Home » What to Do This Weekend Around Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia: May 16-18th
Weekend events in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia
Whats Happening

What to Do This Weekend Around Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia: May 16-18th

No weekend plans yet? That’s about to change! The DMV region has something for everybody on the calendar this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including family-friendly festivals, garden sales, comedy shows, and so much more!

Shows, Activities, Events & More in Maryland This Weekend

Whether you’re an avid reader or you love to kick back with a glass of chardonnay, this weekend in Maryland has something for you. Kids can earn their bike “driver’s” license at the Children’s Bike Rodeo, or families can enjoy Sunday afternoon at the Spring Street Fair in College Park.

Spring Book Sale: Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library

Where? 42455 Fairgrounds Road, Leonardtown
When? May 16th-18th

This weekend’s Spring Book Sale will be held at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Friday’s event is designated as “Members Only Day,” and the public is invited to attend on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will be a bargain sale day, so swing by to take advantage of last-minute deals from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The book sale is organized by the Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library, which is an organization of individuals who advocate for and support the library. Members of the organization receive early buying privileges at the Spring Book Sale on Friday. Consider joining online so you can get first dibs on the best reads! Family memberships begin at just $15.

16th Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival

Where? 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg
When? May 17th

The annual Gaithersburg Book Festival is returning for its 16th year to celebrate books, writers, and literary excellence this Saturday. The festival will be held in Bohrer Park, and the festivities are free to attend for the public. There will also be free parking! The hours are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the fun will kick off rain or shine. Presenting authors at this year’s festival include Liza Achilles, Sarah Albee, Rick Atkinson, Jacqueline Davies, David Ellis, and many more. Books will be available onsite, and there will be opportunities for signings! There will also be child-centered programming throughout the day in the Children’s Village to engage young readers.

Children’s Bike Rodeo

Where? 9129 Northfield Road, Ellicott City
When? May 17th

The Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department & Boy Scouts of America are excited to host this Saturday’s Children’s Bike Rodeo at the Dunloggin Middle School. The event will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is a free children’s bike safety event designed for grade school-aged kiddos who want to learn, practice, and demonstrate safe bicycle handling skills on various agility courses. Kids can earn their “driver’s” license for their bike, giving parents increased confidence that their little ones can safely handle themselves on two wheels. These activities are not suitable for scooters. Treats onsite include the Bull on the Loose food truck and the I Scream truck! Make sure to bring a helmet.

31st Wine in the Woods Festival

Where? 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
When? May 17th & 18th

Whether you’ve been attending the Wine in the Woods Festival for three decades or this is your first year, all are welcome to experience the fun at Symphony Woods. Hours run from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and through 5:00 PM on Sunday. Participating wineries and breweries at the 2025 festival include Elk Run, Cove Point Winery, St. Michaels Winery, Oliver Brewing Co., Rosie Cheeks, and many more. The entertainment lineup will kick off with Kia Bennett from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on the Vineyard Stage and Kay K on Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on the Chrysalis Stage. Though children are permitted, the festival does not offer kid-friendly activities, and little ones ages 2 and up will require a non-taster’s ticket.

Spring Street Fair

Where? 9217 51st Avenue, College Park
When? May 18th

Mark your calendar for this vibrant afternoon of fun at the College Park Spring Street Fair this Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This is a family-friendly event that will feature an exciting lineup of street vendors, delicious food trucks, and plenty of awesome activities for all ages. Kiddos will want to check out the art space and families can learn new tips and tricks at the cooking demonstration kitchen or at one of the on-site art classes! Additionally, the street fair will showcase live music and even special gifts for dog owners. Parking restrictions in the area will be lifted for the duration of the event, with additional spaces available at the former Stone Straw Industrial Property on 51st Avenue.

3rd Annual Wine Village in Baltimore

Where? 503 Light Street, Baltimore
When? Through June 1st

Come on out and celebrate the third annual Wine Village in Baltimore! Weekend hours are hosted from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM Friday through Sunday. The festivities run through June 1st, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the offering and peruse the wine and food market to get a taste of Maryland, as well as European delicacies and refreshing summer appetizers. Admission is free and attendees can pay as they go for food and drinks. There will be non-alcoholic options, as well as kid-friendly beverages and a family-friendly picnic area. Live performances will be held on stage throughout the event, with this weekend’s lineup kicking off with 8-Ball Deluxe on Friday at 7:00 PM, followed by Moniquewilsonn on Saturday at 7:00 PM and Steve Hung on Sunday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Shows, Activities, Events & More in Washington D.C. This Weekend

Weekends in the capital city are never dull! Check out the Milk Tree pop-up installation or catch a performance of Asian AF at The Kennedy Center. DC Improv will be hosting a Double Header on Sunday, so take advantage of double the laughter and invite some friends!

