Free & Almost Free Things To Do This Week In DC

Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around DC. Every week we highlight free and almost free activities, a choice happy hour or two, food specials and hot tips for budget survival. PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. So, time to plan the week! 

• Tuesday, September 29 – Busboys & Poets is presenting the film, The Mask You Live In, a film on American masculinity, as part of the Media Rise Festival.
• Wednesday, September 30 – Friday, October 2 – If you’re into documentaries and investigative journalism, you should know that the ~first-ever~ Investigative Film Festival (IFF) is being hosted at the National Portrait Gallery.
• Thursday, October 1 – Every Thursday in October, the National Harbor is hosting a free movie night on the Potomac. This week they’re showing Jerry McGuire.

• Friday, October 2 – The National Gallery of Art is showing Agnès Varda’s film, The Beaches of Agnès, in American University’s McKinley Building. She’s the first female director to receive the Palme d’honneur. Girl power.
• Saturday, October 3 – The Creation of Meaning is having its Washington premiere. Director Simone Rapisarda Casanova will be at the National Portrait Gallery in person. Maybe he’ll take autographs.

• Tuesday, September 29 – St. Arnold’s Cleveland Park & The Abbey is hosting three local comedians. If you aren’t into comedy (that’s a joke), there are half-priced apps and bottles of wine. Rail drinks are $4.
• Tuesday, September 29 – Good Graeff is playing at DC 9. They band is comprised of twin sisters, Brooke and Brit. Sounds twice as cool.
• Wednesday, September 30 – Get your groove on to Jacques Le Coque, Psychic Subcreatuires, and Slurred Words at Lamont Street Collective.
• Wednesday, September 30 – Black Cat is hosting Hemlines. This is one of the best shows of the week.
• Thursday, October 1 – DC Public Library is hosting Title Tracks, BRNDA, and Art for Sorority Girls to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Library Basement Shows. Pick up a book while you’re there, yeah?
• Friday, October 2 – Our FREE Bentzen Ball show, You, Me, Them, Everybody Live is at The Wonderland Ballroom with Brandon Wetherbee, Allison Lane, Gavin Holland, Ian Abramson, Haywood Turnipseed Jr, Jessy Morner-Ritt, Norm Quarrinton and Ryan Little

• Saturday, October 3 – Our Bentzen Ball show at the DC Improv, 7 Minutes in Purgatory, is technically $15 but it includes a free Nando’s meal so if you factor that in it’s really a $5 show and that’s a deal.

• Sunday, October 4 – The Pinch is hosting Big Hush, Neiv, Warm Sun, and Brief Candles. Sounds like this show is going to be #fire.

• Wednesday, September 30 – Bid farewell to September and Dr. Clocks Nowhere Bar, as it becomes Rendezvous Lounge come the first of October.
• Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3 – Serbian food! And culture! This weekend is SerbFest DC!
• Saturday, October 3 – The Vegetarian Society of DC is hosting DC VegFest. With 130+ vendors, free admission, free food samples, a beer garden, and a place for your dog to chill out, lettuce enjoy ourselves.
• Saturday, October 3 – If you’re dying to go to a food festival but vegetarian just isn’t your thing, Taste of Georgetown might be the option for you.
• Saturday October 3 – Columbia Heights Initiative is hosting the semi-annual Oktoberfest block party. It’s free admission! Just bring nonperishable canned foods to support the community food drive.

• Thursday, October 1 – The Phillips Collection is hosting [email protected], a contemporary art exhibition. There are gallery talks, music, and food. It’s cheaper is you’re a student or a senior.
• Saturday, October 3 – The 7th installment of Art in the Alley is back this weekend.
• Saturday, October 3 – For those of you who broke out your sweaters and boots too early because you were just #so #excited for fall, Rhode Island Avenue Fall Fest features shopping, food, art, and entertainment. And probably lots of sweaters.
• Sunday, October 4 – Gateway Park is host to Afghan Arts and Culture Festival. Get ready for music, dancing, and food.
• Sunday, October 4 – If you’re looking for shopping, music, and food, the Takoma Park Street Festival is this weekend.

That’s all, remember – PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. Feel free to leave us your suggestions in the comments. Sharing is the new caring.