As we head into November and toward Thanksgiving, we’re thankful to live in such a culturally diverse city brimming with art, music, food, and endless things to do!
Washingtonians gearing up for all the new month has to offer can rejoice: Secret D.C. has rounded up the top things to do in Washington, D.C., this November:
It’s not controversial to say fall is one of the best seasons for travel around Washington, D.C., so we put together a list of 10 destinations near the District that are perfect for a fall getaway.
You can check out the full list here, but some of the notable towns include Harper’s Ferry, Middleburg, Annapolis, and more.
Bubble Planet Washington, D.C.
Bubble Planet is headed to D.C., so if you love museums that double as photo ops, you’re going to love it!
This interactive exhibit has 10 different rooms, all with different themes, colors, and sights. Bubbles ranging from soapy baths to smoke-filled orbs to balloons will allow you to float through a magical story that you likely haven’t experienced before.
Check the opening day of the Enchant Christmas festivities at Nationals Park
Opening on November 20th, the incredibly exciting Enchant Christmas event will be taking over the field at Nationals Park!
The event has something fun for everyone, a massive light maze, an ice-skating trail, a snow slide, live entertainment, a village marketplace with seasonal vendors, and meet-and-greet experiences with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
On Thursday, November 19th, the people behind one of the District’s most popular magazines, Washingtonian, are hosting a Whiskey, Wine, & Fine Spirits Festival that is sure to be a good time!
The tickets for the event start at $80 per person (+ fees), but unlimited tastings, tasty treats, a complimentary glass (while supplies last), and custom glass engravings are included.
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind.
You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight.
With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
- Candlelight: Tribute to Dolly Parton
- Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
- Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson
- Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More
- Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
- Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
- Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
- Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston
Looking for an exciting surprise?
What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner?
Dining in the Dark allows you to choose a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat), which will stimulate your senses.
With over a 100 varieties of Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye, and Scotch, this whiskey experience featuring fresh barbecue, live performances, and artisan made products that you can browse through.
A general admission ticket is all inclusive and comes with an engraved Glencairn® tasting glass to enjoy an unlimited amount of tastings during the event!
Attend a Capitals game to see Ovechkin play in his final season in the NHL
The season is already underway, and the Capitals have gotten off to a hot start.
Still, Washingtonians have a handful of home games to get to see Alex Ovechkin play before his final season with the Capitals comes to an end and he retires from the NHL.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a fully interactive, 3D virtual reality experience that begins at the Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory before launching visitors into space aboard the world’s most powerful telescopes.
Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole.
One of the biggest carved ice experiences in the world is now open at Gaylord National Resort with over 2 million pounds of ice that took around 12,000 hours to sculpt into the theme of this year’s scene: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.
You can already buy tickets with various bundle options, but the prices are set for kids (ages 4 to 11) at roughly $33, while prices for adults (12+) are set around $41. However, ticket prices vary slightly depending on availability, timing, and demand.
Georgetown is one of the most iconic neighborhoods around Washington D.C., complete with cute local businesses, impressive embassies, notable residents, and of course, hidden culinary gems. This event is a can’t-miss for any self-proclaimed foodie in the DMV area.
It isn’t a recreation of “Night at the Museum” but it’s a close second!
You and seven others can experience a private or semi-private tour, complete with a private guide, of the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art.
Over five-and-a-half hours, plus a lunch break, you’ll get to see some of the most renowned works these museums have to offer!
Whether you consider yourself an oyster fan or just looking to have some good old-fashioned fun, the official oyster festival of the state of Virginia is a can’t-miss event that you’ll want to save in your calendar.
Located in the small, charming town of Urbanna, which just has around 500 residents, the festival draws crowds as large as 50,000 people over the festival’s two day period during the first weekend of November!
A great way to start the month comes on the first weekend of November, on November 7th, the 2026 Adams Morgan Fall Porch Fest will feature dozens of live bands, family-friendly events, and a large pedestrian area to check out!
It’s also a great way to check out this unique neighborhood when it’s all decked out for the occasion.
Catch a show at your favorite local venue
Here are some of the top shows happening in D.C. this month:
- Capital One Arena: SOMBR (Nov 10), Karan Aujla (Nov 20), Doja Cat (Nov 21), Stevie Wonder (Nov 23)
- The Anthem: Undertale (Nov 1), Geese (Nov 6 & 13), ROA (Nov 19), Palace (Nov 20), Victoria Monét (Nov 27)
- Echostage: Nico Moreno (Nov 6), Madeon (Nov 7), Odesza (Nov 12), Jessie Reyez (Nov 18), Eric Prydz (Nov 20), Alison Wonderland (Nov 21), Trippie Redd (Nov 22), Plies: The Rebirth (Nov 25), Loud Luxury (Nov 28)
- 9:30 Hovvdy (Nov 2), The Music of Hey Arnold! (Nov 4), Winyah (Nov 7), Amble (Nov 11), Sammy Rae & The Friends (Nov 12-14), Die Spitz (Nov 17), They Might Be Giants (19-22)
Imbibe on seasonal beers from dozens of craft breweries as you make your way through Nationals Park, stopping at food trucks, dancing to dueling pianos, a DJ, and some great cover bands at the Nov. 7th event!
From funky reimagined Thanksgiving deals at Nobu to traditional turkey at Bourbon Steak, there are more than a few spots around the District to have yourself a fun Thanksgiving meal that will make for lifelong memories!
On Thursday, November 12th this National Gallery Night is going to focus on “Gratitude“.
Washingtonians interested in attending this event can register for a chance to win free tickets between 10 am on November 2nd and noon on November 5th.
As the DMV area transitions from fall to winter, the somber scenes make for an excellent opportunity to visit the Arlington National Cemetery to witness the ceremonial changing of the guards and learn about the 400,000+ servicemen who have been laid to rest there.
While the scenes may be triggering to some, it is an experience that we wholeheartedly recommend to everyone, regardless of how long they are going to be in town.
The market will open on November 13th and feature the same festive cheer and fun you may have come to expect, and will be open until December 23rd.
The exact location will be on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW.
The closest metro stop will be the Gallery Place – Chinatown station on the Red, Yellow, or Green lines.
There is a long list of spots around the District that are lighting things up this holiday season, some starting as early as mid-November!
If you hope to get into the spirit of the holiday season a little early this year, checking out one of these displays might just be what you need.
The annual event that the small town of Easton hosts every fall raises funds for conservation efforts to protect and support the local aquatic birds native to the region.
While the nature of the event draws a large crowd of outdoorsmen, there are several events that are full of family-friendly fun that everyone can enjoy!
There are a few turkey trot options around the District that you can take part in this year if that’s your speed.
The best part is that while you work up an appetite with a morning run, you’ll also be supporting a good cause! Exactly which cause you will be supporting will depend on which Turkey Trot you plan to run, but the good news is that there are a few options.
It may be chaotic, but it also feels a little bit like a tradition to many!
Heading to one of D.C.’s shopping malls on Black Friday might just be the best way to save big on those highly desired items ahead of the holidays this year.
Take on one of these stunning hiking trails to see some of the incredible nature around the District
Whether you want to catch the last of the fall foliage when the season starts to shift into winter, or you just want to get some outdoor exercise in before it gets too cold, there are some incredible hikes for you to choose from in the DC area!