Asian AF

Where? 2700 F Street NW
When? May 16th & 17th

Asian AF is returning to The Kennedy Center for four spectacular performances this weekend. This premier Asian American variety show has garnered praise in Los Angeles and New York, spotlighting some of the best Asian American comedians, actors, improvisers, sketch performers, storytellers, and more. This weekend’s show will be headlined by Fumi Abe and Sureni Weerasekera. The show is recommended for mature audiences! Grab your tickets fast, as Friday’s late show is already sold out! Additional performances are scheduled on Friday at 7:00 PM and on Saturday at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Milk Tree: Pop-Up Art Installation

Where? 5221 Wisconsin Avenue NW
When? May 16th-18th

Bell Visuals is excited to return for another awesome interactive exhibit on Wisconsin Avenue NW. This pop-up display will be centered around lighting, video, and the one-of-a-kind tropical Milk Tree plant. Artist Robin Bell and his partner began propagating plants from a single Milk Tree in 2018. Since this time, they’ve successfully created over 80 plants from the original. The Milk Tree LED installation is designed to enliven, inspire, and transform. May’s hours are set from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Double Header @ DC Improv

📷 Photo courtesy of The DC Improv

Where? 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW
When? May 18th

Catch this Sunday’s double-header comedy show at the DC Improv Comedy Club. Why see one headliner when you can see two? Laugh alongside good friends and new acquaintances as you watch Paris Sashay and Rallo Boykins take the stage starting at 7:00 PM. The show will run for approximately 90 minutes! Sashay hails from DC but lives in New York. Her commanding storytelling can turn the most mundane of experiences into a compelling adventure that the audience is eager to hear more about. Boykins got his start at Howard University and is known for his quick wit, conversational delivery, and hot takes on polarizing subjects. General admission tickets are priced at $26.50, with limited reserved seating options available for an additional fee. Doors open at 5:45 PM.

Shows, Activities, Events & More in Northern Virginia This Weekend

Celebrate spring in Northern Virginia this weekend with the Spring Wine Festival in Mount Vernon or at Spring Garden Day at Green Spring Gardens. Locals and visitors alike are invited to the annual McLean Day celebration and to the 5th Annual Asian Festival on Main for a full day of food, music, and activities!

Spring Wine Festival

Where? 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
When? May 16th-18th

The Spring Wine Festival at George Washington’s Mount Vernon is a can’t-miss this weekend! Hosted on the East Lawn, this is a popular annual springtime event where the public can sample unlimited wines from some of the state’s finest wineries. Bring along a blanket to relax on the lawn as you soak in views of the Potomac River, and don’t forget to take home your very own commemorative wine glass! The Hula Monsters will be performing music throughout the event! Featured wineries at this year’s festival include Barrel Oak Winery, Jolene Family Winery, The Winery at Bull Run, Walsh Family Wine, and many more.

Spring Pierogi Festival

Where? 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church
When? May 17th

Settle Down Easy Brewing is hosting the Spring Pierogi Festival this Saturday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM or until sold out. Enjoy the best pierogies in town paired with some of the best brews in Northern Virginia! Enjoy three different types of pierogis or enjoy six for $12. Don’t forget to take advantage of the topping bar, which features all of your favorite accoutrements like diced bacon, sour cream, sautéed onions, and more. The festival will include live music and tickets will be sold for $10 at the door.

Spring Garden Day: The Big Plant Sale

Where? 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
When? May 17th

Whether you have a green thumb or you’re trying to develop one, you won’t want to miss out on The Big Plant Sale this Saturday. This is a free event that welcomes gardeners of all ages and skill levels. From 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, shop until you drop at this popular event that features countless varieties of plants. Go completely native in your landscaping or add fruiting plants to your gardens to enjoy fresh produce. There will be master gardeners available to offer advice and answer questions, as well as local artists, food vendors, and more at the Friends of Green Spring Park Bake Sale. Don’t forget that you can visit Green Spring Gardens year-round for a gold mine of information and inspiration!

McLean Day 2025

Where? 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
When? May 17th

McLean Day has been a beloved community festival since 1915! This Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, celebrate at McLean’s biggest annual festival to ring in a spectacular 110th birthday. From rocking live music, beer and wine, gourmet food options, and 100+ exhibitors and sponsors, you won’t run out of things to do. Bring the kids along for balloon animals, games, a petting zoo, carnival rides, a magician, and an array of amusements. This event typically draws upwards of 10,000 visitors throughout the day, so arrive early and stay late! Ride tickets are sold both onsite and online. You can make advance purchases here.

5th Annual Asian Festival on Main

📷 Photo courtesy of Asian Festival on Main

Where? 3950 University Drive, Fairfax City
When? May 18th

Celebrate Asian heritage this weekend at the 5th Annual Asian Festival on Main, which has become the largest Asian cultural celebration in Virginia! Enjoy food, arts, education, and performances in the heart of Old Town Fairfax City this Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This one-day outdoor family event strives to spread a message centered on love, togetherness, and celebrating diversity. The festival will feature 60+ food vendors, 60+ local and artisanal vendors, and various cultural performances and showcases. Returning to headline this year’s performances is the Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe. There will also be karaoke, a beer garden, and a cosplay contest hosted in collaboration with Kosupure DC.

We Hope You Enjoy Your Weekend!

There’s lots going on this weekend around the DMV, from family-friendly festivals, plant sales, double header comedy shows, pop-up art installations, and so much more. Whether you want to relax with a glass of wine at the Wine Village in Baltimore or gorge on pierogies at Settle Down Easy Brewing, you can truly do it all! Make sure to set a reminder to visit us again next week for an updated curated list of the best weekend events in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia!