When it comes to things to do each week, there’s no place quite like Montgomery County. The region is a hub for activities of all sorts, from art exhibits and theater to craft fairs, food festivals and inventive workshops. Yet with all the happenings across the area, it can be a challenge to figure out exactly what to do. To get started, below are our top picks for the week, and here is an events calendar for January and February.
Thursday: Patti LuPone
8 p.m.
The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
In a concert reflecting an award-winning career that has spanned decades, the singer and actress performs songs from the shows that made her famous and tunes meaningful to her life at The Music Center at Strathmore. Between musical numbers, LuPone recounts personal stories from her life and experiences starring in films and in Broadway and television productions. Tickets cost $28-$108.
Thursday: Valentine’s Day Family Ice-Skating Night
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
Make it a family date night on ice at the White Oak Community Recreation Center. The free event for all ages features skating on synthetic ice brought in for the event, games, music and snacks. Skates will be available to use.
Thursday: Family Trivia: Celebrating Black History at Davis Library
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda
Test out your knowledge of Black history with this family trivia event at Davis Library. Winners will receive prizes. Registration is required for families or individuals for this free event.
Thursday through March 30: Dragons Love Tacos
Various times
Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 Macarthur Blvd., Glen Echo
A boy learns lessons about friendship and what happens when you feed dragons spicy salsa. (Spoiler alert: It makes them breathe fire.) Based on the children’s book of the same name, this show at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo is appropriate for all ages. Look out for special events, such as “dress like a dragon day” and a taco truck at some performances. Tickets cost $25.
Saturday: The Mid-Atlantic Sports Card Show
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; 9:30 a.m. for early admission
Silver Spring Civic Center, 719 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring
Buy, sell and trade everything from Pokémon cards to football cards to jerseys. Former Washington Commanders player Santana Moss will be available for autographs, and attendees will have the opportunity to win prizes during an hourly drawing. Admission is $5 ($10 for early admission at 9:30 a.m.) and free for those age 12 and under.
Saturday: The Music Center at Strathmore’s Birthday Bash
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
Enjoy musical performances, music and dance activities, arts and crafts, a sensory break room and a cozy reading corner to celebrate Strathmore Music Center’s 20th birthday. From cumbia to stilt walking to button making, there is fun for everyone to enjoy. Snacks and activities end at 4 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly, and you can RSVP at the link above.
Saturday: Special Events at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park: Black History Month Family Day
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
This drop-in family event will include a compass-making activity, sharing personal definitions of freedom, storytimes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and making a family tree. Free admission.
Saturday: Valentine’s Day Cake and Sip with the Silva Whisk
1 – 3:30 p.m.
The Silva Whisk, Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring
Drink mimosas and wine, eat snacks and learn how to decorate a 6-inch heart-shaped Vintage Lambeth Cake, a type of cake with over-piping. All supplies and a special gift are included. The event costs $140 and is open to couples, friends or singles.
Saturday: Roller Skate Event with Montgomery Parks
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ridge Road Recreational Skate Rink, 21155 Frederick Road, Germantown
Montgomery Parks is hosting a free Taylor Swift-themed outdoor skating event, fueled by hot chocolate and Catalyst Hot Dogs available for purchase. Participants must bring their own skates, lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and outside food is permitted. There will also be lawn games to play.
Saturday: Eternal Love Heart Painting and Cookie Decorating with the BlackRock Center for the Arts
2 p.m.
BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown
This family-friendly event leads participants in painting heart artwork and decorating heart-shaped cookies. It is open to everyone age 5 and older and is taught by Dunnie Onasanya. Prices range from $13.50 to $15.
Saturday: Black Alley at BlackRock Center for the Arts
9 p.m.
BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown
Musical group Black Alley will perform “Hood Rock,” its unique blend of trap, rock and go-go, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. Tickets cost $35.
Sunday: African American Family Stories & Poetry at Olney Library
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Road, Olney
Francene Hill and Linda R. Moore — writers, family friends and members of Olney’s Writer’s Group – will share their written and familial stories at this Black History Month celebration. Hill will share her upcoming book, Tiny Tots in Tiaras and Tuxedos, which details her mother’s life, and Moore will share her poetry on overcoming challenges. No registration is required. Free.
Sunday: The Westerlies
4 and 7 p.m.
The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda
The Westerlies, a brass quartet that provides a unique spin on jazz, Americana and classical chamber music, will be performing at Strathmore. The group has performed at locations including Carnegie Hall and Coachella. Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands play trumpets and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon play trombones. Tickets cost $38.
— Stephanie Siegel Burke of Bethesda Magazine contributed to this report
Preview more events from our calendar here:
Looking for more things to do around Montgomery County this week?
Our arts and culture section spotlights the latest and greatest things to do in the region. Plus, take a peek at our family and education content for happenings impacting you and your family.
For foodies, our food and drink vertical has everything you need to know about openings, closing and the hottest spots to eat throughout the community. You won’t want to miss any of it!
Aquí está qué hacer en el Condado de Montgomery hasta domingo
Dónde comer, cómo celebrar el año nuevo lunar y qué ver en el área
Cuando hablamos de cosas que hacer cada semana, no hay lugar como el Condado de Montgomery. La región es un centro de actividades de todo tipo, desde exhibiciones de arte y teatro hasta ferias de artesanía, festivales gastronómicos y talleres creativos. Con todas las opciones en el área, puede ser un reto determinar exactamente qué hacer. Para comenzar, aquí están nuestras mejores opciones para la semana.