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Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for D.C.

The Savannah Bananas became a hit on TikTok. Now their show is mainstream.

Sports

A Vienna native is preparing for the biggest game of his career Saturday at Nationals Park.<ul><li>That means lots of work on his dance moves.</li></ul>The big picture: Pitcher Danny Hosley and his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Savannah Bananas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/06/09/savannah-bananas-draw-148-000-people-in-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="63add06f-2c6a-423e-b5bb-160f85734ede" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/06/09/savannah-bananas-draw-148-000-people-in-charlotte" target="_self">Savannah Bananas</a> teammates are wrapping up their season in D.C. with the first Banana Bowl — a championship game the novelty baseball league is billing as its grandest spectacle yet.

Judge rips into Trump officials over tree removals at East Potomac golf course

News

A &quot;furious&quot; federal judge berated Trump officials on Monday after roughly 500 trees were abruptly cut down at the East Potomac Park golf course.Why it matters: The tree removals have intensified a legal battle over President Trump&#x27;s effort to turn a municipal golf course into a PGA-level attraction.

New Smithsonian exhibit embraces complex American stories

A new exhibit tackles identity, inequality and difficult history amid a broader fight over how the institution portrays America.

Things to Do

A new Smithsonian exhibit is exploring complex American stories as the institution faces a new White House <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/16/nx-s1-5971420/trump-administration-smithsonian-warning-signs" data-vars-content-id="e3184cea-2a75-43dd-8f8d-0039bb229e69" data-vars-headline="New Smithsonian exhibit embraces complex American stories" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/09/16/nx-s1-5971420/trump-administration-smithsonian-warning-signs" target="_blank">challenge</a> to how it tells the nation&#x27;s history. The big picture: The Trump administration is preparing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plant signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/07/raskin-trump-dc-banners-signs-smithsonian" data-vars-content-id="e3184cea-2a75-43dd-8f8d-0039bb229e69" data-vars-headline="New Smithsonian exhibit embraces complex American stories" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/07/raskin-trump-dc-banners-signs-smithsonian" target="_self">plant signs</a> outside the National Museum of American History and other Smithsonian museums, accusing the institution of presenting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biased view" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" data-vars-content-id="e3184cea-2a75-43dd-8f8d-0039bb229e69" data-vars-headline="New Smithsonian exhibit embraces complex American stories" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" target="_self">biased view</a> of American history.

New laws could bring more ADUs to Maryland and Virginia

New rules make it easier to add ADUs as the D.C. region grapples with a housing crunch.

Real Estate

New state laws are making it easier to build ADUs across Maryland and Virginia.Why it matters: The push for more local ADUs — accessory dwelling units, or small housing units built on the same land as a bigger home — comes as the region sees a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing crunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/10/05/real-estate-market-mortgage-rates-home-sales" data-vars-content-id="d563d5b1-db65-4b93-8d91-6c4259c595a3" data-vars-headline="New laws could bring more ADUs to Maryland and Virginia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/10/05/real-estate-market-mortgage-rates-home-sales" target="_self">housing crunch</a>.

A creepy doll, a ghostly wail and D.C.'s haunted museum lore

A Smithsonian official recounts an unexplained encounter inside the Castle, while a century-old doll and eerie artifacts reveal the spooky side of D.C.'s museums.

Culture

A mysterious wail from an empty bathroom. An eerie doll that joined a family for dinner. Museum artifacts that moved — and screamed — after dark.<ul><li>Welcome to the spooky side of D.C.&#x27;s museums.</li></ul>

Arlington's new immersive experience combines murder mystery and escape room

A brother-sister duo is bringing interactive storytelling and a mysterious island tale to Arlington.

Arlington has a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immersive experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/10/smithsonian-brings-space-immersion-to-d-c" data-vars-content-id="4597ff92-f1e5-4e8d-b95b-0b7ec9bb2c7b" data-vars-headline="Arlington&#x27;s new immersive experience combines murder mystery and escape room" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/10/smithsonian-brings-space-immersion-to-d-c" target="_self">immersive experience</a> just in time for spooky season.Why it matters: &quot;We haven&#x27;t really come across anything that&#x27;s the same as this,&quot; says Trace Sells, one half of the brother-sister duo behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Gaslight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thegaslight.us/" data-vars-content-id="4597ff92-f1e5-4e8d-b95b-0b7ec9bb2c7b" data-vars-headline="Arlington&#x27;s new immersive experience combines murder mystery and escape room" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thegaslight.us/" target="_blank">The Gaslight</a>.

