Good day, DC! Celebrations to ring in the The Year of the Horse are popping up around town, and Black History Month fun continues with the opening of DC Black History Film Festival.   Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend February 17–22 Lunar New Year Parade. Gallop downtown to ring in the Lunar New Year with family and friends at the Lunar New Year Parade. The year of the horse jamboree spotlights cultural performances and a firecracker finale between 6th and I streets, NW (Sun, free, Downtown). Lunar New Year Festival at the Smithsonian. Mark the year of the horse with art, jewelry-making, lion dance performances, food, and more at a Lunar New Year Festival. All ages can watch traditional drumming and cultural dance showcases from visiting groups such as Di Dim Sae Korean Traditional Art Institute and Vietnam Society (Sat, free, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art). Cupid’s Undie Run. The one-of-a-kind annual Cupid’s Undie Run takes over Union Stage this weekend. Dress in your Valentine’s-themed undergarments and jog or dance for a good cause (Sat, $45+, Wharf). NMWA Nights. After-hours events are back at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, with hands-on crafts, live music, and cocktails. This month’s art party celebrates the works of photographer Tawny Chatmon. Attendees can browse her film and embroidery works  in the exhibition “Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies” (Wed, $25, Northwest DC). DC Black History Film Festival. The DC Black History Film Festival celebrates Black culture through go-go music and a showcase of 15 films at the Lincoln Theatre (Fri, free, U Street Corridor). Related February Culture Guide: 45 Things to Do in the DC Area Want More Things to Do? Arts and culture: Photographer George Hurrell captured the glitz and glam of Hollywood during the ’30s and ’40s. Now, 20 vintage images are on display in “Star Power” (through January 10, 2027, free, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery). Browse the history of horses and their riders in the new exhibition “Adorning the Horse: Equestrian Textiles for Power and Prestige” (Sat, free, The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum). Community: Listen in on a conversation about preserving Civil Rights landmarks and Black historic sites (Thurs, free with rsvp, U Street Corridor). Watch a zooming underground cycling race at National Landing (Sat, free, Arlington). Attend the rescheduled Mardi Gras at The Wharf colorful parade and outdoor concert (Sun, free, Wharf). George Washington’s 294th Birthday celebration at Mount Vernon features live history demos, live music, and more (Sun, $30 for adults, $16 for ages 6 to 11, free for ages 5 and younger, Mount Vernon). Theater and shows: Don’t miss the suspenseful production Nothing Up My Sleeve…Simple Deceptions for Curious Humans at Round House Theatre (through March 15, $50+, Bethesda). It’s the last chance to catch the ghostly world premiere of John Doe at Keegan Theatre (closes Sun, $55, Dupont Circle). Take in the sounds of French songstress Edith Piaf at this immersive concert at Lisner Auditorium (Tues, $43+, George Washington University). Music and concerts: Soul group SZN4 from Netflix’s “Building the Band” is live in concert at Howard Theatre (Thurs, $33+, Shaw). On the rise pop-rock artist Alemeda arrives at The Atlantis to promote her latest EP (Fri, $35+, Shaw). Relive ‘oos hits from artists such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani, and others at DC9 Nightclub’s dance party (Fri, free for first 50 people, Shaw). Capital City Symphony performs a concert of melodies based on the theme of hope (Sat, $36, H Street Corridor). Dance to the tunes of Asian American DJs at Union Stage’s rave (Sat, $21, Wharf). Lunar New Year: Munch on fortune cookies and see the Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe perform live in commemoration of Lunar New Year (Thurs, free, Arlington). Ring in the Lunar New Year with Asian cuisine, crafts, and live cultural performances at Twin Lakes Golf Course (Sat, $10, Clifton). Mark the Year of the Horse with festive foods at Karravaan (Sat, free entry, Union Market). Participate in live storytelling, balloon art, calligraphy, and more Lunar New Year fun at Dulles Town Center (Sat, free, Sterling). Get involved: Submerge in chilly waters at National Harbor this weekend for a good cause. CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge helps raise funds for Chesapeake Climate Action (Sat, donations welcome, National Harbor). Find your love match over community service at the Love Is Trash clean-up at Meridian Hill Park (Sat, free, Columbia Heights). Things to do with kids: A new kid-friendly hip-hop and salsa production arrives at Imagination Stage (through March 7, $5+, Bethesda). Kiddos can watch a movie screening of the animated French film Little Amélie (Wed, $9+, Chevy Chase). Teens are invited to cycle from Maury Elementary to Canal Park for evening ice skating (Fri, free, Capital Riverfront). If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.The post 28 Things to Do in the DC Area This Week and Weekend first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less