Memorial Day Weekend Brings Music, Theater & Tradition to D.C.
By • May 20, 2026 0 698
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, there are lots of options for things to do. Start the weekend off with the last of Evermay’s spring season of The Listening Room, see the National Memorial Day concert, Jazz in the Garden returns and more.
There’s Still Time to Head to GU’s ‘Reflections and Dialogue on the Neighborhood’s Role in Shaping the Capital City’
Professor Adam Rothman, who will be speaking at the event. Courtesy Georgetown University.
Part of the continuing America250 celebration, Georgetown University’s Office of Community Engagement and the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative is hosting an event this evening from 5:30-7 p.m. at Copley Formal Lounge. The event is part of a local series in partnership with the Citizens Association of Georgetown and Georgetown Heritage. A reception will follow the discussion, which features panelists like Professor Adam Rothman from the Department of History: American Studies, and Topher Mathews, chair of ANC-2E and author of The Georgetown Metropolitan. More information on the event can be found here.
Celebrate L’Occitane’s 50th
The skincare and body care brand L’Occitane en Provence is celebrating 50 years with a party at their Georgetown boutique on Saturday. The event will feature complimentary mini facials, glow experiences, and florals by Good Company Floral and treats from Eclat Gourmand. More information on the event can be found here.
Evermay’s ‘The Listening Room’ Spring Season Concludes With ‘A Night at the Opera’
Soprano Symone Harcum, who will be performing at Evermay’s The Listening Room on Friday. Photo courtesy Minnesota Opera.
Evermay’s The Listening Room music series finishes its spring run with “A Night at the Opera.” The event features soprano Symone Harcum and baritone Shavon Lloyd. The performance will be Friday at 6 p.m. The Listening Room aims to be a place for relaxation and reflection while providing a soulful start to the weekend. More information can be found here.
The Smithsonian Castle Temporarily Reopens
The Smithsonian Castle temporarily reopens this Friday. Photo courtesy Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian Castle, which closed in February 2023 for a major renovation, will be reopening for a short time beginning this Friday and running through September 7 of this year. The building will be reopened as part of the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 programming in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The castle is set to serve as a visitor’s center for the Smithsonian, while also including a café, shop and exhibit called American Aspirations. More information on the reopening can be found here.
Honor Memorial Day With a Concert and Parade
The National Memorial Day Concert is this weekend. Courtesy PBS.
In honor of Memorial Day this Monday, there will be the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. The 37th annual affair takes place on the West Lawn of the Capitol and will air on PBS and stream on YouTube. The general public is invited to attend the broadcast.
On Monday at 10 a.m., the National Memorial Day Parade will march down Constitution Ave. with representation from all 50 states, with 5,000 participants. There will be dozens of high school bands participating, as well as reenactors and families of fallen heroes.
More information on the concert can be found here and the parade here.
Jazz in the Garden Returns—But You’ll Need to Enter a Lottery First
Jazz in the Garden returns his weekend for the summer. Courtesy National Gallery of Art.
The National Gallery of Art’s summer Jazz in the Garden series is back Friday. The new season has a theme, “American Sounds,” which will highlight rising voices and celebrated performers of American music. Expect to hear all types of music from brass band to bluegrass, to funk and more. More information on how to enter the lottery to attend Jazz in the Garden can be found here.
See Wendell Pierce in ‘Othello’
Actor Wendell Pierce will be appearing as Othello this spring. Courtesy of the artist.
Actor Wendell Pierce is the lead in Shakespeare’s Othello at Shakespeare Theatre Company, running now through June 28. Pierce, who is known for his roles in The Wire, Jack Ryan, Elsbeth and others, plays the title character who elopes with a nobleman’s daughter while his trusted lieutenant is furious after being passed over for a promotion. More information on how to get tickets can be found here.
Schwartz’s ‘Pippin’ Stops by Signature Theatre
Pippin is at Signature Theatre through the end of July. Courtesy Signature Theatre.
Composer Stephen Schwartz’s (the man behind musicals like Godspell and Wicked) musical Pippin is at Signature Theatre now through July 26. The story tells the tale of a group of performers who bring to life the story of Pippin, the heir of Charlemagne, on his quest for purpose in life. More information on tickets can be found here.
