If you haven't lived in DC during an inauguration, let this list of closures be a warning that you don't want to go downtown.

If you have lived here during the recent ones, it probably won't even be as big/busy as his first inauguration, judging by hotel occupancy rates (influenced by both attendees and protestors).

Metro and the roads are all messed up for the inauguration. Don't try to go downtown or event through downtown. Parts of 395 will be closed from Sunday through Tuesday morning.

You can see an interactive map for street closures here, with additional closures around the National Cathedral.

For metro, stations are closed the evening of Sunday Jan 19 and all day Monday Jan 20. At least the yellow line is extended out to Greenbelt for those brave enough to leave the house.

Stations closed:

• Mt Vernon Square
• Archives
• Smithsonian
• Federal Triangle
• McPherson Square
• Pentagon

Valerie

Historic Photo of the Week

View of Georgetown from Rosslyn, some time after 1911, showing the streetcar transfer point, Capital Traction Company Union Station, with its tower.

ICYMI

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Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

I'm continuing with highlighting more events that are put on regularly to help you not only meet new people but have a regular space for you to hang out.

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

This Week

Wednesday

• Enjoy a puppy yoga session with cute rescue puppies today, but bring your old yoga mat as they’re not yet potty trained. Wednesday 1/15. $50.
• Come for jazz, burlesque, martinis, and your best cabaret outfit. Who knows, you might leave as the Best Dressed Start of the night. Hurry, few tickets left! Wednesday 1/15. $25.
• Feast on chocolates and truffles + Spanish wines in cava, reds, and whites. A professional sommelier will be in studio to guide you. Spaces fill up fast. Wednesday 1/15. $55.
• Treat yourself to a three-course dinner of authentic Japanese cuisine with two sakes served for each dish. Think sashimis, Japanese steak, miso, and karaage. Wednesday 1/15. $100.
• If you’re curious about veganism, the Veg Society of DC Vegan is hosting a free discussion where you can talk all things about a plant-based lifestyle. Enjoy a vegan meal afterward. Wednesday 1/15. free.

Thursday

• Connect, chat, and drink with fellow D&D players at the happy hour event the DC-MD-VA D&D Group is hosting. Perfect for finding new friends for your next game. Thursday 1/16. Free.
• Get guidance on tarot card readings while enjoying your winter tea. Thursday 1/16. $60.
• ​Join a vision board workshop to collate all your dreams for this year into one board. Thursday 1/16. Free.

Friday

• Enjoy hip hop hits, played on string instruments for some Bridgerton vibes. Hits and medleys from different artists. Friday 1/17. $47+.*
• ​Get a BOGO meal when you buy one at this three-course dining experience. Friday 1/17. Free.

Saturday

• 🤝 Volunteer at this MLK service cleanup day to help restore the Anacostia River and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Saturday 1/18. Free.
• Toast to a fresh start at this manifestation dinner with fellow ladies from the Brown Girls Social Club. Ticket includes manifestation supplies and a personal journal. Cost of dinner not included. Saturday 1/18. $30.
• 🤝 If you like helping nature this MLK Day, volunteer for a large clean-up at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and help remove trash or invasive plants to keep its natural space alive. Saturday 1/18. Free.
• Release all your stress and tension into this breathwork session and leave feeling renewed. Saturday 1/18. $40.
• 🤝 Volunteer to help assemble and deliver 2,000 care packages at this blanket and toiletry drive for MLK day. Saturday 1/18. Free.
• Love birdwatching or just interested? Come prepared for a nature bird walk with layers, water, snacks, and binoculars to explore one of DC’s top birding hotspots. Join the waitlist for Saturday 1/18. Free.
• 🤝 Arlington’s MLK Day of Service features a volunteer fair, photo booth, and tshirts for the first 750 arrivals. They send out emails for participation details by January 16. Saturday 1/18. Free.
• Learn handcrafting step-by-step and make your own chunky crocheted bag with this 2 hour crafting workshop. Saturday 1/18. $60.
• 🤝 Celebrate MLK Day with Casey Trees and mulch trees planted last year by their volunteers. There’s a short on-site training session. Tasks include weeding, watering, and caring for the young trees at Anacostia Park. Saturday 1/18. Donation.
• Join the MLK Peace Walk and Parade this MLK day on Saturday 1/18. Free.
• 🤝 Help improve the trail near National Landing by removing invasive plants growing near it. Saturday 1/18. Free.

