Singing, dancing, crafting, face painting, very old cinema, and British people cracking wise about Americans are some of the best ways to spend autumn in D.C. In a very political town at the most political time of year, here are eight picks that have nothing to do with politics.
Willow Pill at the Howard Theatre on Oct. 2
The RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 winner’s show, God’s Child, is technically like most shows from Drag Race alums. There’s dancing, lip-synching, and stand-up and cabaret. But unlike most Drag Race alums, Willow Pill’s show is presented as a religious—churchlike—experience. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. $30–$45.
Early Color Cinema and Impressionism at the National Gallery of Art on Oct. 19
Each and every screening at the NGA is a good reason to trek down to the Mall on a weekend, but certain programs like this one check all of the boxes for a certain type of cinema aficionados. Part of the Color, Cinema, and the Impressionist Movement film series, this afternoon edition features some of the earliest works of celluloid, well over 100 years old, an introduction from a film professor, and live musical accompaniment. You’re not going to get this in any other setting, be it movie palace or film studies class. (Also recommended in our fall film roundup.) The screening starts at 2 p.m. at NGA’s East Building, 4th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free.
Día de los Muertos Family Day at the American Art Museum on Oct. 26
There is no shortage of Halloween activities for kids the weekend before the official spooky day. But if you’d prefer to maybe have the little ones appreciate those no longer on this mortal coil and get some faces painted, here you go! This free family day features mariachi and dance performances, crafting, the aforementioned face paint and, a possibly educational, Día de los Muertos-themed scavenger hunt. The celebration runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SAAM, 8th and G St. NW. Free.
Jenny Slate at Warner Theatre on Oct. 30
Jenny Slate has never really fit in but she’s still managed to carve out a niche career doing her own unique thing. Her stand-up is quirky, but not because she’s doing anything intentionally weird or off-putting, but because there just aren’t many others like her. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. $63–$122.
El Día de los Muertos at the National Portrait Gallery on Nov. 2
An early evening el Día de los Muertos celebration with live music, folk dancing performances, art creation, face painting, and more could brighten any Saturday. Equally entertaining will be the stares from people walking by the gallery’s G and 9th facade, where artists MasPaz and Guache will be projecting their live video mapping projections from MLK Library. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the National Portrait Gallery, 800 G St. NW. Free.
Craig Ferguson at Lincoln Theatre on Nov. 21
For a few years in the late ’00s and early ’10s, Scotsman Craig Ferguson’s late-night show—Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which ran on CBS for 10 years—was the best late night show on television. Unfortunately the medium leaned more in to song and dance and party games and away from absurdist yet genuine conversation. Oh well, now there’s a very healthy podcast industry and Ferguson has one of those now. If you’ve enjoyed his guest interviews, you’ll enjoy the pod. This stand-up gig should scratch the itch for anyone who misses the rambling monologues no one but Ferguson could deliver. Pants on Fire starts at 8 p.m. at Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. $40.
Fantasia of Color at the National Gallery of Art on Nov. 30
When museums collaborate, it’s often about allowing each institution a chance to introduce outside audiences to what each institution thrives at. This screening of trick films, which came out well before the advent of Technicolor, comes from the collection of the EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam. It’s not the kind of stuff you can find on your favorite streaming app, even if your favorite streaming app is the Criterion Channel. The screening starts at 2 p.m. at NGA’s East Building, 4th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free.
John Oliver at the Kennedy Center Dec. 27 through 31
The Last Week Tonight host has been a stand-up for decades longer than he’s become a de facto public schoolteacher for adults who grew up on The Daily Show. If you want to laugh while acknowledging that things at the end of the year might be very, very dark, Oliver will know what strings to pull to make you laugh before you cry. Or maybe we can just laugh. Happy 2025 … we hope. John Oliver performs at 7 p.m. from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31 at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. $91.43.
Check out more of our 2024 Fall Arts Guide here.