT DID A SHOWGIRL THING
And frankly it’s the only thing happening that matters to a large segment of all y’all. You can celebrate it and sing along with fellow Swifties:
Problem Child is having theirs on October 3 with a live band! Tickets.
And Wunder Bar is doing Swiftoberfest on October 3 too. Info.
Cynthia is having a very Swiftie brunch on October 4. Reservations.
The Pug will have theirs on October 6. Info
DON’T FORGET: Every night at SEVEN p.m. (note the time change!!), make noise and get to know your neighbors. More info here.
HAUL-O-WEEN YARD SALE– OCTOBER 25: Did you absolutely LOVE our first-ever Capitol Hill Yard Sale back in June? Or perhaps you were bummed that you couldn’t participate? Well, then REJOICE because we are back! Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 25! Want to be part of the fun? Fill out our Google form HERE.
NEED YOUR DONATIONS: The Ward 6 Health Day is happening on October 25 at Eastern Market Metro Plaza and you can help make it a success with your donations. Lazarus is seeking new and gently used books and new and gently used Halloween costumes. Drop off your donations at The Roost and at the Miracle Theater! Have questions or want to donate loads of money? Yay! Send an email to allison@wearlazarus.org
SIGN UP: On October 25, a beloved Hill event and fundraiser returns: A Literary Feast is back! This dinner party fundraiser for the Capitol Hill Community Foundation happens all over the Hill and registration is open now through that excellent point in time when all the tickets sell out. Learn more about the dinner parties HERE and register HERE.
Do you live in SMD 7D06 and are looking for a way to make a difference in your community? The commissioner post for this single member district will soon be vacant. Learn more about the office of the ANC here and throw your hat in the ring!
HILL-BOUND OR BUST
Tango Pastry is offering a coffee special for Federal Employees and the Tune Inn has Shutdown specials. It’s a dark, dumb timeline, but our favorites–– both new and old–– are here for us.
On October 6, run– do not walk!– to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for the Washington Bach Consort’s Noontime Cantatas. This month, you can expect Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, BWV 552 and Actus Tragicus, BWV 106. Learn more here.
Not that it had left us, but WOW, is the FOLGER BACK! Their latest production is titled Julius X: A Re-envisioning of the Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIFYING — yeah, I’m doing all caps! It really is that good. The cast? Tight, talented, terrific. The play itself? An absolute delight. A seamless, effortless romp and absolute harrowing tragedy rolled into a sinewy package. The set? Perfection. The costumes? Incredible. Honestly, I have not had this much fun watching a horrible tragedy in a long, long time. My words do not do this incredible production justice so you’re going to have to go see for yourself. Click here for tickets. As always, the Folger has not only discounted tickets but also special shows for different needs.
Rose’s Luxury is celebrating a big birthday (10 years!) and they want to celebrate with you. They are bringing back your favorites for a prix fixe of $150 per person. Reserve it during October 1-3 and 8-11 here.
Take in the sights around the Hill and be part of a fun Bar Crawl, organized by our friends at Union Pub, The Eastern and Barrel! The Crawl will take place every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, with brunch seatings at Barrel starting at 11 a.m. After brunch, explore the Hill and visit The Eastern and Union Pub at your own pace! For more info and to get your tickets, click here.
Don’t forget the Library of Congress has Live! at the Library events every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy something different each week against an incredible and historic background. You must have a pass to enter but all events are free. More info and RSVP here.
Want to explore our beautiful Anacostia River by boat with Anacostia Riverkeeper? Schedule a private boat tour here!
Yoga classes can be pricy, which is why you gotta take advantage of the freebies. District Flow Yoga has a free Vinyasa class at Eastern Market Metro Park. Bring your own mat, towel and water (and hand sanitizer?) and enjoy 60 minutes of yoga. More info here.
Want to dance your way to fitness? Freestyle Dan’s Fit comes to Barracks Row on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays to get your rear in gear. Check it out here.
Union Station has TWO fun weekend activities for you: The Friday West Wing market has bread, empanadas, fresh produce and flowers and more! The Saturday Rail Market at Union Station is happening this Saturday and future Saturdays, so put it on the calendar. Enjoy vintage finds and all sorts of different vendors. More information here.
And Taffety Punk brings us Cyrano. Is it time to get witty with our enemies? ALWAYS. Tickers here.
And at the far end of the Hill, enjoy the RFK Flea Market every Saturday, weather permitting, starting at 7 a.m. and wrapping up at 3 p.m. For more info, click here.
