DC's emancipation celebration the year after the Civil War ended brought thousands of Black people to the streets for a parade, speeches, and celebration along Pennsylvania Avenue and Franklin Square on April 19, 1866.
This year, it was the 20th anniversary of DC Emancipation Day being an official holiday.
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Win tickets to the DC Chocolate Festival at the French Embassy
If you are obsessed with chocolate like I am, you'll want to taste all of the chocolate you can at the DC Chocolate Festival April 25-26.
Reply to this email by Friday 4/18 with "CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL" to be entered to win a pair of tickets to the festival on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, or Saturday afternoon. Winner to be chosen at random.
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Did you go to one of these? Reply and let me know how it was!
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๐ค Catch on until April 30 for a haiku contest on themes like โOnly in DCโ or โFreedom and Diversityโ and get your work featured + prizes! Now until Wednesday 4/30. Free.
๐บ For R&B fans, meet Jagged Edge at the altar in your white dress. They're bringing their 25 Years of J.E. Heartbreak Tour to DC. Wednesday 4/16. $82+.
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๐๏ธ Shop from local artisans for gifts, crafts, and bites at the Cleveland Park Night Market from April to September. Starts Thursday 4/17. Free.
๐ผ๏ธ Hear big stories behind big objects and artifacts in a series of 15-minute talks, like the story behind the Southern Railway Car No. 1200. Thursday 4/17. Free with museum admission.
๐ฐ Know about the first gay rights picket at the White House in 1965? Come to Lafayette Square to see the last surviving picketer reenact this history. Thursday 4/17. Free.
๐ค Don't miss the first-ever White House trivia night at The People's House this Thursday 4/17. $20.
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๐ฐ See and reflect on Akili Ron Andersonโs Last Supper Sculpture, as part of one of the series of public viewings this Holy Week starting Sunday 4/13 - Friday 4/18. Free, donations welcome.
๐ค TGIF but want to stay low-key? Join this fun adult spades night at Fort Stevens Rec Center. Friday 4/18. Free.
๐๏ธ Play around with glow-in-the-dark paintingin a UV-lit studio, with a neon artwork you can take home. Friday 4/18-Sunday 4/20. $38.
๐ญ Witness the life of Anthony Bowen in a documentary, the first African American employee at the US Patent Office and a civil rights advocate. Friday 4/18. Free.
๐ผ๏ธ See art at nightat the National Portrait Gallery with Friend Vibes Only for a meet-and-greet with art lovers + a self-guided gallery visit. Friday 4/18. Free.
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๐ฐ Buzzword Walking Tour educates you on the reality of gentrification on DC's historic legacy businesses. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐๏ธ Spend the weekend on a leisurely group bike ride through neighborhoods and stop for a picnic afterwards. Saturday 4/19. $15+
๐ผ๏ธ Join this docent-led exhibition tour on how African Americans thrived during the segregation era in 1876-1968, at the NMAAHC. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐ Shakespeareโs birthday celebration at the Folger Library features exhibitions, puppet shows, printing press demos, lawn games, and birthday cupcakes. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐ญ Jazz Film Festival celebrates the history and evolution of jazz through films. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐ฐ This guided walking tour rewinds the history of hospital sites and its vast hospital network in Alexandria during the Civil War. Saturday 4/19. $15.
๐คธ LW Race 2025, the biggest Class 5 race in US, will be back for an amazing whitewater race course. Buy your tickets before race day. Saturday 4/19. $75.
๐ค Bring your broken items to MLK Libraryโs fix-it DC clinic and have repair experts fix them, or learn repair techniques to fix it yourself. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐๏ธ Soul Bloom is a creative community picnic for people to enjoy the outdoors and embrace self-expressions through journaling, bracelet making, art, and flowers. BYO Picnic. Saturday 4/19. Free.
๐ง Interested withbird photography? Learn the basic skills to start with live demonstration for beginners. Saturday 4/19. Donation.
๐ฒ Bring a basket (or borrow) for an exciting urban egg hunt, plus coloring activities and kid-friendly snacks at Edgewood Community Farm. Sunday 4/20. Free.
๐ฝ๏ธ Dinner with Friends is an intimate culinary evening and dinner series featuring a delicious menu by Martha Dear. Stay tuned for the release of reservations on Monday 4/21! $95 per person.