Sunday

• Have fun without drinking at Booze Free Bingo at Metrobar (fun fact, I won the full card round last year!). This was a packed event last year so get your tickets now. Sunday 1/19. $9.
• 🤝 Remove invasive plants with Weed Warriors and Naturalists this MLK weekend. Bring gloves, tools, and a water bottle. Extra gears available if you don’t have one. Sunday 1/19. Free.
• Join this 2-hour workshop and learn how to create your very own aromatherapy gel wax candle and vision board. Sunday 1/19. $50+.
• The official music of DC in 2020, Go-Go, is turning 50 in 2025. Stars like Rare Essence, EU, and Sugar Bear will be spinning to honor Go-Go’s five decades of community spirit. Sunday 1/19. $55+.
• If you need some writing motivation, you can join this free 90-minute dedicated writing session where writers of all levels gather to focus on their work. Sunday 1/19. Donation.

Next Week

• Warm up your winter with craft brew and a LEGO winter cabin build. VIP upgrades include a fireplace, rocking chair, and an ice skating minifigure. Monday 1/20. $65.
• ​Experience an immersive painting class with Tasha Fay as she celebrates her first solo show “Coming Home.” Tasha will guide you to paint an expressive black-and-white art using powder charcoal. Monday 1/20. $20/person.
• Come listen to Professor Patricia Roos’ special talk on her newest book, Surviving Alex. The book features scholarly research, personal loss, and insights into overdose epidemic. Attendees can have a free Naloxone (Narcan) for overdose prevention. Tuesday 1/21. Free.
• ​Canvas Comedy Hour combines art and laughter where you can enjoy live comedy sets and a guided sip & paint session. Wednesday 1/22. $25.
• Grab this chance to look inside DC Water Blue Plains and explore how wastewater is treated and managed at the world’s largest wastewater plant. Wednesday 1/22. $15+.
• Explore cheese & wine tastes with advanced sommelier Claudia Chamberlain as she guides you through four premium wine tastings and four cheese dishes. Tasters get 50% off select featured wines. Thursday 1/23. $65.
• Try delicious mocktails at The Square's Dry January Party. Sample non-alcoholic brands and get a goodie bag worth $50. Thursday 1/23. $19.
• ​Meet the cute pandas Bro Li and Qing Bao on their public debut at the National Zoo. Friday 1/24. Free.
• ​Cook Pad Krapow and Pad Thai with Chef Ben Plyraharn and learn authentic Thai flavors. Perfect for foodies and novice chefs to experiment with. Friday 1/24. $150.
• ​Learn how to preserve your historic DC home with this virtual presentation from DC Preservation League about common materials, common failures to look for, and preservation treatments. Friday 1/24 at noon. Free.
• Watch The Grave Dinner and other monster trucks compete at the ultimate Monster Truck race show. Friday 1/24 to Sunday 1/26. $20+.
• Paint with your hand and battle for debate with your mouth at this paint and debate session at DuPont Underground. Perfect for anyone into both arts and debates! Saturday 1/25. $20.
• DC Transit Day celebrates its 63rd anniversary since the last original DC streetcar ran. See (and maybe ride!) rare streetcars like DCTS 1101 and learn the local transit history and the future of transportation. Saturday 1/25. $13.
• 🤝 Help care for young trees and remove invasive plants at Langdon Park’s Forest Patch. Clip unwanted plants, remove vines, and add mulch. Tools and training provided. Saturday 1/25. Free.
• Enjoy lively music, a fun crowd, and special tropical drinks like $6 Kona drafts or $9.5 Transfusions with friends from Capital City Social group. Saturday 1/25. Free.
• ​Buy your gifts for love day at this Galentine’s pop-up market. Features home decor, a custom bouquet, romance books, viral Dubai bars, charm jewelries, and custom portraits. Saturday 1/25. Free.
• ​Connect with inspiring women in your comfiest PJs and in a luxury picnic setup. It’s a girls’ night of vision boards and educational talks with experts. Saturday 1/25. $65.
• If you want a little sneak peek of your future, come find the Magick Aunties at Atlas Ivy City for some advice and tarot readings in life and love. Sunday 1/26. Price not stated.
• 🤝 The Portrait Gallery celebrates a Day of Action for MLK Day where you’ll learn about community initiatives and ways to get involved from activists featured in exhibits like “The Struggle for Justice.” Sunday 1/26. Free.

