20+ Things to Do Near Washington, D.C. March 17-19 – NBC4 Washington
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If this week was a rainbow, the Bowl of Gold is finally full of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and world-class basketball.
Several DMV teams have made it to the NCAA Tournament – check out these bars around D.C. that show March Madness.
While the Harlem Globetrotters can’t go to your bracket (sorry, Tommy), they will be going close to home this weekend.
Plus, “You Should Know” about Alanis Morissette-palooza. Not only is her music on the National Stage, but we’ve caught her headlining a music festival on the Ocean City Boardwalk this fall.
Aren’t we lucky that March 17th falls on a Friday this year? Plenty of bars will start pouring pints and shooting messes early on St. Patrick’s Day, then you can continue to celebrate at The Wharf, Guinness Open Gate Brewery outside Baltimore, and many other places. Here’s our complete guide to St. Patrick’s Day around the capital
Things to do in washington dc
Women in Wine at Vitis Fine Wines (Thursday, Union Market, $25): Stroll around Vitis Fine Wine & Spirits at Union Market and chat with the store’s favorite winemakers and importers. The happy hour event will offer samples of 10 different wines from 6:30-8pm
DC Environmental Film Festival (through March 26): Dates 31ststreet edition, DC Environmental Film Festival aims to showcase films that inspire viewers to protect the environment. You can purchase tickets or tickets to individual movies, including All That Breathes, which earned University of Maryland professor Sean P. Carroll an Oscar nomination. Some offers are free. Here is the schedule.
“Jagged Little Pill” (through March 26): The musical, backed by Alanis Morissette’s cigar-drenched album, will premiere at the National Theatre.
Sister Scream Scream! (Through May 13, Ford’s Theatre): This new musical tells the story of one of America’s most influential rock singers and R&B and gospel guitarists, Sister Rosetta Tharp. The show is based on the book by Gail F. Wald.
St. Patrick’s Day Crawl (Friday, 5 p.m., $19.99) and St. Hard Rock Cafe, Howl at the Moon, Proper 21, Yard House, Penn Social and Penn Quarter Sports Tavern.
Kiss Me, I’m Irish: Washington DC St. Pilar, Café San X, District Sports Bar, Desperados and Voodoo. You can purchase tickets in advance for Friday ($30 plus fees) or Saturday ($25 plus fees). On the day of the bar crawl, grab your wristband and a map of participating locations in Sudhouse DC.
Free pick – Ireland at The Wharf (Sat., noon to 6pm, The Wharf): Keep crazy Go on Saturday with Ireland at the Wharf. Follow the Piper Parade (starting at noon at Kirwan’s Irish Pub) to the District Pier for an afternoon of pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers and a Guinness beer garden. The event is free and family friendly.
Harlem Globetrotters (Saturday, Capital One Arena): While March Madness rages with serious competition, the Harlem Globetrotters are here for some amazing fun and stunts. They will also be at EagleBank Arena on Friday and Saturday night.
Newroz Market at Hook Hole (Sat., noon to 4 p.m., DC): To celebrate the Persian New Year, shop from small businesses owned by Iranians, blacks and browns.
snob music – Messthetics (Sat., 8 p.m., Black Cat, $20 advance) or $22 per day): a unique jazz-punk mix. This musical trio includes two Fugazi members – drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally – and guitarist Anthony Pirog. Portland drums and glazed duo Quasi have opened, having recently released their first LP in nearly a decade.
Free pick – DC Record Showcase (Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eaton DC): Over 45 record dealers sell box after record box, so you’re sure to find a sound that interests you. DJs will be spinning throughout the event. Free admission.
Free pick – Dedication Circle of Life (Sunday, 3 p.m., Congressional Cemetery): Congressional Cemetery officially opens a “Living Monument to Nature,” a green space with 60 linden trees, a walking path, and stone benches. The garden is designed to look like a compass rose – and will provide a special vantage point for tracing the sun’s path at the spring and fall equinoxes, as well as the summer and winter solstices. The dedication will begin with a parade on the drum line led by Batalla Washington, DC.
RE: Her Food Festival (until Sunday): Enjoy mouth-watering creative collaborations from women-owned restaurants—like Sticky Fingers Bakery and Vertage’s Vegan Cheesecake or beef pie from Pizzeria Paradiso and Whole Ox Butcher Shop. Re: It has a map of where to find the good stuff.
Free pick – National Zoo Bird House (The National Zoo, open daily): Six years after the historic building’s 1928 transformation, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo and National Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is now open. Note that the zoo still requires you to have free passes to visit. Check out our first look.
Things to do in Maryland
BabyCat BrewerySt. Patrick’s Day Party 2023 (Fri., 3 p.m., $20, Kensington, MD): This St. Patrick’s Day party will take over the brewery parking lot with music, food, family fun, and—you guessed it—beer. The party will feature live music from Stringtown and Vinyl Fever, and their website hints at a possible visit from a leprechaun. Platter and dram will smoke the pig too. Limited tickets will be available at the event doors. Children under 12 years old can go for free; People ages 12-20 pay $5 and adult tickets are $20.
Patrick’s Day (Friday-Sunday, Silver Spring and Riverdale Park locations): Not only can you get $5 PGC Lager, Cool Breeze Stout, and Big Red Norm Red Ale, plus $8 Jameson shots, but also a portion of Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Montgomery County or the Small Animal Rescue of Prince George.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Open 10 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Baltimore, free admission): Housed in a heated tent, the Irish Village offers food, entertainment, and more — plus free admission. Throughout the month of March, Open Gate offers live St. Paddy-themed music, beer dinners, and tours.
Things to do in Virginia
St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Shipgarten (Friday to Sunday, McLean, VA): Music, green beer, green eggs, and barrels: The Shipgarten has everything you need to celebrate St. Paddy. Live music is scheduled from 2 pm to 7:45 pm on Friday, and the first 50 customers will receive freebies. On Saturdays, keep the party going with beer sampling, a pop-up whiskey experience, games, live music from 12:30-7pm, and live streaming at 4pm. Sunday afternoon for a family-friendly party featuring Disney Princesses and Darth Vader (admission is free).
Free pick – St. Patrick’s Day (Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Parkhouse Arlington): St. Buddies for Dogs at the Parkhouse. Enjoy drink specials, green papuccinos, a photo booth, and more.
Mom/Dad and Me Cooking Class (Sat., Arlington, $75 per child, parents free): Bring your little chef to a culinary celebration of all things green! A spin-off will include alfalfa chips with guacamole, shamrock bark with pretzels, and green candies. You’ll get recipes to bring home.
Shipgarten St. Patrick’s Family Festival (Sunday, McLean, free): Day three of the Shipgarten Weekend Festival is dedicated to fun for the whole family. The festival is hosted by Princess Merida from “Brave” and Darth Vader and Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog”. Activities will include crafts, face painting and two moon bounces. St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials will also be available for purchase.
Harlem Globetrotters (Friday-Sat, EagleBank Arena): See some dives like never before in Northern Virginia.
Super Pet Expo at Dulles Expo Center (Friday through Sunday, $5-$20): Stop by the Doggie Derby or cat show, shop from pet-related vendors and enjoy the shows. One of the highlights: Dexter, the dog who captured hearts all over the internet by walking on his hind legs, will be taking to the stage to show off his skills and meet some fans. Friendly pets welcome, but keep them on a leash.
Hank’s Oyster Bar Sessions on the Second Floor (Sundays, Old Town, $65-$95): Taste and learn from local chefs. This week, Susan Chen, owner of the Union Market Chinese pop-up market, will teach you how to make dumplings.
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