There’s light at the end of our long and icy winter tunnel. The first day of spring is coming, along with lots of other reasons to live it up. March is Women’s History Month, and, of course, the cherry blossoms’ arrival and St. Paddy’s Day promise to bring much merriment. You an also take in a live performance, browse a new art exhibit, find levity in a comedy show and celebrate the season of renewal with a baby shower for baby animals.
The Joy Lab at Cody Gallery
The immersive installation by Baltimore-based artist Sanah Brown-Bowers features pieces inspired by graffiti, cartoons, African prints and motifs from her childhood in Queens, New York. Works include large-scale mixed-media altarpieces; paintings; screen prints; sculptures; video; and audience interaction. Catch the art before it’s gone. The exhibit ends on March 24. 1000 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Safety Not Guaranteed at Signature Theatre
Follow along as Darius, a journalist, sets out to find the person who wrote an intriguing want ad seeking someone to go back in time—and bring their own weapons. Set to indie-rock tunes, the story invites audience members to rethink their own paths. The show runs March 3-April 12. See website for performance times. Tickets begin at $47. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2026
The Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse welcomes a mini film festival highlighting women facing and overcoming challenges in the great outdoors. Films include Run Antarctica: Beyond Limits about an Australian ultramarathoner who wants to break the world record for the longest run in a polar region, and Beyond the Known, which tells the story of five women strangers bicycling together across Turkey. Tickets to the March 4, 7 p.m., show are $15. 2903 Columbia Pike, ArlingtonÂ
Art Show & Pop-Up Gallery at Northside SocialÂ
The Arlington location of this restaurant and coffee shop will host an artful event March 6, 6-9 p.m. It will feature live music, live painting and a local artists market. 3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Smokecraft Championship BBQ Team’s Tell-All KCBS Master’s Competition BBQ Class
Pitmaster Drew Darneille is not inclined to keep secrets when it comes to good food. Take a barbecuing workshop to learn how his team made an impression in a four-meat contest at the Kansas City Barbecue Competition Master’s Series. Learn about meat selection, trimming, injections, rubs, sauces, timelines and the final presentations. The class will meet March 7, 4-9 p.m., and March 8, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost is $650 per person or $550 per teammate/spouse. It includes dinner on March 7, breakfast on March 8, a goodie bag and a tasting. John Lyon VFW Post 3150, 2116 19th St. N., Arlington (Courthouse)
Pizza-Making Class with Tony Boloney’s
Join Upside on Moore’s newest food vendor to learn the intricacies of the pizza-making process on March 7, 6-7:30 p.m. Learn about the history of the company’s pizzas, how to make similar pies using all the ingredients, and then eat the results. A complimentary beer, glass of wine or a happy hour cocktail is included with the $30 ticket. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Shawarma Pop-Up at NAJA Mediterranean
A newcomer to the Mosaic District, it has partnered with neighboring Mom & Pop coffee shop on a late-night pop-up. On March 7 and 14, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., get chicken shawarma wraps from NAJA and coffee and espresso drinks from Mom & Pop in one stop. Come back March 21, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m., for NAJA Nights: Regions After Dark, which will highlight the food, music and culture of Mount Lebanon, a mountain range in the Mideast country. The cocktail menu includes an martini made with Mom & Pop’s espresso. 2911 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Acute Inflections at The Columbus Club of Arlington
Enjoy a Harlem Renaissance theme while listening to the jazz R&B stylings of New York City-based duo Acute Reflections. Tickets are $40-$90 for the March 10, 7 p.m., show and include complimentary wine and snacks. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Renaissance Youth Center, a South Bronx charity empowering inner-city youth through music education. 5115 Little Falls Road, ArlingtonÂ
St. Patrick’s Party with the Seán Heely Celtic Band
Take a trip to Ireland without leaving Northern Virginia as you tap your toes to U.S National Scottish Fiddle champion and Gaelic singer Seán Heely. He and his bandmates will play high-energy dance tunes, beautiful ballads and everything in between on March 11, 7:30 p.m., at Jammin’ Java. Tickets are $27. 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
St. Pitties Day Party & Trivia Night
Twelve Dancing Princesses: Doce Princesas Bailarinas at Creative Cauldron
A group of princesses is locked in a room each night, but every morning, their dancing shoes are worn out as if they had been boogying all night. The king says anyone who can figure out why may marry one of them. Performances are March 13-29 on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets begin at $15. 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Four Courts Four Miler
