Free Things To Do In DC

Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around DC. Every Monday 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!

Now onto this week:

Monday, December 8 – Christmas Movie Mondays at Dodge City DC! The holiday fun continues with a triple-feature of Gremlins, Scrooged, and Batman Returns.
Tuesday, December 9 – The Anacostia Community Museum presents Unchained Memories: Stories from the Slave Narratives. First-person slave-era narratives are brought to life in this documentary, which will be followed by a discussion.
Friday, December 12 – The Freer Gallery of Art will be screening Thai film Goodbye South, Goodbye as part of their series “Also Like Life: The Films of Hou Hsiao-Hsien.”
Saturday, December 13 – The Portrait Gallery will be screening Italian film The Eyes, The Mouth, which is the 17-years-later sequel to Fists in the Pocket.
Sunday, December 14 – The Portrait Gallery will continue screening obscure Italian films with The Seagull, a made-for-TV Italian adaptation of Chekhov’s play from the 1970s.

Monday, December 8 – Tech the Halls Mixer at Penn Social. Tech in Motion is hosting an evening of holiday cheer, drink specials, and bar games.
Tuesday, December 9 – Karaoke at Zeba Bar. Make your own tunes this Tuesday with all-night karaoke. Arrive early to get your name on the list.
Wednesday, December 10 – Knowledge Commons DC is hosting a Yule-O ugly sweater party at DC Reynolds. Spread the holiday cheer with buy one give one drinks.

Wednesday, December 10 – Wonderland Ballroom is hosting a Summer Camp-themed show and I don’t really know what that means but it probably will be weird and fun.
Wednesday, December 10 – The 19th Street Band will be playing their good old fashioned americana/country/rock at Denizens Brewing Co.
Thursday, December 11 – Rock & Roll Hotel is having a free 80s party with an all night long happy hour. It is appropriately named “All Night Long, All Night Long.”
Thursday, December 11 – Uniontown Bar & Grill is having a free reggae night with DJ Gino Wilson “so dem reggae vibes can continue to grow.”
Friday, December 12 – Chief Ike’s Mambo Room is having a 90s party with .90 cent drinks from 8pm-10pm. All hail the 90s.

Saturday, December 13 – DJ Rex Riot and Basscamp are throwing a free party at Rock & Roll Hotel. It’s been called “the best EDM show in DC” but you can judge that for yourself.
Sunday, December 14 – Paperhaus will be performing Kraftwerk’s “Trans Europe Express” at U Street Music Hall. Very ambitious.

Wednesday, December 10- The Ronald Reagan building is hosting the third annual Winternational celebration, which explores winter traditions around the world. This includes free cookies, cocoa and apple cider as well an international array of food to be sampled.
Wednesday, December 10- America’s Future Workforce is hosting a free holiday party with FREE FOOD AND FREE DRINKS! Bring cans to donate.

Monday, December 8 – Maida Winters Dance Company at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab. Art and technology coalesce in this free show featuring lights by Enoch Chan and electronic music by Steve Hilmy and John Driscoll.
Tuesday, December 9 – Heart of Hip Hop at Joy of Motion Dance Center. This is an interactive multi-media production that takes the audience on a journey through the history of Hip Hop and its major influences. This event is free but you must RSVP.
Wednesday, December 10- Jonathan Berger from Stanford University will be discussing how he wrote an opera influenced by neuroscience at the Library of Congress. We get it, Jonathan Berger. You’re super cultured and intelligent.
Thursday, December 11 – Urban farmer/writer/founder of The Head & The Hand Press Nic Esposito will be doing a reading at Petworth Citizen along with writer/holder of the best name ever Wint Huskey.
Thursday, December 11 – It’s Second Thursday Art Night at Torpedo Factory Art Center. Go enjoy some after-hours art.
Friday, December 12- Ceremonies of Dark Men will be exploring the role of black men in art through music, poetry and film at the Lincoln Theatre.
Friday, December 12 – The opening reception for a new exhibit by Korean artist Je-hun Choi that explores maritime journeys in three dimensional space will be at the Korean Cultural Center. Korean refreshments will be served.
Saturday, December 13 – Upshur Street in Petworth will be having a spectacular holiday a rts and crafts fair, and all of the businesses along the street will be having open houses. This includes a yoga studio (with massage) and a bike tuneup station to get your bike ready for winter. ESSENTIAL.
Sunday, December 14 – The 4th annual GRUMP arts and crafts show will be at Artisphere. Shop for art amongst other art.