Weekend Roundup: Folger’s 4th Reading Room Festival Takes Center Stage
By • January 21, 2026 0 74
Weekend plans may get thwarted by an incoming snowstorm, so it’s advised to call or check ahead before attending any of these events. Stay warm!
Next Up on NSO’s Music for Young Audiences: ‘Musical Tails’
Courtesy National Symphony Orchestra.
Featuring a piano quintet from the National Symphony Orchestra, little ones ages 5+ are welcome to attend a musical journey through classic tales with the Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel and The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens. The stories will be narrated in English and Spanish and performed through chamber music. Note: the Sunday at 4 p.m. performance will be sensory-friendly. More information on tickets can be found here.
The Compass Atelier These Exhibition Debuts Saturday
Disobey by Zeinat Gelli.
Graduates of Kensington’s Master Artist Program will be unveiling their oil paintings at the Mansion at Strathmore that mark a transition from students to professionals, bringing new perspectives to the Mansion Galleries. Many Compass Atelier grads have gone on to earn gallery representation and national recognition. More information on the exhibit, which runs through February 28, can be found here.
Folger’s Fourth Annual Reading Room Festival to Explore ‘Vibrant Musicality of Shakespeare’s Verse’
A four-day festival of staged readings, panel discussions, workshops and community celebrations will begin today and run through Sunday. This year’s festival will feature staged readings of four new works, including “Cymbeline: A Telenovela Melodramatic Western,” a bilingual musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s late romance. Arena Stage’s Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif will be directing one stage reading as well. More information can be found here.
The National Portrait Gallery Hosts ‘A Day of Community’
Courtesy Eventbrite.
On Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., the National Portrait Gallery is hosting a day honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his commitment to service. The afternoon is designed for teens and young adults but is open to all. Registration is encouraged, and you can do so here.
The D.C. Auto Show Drives Back into Town
Courtesy D.C. Auto Show
Beginning Friday through February 1, D.C. will once again be hosting its annual Auto Show. There promises to be something for everyone, from carpoolers to those who love exotic, classic and luxury cars. There will also be opportunities for “Rides and Drives” with various companies like Toyota and Tesla. More information on the Auto Show can be found here.
Winter Washington Restaurant Week Continues
Courtesy il Canale.
Running now through Sunday is D.C.’s annual Winter Restaurant Week. Brave the frosty weather and enjoy prix-fixe specials at local restaurants. You can read more about restaurant week here, and check out some Georgetown specials here.
Check Out a Mo Willems Exhibit at the National Children’s Museum
Courtesy National Children’s Museum.
Now through May 10, children ages 2 to 10 and their families are welcome to check out “The Pigeon Comes to Washington, DC! A Mo Willems Exhiibit” at the National Children’s Museum. There will be whimsical activities like a phone booth that makes you sound like the Piggie character, a catapult that launches hot dogs at The Pigeon and more. More information on the exhibit can be found here.