D.C.'s best Halloween experiences worth leaving the crypt for

From terrifying haunted forests and boozy vampire shows to creepy cocktails and after-dark adventures, here's where to get your thrills around D.C. this Halloween.

It&#x27;s spooky season, and D.C. is serving up everything from haunted forests to boozy haunts.The big picture: We&#x27;ve rounded up 12 Halloween experiences worth leaving the crypt for — whether you&#x27;re after a good scare, killer cocktail or epic costume party.

Your D.C. weekend: Snallygaster beer fest is back

Capitol Hill's first porch fest and a Pickle Festival.

D.C.&#x27;s biggest beer fest is back.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Snallygaster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.snallygasterdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="1e41c3e8-5873-4292-9dea-2d7cd67485bf" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. weekend: Snallygaster beer fest is back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.snallygasterdc.com/" target="_blank">Snallygaster</a> returns for its 14th year on Saturday, paying tribute to craft beer.

D.C.'s holiday season is starting earlier than ever

Holiday markets, tree lightings and mega-displays are arriving before Thanksgiving as the most wonderful time of the year keeps getting longer.

D.C.&#x27;s holiday season is coming early this year, with markets, mega-trees and twinkling lights arriving well before Thanksgiving.Why it matters: Move over, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summerween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/19/summerween-early-halloween-events-decor-pumpkin-spice-2026" data-vars-content-id="2fef7a26-d327-4d6c-94e4-0dd6e0654109" data-vars-headline="D.C.&#x27;s holiday season is starting earlier than ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/19/summerween-early-halloween-events-decor-pumpkin-spice-2026" target="_self">Summerween</a> — the Fallidays are here.

Your D.C. Weekend: Music festival with a side of activism

Plus: Catch comedian and upcoming Netflix doc subject Maria Bamford.

A stacked lineup of big-name performers and activists is coming to the D.C. area this weekend for a music festival with a community action bent.Why it matters: Bruce Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine musician Tom Morello made headlines when they announced the event earlier this year during a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nats Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/springsteen-foo-fighters-morello-power-to-the-people-fest-1235569215/" data-vars-content-id="659a618b-4744-4291-8733-dd4e402f9c21" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. Weekend: Music festival with a side of activism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/springsteen-foo-fighters-morello-power-to-the-people-fest-1235569215/" target="_blank">Nats Park</a> performance.

Fall foliage mapped: When fall colors will peak around D.C.

Fall foliage is expected to peak around Nov. 7 in Washington — and a few days earlier in Shenandoah.

Leaf-peepers, mark your calendars: Fall color is expected across most of the country by mid-October, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="c87dcd86-93c5-4a6d-80ef-5c77a7c1ad80" data-vars-headline="Fall foliage mapped: When fall colors will peak around D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.The big picture: Peak foliage color is expected in D.C. around Nov. 7. If you&#x27;re heading to the Shenandoah — a popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaf peeping spot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" data-vars-content-id="c87dcd86-93c5-4a6d-80ef-5c77a7c1ad80" data-vars-headline="Fall foliage mapped: When fall colors will peak around D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/09/11/fall-foliage-guide-dc-maryland-virginia" target="_self">leaf peeping spot</a> — peak is expected Nov. 2.

Your guide to D.C.'s best fall festivals

From oysters and Oktoberfests to pumpkins, live music and PorchFest, here are the celebrations worth checking out around the DMV.

Fall is peak festival season in the DMV.Why it matters: There&#x27;s something for everyone — families, doggos, music and food fans, art lovers and, naturally, so many Oktoberfests.

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics draws record number of athletes

More than 1,300 athletes ages 50 to 101 are competing in nearly 100 events across the region.

A Virginia league for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="senior" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/05/senior-app-gig-workers" data-vars-content-id="3119fc17-e400-4c2f-8ac3-d2cd7979deef" data-vars-headline="Northern Virginia Senior Olympics draws record number of athletes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/04/05/senior-app-gig-workers" target="_self">senior</a> games is currently underway, and it&#x27;s packed with events and athletes.Why it matters: The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics has 1,356 participants this year — a record.<ul><li>Why? Two reasons: There are more NoVa seniors now, and older folks are increasingly aware of the importance of exercise, a games spokesperson tells Axios. </li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

A creepy doll, a ghostly wail and D.C.'s haunted museum lore

Arlington's new immersive experience combines murder mystery and escape room

D.C.'s best Halloween experiences worth leaving the crypt for

Your D.C. weekend: Snallygaster beer fest is back

New Smithsonian exhibit embraces complex American stories