๐ฒ Forage wild edibles you can find within DC in spring with expert Nick Spero of the Natural History Society of Maryland. Wednesday 4/23. Free.
๐พ 1921 Biergarten is turning six, and theyโre throwing an after-hours birthday bash in the museum garden featuring Sixlets candy, designing your own six-sided die, and $6 off a new museum membership. Wednesday 4/23. Free.
๐พ Spend some time with goats! No yoga, just afun hang out with goats. Take photos, mingle, and feed the goats. Thursday 4/24. $40.
๐๏ธ Enjoy watercolor painting and conversations held after-hours at the Petworth Library this Thursday 4/24. Free.
๐ผ๏ธ All the finest in American craftmanship will be at the Smithsonian Craft Show, featuring top artisans in ceramics, basketry, jewelry, furniture, textiles & more. Thursday 4/24-Sunday 4/27. $25.
๐ค Secure your tickets for this in-demand Bingo + Goats session. Play bingo and cuddle a herd of adorable Dwarf goats from Walnut Creek Farm. Friday 4/25. $40.
๐ฒThe 8th DC Chocolate Festival is two days of chocolate tastings, workshops, and meeting with chocolatiers from aroung the world. Friday 4/25. $25+.
๐๏ธ The 3rd Annual Black Women in Food Summit celebrates Black womenโs contributions to the food indsutry with chefs, restauranteurs, food writers, and entrepreneurs present. Friday 4/25 to Saturday 4/26. $25+.
๐พ Visit three Virginia vineyards for a wine tasting day trip with friends (or come alone). Includes shuttle transport from DC. Saturday 4/26. $85.
๐ฒFoodies, be the first to taste dishes from eight new kitchens on the block before they open. See award-winning chefs and exclusive dishes, and hear inside scoops before these new gems open to the public. Saturday 4/26. $119.
๐๏ธ Customize your favorite book at Old Town Books' bedazzling workshop this Saturday 4/26. $25.
๐ค Live music all day will take overPetworth PorchFest this Springwith 300+ bands on 100 porches. This volunteer-led festival will be a giant outdoor concert! Saturday 4/26. Free.
๐ฝ๏ธ The Veg Society of DC is hosting a vegan potluck for vegan food lovers. Bring your plant-based dish, a recipe card, and swap recipes. Sunday 4/27. Free.
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๐ See Tina Knowles on her book tourfor MATRIARCH, where she talks about her powerful story on Black motherhood. Wednesday 4/30. $67+.
๐งโ๐คโ๐ง The 3rd Annual DC Boat Show features sailboats, motorboats, and industry experts you can ask regarding latest boating gears. Friday 5/2. $20+.
๐ This yearโs 86th Annual Flower Mart features floral displays, artisan vendors, food stalls, entertainment, and All Hallows Guildโs antique carousel. Friday 5/2-Sautrday 5/3. Free.
๐๏ธ At the Garden Festival, you can shop from over 30+ vendors for rare plants, garden antiques, and architectural treasures for your outdoor decor. Saturday 5/3. $15+.
๐ฐ Grab this unique chance to ride the historic Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park, a beautifully restored menagerie carousel from the 1921. Saturday 5/3. $2 per ride; $5 all day pass.
๐ If you want to feel like traveling the world without leaving DC, come to the Around the World Embassy Tour for diverse authentic cuisines, traditional performances, art exhibits, and interactive cultural experiences. Saturday 5/3. Free.
๐ฒ Join Italian Foodie & Wine Lovers in exploring Italian cuisine & wine tastings at the festival. Plus, gourmet chocolates and live cooking demos from Chef Amy Riolo. Saturday 5/3. Free admission with RSVP.
๐ฒ DC Veg Restaurant Week features participating restaurants with plant-based dining specialties, special vegan menus, discounts, and culinary events. Saturday 5/3 until 5/10. $50+
๐ Healthy Homes Fairreturns with 100+ exhibitors and an appliance โpetting zooโ featuring the latest home technologies needed to decarbonize our homes. Win prizes and e-bike incentives. Saturday 5/10. Free.
๐คธ Itโs ditch the cars and bike to work day! Stop by the Franklin Park for a free morning coffee, treats, and live music. Thursday 5/15. Free.
๐ฝ๏ธ Join Common Good City Farm for an open-air farm spring dinner and farm-to-table meals prepared by Chef Kay of Shaleafaโs Kitchen. Thursday 5/22. $54.
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.
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