It’s a 3 day weekend! Here are some events to get you yelling ‘merica! Don’t forget to check out our DC pools post!

Jazz in the Garden Kickoff

Every Friday during the summer, Washingtonians are treated to some cool jazz at the National Sculpture Garden by the National Gallery of Art. Tonight is the kickoff to their summer season, so don’t miss out on the Ruthie and the Wranglers. Bonus: drinks are served inside.

Friday, May 24, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

700 Constitution Ave. NW

Closest Metro: Archives, Penn Quarter (Blue/Yellow Lines)

FREE (Plus cost of drinks inside)

Memorial Day Jazz Fest

Alexandria will host its 36th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival at Waterfront Park. Festival goers will be treated to The Commodores, Al Williams and Daniel Ori. The park features grass seating, so bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Food is available for purchase, but feel free to bring your own munchies to snack on. Bust: no alcohol is allowed at the park.

Monday, May 27, 1:00 – 6:00 pm

Waterfront Park, Between Prince and King streets

Alexandria, VA

Closest Metro: King Street (Blue/Yellow Lines)

FREE (Plus cost of food/drinks inside)

National Memorial Day Concert



Join the likes of Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna and Colin Powell at the U.S. Capitol for the quintessential Memorial Day event: the National Memorial Day Concert. Concert revelers will be treated to the sounds of the National Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Army Chorus, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants, the U.S. Navy Band, Ed Harris, Candice Glover, Chris Mann, Katherine Jenkins and Alfie Boe.

Sunday, May 26, 8:00 – 9:30 pm

East Capitol and First Streets

Closest Metro: Capitol South (Blue/Orange Lines), Union Station (Red Line)

FREE (Get there early – doors open at 5pm – to grab your seat)

Sunset Celebration at GW’s Home



If you’ve been to George Washington’s homestead you will have likely been mobbed by tourists. This weekend is your chance to visit the historic Mount Vernon long after the crowds have left. Take the lantern-lit tour of the grounds, listen to 18th century music and take a wagon ride on the mansion grounds. Bonus: watching the sun set over the pristine grounds will conjure up images of GW himself enjoying the same view.

May 25 – 26, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.

$18 – adults, $12 – children 6-11, FREE for 5 and under

Hometown Holiday in Rockville

I’ve never been to Rockville, MD, but this might be my weekend to go – and so should you. The town will host its Annual Hometown Holiday Celebration where revelers can check out a dozen concerts with local bands, delicious fare from some of the city’s best local restaurants, and games for the kiddos. Bonus: at 10:30 am Monday, stop by for the city’s parade.

May 25 – 27

North Washington St. and Middle Lane – Rockville Town Center

Rockville, MD

FREE

Wolf Trap Summer 2012 Kickoff



Wolf Trap has some exciting summer concerts this summer. And this weekend, they’ll kick off the season with “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. Bonus: you’ll be treated to fireworks at the end of the set.

Sunday, May 26, 8:00 pm

Wolf Trap

1551 Trap Rd.

Vienna, VA

FREE, Capacity is limited – so get there by 6pm

National Memorial Day Parade



I personally can’t think of Memorial Day without thinking of a parade. And DC knows how to do a parade. The National Memorial Day Parade strolls down Constitution Ave., passing the Mall and the U.S. Capitol. So find a spot between Seventh and 17th Streets to camp out and show your support to the veterans who will be participating – you won’t regret it.

Monday, May 27, 2:00 pm

Constitution Ave. between Seventh and 17th Streets NW

Closest Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial (Blue, Yellow Lines)

FREE

National Memorial Day Parade at Arlington National Cemetery

If you’d like to spend your Memorial Day in serious remembrance of our fallen soldiers, then attend the Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The U.S. Air Force Band will play a prelude before the ceremony, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct the wreath-laying, and the program will be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater.

Monday, May 27, 10:30 am

Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Amphitheather

Arlington, VA 22211

Closest Metro: Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line)

Free – seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive by 9:30 am

ViVa! Vienna!

If you’re in the mood for a full-on carnival this weekend, visit historic Vienna, VA for three days of Memorial Weekend festivities, including rides, live music, crafts, food, and a Memorial Day tribute. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vienna, the event is a celebration of community spirit with a wide range of activities.

Saturday, May 25th – Sunday, May 26th, 10am-10pm

Monday, May 27th, 10am-6pm

245 Maple Ave W

Vienna, VA 22180

Closest Metro: Vienna (Orange Line)

Free

Crab Festival at PolicyDC

Policy Restaurant & Lounge will be teaming up with Blue Moon Brewing Company for their third annual Crab Festival as part of Blue Moon’s summer campaign of “Blue Moon, Blue Crab and Old Bay Seasoning.” For $35, enjoy all you can eat crabs with all the fixings and traditional sides like hushpuppies, corn on the cob, cole slaw, hot dogs and Policy wings. Blue Moon will be debuting two special craft brews not available anywhere else in DC: Raspberry Cream Ale and Honey Grand Cru with Ginger.

Sunday, May 26th, 12-5 pm

1904 14th Street NW

Washington, DC, 20009

Closest Metro: U Street (Green & Yellow Lines)

$35 per person, Beer is $5 per glass and $15 per pitcher – recommended to buy tickets in advance

Hinge Memorial Day BBQ Extravaganza



For those of you looking for the true Memorial Day BBQ experience, look no further. Held on the roof terrace of Jack Rose, this BBQ extravaganza features an open bar with beer, wine, champagne and specialty punches, astroturf cornhole, drinking games, a photobooth, and serious BBQ: grilled BBQ oysters, shrimp rolls, Kobe beef sliders, BBQ beef brisket sliders, half-smokes in a blanket, twice-baked potato wedges, cheddar jalapeno biscuits, and more…

Sunday, May 26th, 6:00-10:00 pm

2007 18th St NW

Washington, DC 20009

Closest Metro: Dupont Circle (Red Line) or U Street (Green & Yellow Lines)

$48 per person in advance, $60 at the door