The hectic holiday season may be coming to a close, but 2026 is starting strong with plenty of arts and cultural events, plus a daytime dance party at a coffee shop. So, crack open that new planner and start filling it in.
Women Artists of the DMV
Falls Church Arts heralds the new year with diverse works by 60 female artists based in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Curated by D.C.-based artist and critic Florencio Lennox “Lenny” Campello, this group show kicks off with a “meet the artists” reception on Jan. 10 from 7-9 p.m. and will be on display through Feb. 22. Discover works in a wide range of media, including oils, acrylics, photography, collage, watercolor, gouache, prints, mixed media and terra cotta. This is the 19th installment of an exhibition series that began in 2025 and thus far has included more than 600 works by 400+ artists in a succession of DMV art venues. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 700-B W. Broad St., Falls Church
Breakfast Bingo
The National Landing BID has created a way for you to fill your (coffee) cup and support local businesses. Pick up a bingo card at any of the nine participating restaurants Jan. 15-Feb. 15, download the Open Rewards app and earn stamps for purchases made before 11 a.m. Get three stamps in a row and email a photo of it to bingo@nationallanding.org for the chance to win a prize, such as $175 Open Rewards cash for the first three completed cards, $50 Open Rewards cash for the first 20 winners and a $300 Open Rewards cash grand prize raffle. Participating restaurants include Colada Shop, Daydrift Café, Gwenie’s Pastries, and Good Company Doughnuts & Café, a Best of Arlington 2026 winner.
MLK Day of Service
Volunteer Arlington, a public/private partnership of the Leadership Center of Arlington and Arlington County, will host this annual community service event convening Jan. 19, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at Washington-Liberty High School (although some projects will take place off-site). Register now for family-friendly service activities such as packaging food for food banks and assembling welcome baskets for people moving into affordable housing communities. Participants ages 13 and older must create an account to register. 1301 N. Stafford St., Arlington (Ballston)
Annual Martin Luther King Day March for Social Justice, Unity and Racial Healing
Gather at the Tinner Hill Monument on Jan. 19, noon-3:30 p.m., to march for social justice. The commemorative walk begins at the Falls Church monument honoring the location of the nation’s first rural branch of the NAACP, and progresses a short two or three blocks (strollers and pets welcome). After the march, hear from guest speakers and musical performers. 510 S. Washington St., Falls Church
Nashville-Style Songwriters-in-the-Round at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Hosted by Arlington singer-songwriter Sara Fridrich, one half of the String Mamas, this Jan. 23, 7-9 p.m., event features original music and storytelling. Four local songwriters will take turns playing their tunes and talking all things music and life. Free. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Mosaic Polar Plunge
Support Special Olympics Virginia’s 20,000-plus athletes by taking a chilly dip in an above-ground pool on Jan. 24 in the Mosaic District. The cost to participate is a $100 minimum donation. Check-in is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and plunging starts after that. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic)Â
Fiddler on the Roof at Signature Theatre
A poor Jewish milkman strives to honor tradition while confronted with a changing world and the rise of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia. Iconic songs such as Sunrise Sunset and If I Were a Rich Man resonate in this classic story of family, community and resilience. Tickets begin at $40. See website for show times through Jan. 25. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
14th Annual McLean Chocolate Festival
Chocolate most certainly makes winter temps more tolerable. On Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., visit the McLean Community Center and tempt your sweet tooth with live entertainment, lessons on chocolate’s history and a children’s game room. Admission is $3. 234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Takeoff: A Coffee Shop Rave
Never equated a coffee shop with dancing? Head to Coffee Republic Arlington on Jan. 25, 2-7 p.m., and adjust your thinking. Lights and DJs, such as Kevin Pons and Nocturnal Wax will transform the place, and when you get tired from all the dancing, you can caffeinate. 3131 Potomac Ave., Arlington (National Landing)
Kinky Boots at Capital One Hall
Tap your toes to this Tony Award-winning musical based on the true story of two people with seemingly nothing in common—a drag queen and the heir to a failing shoe factory who join forces to save the business from bankruptcy. Performances are Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. See website for show times. Tickets start at $83. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Bernard (Bernie) Boston Retrospective: A Photojournalist, Social Justice Advocate and Family Man
The McLean Project for the Arts presents the photography of award-winning photojournalist Bernie Boston, the first African American member of the White House press corps. A longtime McLean resident, Boston covered every president from Truman through Clinton in the course of his storied career. The exhibit will be on display in the Winter Atrium Gallery through Feb. 22. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLeanÂ