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What to Do in DC in November

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Updated: October 22, 2023
 By Canden Arciniega

This post covers the top things to do in November in Washington, DC (updated for 2023).

We include nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

As local tour guides, we compiled this list based on our own experiences, but also answering your questions.

We lead thousands of people each month on walks in DC and on every tour we are asked about things to do in our city.

We also grabbed ideas from the roughly 50k members of our popular Washington, DC Travel Tips Facebook group.

Tips for November in Washington DC

The group consists of locals, like our tour guides, veteran travelers, as well as newbies to DC.

You don't need to join in order to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

Check out the group once you are finished reading this post. A link is at the bottom of the post.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do in DC for even more ideas

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.

Where possible we link to websites that often offer discounted ticket prices (like StubHub). While we are unable to confirm their prices are the best, they are all verified ticket resellers .

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER

1. Attend a Concert

The DC area sees some amazing musicians coming through.

Some of the concerts featured will be hosted at the Anthem, Capital One Arena, and the Wharf. 

Concerts

Classical/Opera

Check here for other concerts taking place in the DC area in November.

2. Attend a Live Sporting Event

Many of the DC area's sports teams will be playing at home in November, so you'll have several opportunities to enjoy a game

Football

Hockey

Check here for even more sporting events in November in the DC area.

3. See a Performance, Lecture, Musical, or Other Event on the Stage

You don't need to head to NYC to catch a great performance. The DC area has loads of venues that draw all sorts of talented and fascinating people.

For example, in November, you can see physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Warner Theatre in DC on November 14th.

Below are some other events you might enjoy.

Comedy Shows

Comedy Cubs

Theatre

Family-Friendly

Check this list of theatrical performances in and around Washington DC for even more shows to attend

4. Take a Sightseeing Tour!

Our guided walks are a great way to see the city.

We offer sightseeing tours of Washington DC, including Georgetown, Alexandria, and Arlington National Cemetery, which will give you a fuller appreciation of this great capital city. 

We also have self-guided tours and GPS-enabled audio tours of neighborhoods that you will likely visit as a tourist in the city.

Check out our homepage to see what we have available when you are here.

5. Honor Veterans

Veterans Day takes place on November 11th.

DC has a number of special places to visit on Veteran's Day to honor all those who are and have served in our Armed Forces.

The most obvious location to visit would be Arlington National Cemetery, which is the final resting place of many American heroes and politicians.

You can also visit the Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and WW2 Memorial to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at one of the war memorials on your own or see them all on our National Mall Tour

Geroge Washington's Mount Vernon also has some special events we recommend you check out. 

6. Run America's Trot for Hunger

For now 22 years this race has taken place in DC, with funds raised going to SOME, a group that supports DC residents who are experiencing need.

The race starts at Freedom Plaza in Downtown DC, and runs along the National Mall, past the US Capitol and other DC sites.

There are timed and untimed 5Ks and a Little Turkey 1-Miler, making it perfect for all skill levels.

At the end of a race are family-friendly activities, with music, food tastings, live entertainment, and more.

For more information and to sign up for the race, visit the America's Trot for Hunger website.

7. Shop Black Friday 

Spend some time immersed in retail therapy on the busiest shopping day of the year!

Head to popular shopping neighborhoods in the district like Georgetown and Downtown DC.

Don’t forget that the day after Black Friday is Small Business Saturday–a great chance to support independently owned local businesses.

8. Visit the First Ladies Exhibit

The Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, close to the White House, is displaying paintings from the collection of DC artist Maggie O'Neill.

These paintings of the first ladies will appear in the windows of the Opaline Bar & Brasserie.

Also on display is her portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

You can see the art until January 1st, 2024. To read more about the exhibit, visit the Sofitel's website.

For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in DC.

9. Celebrate Thanksgiving

Spend this classic American holiday in the capital!

Keep your eyes out for special Thanksgiving restaurant menus if you'd like to have someone else handle the kitchen duties.

Thanksgiving is also a good day to do some sightseeing or take a tour in Washington D.C., as they are usually much less crowded during this holiday.

Some other activities you might enjoy that take place before and after Thanksgiving include:

10. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass 

Tourist attraction discount passes bundle together many popular attractions and tours into one discounted price and can save you over 50%.

They also can save you time with skip-the-ticket-line privileges. 

Attractions you can see with these passes include:

  • CitySights Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
  • International Spy Museum
  • The Capital Ferris Wheel
  • George Washington's Home

We detail how these passes work and help you decide which, if any, is best for you. 

Dates Unconfirmed: Georgetown Glow Light Experience

This free curated outdoor light art exhibit takes place throughout the Georgetown neighborhood.

Each creation has a theme or a story behind its creation, so this is the perfect time to take a GLOW-related walking tour through Georgetown.

There are also GLOW events like yoga or a silent disco, and some late-night shopping options.

The dates for 2023 haven't been released as of the time of this post, so check the Georgetown GLOW website for updates.

We expect it will return again in November and last until January.

Washington DC Travel Tips and Hacks

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

Follow On Instagram | Canden is a historian & tour guide in Washington DC with 4 published books about the city. She has written for HuffPost Travel and has been featured in the Washington Post, WTOP, and numerous other DC papers. She's also been interviewed by the BBC, NPR, Travel Channel and Discovery Family Channel. Canden is the producer of the podcast, Tour Guide Tell All. She is an authority on D.C. history, and has led tours in the city since 2011. She currently resides in DC, but has also lived in London and South Korea, and has traveled to over 28 countries and every US State but Hawaii. She homeschools her 2 children by exploring the plethora of museums in DC.
Updated: October 22nd, 2023
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