Free D.C.

Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around D.C. 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!

Thursday, December 3rd – The Hirshhorn is showing Jan Švankmajer’s Alice, a surreal and terrifying retelling of Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. We mean terrifying in the best way.
Thursday, December 3rd – How To Change The World is screening at E Street Cinema. For $10 you’ll get to see the movie and be involved in the post-film discussion with activist Bobbi Hunter and Leila Deen the deputy campaign director of Greenpeace.
Friday, December 4th – Freer Sackler is screening the 1980’s Japanese film Zigeunerweisen. It sounds weird which means it should be awesome.

Thursday, December 3rd – Party your life away in the basement of the DC Public Library with Rom, Booby Trap, and Psychic Subcreatures. You don’t even have to care about books (although you really should, just in general).
Thursday, December 3rd – Curse Words, Invaluable, and American Television are playing at Smash! A $5 donation is requested, but apparently day old tacos are fine too.
Thursday, December 3rd – Head over to the DC Improv for their open mic night. Hopefully you’ll laugh, but if not you can always drink until everything is funny.
Thursday, December 3rd – Kohoutek is celebrating the release of there third album at Union Arts. They’ll be joined by Sansyou and Teething Veils.
Friday, December 4th – Run on over to DC9 to catch Discnotheque featuring DJ Sean Morris and Bill Spieler.
Friday, December 4th – BYT Editor Brandon Wetherbee is recording a holiday album featuring Jenn Tisdale (also of BYT), Andrew Bucket, DDM, and more at The Wonderland Ballroom. Go and get in the spirit or something.
Friday, December 4th – Teen Liver plays an early show at DC9 with The Mystery Lights and The Whips.
Saturday, December 5th – Go see some lit up boats sail through the Potomac! It will probably be beautiful.
Saturday, December 5th – There will be fireworks ON ICE at the Pentagon and it’s hard to think of anything cooler.
Saturday, December 5th – The Black Cat is hosting their 6th annual 80’s Mayhem holiday dance party. DJs Steve EP, Killa K, Missguided, and Krasty McNasty will be spinning tunes all night long (or until the close).

Friday, December 4th – Black Cat hosts their Star Trek themed Ten Forward happy hour. Drink specials abound.
Saturday, December 5th – Glen’s Garden Market is finally opening in Shaw and we could not be more excited. There will be samples of food and beverages and general merriment.
Saturday, December 5th – If Star Trek isn’t your thing, swing by the Black Cat for their Dr. Who happy hour instead.

Wednesday, December 2nd – Author and historian Peter Guralnick heads to the Library of Congress to talk about his book Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock N Roll.
Thursday, December 3rd – Long View Gallery holds their holiday group show featuring works by Jason Wright, Mike Weber, Lori Katz, and more.
Friday, December 4th – Miss Pixies is throwing a holiday market party thing! Everything will be 20% off pluuuuus there will be food and drink and music and raffles. No one can deny a good raffle.
Friday, December 4th – If you’re in the mood to trek over to Virginia, hit up the Alexandria Holiday Market. Different crafters and vendors will be out in full force so you can feel free to load up on holiday gifts / treat yo self.
Saturday, December 5th – Head over to Haydees Restaurant for a night of Africa, Latin America, India, Caribbean, Brazilian, and Arab vinyl records from the 50’s-80’s. This is definitely stuff you wont be able to hear anywhere else.
Saturday, December 5th – The Smithsonian Holiday Festival begins! There will be a free film screening, concerts, a book signing, plus C3PO will be there.
Saturday, December 5th – If you love sentimental holiday stuff, check out the Columbia Heights tree lighting at Civic Plaza. There will be complimentary hot chocolate, which is the only thing that matters.
Saturday, December 5th – If you can’t get enough of museums holding holiday themed events, then get excited because the holiday pop up shop is coming to the Hirshhorn. The National Symphony Orchestra Horn Ensemble will be there to play some tunes, plus more than 20 different local vendors will be selling their wares.
Saturday, December 5th – The Smithsonian American Art Museum is hosting an Italian Holiday Family Festival which seems kind of specific, but there is going to be face painting (among other things), so I’m basically there.
Saturday, December 5th – The Heurich House Museum holds it’s annual Christkindlmarkt. There will be jewelers, chocolatiers, housewares, cleaning products (!!!) and more.
Saturday, December 5th – Manassas holds it’s 70th annual Christmas parade. There will horses. Santa will be there. Get hyped.

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.