Bring the Heat: Four Spicy Events Across the DMV

Published November 7, 2026 · 3 min read

November has a way of making you want something that lingers. The wind picks up, the sun sets before 5, and suddenly a bowl of chili sounds like a life plan.

This weekend delivers four ways to eat something hot while standing outside in the cold, which is either a beloved local tradition or a mild form of self-harm depending on your disposition. Either way, here's the itinerary.

Friday, November 13: Outdoor Bowls and Sizzling Skillets

Chili Cook-Off, S'mores & Fire Pits — Forest Hollow Swim

6:00 PM | Forest Hollow Swim Inc, 4330 Old Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 | (703) 750-9737

A neighborhood chili showdown on a pool deck in November, with fire pits and s'mores doing the heavy lifting on atmosphere. Plan for about two hours. This is the kind of event where the chili is the point but the standing-around-talking is the actual activity.

Logistics: Annandale is a drive—no Metro within walking distance. Street parking in the neighborhood and arrive early because the lot fills. Outdoor, so dress for it: layers, a windproof outer layer, and shoes that can handle a wet pool deck.

Pre-game: Beanetics Coffee Roasters in Annandale for a fresh micro-roasted espresso before you go. It's a local roaster and it's the right kind of warm-up.

Call first: (703) 750-9737. The number is from your listing; confirm the start time and whether it's members-only before you drive out.

Sizzling Fajita Friday — Madhatter

Kitchen until 9:00 PM, nightlife until 2:30 AM | 1319 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 | (202) 833-1495

Cast-iron skillets, smoking peppers, and a bar that's been a Dupont Circle institution long enough to have opinions about it. The fajitas are the excuse; the humidity wall when the skillet hits the table is the actual draw on a cold night.

Logistics: Dupont Circle Metro (Red Line) is a short walk. Street parking in Dupont on a Friday night is a losing battle—Metro or rideshare. The kitchen closes at 9, so if you're eating, get there by 7:30.

Pre-game: Emissary on 20th Street NW for a flat white or cold brew before the tequila portion of the evening begins.

Saturday, November 14: Open-Air Markets and Kettle Showdowns

The Mercado Block Party — La Cosecha

2:00 PM | La Cosecha Latin Marketplace, 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 464-0116

An outdoor market in the Union Market district with whole pigs roasted over open flame and vendors handing out artisanal Latin hot sauces with a generous hand. Budget about three hours. This is the biggest event on the list and the one most likely to be crowded.

Logistics: NoMa–Gallaudet U (Red Line) is the closest Metro, roughly a 10-minute walk. The surrounding Union Market district has garage parking, but it fills on weekends. Outdoor event—dress for wind.

Pre-game: Café Unido, inside La Cosecha itself, for a pour-over before you head outside. You're already there; use it.

Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser — St. John's Episcopal Church

5:00–7:30 PM | 3427 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, MD 20832 | (301) 774-6999

The suburban counterpart to Friday's cook-off: an outdoor autumn festival with a wide spread of local chili, a cornbread competition, and fire pits. Plan for 90 minutes to two hours. Bring a ballot and an opinion.

Logistics: Olney is a drive from DC—about 45 minutes from Silver Spring depending on traffic. Free church parking. Outdoor and evening, so it will be cold; this is the event where the windproof layer earns its keep.

Pre-game: Lone Oak Coffee Co. down the road for a warm latte before you start voting.

The Cold-Weather Brain

Two cook-offs, one weekend. They're both outdoor, both chili-focused, and both on opposite sides of the region. Friday's is in Annandale, Saturday's in Olney. If you're doing both, that's two long drives—pick one unless you're committed to the bit.

Coffee is doing structural work in this itinerary. Every event has a pre-game coffee stop because every event is outdoors in November. That's not filler; it's the difference between a good two hours and a miserable one.

Weather: I don't have a verified forecast for November 13–14, and mid-November in the DMV swings hard—could be 60 and pleasant, could be 45 with rain. Check the morning of, and dress for wind regardless. An umbrella in a gust is a liability; a beanie and a windproof shell are not.

One phone number you should actually use: all four venues are small operations or community events with fixed capacities. Call ahead. The numbers are in each listing above, and I'd treat the times as approximate until confirmed.

#DMVFood #ChiliCookOff #LaCosecha #MadhatterDC #SpicyFood #CulturalDM

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