19 listings in Washington, DC: free events and always-free spots for the coming weekend.
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Mon and Wed–Sun 11am–4pm (closed Tue)
Hidden Oaks Nature CenterWashington
A Fairfax County nature center in Annandale. No entry fee for individuals or families; walk-in hours are Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–4pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Mon–Sat 8:30am–4:30pm, last tour 3:20pm (closed Sun, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterWashington
Tour the U.S. Capitol from the Capitol Visitor Center. All tours, programs and activities are free. Reserve a timed tour online; a limited number of same-day passes may be available at the Visitor Center if you arrive by 2:30pm. Last tour starts at 3:20pm.
Verified Oct 27 · visitthecapitol.gov
Catch: Free timed tour pass needed: reserve online, or try for limited same-day passes by 2:30pm
Mon–Fri 9am–3pm (closed federal holidays)
Supreme Court of the United StatesWashington
Visit the Supreme Court building on weekdays and catch a free courtroom lecture, usually at 10:30 and 11:30am and 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30pm on days the Court isn't sitting. No tickets or reservations; lectures are first come, first served, with the line forming in the Great Hall. Court business can cancel lectures.
Verified Oct 27 · supremecourt.gov
No catch
Mon and Wed–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm (closed Tue)
Planet WordWashington
An interactive museum all about words and language, with hands-on galleries for all ages. General admission is free with a suggested $15 donation (optional). Passes go fast, so book ahead. Closed Tuesdays and Thanksgiving; last entry an hour before closing.
Verified Oct 27 · planetwordmuseum.org
Catch: Free timed pass needed for ages 2+: book online (released the 1st for next month) or try same-day
Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm (closed Nov 11)
Martha's Table at The CommonsWashington
Martha's Table runs a choice-based market at The Commons (Southeast DC) where you pick fresh fruits, vegetables and pantry staples at no cost, first come, first served. Register for a free membership card with a photo ID on your first visit; you can shop twice a month and also shop for one other person. No ID yet? You get a fruit bag and can come back to register. Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
Verified Oct 27 · marthastable.org
Catch: Register for a free membership card with a photo ID (or a clear copy) · Ages 16+ to shop · Up to twice a month
Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm (closed Nov 11)
Martha's Table Market at The MaycroftWashington
Martha's Table runs a choice-based market at The Maycroft (Northwest DC) where you pick fresh fruits, vegetables and pantry staples at no cost, first come, first served. Register for a free membership card with a photo ID on your first visit; you can shop twice a month and also shop for one other person. No ID yet? You get a fruit bag and can come back to register. Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
Verified Oct 27 · marthastable.org
Catch: Register for a free membership card with a photo ID (or a clear copy) · Ages 16+ to shop · Up to twice a month
Mon–Fri 9am–1pm, Tue and Thu also 6–7pm, Sat 8:30am–12:30pm
Arlington Food Assistance CenterWashington
AFAC gives Arlington residents free weekly groceries, including milk, eggs, a protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, at its Nelson Street headquarters and several neighborhood sites. You need an Arlington address and a referral from an Arlington County social service agency (DHS: 2100 Washington Blvd, 703-228-1300); referrals last six months.
Verified Oct 27 · afac.org
Catch: Arlington residents only · Referral from an Arlington County social service agency required (photo ID and proof of address)
Daily: breakfast 7:30–8:30am, lunch 11:30am–12:30pm
SOME (So Others Might Eat)Washington
SOME (So Others Might Eat) serves free hot meals to anyone who needs them, every day of the year, with no questions asked: breakfast 7:30–8:30am and lunch 11:30am–12:30pm at 71 O St NW. SOME also runs a weekly emergency food pantry (Wed and Fri 9–11am, behind 60 O St NW) and daily showers.
Verified Oct 27 · some.org
No catch
Thu–Sun 10am–5pm, last ticketed admission 3:15pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
GlenstoneWashington
Glenstone pairs modern and contemporary art with architecture, outdoor sculpture and woodland trails. Admission and parking are always free, but you need a free timed ticket, and visitors must be 12 or older. Tickets for each month and the next are released on the 1st at 10am.
Verified Oct 27 · glenstone.org
Catch: Free timed ticket required: released the 1st of each month at 10am · Ages 12 and up only
Live shows at 6pm on select days (the published schedule lists Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays); free film screening every Saturday
The REACH at the Kennedy CenterWashington
The Kennedy Center's free performance series continues at The REACH while the main Kennedy Center building is temporarily closed: live music and dance at 6pm on select evenings, plus a free film on Saturdays. No tickets or registration; walk-ins welcome. Upcoming: NSO Youth Fellows Nov 5, Qi Yu Quartet Nov 6, Air Force Strings Nov 12. Check the schedule for the day's show.
Verified Oct 27 · kennedy-center.org
No catch
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm (closed Sun and Mon)
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson BuildingWashington
Tour the Thomas Jefferson Building's Great Hall and exhibitions, and join a short walkthrough of the Main Reading Room (Tue–Fri 10:30–11:30am and 2–3pm, Thursday 5–7pm; free walkthrough tickets handed out in the Great Hall 10 minutes before). Entry needs a free timed ticket: book up to 30 days ahead, or get same-day tickets online from 9am.
Verified Oct 27 · loc.gov
Catch: Free timed-entry ticket required: reserve online
Daily 10am–5pm (closed Dec 25 and Jan 1)
National Gallery of ArtWashington
Two buildings and a sculpture garden: 11th–20th-century art in the West Building and modern and contemporary art in the East Building. Admission is always free, including special exhibitions, and you don't need passes or tickets. Free guided tours run most days.
Verified Oct 27 · nga.gov
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of American HistoryWashington
Home of the Star-Spangled Banner and more than three million objects that tell America's story. Free admission with no passes needed, open every day except December 25.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of Natural HistoryWashington
See the Hope Diamond, the National Fossil Hall dinosaurs, the Ocean Hall and the Hall of Human Origins at the world's most popular natural history museum. Admission is free and no passes are needed. Open daily except December 25.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Visitor center Wed–Sun 12–5pm
Riverbend ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park in Great Falls, VA, with a visitor center. No entry fee for individuals or families; the visitor center is open Wednesday–Sunday, noon–5pm. Boat rentals cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Daily dawn to dusk
Burke Lake ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park around Burke Lake. No entry fee for individuals or families; open daily dawn to dusk (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Rides and rentals cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Park and Kidwell Farm daily 9am–5pm
Frying Pan Farm ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park with Kidwell Farm and a playground. Admission is free for families and individuals; the carousel and wagon rides cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Daily; gate locks at 5pm
Green Spring GardensWashington
A Fairfax County public garden. There's no entry fee for individuals or families; the gate locks at 5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Visitor center through Nov 30: weekdays except Tue 9am–5pm, weekends 12–5pm
Huntley Meadows ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park with a nature visitor center. No entry fee for individuals or families. Through November 30 the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center is open weekdays (except Tuesday) 9am–5pm and weekends noon–5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
