There's something magical about springtime in the South, especially in New Orleans: when the aroma swirling around the air is a masterful medley of cayenne pepper, lemon, bay leaf and garlic. It's time to get eatin', it's Crawfish Season! Transporting the juiciest, plumpest 'mudbugs' from the wild waterways of Louisiana to the DMV, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery, in Arlington, VA, will be boiling up Crawfish in true N'awlins fashion on Saturday, May 23 and June 13 from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. New Orleans native Chef David Guas will be hosting his annual Crawfish Boils with in-person festivities as well as the Boil in a Bucket To-Geaux with all the fixins'. 

Kick off Pride Week at Pride on the Pier. Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other fun across the afternoon. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.The festival is free to attend but for those looking to take it up a notch, the Dockmaster Building will be home to a VIP experience that includes a complimentary cocktail, access to private restrooms and stunning waterfront views. Proceeds from the day benefit the Blade Foundation.For more information and VIP tickets visit prideonthepierdc.com.

The Capital Pride Alliance invites guests to step boldly into Pride season at The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia, a luxurious brunch celebration honoring the 2026 Capital Pride Honors recipients while benefiting the Pride365 Fund. Rooted in this year’s theme, “Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!,” the event shines a spotlight on changemakers across the National Capital Region whose dedication and service continue to shape the future of the LGBTQ+ community. Guests are encouraged to dress in bold fuchsia as a symbol of empowerment and unapologetic self-expression while enjoying an indulgent chef-curated brunch, cocktails and mocktails, and audacious drag and burlesque performances throughout the afternoon. The celebration begins with a special pre-program cocktail social at 11:30 a.m., followed by the official program at noon. More than just a brunch, the event serves as a fundraiser supporting the Pride365 Fund, which helps sustain LGBTQ+ advocacy, outreach, community initiatives, and the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center year-round. Click HERE to grab your tickets.

At Bas Rouge in Easton, newly appointed Executive Chef Phil Lind is stepping into the spotlight with Ode to Spring, a six-course dinner debuting Thursday, May 29, 2026. Rooted in the finest local ingredients from Cottingham Farms and Bluepoint Hospitality’s own Japanese vegetable garden, the $135 tasting menu showcases Lind’s philosophy that vegetables are the centerpiece of every plate, not simply an accompaniment. Guests can expect dishes including Herb Bucatini with pea purée and ricotta, Crabcake Wellington with vegetable demi, and a Duo of Local Beef paired with seasonal accompaniments, ending with a local strawberry shortcake dessert. The evening will also feature a preview tasting of Schloss WulfPrager wines from proprietor Paul Prager’s Maryland vineyard, available by flight or glass. With a menu shaped by seasonality, technique, and close-to-home sourcing, Lind’s first major dinner at the helm signals a new chapter for the James Beard Award-winning restaurant and a bold celebration of spring on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Click HERE to make your reservation.

Celebrate AAPI Month with a one-of-a-kind culinary experience at Hook Hall on Sunday, May 31, as the beloved Filipino tradition of the “Boodle Fight” comes to DC. Curated by Chef Patrick Tanyag, this communal feast will feature a vibrant spread of jasmine rice, roasted pig, seafood, fruit, pork belly, and more, all served atop banana leaves in true traditional fashion. Guests will dine together at large communal tables throughout Hook Hall’s covered outdoor garden, with private tables available for groups of six or more. Seatings begin at noon through 2:30pm, and tickets are $75 per person. Learn more and purchase tickets at DC Boodle Fight. Click HERE to grab your tickets.

The Yards is hosting the return of its fan-favorite Sail Into Summer Yacht Rock Concert. You can enjoy an evening of nostalgic soft rock hits from Got Yacht? and waterfront fun, including complimentary captain’s hats and branded sunglasses (while supplies last), pop-ups from retailers including Pacers and VIDA Fitness, and drinks available for purchase from District Winery. You are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and enjoy to-go offerings from restaurants throughout The Yards.

Liberty Tavern will host an exclusive wine dinner featuring Chiara Boschis of Azienda Agricola E. Pira & Figli at 6:00 PM. You will enjoy five wines paired with five courses crafted by Chef Ulysses Cabahug. You are invited to celebrate one of the top Barolo producers, Chiara Boschis, during a unique wine dinner celebrating some of Piedmont's finest wines. Information/Tickets!

Indulge in all-you-can-eat oysters from some of the DMV's best restaurants,  sip on craft beer and cocktails from Uncorked, and enjoy live music all in support of Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Oyster Recovery Program.  

The Rotary Club of Vienna sponsors the ViVa! Vienna! event, which celebrates the unity and strength of the Vienna community and honors Memorial Day. This event, a time of family fun and pleasure, serves as a major fund raising opportunity for the Rotary Club so that it may, in turn, provide support for charitable, educational, and community groups the following year.

Hi-Lawn, one of Washington, DC's largest, most expansive rooftops for outdoor dining, drinking and socializing, is celebrating Memorial Day with their 5th annual four-day Rooftop Grill-Out Party from Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25. The open-air roof of Union Market will once again host one extra-long weekend of festivities, including live music and DJs, lawn game competitions, grilled eats, coolers of booze, festive cocktails and more celebratory fun.