Salsa, Samba, Turkish Food, and Chuck Berry: Six Events for Oct. 17–18

6 things to do this weekend: Friday, Oct 16 - Sunday, Oct 18

Six events, four days, and a range that runs from waterfront salsa to a 100th birthday party for the man who invented rock 'n' roll. Whether you want to dance, eat, or just sit and listen, there's something here worth leaving the house for. Here's your early look at the weekend.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on local events and things to do.

FEATURED EVENTS

Georgetown Dancing on the Waterfront (Saturdays through Oct. 31, 5–9 PM) - Sat Oct 17 5:00 pm

Georgetown Waterfront Park

Get ready to sync your steps to the rhythm at this Outdoor Latin Dance Social, a grassroots community gathering spearheaded by organizer Dr. Morris Jackson. This open-air rhythm laboratory kicks off with a completely complimentary introductory dance lesson at 5:00 PM, giving you a casual space to nail down the basics before the floor transitions into a wide-open, open-format social dance. Swap your standard routine for an open-air floor where a live DJ spins a seamless, continuous blend… [more details]

Wu Fei & Abigail Washburn
- Sun Oct 18 12:00 am

The Mansion at Strathmore

Prepare your senses for a brilliant sonic migration on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as Grammy-winning American banjo artist Abigail Washburn and Chinese guzheng master Wu Fei deploy their stunning collaborative project live. Taking the stage for two intimate sets at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM, this world-class duo seamlessly fuses the deep, rhythmic architecture of Appalachian old-time music with the sweeping, impressionistic melodies of traditional Chinese folk songs.  [more details]

Other Events

Howard County Hispanic Heritage Festival — The Chrysalis, Columbia - Sat Oct 17 12:00 pm

The Chrysalis, Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Office of Human Rights & Equity, and La Alianza Latina Commission are joining forces to deploy a massive cultural footprint with the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Festival! This family-friendly outdoor celebration takes over the beautiful lawns of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods to honor the diverse and vibrant traditions of Latino and Hispanic heritage. Step onto the festival footprint to experience a high-energy lineup of live musical… [more details]

2026 DC Turkish Festival
- Sun Oct 18 11:00 am

300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

The 24th Annual Turkish Festival storms the streets of Washington, D.C.! This completely FREE family-friendly outdoor block party turns the pavement into an explosive, high-energy sandbox of heritage, rhythm, and flavor. Hit the lanes to eat your way through authentic kebabs and baklava, browse a bustling bazaar packed with stunning Turkish tiles and artisan crafts, and dive into interactive kids' zones while a live central stage unrolls spectacular traditional dance architecture and… [more details]

Sarau de Samba: A Roots Samba Experience - Sun Oct 18 2:00 pm

Glen Echo Park (Bumper Car Pavilion

 A wave of pure Brazilian energy comes through at this incredible Live Roots Samba Experience. For an entry fee of $16 per person, this family-friendly gathering unrolls a spectacular sonic journey through Brazil's rich musical landscape, spanning everything from Golden Age classics and traditional choro to modern pagode and thunderous carnival beats. Masterfully spearheaded by acclaimed musicians Pablo Regis and André Coelho alongside dynamic dancer Mariana Triginelli, the afternoon… [more details]

Daryl Davis Presents: A Tribute to Chuck Berry (100th Birthday Celebration) - Sun Oct 18 7:30 pm

The Birchmere Music Hall

Legendary blues-rock outfit The Nighthawks join forces with virtuoso piano man Daryl Davis for A Tribute To Chuck Berry on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7:30 PM, at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, with doors opening early at 6:30 PM. Expect a zero-compromise acoustic gauntlet packed with blistering guitar riffs, lightning-fast boogie-woogie piano lines, and deep-cut rhythm-and-blues to honor the true architect of rock music. [more details]

You're in the loop! For more things to do, or to post your own event, visit our Community Calendar.

More News from Takoma Park

• The Selective Guide to Strathmore's Fall 2026 Season Strathmore's Fall 2026 season has circus, food science, flamenco, jazz royalty, and a sensory-friendly tour in North Bethesda—the guide worth bookmarking.
• DMV Halloween 2026: Festivals and Things to Do Before Oct 31 Halloween in the DMV builds across three weekends, from family-friendly zoo trails to haunted cornfields—and here's where it's all happening before October 31.