January 1 – January 31, 2026
Doing
Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week
Jan 19–25, 2026; 3‑course prix fixe lunch and dinner at 200+ restaurants across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with special menus and cocktail pairings highlighting seasonal flavors and local chefs. Many DC neighborhoods are participating, from downtown to the Wharf. Diners can browse participating spots and make reservations via RWDMV.com.
*Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi (National Museum of Asian Art)
Opens Jan 24; contemplative exhibition pairing Japanese artists Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi around different visualizations of water, combining abstract methods with traditional techniques. The show is free and runs daily during regular museum hours on the National Mall.
*The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today (National Portrait Gallery)
Opens Jan 24; features 35 portraits selected from more than 3,300 entries from across the U.S., DC, and Puerto Rico, spotlighting emerging portrait artists and diverse contemporary stories. The triennial competition show is free and offers rich visual storytelling for both art lovers and content‑creators looking for new narratives.
The Reading Room Festival 2026 (Capitol Hill)
Jan 22–25; multi‑day book and storytelling festival in Capitol Hill, with a focus on readings, discussions, and curated literary experiences. It sits nicely at the intersection of culture, ideas, and community gathering, and can pair well with a neighboring food outing during Restaurant Week.
January Wellness Webinar Series (virtual, DC‑hosted)
Throughout January; the DC government’s January Wellness Webinar Series offers virtual sessions on topics like “Fresh Starts & Breaking Through Wellness Barriers,” desk cardio, and long‑term habit building, with several live and on‑demand dates around Jan 21–23. Sessions cover physical, mental, and emotional health, giving accessible tools to support daily movement and stress management from home or office.
Integrative Wellness Expo (nearby regional anchor)
Jan 15–19 at Crystal Gateway Marriott (Arlington/Crystal City); a large‑scale wellness gathering with fitness, integrative health, and personal development workshops across multiple days.
Afternoon Tea Time | SUN, 1/11 3pm | Northside Social, Falls Church
On Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM, guests are invited to step into a whimsical afternoon inspired by classic storybook charm at Northside Social, Falls Church, hosted in the Farm Room. The experience features a curated selection of teas paired with house-made petit fours, alongside specially priced sparkling wines to add an extra touch of celebration. Tickets are $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
- Black Techno Matters: LIBER8 U.S. Tour – DC9 | Fri, Jan 23, 9:00 p.m. | ~$20 | (Washington, DC – U St/9:30 Club corridor)
- The Black Healing Space: Washington, DC | Thu, Jan 22, 6:30 p.m. | $$ | (Washington, DC 20010)
- Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week – Winter Edition | Mon–Sun, Jan 19–25, various times | $$ | (200+ restaurants across DC)
- The Black Healing Space: Brooklyn, NY | Sun, Jan 25, 10:00 a.m. | $$ | (Hit Central Studios, Brooklyn, NY)
- Thursday Night Live @ Native Harlem | Thu, Jan 22, 7:00 p.m. | $$ | (Harlem, NYC)
- poetry me, please: New Year, New Poets | Thu, Jan 22, 7:00 p.m. | $$ | (SOB’s, Manhattan)
- Cafe Soul – Sunday Day Party | Sun, Jan 25, 1:00 p.m. | $$ | (288 N 8th St, Brooklyn)
- MLK & Play | Mon, Jan 19, 5:00 p.m. | $$ | (Hello Bar, Brooklyn)
- Trial Lawyers Summit – National Black Lawyers | Sun–Wed, Jan 25–28, all day | $$$$ | (Miami Beach, FL)
- Legacy Week on the Vineyard – Preview / Planning Window | Upcoming: July 27–Aug 2 (plan now this week) | $$$ | (Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard)
- Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival – 2026 Preview | Upcoming: Aug 7–15 (travel planning week) | $$$ | (Martha’s Vineyard, MA)
Reading: New & Upcoming Books
Beatrice Dixon | The Soul Instinct | Jan 27, 2026 | Memoir / Business / Wellness | HarperCollins
Stacy Spikes | Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider | Jan 24, 2026 | Business / Entrepreneurship |
Dorothy A. Brown | Getting to Reparations: How Building a Different America Requires a Reckoning with Our Past | Jan 20, 2026 | Policy / History / Economics |
Diamond Forde | The Book of Alice: Poems | Jan 20, 2026 | Poetry |
Clyde W. Ford | A High Price for Freedom | Jan 13, 2026 | History / Black Studies |
Eating: New Spots & Specials (DC)
It’s Restaurant Week so make sure you are using the official page to keep track of all the great places to check out! – https://www.ramw.org/restaurantweek
- Willowsong | Dinner | $$$$ | 801 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
- Mikey & Mel’s (Downtown DC) | Breakfast & Lunch | $$ | 1828 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
- SHIA (Union Market) | Dinner tasting menu | $$$$ | Union Market, NE DC
- Cordelia Fishbar (Union Market) | Lunch & Dinner | $$$ | Union Market, NE DC
- Mecha Noodle Bar (Union Market) | Lunch & Dinner | $$ | Union Market, NE DC
Watching
His & Hers | Jan 8, 2026 | Mystery / Thriller | Netflix
Hijack – Season 2 | Jan 14, 2026 | Thriller / Drama | Apple TV+
Wonder Man | Jan 27, 2026 | Superhero / Action | Disney+
The Dutchman | Jan 2, 2026 | Psychological Drama | In theaters (Rogue Pictures)
