Events

2026 EVENTS SCHEDULE

Every year, we work to create a diverse selection of events, ensuring there’s something for everyone in Van Ness. From meaningful volunteer opportunities, to fun community gatherings, to amazing pop-up markets featuring local artisans, we build community and highlight and amplify the vibrancy of Van Ness.

We are working now to create our 2026 events lineup and will update this page as we finalize our schedule – please check back regularly to see what’s been added! 

April 2026

June 2026

July 2026

August 2026

October 2026

  • October 24 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • October 25 – SPOOKTACULAR! Our family friendly Halloween celebration is back! Get your favorite costume on and join us in Forest Hills Park & Playground for spooky games and activities! Then trick-or-treat along Connecticut Ave. Fill those goodie bags with treats from our small businesses!

Check Out What You May Have Missed in 2025!

February 2025

  • February 20 – Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) – Presentation of Recommendations. The panel of experts will report on their initial findings and take Q&A as part of the development of a land use strategy for Van Ness. The presentation is open to the public.

March 2025

  • February 20 – Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) – Presentation of Recommendations. The panel of experts will report on their initial findings and take Q&A as part of the development of a land use strategy for Van Ness. The presentation is open to the public.

March 2025

  • March 8 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • March 8 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s
  • March 29 – Pollinator Planting Program – volunteers welcome!

April 2025

  • April 1 – April 30 – Spring NOW Bee Search – visit VNMS small businesses and enter to win prizes!
  • April 5, 6 & 12 – Pollinator Planting Program – volunteers welcome!
  • April 12 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s
  • April 19 – The Mayor’s Office of Clean City is partnering with the Good, Clean, Fun Initiative to host a cleanup of the Forest Hills Park & Playground and the 3100 block of Brandywine St. NW at 10am. This is part of the Mayor’s 8th Annual Citywide Spring Cleanup.

May 2025

  • May 1 – May 10 – Spring NOW Bee Search – visit VNMS small businesses and enter to win prizes!
  • May 3 & 4 – Pollinator Planting Program – volunteers welcome!
  • May 3 – Pollinator Plant Walk from 4:30-5:30 – details coming soon!
  • May 4 – Pollinator Plant Walk from 12:30-1:30 – details coming soon!
  • May 10 – Spring NOW Pop-Up Market with Carpe Librum
  • May 10 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • May 17 – Pollinator Plant Walks from 12:00-1:00 and 1:30-2:30 – details coming soon!

June 2025

  • June 14 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s

July 2025

  • July 11-27 – The District Fringe Festival will be in Van Ness for three weeks of independent theater! 
  • July 12 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • July 12 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s

August 2025

  • August 9 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s

September 2025

  • September 13 – Pop-Up Market and Jazz in the Park with the Washington Conservatory of Music!
  • September 13 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • September 13 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s

October 2025

  • September 13 – Pop-Up Market and Jazz in the Park with the Washington Conservatory of Music!
  • September 13 – Good, Clean, Fun Initiative’s Forest Hills Park & Playground Clean Up – volunteers welcome!
  • September 13 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s

October 2025

  • October 3, 10, 24 – Spooky Movie Nights at the UDC Ampitheater 
  • October 11 – Celebrate Van Ness Main Street! We’ve got fun planned up and down the corridor! There will be a Pop-Up Market and our friends at Carpe Librum will be back with another amazing collection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s. There will be SEVEN musical performances up and down the Avenue, special dining opportunities, line dancing, face painting, and more! 
  • October 11 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Calvert Woodley. 
  • October 12 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Franklin Montessori School.
  • October 13 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Rosemary Bistro. 
  • October 18 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Potbelly Sandwich Works. 
  • October 19 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of the old Walgreen’s. 
  • October 25 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Politics and Prose. 
  • October 26 – SPOOKTACULAR is back! Everyone’s favorite Halloween celebration will feature fun and games, costumes, trick or treating up and down the corridor, and a Spooky Pet Costume Contest!
  • October 26 – Pollinator Planting Program’s volunteer day from 2-4pm. We’ll meet in front of Forest Hills Senior Living. 

November 2025

  • November 8 – Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale – an amazing selection of used books, vinyl, DVD’s, and CD’s
  • November 29 – Small Business Saturday – shop local, shop small, and support our community! 

December 2025

  • December 13 – Holiday Pop-Up Market and Carpe Librum’s Second Saturday Sale