Further Out

• The very popular DC House History Workshop from DC Preservation League is happening at MLK Library in the People's Archive. Reserve your spot before it fills up, because it always does! Monday 1/27 at 5:30 PM. Free.
• Listen to Brooke Shields as she shares her thoughts on aging as a woman with Dr. Sharon Malone. Monday 1/27. $45.
• Enjoy 3-course menus as DC's Winter Restaurant Week returns Monday 1/27 to Sunday 2/2. Price starts at $25.
• Former TEDx speakers are coming to MLK Library to share storytelling tips and advice on how to be a TEDx speaker panel. Tuesday 1/28. Free.
• Looking for someone to try new restaurants with during restaurant week? Join ladies from Wonderful Women Without Kids and head to the Amazonia rooftop restaurant for Peruvian food cuisine. Friday 1/31. $55 for a multi-course meal.
• Potterheads will love this Hogwarts-themed festival featuring cosplay contests and a sorting hat ceremony. Don’t forget to dress in your house colors and robes! Saturday 2/1. $18 early bird price.
• Watch modern dance performances from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where they present contemporary favorites, and the signature Ailey classic Revelations played to over 25 million people in the world. Tuesday 2/4 to Sunday 2/9. $50+.
• February's Phillips After 5 is focused on love: appreciate art while joining a singles happy hour and listening to Cinema Hearts. Thursday 2/6. $20.
• Floral fans can get a live floral arrangement demo plus time to play with a variety of flowers. Bring flowers and a vase, then join the flower potluck to swap and share. Saturday 2/8. $45.
• If you need help with your Valentine's card, you can join the Valentine card making session with the Arboretum on Wednesday 2/12. Free.
• There’s a charming and fun new play by Bob Bartlett about records and romance. Opening night on Thursday 2/13. $35.
• Dance to your favorite cover hits from Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Alanis Morissette, and Maroon 5. This is a Valentine’s cover show benefit to support music education programs for DC’s queer and femme youth. Thursday 2/13. $20.
• ​Dress in your best Goddess outfit in pink, roses, pearls, and gold leaf crowns for this Galentine’s Day Goddess Party. Bring your besties! Thursday 2/13. $10.
• If you want an irreverent celebration of love, check out A Date With John Waters on Valentine's Day in his home town of Baltimore. Friday 2/14. $56+.
• Listen to live Indie tunes while painting your own pottery pieces with friends or a special someone this Valentine's Day. Friday 2/14. $6.
• ​Eat sweet strawberries and make hearts day cards for your loved ones on Friday 2/14. Free.
• ​Volunteer for the marsh area around Jones Point Park by picking up trash, litter, and maintaining the trail. Saturday 2/15. Free.
• Learn to make Argentinian empanadas at La Cosecha. Learn to make empanadas filled with ground beef, vegetables, and eggs in this hands-on class. Thursday 2/20 & 2/27. $69.*
• Chefs from local restaurants will have a chili cook-off at Lower Georgia Ave and you can taste & judge their best dishes for the People's Choice Award. Last year had ~10 different restaurants to taste (and I was a judge!). Sunday 2/23. Free (with VIP option).*
• ​Awesome Con 2025 is coming to Washington DC and they're bringing special celebrity guests, comic con panels, screenings, and exclusive exhibits for fans of anime, comics, movies, and games! Friday 4/4. $20

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.