Mardi Gras Festivities and a Weekend of Events Across the D.C. Region
The D.C. area is brimming with activity as Mardi Gras approaches, offering a diverse range of free and ticketed events for residents and visitors alike. From vibrant parades to intimate performances, there’s something for everyone this weekend and beyond.
Mardi Gras Celebrations Kick Off
Grab your beads and prepare to celebrate! The D.C. region is gearing up for Mardi Gras with several community-wide extravaganzas. In the H Street neighborhood of D.C., family-friendly festivities are planned for Sunday, featuring live performances by multiple marching bands, drumlines, and blues bands.
Further south, Barracks Row Main Street will host its own Mardi Gras celebration on Friday at 8th Street, complete with a parade, live music, and special offers from local businesses. Across the river in Northern Virginia, celebrations are scheduled for Tuesday at Bayou Bakery in Arlington and Shipgarten in McLean.
Organizers have postponed The Wharf’s Mardi Gras celebration to February 22 due to the weather forecast. The rescheduled event promises a parade with jugglers, the king and queen of Mardi Gras, floats, and, of course, an abundance of beads.
Beyond Mardi Gras: A Diverse Lineup of Events
The D.C. area offers a wealth of entertainment options beyond the Mardi Gras festivities. Here’s a look at some of the other events taking place:
D.C. Happenings
- “Sucker for Love”: Story District presents a one-night Valentine’s Day show at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, exploring the complexities of dating and heartbreak with “funny, raw, awkward and unexpectedly moving” stories.
- Galentine’s Day Mini Market: The D.C. Influence and Cookbook Courtyard teams are hosting a friendship-focused shopping experience at Ver Studio on Saturday, featuring local vendors. Admission costs $5 online or $10 at the door.
- The Story of Chocolate: Join Mitsitam Cafe Executive Chef Alex Strong at the Smithsonian American Indian Museum on Saturday for a demonstration of chocolate-making, accompanied by performances from dance group Danza Tecuanis and a bookmark-making activity. This event is free to attend.
- Midnight Madness: Celebrate Lunar New Year early with Midnight Madness in D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood on Monday, featuring lion dances, drumming, and other “colorful festivities.” No RSVP is required for this free event.
- Descendants of Black Georgetown: A panel discussion at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Wednesday will delve into the hidden history of Black Georgetown, hosted by the People’s Archive and the Black Georgetown Foundation. Admission is free.
Maryland Events
- “Freckleface Strawberry”: The Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, Maryland, presents a family-friendly musical about self-acceptance, running from Friday through March 29. Tickets are approximately $28 per person.
- Cupid’s Chase 5K: Runners can participate in the Cupid’s Chase 5K on Saturday in Baltimore, Maryland. While the Wheaton Regional Park event was canceled due to lingering snow and ice, the Baltimore race will proceed as planned. Last year, over 11,000 runners participated nationwide.
- Slow Funeral + Pinky Lemon + Flo Petite: Catch a musical evening featuring two D.C.-based bands and one from Greenville, South Carolina, at Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring on Wednesday. Tickets cost $20 per person.
Virginia Attractions
- Ilia Malinin Winter Olympics Viewing: Cheer on local ice skating Olympian Ilia Malinin at his alma mater, George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, this Friday. The event is free and open to the public.
- Galentine’s Slumber Party Pajama Jam: Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop in Old Town Alexandria is hosting a Galentine’s Slumber Party Pajama Jam on Friday, offering nostalgic games, a spa bar, and crafting activities. The all-ages event costs $15 to attend.
- George Washington Birthday Parade: Head to Old Town Alexandria on Saturday for the oldest and largest George Washington Birthday Parade in the country, featuring drum corps, bands, and impersonators of General Washington and Martha Washington. The parade route can be found [here](link to parade route – placeholder).
WTOP encourages readers to submit their own local events for consideration in the weekly “Things to do in the D.C. area” guide.
