Gear up for a Labor Day Weekend that’s all play and no work — which is just what the DMV ordered.
From the return of annual events like DC JazzFest and DC State Fair to key opportunities for local actors and Beyoncé fans, the night is always young, and here’s a roundup to keep it going.
Don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to keep up with all the fun.
Thursday, Sept. 3
4 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Free
Anthem Row, 800 K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Immerse in art, culture, and community just steps away from Gallery Place – Chinatown, as the 2026 DC JazzFest Downtown brings the silky sounds of live jazz to the nation’s capital.
Held in partnership with the DC Jazz Festival, DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), and Pipkin Creative, this free music event promises smooth vibes and the likes of Butcher Brown, Corcoran Holt, and Marshall Keys & Soulful Path.
It’s open to all — and one evening folks simply won’t want to miss.
8:30 p.m. | $45
Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20017
Monumental Theatre presents one of the most beloved cult classic musicals of all time: Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show.”
The immersive production takes inspiration from the decades-long traditions of audience participation that made Rocky Horror a cultural phenomenon, while celebrating the show’s legacy as a joyful celebration of queer expression.
Join in for a wild night of science fiction, seduction, self-discovery, and unabashed theatrical mayhem, featuring iconic songs including “Sweet Transvestite,” “Dammit Janet,” and “Time Warp.”
More than that, this rendition offers a timely moment of remembrance for Tim Curry, the 1975 film’s lead Frank-N-Furter, who died Aug. 25.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This production will contain adult language, sexual content, depictions of violence, fog and haze. Recommended for ages 13+.
Friday, Sept. 4
Beyoncé’s Birthday Trivia Night
6 p.m. | $26.29+
Shaw’s Tavern, 520 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Calling all Hive members: Whether a fan since “Dangerously in Love” (2003), the “Lemonade” era, “Renaissance” (2022), or someone who saddled up for the 2024 “Cowboy Carter” drop, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test.
Join Shaw’s Tavern for four rounds of Hive-themed trivia that will challenge memory, test ears, and push dedication to the “Queen Bey,” who celebrates her 45th birthday on Friday, Sept. 4.
The fun doesn’t stop at trivia; compete for titles such as Best Overall Beyoncé Look, Best Renaissance-Inspired Outfit, and Best Cowboy Carter-Inspired Outfit. Plus, guests are invited to create their ultimate Top 10 Beyoncé songs list, and see how it stacks up against everyone else’s.
Grab your team, get in formation, and let the biggest fan win!
Professor Vera Katz’s Two-Night Intensive Acting Master Class
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. | $39.19
Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
In a two-night intensive acting master class (Sept. 3-4), actors will be selected from the audience to take the stage and work with scene partners using material from celebrated television shows, films, and plays.
Legendary acting educator Professor Vera J. Katz will break down performances, offer direct feedback, and teach the acting techniques she has developed over more than five decades of training and mentoring performers –– from household names like Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, to the late Chadwick Boseman and DMV’s own Taraji P. Henson.
The actors will take those techniques back into rehearsal, return to the stage, and perform the same scene again, allowing the entire audience to witness their growth and transformation in real time.
Come ready to watch, learn, and possibly perform.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Rhythms, Roots & Recipes: Community Stories of Food and Music
1 p.m. | Free
National Museum of American History, 14th Street NW & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
“Rhythms, Roots, Recipes: Community Stories of Food and Music” is a series that brings together cooking demonstrations, live music and storytelling.
Father-and-son chef duo Boris and Berj Ghazarian of Bark Barbecue Cafe in Stevensville, Maryland, will be in lively conversation with acclaimed a cappella trio Zulal as the Ghazarians prepare ghapama, a showstopping stuffed pumpkin, and manti, small meat-filled dumplings served with garlicky yogurt or tomato-sumac sauce.
Zulal will share folksongs of love, beauty and family, and journalist Liana Aghajanian will moderate a lively demonstration of how a diverse diaspora preserves and adapts its culinary and musical heritage across generations and geography.
Sunday, Sept. 6
11 a.m. | Free
Anthem Row, 800 K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
This beloved celebration brings together thousands of Washingtonians for a day built around the things that make D.C.’s homegrown talent shine: art, agriculture, and the culinary arts.
Event highlights include:
- 50+ contests, as well as dedicated youth categories that require pre-registration;
- 50+ local vendors, including fair food;
- All-day live music and entertainment;
- A dedicated Kids Zone with games and activities for younger fairgoers, plus a Wellness Zone;
- An Education Stage with demonstrations in art, cooking, and gardening, and more.
Don’t miss out on the family fun!
Monday, Sept. 7
Taste of History: Ongoing Food Experience on the National Mall
10 a.m. | Free
National Mall (Multiple Locations), Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, D.C., 20004
After a thousand-man March on Washington last Friday, the National Mall will transform into a “Taste of History” Labor Day Weekend, presenting a new, ongoing food kiosk experience designed to make dining part of your visit—not just a quick stop.
Located throughout the Mall near major landmarks and Smithsonian museums, each kiosk offers something unique, from playful, photo-worthy menu items to quick, convenient options for visitors on the go.
With expanded menus rolling out throughout the season, Taste of History gives visitors a fresh reason to stop, refuel, and enjoy more of their time in Washington, D.C.
55th Annual Labor Day Arts Show
Noon | Free
Glen Echo Park, 7300 Macarthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
The 2026 Labor Day Art Show — the 55th anniversary of this event — will return to the historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park from Sept. 5-7.
This unique exhibition and sale presents the work of more than 400 artists from the greater Washington, D.C., area and features a wide range of media, including sculpture, paintings, works on paper, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, and furniture.
A Glen Echo Park tradition, it brings together students, teachers, and art enthusiasts each year to celebrate the Park and its many distinctive arts programs.
