If you love plants … it’s YOUR time to thrive! This weekend, we have a plant sale at the National Arboretum and plenty of festivals just right for Earth Day.
Plus: D.C.’s biggest celebrity is an herbivore … that’s right, baby elephant Linh Mai has debuted at the National Zoo!
Finally, which D.C.-area restaurant has the best brunch? Which content creator should everyone follow? Five categories in the 2026 RAMMY Awards are open to public voting, and you can vote now.
- Weekend weather: Storm Team4 is keeping an eye on those April showers. Download our app for weather updates and hour-by-hour forecasts.
D.C.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute shared footage of the new baby elephant exploring before she makes her public debut on Earth Day.
Baby elephant Linh Mai is ready to meet you! The National Zoo has reopened the Elephant Community Center, so every visitor can say hi to the Asian elephant calf, who was born Feb. 2. The zoo requires each visitor to have a free entry pass, so make sure to reserve one in advance. Linh Mai has crowds waiting to see her. Free
The 2026 Smithsonian Craft Show theme is American Artistry in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. Shop fine contemporary craft and design while supporting the Smithsonian Institution. Through Sun., National Building Museum, $25+
The 9th DC Chocolate Festival lets you try, eat and learn about chocolate while stocking up on delicious treats from local and national vendors. Fri. and Sat., La Maison Française at the Embassy of France, $0 – $30.23 (free for kids 10 and under)
The National Museum of the American Indian’s Living Earth Festival has storytelling, hands-on activities, performances and more centered on the relationship between art and earth. This year, the “Always Becoming” theme celebrates the power of clay and Nora Naranjo Morse’s sculptures made of natural materials. Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., National Mall, free
The Georgetown French Market returns for its 23rd year so you can browse sidewalk sales and specials from over 40 boutiques, galleries and shops. You’ll also find restaurant specials, plus entertainment including live music, a mime and face painting. April 24-26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wisconsin Avenue NW from O Street to Reservoir Road, free entry
Shop thousands of plants and check out over 25 vendors selling gardening goodies at the National Arboretum’s Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Bring kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy free activities. Park in the R Street lot and walk, or take a shuttle from the Grove parking lot. Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Northeast D.C., free entry
Black on the Block, billed as D.C.’s biggest celebration of Black businesses, lets you shop from over 100 Black-owned brands, dance to live DJs and hit up the food court. Kids 12 and under get in free. Sun., 1-7 p.m., Nationals Park, $20
Best of the Apollo has Harlem’s legendary stage teaming up with the Howard Theatre to celebrate Black music and artists right in D.C. The high-energy showcase is set to feature Clipse, D.C.’s own Black Alley, Gabby Samone, Wé Ani and Grammy winner Matthew Whitaker. Sun., 7 p.m., The Howard Theatre, $124+
Maryland
Easton is a great, easy getaway, and now’s a perfect time for a foodie trip. Taste of Easton this Sunday leads into the Eastern Shore town’s own restaurant week.
Maryland Day is the annual open house at the University of Maryland where you can sample a huge variety of activities and performances, including a Broadway showcase, athlete autographs and kid-friendly science demos. Sat., College Park, free parking and admission
The Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts at the Montpelier Arts Center is a spring festival for the whole family. Live music, shopping, gardening talks, crafts and museum tours are in bloom. Make it a date with a $20 picnic food tea box. Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Laurel, free entry
History comes alive in a new reenactment taking place in Arlington. News4’s Tommy McFly previews a play that will draw the audience in and even let them be on a jury in “Julia Sues for Freedom.”
Virginia
Calling all chalk artists, pro or amateur. ChalkFest in Reston is a day of art outside with live music, face-painting and more. Feeling competitive? Register, pay a fee and you can win prizes in categories including people’s choice and family & kids. Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Reston Town Square Park, free to $30
The LoCo Wine Festival lets you sample the goods from 13 local wineries while enjoying live music and browsing local artisans. Sat. and Sun., Old Farm Winery at Hartland in Aldie, $45
The story of Julia Roberts, an enslaved woman who sued for freedom, comes alive in Arlington. “Julia Sues for Freedom” is an original play sharing the story of the 1842 trial, and audience members can ask to be on the jury. Sat., 3 p.m., Ball-Sellers House, free
Music Snob
Matthew Stabley’s concert guide
Jose Gonzalez, 7 p.m. (doors) Thursday, 9:30 Club, $78.85
Swedish singer-songwriter makes simple, gorgeous indie folk. Accompanies his soft, melodic vocals with beautiful classical guitar. Reserved but stirring. Details.
Lydia Lunch’s Murderous Again, 10 p.m. Friday, Comet Ping Pong, $20 (advance)/$25
Lydia Lunch’s uncompromising performance art oeuvre stretches almost 50 years to the founding of her seminal no wave band, the short-lived but legendary Teenage Jesus & the Jerks. Throughout her long-lived career as a poet, musician, speaker, author and actress, she relentlessly challenges norms, her words as confrontational and anti-commercial as her music. Details.
The Droptines, 7 p.m. (doors) Friday, Pearl Street Warehouse, $27
Texas alt-country band leans lightly on the rock and heavy on the Americana roots. With vocals like diamonds (Neil) and tears for beers. Details.
Liberation Weekend II, Friday through Sunday, Black Cat
Prescient D.C. punks Ekko Astral started this festival last year – coinciding with Pride festivities – to support the trans community and trans rights. Like-minded acts, both national (Laura Jane Grace, Pissed Jeans) and local (Pretty Bitter, Pinky Lemon, Spring Silver), fill out three evenings of cutting-edge music. Details.
RAZZ (the) Documentary, 3 p.m. Sunday, Greenbelt Cinema
Screening of a film about D.C.’s greatest (non-go-go) band of the ‘70s. It was a hard group to categorize at the time. Kinda punk before punk, and catchy as hell. The band included power pop icon and hired axe Tommy Keene on guitar. Details.
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