Events/Things To Do

 Compassion Over Killing (COK) is proud to present the DC VegFest on Sunday, August 11 in a brand new location: Nationals Park! The DC VegFest is a free fun-filled festival of food, music, education, and inspiration with more than 20,000 attendees who join the celebration each year.   

Featuring over 120 vendors and exhibitors, thousands of festival-goers – vegans and pre-vegans alike – will experience plant-based eating’s many flavors, and learn how each of us can protect the planet, our health, and animals simply by enjoying vegan meals. 

On the main stage, emceed by DC comedian Sean Savoy, celebrity speakers will share inspiring talks and expert chefs will dazzle the crowd with their culinary creations. 

This year’s DC VegFest keynote speakers include:

• Tracye McQuirter, author of By Any Greens Necessary
• Neil Barnard, author and founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
• Brenda Sanders, food activist and Executive Director of Afro-Vegan Society
• Plus, cooking demos from Joe Yonan of the Washington Post, and plant-based chef Bev Kumari

A new TryVeg Tasting Booth will be hosted by Jessica Carter, COK’s talented Vegan Food & Lifestyle Coach, seen often on DC morning shows. The Kid’s Zone includes a built in playground plus we’ll be featuring activities like face painting, and an interactive cartooning demonstration with Eric Lindstrom, COK’s Director of Marketing. 

The festival will also feature an exciting new VIP Lounge where wristband holders will receive a loaded commemorative tote bag, mingle with VegFest speakers and chefs, and enjoy exclusive food and product samples, including a selection from Vegan Treats.

Since 2009, DC VegFest has been bringing the community together for a day of compassionate celebration that everyone can enjoy. This year’s exciting new location at Nats Park means even more fun: built-in shade, indoor restrooms, an awesome kids playground, and misting fans to beat the summer heat. More information on this year’s new venue can be found at DCVegFest.com.

“As we embark on another year hosting the DC VegFest, expecting 25,000 to join us, Compassion Over Killing is thrilled that Washington, DC is home to an abundance of delicious and nutritious plant-based food and is setting a positive tone for a much-needed national dialogue about the far-reaching impact of our food choices on the planet, our health, and animals,” says Erica Meier, Executive Director of Compassion Over Killing. 

Vegan food will be served by dozens of vendors including Vegan Treats, Amsterdam Falafelshop, Brewing Good Coffee, Bakeshop DC, Ben & Jerry’s, and YogiDog.

Over 100 nonprofit and commercial exhibitors will set up shop for the day: Dr. Bronner’s, A Well-Fed World, Roots Market, Barnard Medical Center, TryVeg.com, and many more.

Drawing a line of 2,000 people before the start of the festival, free commemorative tote bags, stocked with gifts and samples from our sponsors, will be given out to the first 1,000 attendees. VegFest-goers will also be able to donate to receive exciting bonuses like a reserved tote bag or a chance to skip the line at the popular Vegan Treats booth. 

For more information, visit DCVegFest.com

On Saturday, August 24 from 6 – 10 p.m., Washington, D.C. will host the sixth annual Le Dîner en Blanc. The yearly extravaganza, where guests don all white, promises another evening of dining and excitement, as it acquires a secret public location, revealed only minutes prior to the commence of the event. 

Over the course of the evening, 5,000 guests will once again dine and celebrate the sixth anniversary of Le Dîner en Blanc – Washington amid live music, entertainment and dancing. Each year, guests bring their all-white tables, chairs and table settings, and the truly ambitious create their own French picnics with extravagant, inventive tablescapes.  For those looking for a more convenient option, attendees can rent a table and chairs from Rentals to Remember.

Registration for the unique experience happens in three stages beginning later next month: Phase 1 is for members who attended the previous year; Phase 2 is for new members who have been sponsored by Phase 1 attendees; and Phase 3 is for guests who signed up on the waiting list. Those interested can sign up at washington.dinerenblanc.com/register.

About Le Dîner en Blanc – Washington Hosts

Le Dîner en Blanc – Washington, D.C. is produced by The Davis Group, LLC, a full-service event design and production company based in the Washington, DC area. Linda Davis, along with daughters Bryer and Kaitlin have brought together nearly 15,000 people to celebrate Dîner en Blanc in Washington.

City Tap Penn Quarter will offer a ticketed all-you-can-eat Louisiana style crawfish boil including crawfish, clams, shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes. The first Abita Beer Strawberry Lager with a complimentary koozie is on the house for ticketed patrons. Stick around for the live music and patio games with $5 Abita brews and $10 adult capris suns until 5pm

City Tap Dupont is excited to throw a day at the beach, luau themed open bar event on Labor Day. Come for brunch and stay to enjoy Hawaiian themed food specials such as pineapple burgers and pulled pork tacos starting at 1pm, and a $45 ticketed open bar from 2pm to 5pm including select draft beers, house wines by the glass and rail mixed drinks.

La Cosecha, EDENS’ upcoming contemporary Latin market (1270 4th Street NE) in the Union Market District, will celebrate its opening preview celebration with a festive block party and special concert, presented by title partner Events DC and headlined by Grammy-winning Latin fusion band Ozomatli on Saturday, September 7 from 11am-7pm.

