# Things to Do in Washington DC with Friends This Weekend

Things to do in Washington DC with friends this weekend, Oct 16–18: 6 dated events, buzzy bars, group-friendly restaurants and plans. Updated Oct 17.

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This weekend in Washington, DC: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 6 dated events

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

What's on in Washington, DC this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.

## Happening Today

Events and things to do tonight

### Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC at Audi Field
Mid-day rivalry kickoff along the Capitol Riverfront as the Spirit host Gotham FC on a crisp autumn Saturday afternoon.
- Venue: Audi Field
- Location: Buzzard Point, Washington, DC
- Date: 2026-10-17 12:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Sports Fans & Families
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/district-vs-empire-washington-spirit-vs-washington-district-of-columbia-10-17-2026/event/15006428D62284C6

### An Evening with Andrew McMahon and His Piano at 9:30 Club
An intimate early evening solo set from the Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin frontman on V Street.
- Venue: 9:30 CLUB
- Location: Shaw / U Street, Washington, DC
- Date: 2026-10-17 5:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Music Lovers
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/an-evening-with-andrew-mcmahon-and-washington-district-of-columbia-10-17-2026/event/150064C4FD485322

### The Tallest Man On Earth at Lincoln Theatre
Kristian Matsson brings his kinetic acoustic fingerpicking and ragged folk lyricism to U Street's historic theater.
- Venue: Lincoln Theatre
- Location: U Street Corridor, Washington, DC
- Date: 2026-10-17 8:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Concertgoers
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-tallest-man-on-earth-washington-district-of-columbia-10-17-2026/event/150064B5C0A1AE5D

## This Weekend in Washington, DC

Curated picks for Saturday and Sunday

### Ford's Theatre Presents: Come From Away
The uplifting musical chronicling how the small town of Gander embraced thousands of stranded airline passengers, staged inside one of the city's most storied venues.
- Venue: Ford's Theatre
- Location: Downtown, Washington, DC
- Date: 2026-10-18 1:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Theatergoers
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A70xjO

### Merrily We Roll Along at Signature Theatre
Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's reverse-chronology classic about ambition and friendship, mounted in Shirlington's intimate black-box space.
- Venue: Signature Theatre
- Location: Shirlington, Arlington, VA
- Date: 2026-10-18 2:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Arts Enthusiasts
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1AAZNkd

### The Score at Sidney Harman Hall
Shakespeare Theatre Company presents a gripping dramatic confrontation set against 18th-century Europe in the heart of Penn Quarter.
- Venue: Sidney Harman Hall
- Location: Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
- Date: 2026-10-18 2:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Culture Lovers
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1AAev_t

## Eat & Drink

Autumn menus and standout tables

### Morning Pastries & Wood-Fired Pita at YELLOW
Chef Michael Rafidi's flagship Levantine bakery turns out za'atar croissants, cardamom cold brew, and wood-fired flatbreads with charred eggplant labne.
- Location: Union Market District, Washington, DC
- Cost: $
- Best for: Weekend Brunchers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Morning%20Pastries%20%26%20Wood-Fired%20Pita%20at%20YELLOW%20Union%20Market%20District%2C%20Washington%2C%20DC

### Vinyl Grooves & Feijoada Bites at Cana
An intimate Brazilian boteco where passion fruit caipirinhas pair with warm pão de queijo and slow-braised pork cheeks while crate-digging DJs spin.
- Location: Adams Morgan, Washington, DC
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Date Night & Nightlife
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Vinyl%20Grooves%20%26%20Feijoada%20Bites%20at%20Cana%20Adams%20Morgan%2C%20Washington%2C%20DC

### Hearth-Fired Levant Dining at Albi
Centered around an open hearth, the charcoal-grilled lamb kebab, sfeeha, and coal-roasted squash make this one of the most vibrant fall tables along the Anacostia.
- Location: Navy Yard, Washington, DC
- Cost: $$$$
- Best for: Food Explorers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Hearth-Fired%20Levant%20Dining%20at%20Albi%20Navy%20Yard%2C%20Washington%2C%20DC

## New & Notable

Seasonal highlights and neighborhood moments

### Peak Canopy Walk along Boulder Bridge
Mid-October brings beech and oak foliage to near-peak amber; wander Beach Drive and cross the 1902 granite Boulder Bridge without car traffic.
- Location: Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
- Cost: $
- Best for: Walkers & Leaf Peepers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Peak%20Canopy%20Walk%20along%20Boulder%20Bridge%20Rock%20Creek%20Park%2C%20Washington%2C%20DC

### Fall Cassoulet Nights at Pastis DC
As evening temperatures drop into the 50s, the Union Market brasserie rolls out family-style slow-simmered duck and white bean cassoulet served with crusty country loaves.
- Location: Union Market District, Washington, DC
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: French Food Lovers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Fall%20Cassoulet%20Nights%20at%20Pastis%20DC%20Union%20Market%20District%2C%20Washington%2C%20DC

## Quick Escape

Weekend road trips within 2–3 hours

### Skyline Drive & Stony Man Summit
Drive 90 minutes west to Shenandoah National Park's Thornton Gap entrance for panoramic views of the Blue Ridge valley bathed in crimson and copper, paired with cider stops in Sperryville.
- Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA \(90 miles SW\)
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Hikers & Scenic Drivers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Skyline%20Drive%20%26%20Stony%20Man%20Summit%20Shenandoah%20National%20Park%2C%20VA%20(90%20miles%20SW)

### Historic Harpers Ferry & Maryland Heights Overlook
Just over an hour northwest, explore the 19th-century stone streets where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers merge, then climb Maryland Heights for views of autumn colors framing the lower town.
- Location: Harpers Ferry, WV \(65 miles NW\)
- Cost: $
- Best for: History Buffs & Walkers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Historic%20Harpers%20Ferry%20%26%20Maryland%20Heights%20Overlook%20Harpers%20Ferry%2C%20WV%20(65%20miles%20NW)

## Ready-made Washington, DC itineraries

- [A 5-day Washington, DC plan for families \(kids \~6 & 9\)](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/washington-dc/5-day-with-kids)
- [A fall weekend in Washington, DC with kids](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/washington-dc/fall-weekend-with-kids)
- [A fall weekend in Washington, DC for couples](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/washington-dc/fall-weekend-for-couples)
- [A Cherry Blossom Weekend in DC with Kids](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/washington-dc/cherry-blossom-weekend-with-kids)
- [All Washington, DC itineraries](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/washington-dc)

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