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The National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Weekend concert.
Photo via NASA HQ PHOTO

Labor Day in Washington, D.C.: 10 things to do and see

From concerts to cooking classes to a larger-than-life interactive exhibition

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The National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Weekend concert.
| Photo via NASA HQ PHOTO

To mark the end of the season, there are a wide variety of events being held from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4. Make this upcoming Labor Day weekend the best weekend of the summer.

In order to showcase which events are the best of the best, Curbed DC put together this map with events listed in order of date from the earliest to the latest. From concerts to cooking classes, see what there still is to get excited about this summer before the season finally makes its leave.

Were there any notable events left off this map? Let Curbed DC know in the comments.

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D.C. Commission Labor Day Weekend Music Festival

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Friday, September 1

At the historic Lincoln Theatre, there will be live performances that cover a wide swatch of genres, from jazz to pop to rock to folk. The admission for this event is free with no ticket required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre.
Photo via U.S. Department of Agriculture

Truckeroo

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Friday, September 1

Food truck lovers are sure to be pleased by this event, located at The Bullpen in Navy Yard. On Friday, this monthly, family-friendly festival will feature live music and a myriad of food trucks, including Bel-Feast, Ricksha Streetside Indian, Mexicano Square, and Red Hook Lobster Pound. If interested in cold drinks and yummy food, the event spans from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A post shared by El_Dave (@d_umana) on

Chocolate Making Class

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Friday, September 1

For $75, chocolate lovers will be able to make their own lollipops, truffles, and tempered chocolate in this three-hour course at Union Kitchen: Ivy City. Not only will a master chocolatier teach how to make different desserts, they will also teach the differences between white, milk, and dark chocolate and what it is that makes certain chocolates “good.” The course starts at 6 p.m.

Photo via cacaobug

Outdoor Movie

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Friday, September 1

End your summer off on a good note by seeing a film with the ever-popular Tom Cruise in the American sports action drama film, Days of Thunder, released 1990. The film starts at 7 p.m., but be sure to come early. There is a $10 parking fee, but walk-ups are totally free.

National Book Festival

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Saturday, September 2

Book lovers, don’t miss out on this free event. The National Book Festival will once again open at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Over 100 authors, illustrators, and poets will speak at this family-friendly event. There will also be book sales, thanks to D.C.’s Politics & Prose Bookstore.

H Street Comedy Night

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Saturday, September 2

Why not end the summer off with a good laugh? At H Street’s Driftwood Kitchen, this free comedy event will start at 8 p.m. No tickets required.

Driftwood Kitchen during Pride Month 2017.
Photo via Elvert Barnes

Tai Chi

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Saturday, September 2

Sometimes, all you need is a good, meditative exercise to make the end of the week feel like a blessing. This Saturday, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., the D.C. Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs will host a Tai Chi class in Chinatown Park. The event is open to the public and free.

Photo via Shutterstock/wavebreakmedia

Speed Dating

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Saturday, September 2

Ever been curious about dating in the fastest way possible? This speed dating event at Dirty Martini is for those looking for a quick-paced social adventure. Only those ages 24 to 39 will be allowed. Tickets start at $29. The event starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

Photo via Shutterstock/Phovoir

National Symphony Orchestra

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Sunday, September 3

This is the summer event everyone in the D.C. area should be looking forward to if they’re lovers of the National Symphony Orchestra. This year’s annual Labor Day concert will feature vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Aoife O’Donovan and guest conductor John Morris Russell. Some of the music that will be played include Bob Dylan’s "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol" and O’Donovan’s "Red & White & Blue & Gold."  The performance, located on the West Lawn of the U.S Capitol, will last approximately 90 minutes.

The 2010 National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Weekend concert.
Photo via NASA HQ PHOTO

Monday, September 4

This is it. This is the final day for the National Building Museum’s larger-than-life summer installation, known as “Hive.” Studio Gang’s installation is made up of more than 2,700 wound paper tubes, some as high as 60 feet. The tubes interlock to create three interconnected, domed chambers with the tallest dome offering an oculus over 10 feet in diameter. The structures are also shaped to recall Brunelleschi’s Dome at the Florence Cathedral in Italy as well as the curvature of a spider’s web.

D.C. Commission Labor Day Weekend Music Festival

Friday, September 1

At the historic Lincoln Theatre, there will be live performances that cover a wide swatch of genres, from jazz to pop to rock to folk. The admission for this event is free with no ticket required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre.
Photo via U.S. Department of Agriculture

Truckeroo

Friday, September 1

Food truck lovers are sure to be pleased by this event, located at The Bullpen in Navy Yard. On Friday, this monthly, family-friendly festival will feature live music and a myriad of food trucks, including Bel-Feast, Ricksha Streetside Indian, Mexicano Square, and Red Hook Lobster Pound. If interested in cold drinks and yummy food, the event spans from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

A post shared by El_Dave (@d_umana) on

Chocolate Making Class

Friday, September 1

For $75, chocolate lovers will be able to make their own lollipops, truffles, and tempered chocolate in this three-hour course at Union Kitchen: Ivy City. Not only will a master chocolatier teach how to make different desserts, they will also teach the differences between white, milk, and dark chocolate and what it is that makes certain chocolates “good.” The course starts at 6 p.m.

Photo via cacaobug

Outdoor Movie

Friday, September 1

End your summer off on a good note by seeing a film with the ever-popular Tom Cruise in the American sports action drama film, Days of Thunder, released 1990. The film starts at 7 p.m., but be sure to come early. There is a $10 parking fee, but walk-ups are totally free.

National Book Festival

Saturday, September 2

Book lovers, don’t miss out on this free event. The National Book Festival will once again open at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Over 100 authors, illustrators, and poets will speak at this family-friendly event. There will also be book sales, thanks to D.C.’s Politics & Prose Bookstore.

H Street Comedy Night

Saturday, September 2

Why not end the summer off with a good laugh? At H Street’s Driftwood Kitchen, this free comedy event will start at 8 p.m. No tickets required.

Driftwood Kitchen during Pride Month 2017.
Photo via Elvert Barnes

Tai Chi

Saturday, September 2

Sometimes, all you need is a good, meditative exercise to make the end of the week feel like a blessing. This Saturday, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., the D.C. Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs will host a Tai Chi class in Chinatown Park. The event is open to the public and free.

Photo via Shutterstock/wavebreakmedia

Speed Dating

Saturday, September 2

Ever been curious about dating in the fastest way possible? This speed dating event at Dirty Martini is for those looking for a quick-paced social adventure. Only those ages 24 to 39 will be allowed. Tickets start at $29. The event starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

Photo via Shutterstock/Phovoir

National Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, September 3

This is the summer event everyone in the D.C. area should be looking forward to if they’re lovers of the National Symphony Orchestra. This year’s annual Labor Day concert will feature vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Aoife O’Donovan and guest conductor John Morris Russell. Some of the music that will be played include Bob Dylan’s "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol" and O’Donovan’s "Red & White & Blue & Gold."  The performance, located on the West Lawn of the U.S Capitol, will last approximately 90 minutes.

The 2010 National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Weekend concert.
Photo via NASA HQ PHOTO

Hive

Monday, September 4

This is it. This is the final day for the National Building Museum’s larger-than-life summer installation, known as “Hive.” Studio Gang’s installation is made up of more than 2,700 wound paper tubes, some as high as 60 feet. The tubes interlock to create three interconnected, domed chambers with the tallest dome offering an oculus over 10 feet in diameter. The structures are also shaped to recall Brunelleschi’s Dome at the Florence Cathedral in Italy as well as the curvature of a spider’s web.