Local pop singer-dancer Jason Cerda will also perform during the free, open-to-the-public event, which will serve as a Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event and is being curated in collaboration with local music production group All Things Go. Additional musical acts include Salt Cathedral, Mario + Jose, Jonathan Acosta, DJ Bembona, DJ Renzo, DJ Nicolas Losada and Batalá.

The Calle Latina block party’s family-friendly activities include a special Latin-inspired face painting menu created by Colombia-born local muralist MasPaz, Con Sabor kids’ dance classes, chef demos and a flash mob led by Cerda.

Guests will also get a sneak peek at all of the La Cosecha partners: El Cielo, NOVA BOSSA, Amparo, Ali Pacha, Grand Cata, Serenata, Café Unido, Filos Bakery, Zona E Home, La Casita and Peruvian Brothers.
In partnership with sponsors the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, Carlos Rosario School, and Bacardi, the block party will feature additional pop ups by New Latin Wave, Se Habla Español, The Future is Latina, Andeana Hats, Adelante Shoes, Arcay Chocolates, Piña & Coco, Wonder for People and Politics & Prose, Arepa Zone, Ilegal Mezcal and Bacardi.

“After considerable time spent planning and curating La Cosecha, we’re excited and proud to invite all to our preview block party, Calle Latina, where we’ll be celebrating the colors, textures and sounds of Latin America. The ongoing insights and assistance from Latin embassy partners and the city’s cultural tastemakers have been invaluable in the creation of this new marketplace,” says EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean. “Inclusivity and cultural appreciation are the foundation of any strong community and seem more important now than ever. We hope that by showcasing these dynamic cultures, we can spark conversations and relationships across diverse cultures.”

Ozomatli, known as much for their music as their activism, are two-time Grammy winners with a one-of-a-kind sound that encompasses a wide array of musical styles, including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap and more. Since their inception in 1995, Ozomatli has performed all over the world in places like China, Tunisia, Jordan and Burma, serving both as cultural ambassadors and advocates for farm workers’ rights and immigration reform.

D.C.-area native Cerda is a double-threat singer and dancer, boasting Billboard-charting singles Al Lado Mio, Color Favorito and Un Poco Mas, as well as a 3,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art dance studio in northern Virginia.

La Cosecha’s partnerships with Latin embassies, cultural and diplomatic leaders and strategic stakeholders from the Latin community will solidify the new marketplace as a national platform for Latin culture and cuisine. Cultural opportunities for the larger community will include art exhibits, film screenings, live performances, media lab space and outdoor activations throughout the year.

To RSVP for La Cosecha’s Calle Latina block party, please visit www.lacosechadc.com/callelatina.

Gelato Festival America is coming to Washington D.C., September 7^th and 8^th to City Market at O. Join Washington’s Italian community and come out to celebrate authentic Italian gelato. Along our journey to find the best gelato in America, international gelato artisans will gather in the capitol to prepare original flavors fresh in the world’s largest frozen dessert laboratory on wheels. Guests enjoy all-you-can-eat gelato while participating in the Eating Contest, Carpigiani Gelato University, Kids Jury and other activities for the whole family then vote for their favorite flavors to win the Gelato Festival Gold Medal.

Gelato Festival America is coming to Washington D.C., September 7^th and 8^th to City Market at O. Join Washington’s Italian community and come out to celebrate authentic Italian gelato. Along our journey to find the best gelato in America, international gelato artisans will gather in the capitol to prepare original flavors fresh in the world’s largest frozen dessert laboratory on wheels. Guests enjoy all-you-can-eat gelato while participating in the Eating Contest, Carpigiani Gelato University, Kids Jury and other activities for the whole family then vote for their favorite flavors to win the Gelato Festival Gold Medal.

Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is adding a Paella Fest to its renowned Paella Night Wednesdays with some of DC’s most renowned and talented chefs to benefit Horton’s Kids.

On Wednesday, September 18^th from 5 pm to 7 pm, Fairmont’s Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo welcomes Chefs Cinthia Bonilla from Mola Restaurant and Carlos Gomez Segovia from Taberna del Alabardero to join him in preparing and serving their own version of Spanish Paella.

            Guests will love tasting delicioso varieties of Paella in the hotel’s courtyard:

Chef Cinthia Bonilla – Paella de Mariscos

Chef Jordi Gallardo – Mediterranean Paella, O Paella Mixta

Chef Carlos Gomez Segovia – Black Paella

While sipping sangria guests will be entertained in Spanish style with a live Flamenco guitarist.

Lush landscaping, cozy fire pits and ample seating creates the perfect venue for Chefs Gallardo, Bonilla and Segovia’s live paella stations.  Using their own recipes they will prepare and serve their own authentic Paella made authentic ingredients including shrimp, chicken, mussels and secret ingredients in their giant pans.

 An array of gazpacho, pan con tomate, anchego cheese, serrano ham, tortilla de patatas, olives, anchovies and flan de caramel will accompany the chefs Paella.

Specially priced glasses of red and white sangria will be available along with the regular happy hour cocktail menu.  Flamenco music will entertain guests in Spanish style. A percentage of the proceeds will go directly to Horton’s Kids   Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career, and life.  https://www.hortonskids.org/

Fairmont’s Paella Fest is $15 per person, reservations are available on Eventbrite at: https://fairmontwashingtonpaellafest.eventbrite.com