OFF-HILL
The National Building Museum has a new exhibit titled Coming Together, about the power of cities’ downtowns and their fragility. It’s a strangely moving exhibit and you should check it out. Click here for more info and tickets.
The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum IS BACK BABY!!!! Catch a movie or catch a nerdy documentary– we don’t judge how you get your jollies. Learn more and get your tickets here.
The newest destination with a potentially confusing name that has the activations you want is the Bridge District (as opposed to District Bridges, which is in Northwest). Come hang out near Anacostia Park and enjoy a Farmers’ Market, yoga, a pickleball clinic and so much more. PLUS! They have an outdoor movie series! Click here to learn more about it.
Are you 50 or over? Then join the District’s Senior Games! From September to November, enjoy getting competitive across the District and in several different sports! Click here for more information.
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.
The Stacks has Dance and Sip every third Thursday. Get your dance on and your sip on if you need it so you can get your dance on. You know how that goes. More info and RSVP here.
Will the Wiz get any better this season? Probably not, but you can still get your tickets and have a great time at the game. Click here.
Oktoberfest at the Wharf is happening Oktober 4 and OMG GUESS WHAT THEY HAVE THE WIENER 500 DACHSHUND DASH AND IT’S GOING TO BE EPIC AND YOU CAN SIGN YOUR DACHSIE UP HERE. (Squee!)
PLAN AHEAD
The Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival is coming to DC October 10-12. Tickets are on sale NOW! You can also check out the lineup of shows here. Loved the Breakout Comedian of the Year competition– especially because you get to vote!
Snallygaster is back on October 11. Get your tickets here.
But should you find yourself in the Metro-accesible ‘burbs, The Boro is celebrating Oktoberfest on October 11. Dance! Toast! Do fun things! Learn more here.
And the Dead Man’s Run 5k at Congressional Cemetery is happening October 12 but you should register now. You know the early bird gets the discount! Register here.
Valor Brew Pub is starting a series of acoustic performances with local artists on Thursdays, from 8-11 p.m. and they are kicking it off with David Johnson. You can listen to his music here and mark it on your calendar!
On October 16, go to the Capital Jewish Museum for a party and learning experience at CJM After Sunset: Late to the Party Oktoberfest. Learn more and get your tickets here.
The Library of Congress has one of the coolest Family Days scheduled for October 18. If you’re a cartoonist, a doodler, or just can’t get enough of graphic novels, come down to the Library (make sure you have a free ticket) and enjoy Creating Comics. There will be activities, an opportunity to look at the LOC’s amazing colelction, talk to graphic designers and even listen to authors Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud as they talk about their newest collaboration. It’ll be magical. Sign up for tickets here.
It may no longer be the Newseum, but the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center is still a great gathering place. On October 29, abstract artist Lindsay Adams will be unveiling her latest work, titled Ceremony. The solo exhibit will be up through March 7, 2026. You can find more information here.
On October 30, Grammy-nominated Mexican percussion ensemble Tambuco returns to the Library of Congress. This event is SOLD OUT BUT!!!! More tickets will be released October 16 at 10 a.m., and rush passes will be available at the door beginning at 6 p.m. the night of the concert.
Want to go see an excellent book discussion at the Black Cat? YEAH YOU DO! Especially because it’ll be co-hosted by the folks at The War on Cars (they wrote a book) and local besties Solid State Books (who sell books!). Get your tickets here.
Yes, Hill-o-Ween is back ON HALLOWEEN! Check out their website for more info.
Looking for a killer party on Halloween? Then check out Nightmare in Navy Yard on October 31! It promises to be so good, it’s spooky! Click here for info and tickets.
Spike and Mike’s Animation Extravaganza is coming to local theaters on October 31 through November 2. If you’re a fan of irreverent and downright weird animation, this is the show for you. The Extravafanza will be showing only at Regal Theaters, so click here to get your tickets.
Renovating your adorable old home and feeling overwhelmed? Don’t fret! On November 1, come to the North Hall at Eastern Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and take advantage of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s House Expo. More info here.
And on November 28, the first-ever Winter Wonderfest will pop up at Nationals Park! Tubing! Northern Lights! Putt-Putt! MORE! Get tickets here.
And I know March 2026 feels far, but it’ll be here sooner than you think and, along with it, the DC Environmental Film Festival will come back with an important theme: “Against the Current.” To learn about DCEFF and their mission, click here.