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Two smiling women and a young man out together on a city street at night. Background and details augmented by Cultural DMV.
Published November 6, 2026 · 3 min read
November finally behaves like November this weekend. Friday runs mild and damp, then a cold front clears out and leaves Saturday and Sunday cooler, breezier, and dry. That's good news for anyone planning to be outside, and better news for anyone who was worried the 70-degree streak would never end.
Four events, spread across Friday and Sunday, covering a free Smithsonian festival, a mall dance floor, a sherry tasting, and a co-headlining rock show. Here's the shortlist.
Friday, Nov. 6: Diwali After Dark at the Smithsonian
Asia After Dark | Diwali Festival
5:00–9:30 PM | National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC | Free, RSVP recommended
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art stays open late for the Festival of Lights: food, performances, crafts, gallery talks, and a dance party in a building that's usually closed by 5:30. Admission is free, and while registration is recommended, walk-ups are generally accommodated. Food is available for purchase.
One schedule note: the museum's own calendar lists the program as 5:00–9:30 PM, with shorter windows for individual activities. Plan to arrive between 5 and 7 if you want the full run of performances and crafts.
Logistics: The museum sits on the National Mall at 1050 Independence Ave SW. Smithsonian Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver) is the closest station, about a 5-minute walk. No on-site parking—use Metro or a garage. The building is fully accessible.
Weather: Showers linger Friday, with highs near 70 and a cold front arriving late. Bring a compact umbrella for the walk from Metro; the event is indoors.
Friday, Nov. 6: Noche de Salsa in Silver Spring
Noche de Salsa
7:30 PM | Ellsworth Place, 8661 Colesville Rd, Level 3, Silver Spring, MD | Free
Dance instructors set up in the middle of a shopping mall and teach free Latin dance lessons, then turn the floor over to open social dancing. It's a genuinely unusual setting—you're dancing in a corner of Level 3 while shoppers walk past with Target bags—and that's part of the charm. Sponsored by Danceintime, AM Salsa, and DJ Danilo.
Logistics: Free admission. Ellsworth Place is directly connected to the Silver Spring Metro (Red Line) via a covered walkway, which matters if it's still raining at 7:30. Parking is available in the attached garage (Town Square Garage 61, 786 Ellsworth Dr., $1.25/hour). No partner required; beginners are the point.
Weather: Showers possible through the evening, highs near 70. The Metro connection means you can arrive dry.
Sunday, Nov. 8: Sherry Fair at The Square
Sherry Fair at The Square
12:00 PM | The Square, 1850 K St NW, Washington, DC | Tickets required
An indoor market built around sherry, timed to the final day of International Sherry Week (Nov 2–8). Past editions have featured 15 sherry varieties, live ham carving, tapas, and guided tastings—the format is a walk-around tasting rather than a seated seminar.
One correction to flag: verify the start time before you go. Past editions have run noon to 5:00 PM, and some listings have shown a 2:00 PM start. The 2024 and 2025 events were on a Saturday; the 2026 edition is listed for Sunday, Nov 8. Call The Square or check the ticketing page to confirm both the time and the date.
Logistics: The Square is at 1850 K St NW, a short walk from Farragut West (Blue/Orange/Silver) and Farragut North (Red). Downtown parking garages are nearby but pricey on a weekend—Metro is the move. Tickets have historically been around $25 for tastings, with food available for purchase.
Weather: Dry and cooler, highs in the low 60s. Fully indoors.
Sunday, Nov. 8: Free Throw & Microwave at The Fillmore
Free Throw + Microwave, with Carly Cosgrove and Kerosene Heights
7:00 PM | The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD | Tickets required
One correction to the listing: this show is at The Fillmore Silver Spring, not Takoma Park. It's the Silver Spring date on a co-headlining emo/pop-punk tour, with Carly Cosgrove and Kerosene Heights opening. Doors typically open an hour before showtime.
Logistics: The Fillmore is a 10-minute walk from Silver Spring Metro (Red Line). Parking is available in surrounding garages, but the Metro is easier on a Sunday night. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and Live Nation; expect around $40–$50 before fees. General admission standing, all ages unless the venue specifies otherwise.
Weather: Dry, highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, dropping into the 40s after sunset. The walk from Metro is short—bring a jacket.
The Weekend Weather, in Short
Friday: Showers, highs near 70, cold front arrives late.
Saturday: Cooler and breezy, highs in the 60s, wind gusts over 25 mph. Dry.
Sunday: Dry, highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, lows in the 40s.
Layers are the move all weekend, and Saturday's wind is the one thing worth dressing for.
The Bottom Line
Two Friday events, two Sunday events, and a Saturday in between to recover. Diwali is free and indoors. Salsa is free and Metro-connected. Sherry and the Fillmore are ticketed, so buy ahead. Charge your phone, check your transit app, and pick your Hastings.
#DMVWeekend #Diwali2026 #NocheDeSalsa #SherryFair #FreeThrow #Microwave #CulturalDMV
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