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It’s a big weekend if you like theater and live comedy or holiday lights displays!

Also, the Washington Spirit are back in the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs for the first time since winning the championship in 2021. You can watch the semifinal match at Audi Field on Saturday.

Here’s what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

The Second City’s Dance Like There’s Black People Watching: Through Dec. 22, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Northwest, $64+

The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture: Open into September 2025, Smithsonian American Art Museum, free

Musical: “Six”: Through Dec. 1, National Theatre, $119+

Gifted Week in honor of Wale Day: Through Nov. 17, various events in the D.C. area

Cry n’ Vibe: Tues., 5:30-8 p.m., Southwest Library (or live on TikTok), free

Chocolate & Wine Tasting: Exquisite Chocolates & Truffles, Wine from Spain: Weds., 7-8:30 p.m., The Chocolate House (1904 18th Street NW), $55

Umbrella Art Fair: Fri. to Sun., Dock 5 at Union Market, free but RSVP required

Comedy: Julie Kim: Fri. to Sat., DC Improv, $22

Comedy: Tinder Live with Lane Moore: Fri., doors at 6:30 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, $35

Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC in semifinals: Sat., noon, Audi Field, $21+

Meet the Makers Food and Beverage Expo: Sat., 3-6 p.m., Union Kitchen Eckington (1625 Eckington Place NE), $17.50-$31

Sounds of US: An Immersive New Music Festival: Sat., The Kennedy Center, free programming on the REACH, main stage tickets cost $20

Last chance: Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean at ARTECHOUSE: Through Nov. 19, 1238 Maryland Ave SW, $25+ for adults

What to do in Maryland

Strathmore Museum Shop Holiday Market: Thurs. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Mansion (10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda), $10 suggested donation

ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: Nov. 15 to Dec. 28, Gaylord National at National Harbor, $26.99+

Wale: Fri., MGM National Harbor, $82+

Community Tree Planting: Sat., 8:30 a.m. to noon, Suitland Metro Station, free

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade: Sat., 10 a.m., Veterans Plaza, free

Holiday Movies on the Potomac – “The Grinch (2000)”: Sun., National Harbor, free

What to do in Virginia

Winter Walk of Lights: Through Jan. 5, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, $18-$22

Bull Run Festival of Lights: Nov. 15 to Jan. 4, Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, $30 per vehicle

Ice & Lights-The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Nov. 15 to Feb. 23 (ice skating opens Nov. 29), Alexandria, Virginia, $8.55+

Alexandria Clay Co-Op’s Holiday Ceramics Sale: Fri. and Sat., 2389 South Dove Street, Alexandria, $20 on Friday (benefitting World Central Kitchen) or free entry on Saturday

DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival: Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, $14+

Discovering Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour: Sat., 10-11 a.m.,

Thanksgiving wine tasting: Sat., 3-5 p.m., Wine Gallery 108 in Alexandria, $30

Astronomy Festival: Sat., 5 p.m., Turner Farm Park Observatory, $10

“I’ll Take You There: Stax Records Co.”: Through Nov. 24, Signature Theatre in Arlington, $46+

10th Annual Workhouse Glass International: Through Jan. 12, Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, free

Coming up soon

Downtown DC Holiday Market: Nov. 22 to Dec. 23, F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, free entry

ZooLights: Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, National Zoo, $6 per guest age 2 and up

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with the Biden administration this week in Washington, D.C. to seek more protections for California policies before the Trump administration takes over. 

Just last week, Newsom called for state lawmakers to convene a special session next month to safeguard the state’s progressive policies on climate change, reproductive rights and immigration before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. 

Newsom spoke over Zoom on Friday about his plans to prepare for another Trump presidency. 

“I think he’s going to come harder. He’s going to come faster, executive orders day one. We’re taking him at his word,” Newsom said. 

One of the highest-profile California policies in jeopardy is the 2035 ban on new gas-powered car sales.

“This is where California is most vulnerable, on transportation emissions,” said Ethan Elkind, director of the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy and the Environment. 

Elkind noted that Trump has openly opposed California’s plan to allow only zero-emission new car sales starting in 2035. 

“That’s why we’re up to almost 30% of new vehicle sales in the state are electric,” Elkind said. 

Besides that zero-emission vehicle policy, California is also seeking federal waivers on setting new requirements on zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, off-road vehicles, construction equipment, and buildings. 

“We are not naive about what to anticipate,” Newsom said. 

In 2019, Trump revoked California’s ability to enforce its own tailpipe emissions limits. This was later restored by President Biden’s administration and was upheld in federal court.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in California are watching closely to see the impact of Newsom’s visit to the nation’s capital. 

“So this is just the opening salvo and, of course, they’re going to trade some blows here,” state Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) said. “I expect them to fight a lot more in public and then get a lot more done behind the scenes.” 

“It’s a great opportunity, and the Democrats — Gavin Newsom at the top — are kind of squandering it if they’re going to immediately start with a confrontational approach,” Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) said. 

Besides vehicles, President-elect Trump could also cut federal funding for the California high-speed rail project. The Biden administration had awarded $3 billion to it earlier this year. 

“Trust me. We’ve got a lot up our sleeves,” Newsom said. “We’re not done by any stretch.” 

WASHINGTON – Detectives are searching for two juveniles they believe shot a man Monday afternoon during an alleged attempted robbery in D.C. 

Officer Lee Lepe, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department, confirmed the call came in at 3:31 p.m. for reports of the shooting. 

The victim was found “conscious and breathing” in the unit block of O Street Northwest, according to Officer Lepe.

The suspects are described as two juveniles wearing all-black clothing and masks. Authorities have issued a lookout for the suspects, but as of now, no arrests have been made.

The investigation is ongoing, and MPD has not released further details.