Ireland’s Four Courts and DC Road Runners welcome back a St. Patrick’s Day tradition that’s had a bit of its own out-and-back trail in recent years. “The race ran from 2010-2019. It was canceled for covid in 2020 and 2021,” says Dave Cahill, the pub’s managing partner. “It returned in 2022. The pub closed in 2023 because of the accident, and this is our first year back.” Runners of all abilities are invited to participate and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Irish pub. The run will be March 14, 9 a.m., leaving from and returning to the pub. Register to get a T-shirt and a free drink from the restaurant during the after-party. It starts at 10 a.m. and features live Irish music. 2501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Shop Open House and Maker Fair
Arlington Public Library will offer tours of The Shop, its makerspace for all things creative, at Central Library on March 14, noon-5 p.m. Learn what you can do with 3D printing, sewing, laser cutting and more. Swing by the 2026 Maker Fair to check out what your neighbors have already made. Sellers include ArlingtonWeaves, FairyDusted paper florals and Nerissa Alford Designs. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Arlington Chorale’s ReflectÂ
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday through song. Composers set to music Langston Hughes’ poem Let America Be America Again and Michael Bussewitz-Quarm’s US. Tickets for the March 14, 5 p.m., show begin at $25. Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Drive, Arlington (Westover)
14th Annual McLean Chocolate Festival
Have a sweet time at the McLean Community Center on March 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The $3 admission for anyone older than 4 includes a free tote bag in case you need something to schlep all your chocolate around in. There will be live entertainment and a children’s game room in addition to vendors including Falls Church’s Scrummy Gorgeous and Tysons Creamery. Rotary Club of McLean, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
I’m Here: Black Broadway a Signature Theatre
Vocalist Awa Sal Secka pays homage to Black singers who revolutionized New York’s theater scene. They include Juanita Hall, Pearl Bailey, Ben Vereen, Audra McDonald, Lilias White and more. See website for performance times March 17-29. Tickets are $53. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Learning Lab Series: Beyond the Gallery
Sherlock in Wonderland at Encore Stage & Studio
Find out what happens when two popular fairy tale protagonists meet in a new, original play. Search for clues with Sherlock Holmes in the bizarre world of Wonderland. This production is recommended for ages 4 and older. Tickets are $13-$16. Check the website for showtimes March 20-29. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington
TINA—The Tina Turner Musical at Capital One Hall
Get the inside scoop on the life of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll set to the soundtrack of her greatest hits, such as What’s Love Got to Do With It. Performances are March 20-22, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets begin at about $80. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Pink in the Park
National Landing celebrates cherry blossom season March 21-April 10. Highlights include Pink in the Pool on March 21 at Long Branch Aquatics Center; Pink Beats on March 26 and April 2 and 9 at Water Park; and Art of Pink at Metropolitan Park on April 10. Check the website for more details.
Salon Arlington
The informal artists forum returns March 21, 6:30-9:30 p.m., with musician Kevin Dudley, photographer and collagist Martha Kaplan, mixed-media artist JoAnn Laboy, and painter Valerie Makepeace. They will discuss their process and all things art at Village Sweet bakery. The $20 ticket includes desserts and beverages. 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Skin Pharm/Solidcore Collab
In celebration of the skin specialist’s February opening in Arlington, it is pairing with locally founded fitness chain Solidcore on March 21. The event will feature 50-minute classes at the studio’s Ballston location, complimentary skin consults with Skin Pharm reps and refreshments from Whisk’d. Book a time and pay the $41 registration here. Solidcore, 650 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston), and Skin Pharm, 3901 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Story Time with Jen Fier Jasinski
Bards Alley welcomes the local children’s author will read from her upcoming picture book, Because of You, I’m a Sister, a celebration of siblinghood. The free story time March 21, 11 a.m.-noon, is best for ages 3-8. 110 Church St., Vienna
Kitten & Wildlife Baby Shower at AWLA
Spring is baby season, and that means the good folks at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington are about to get busy. Learn about the kind of care that the shelter and wildlife rehabbers provide to such tiny patients and see some of the babies currently in AWLA’s care March 21, 4-6 p.m. Admission is free, but consider donating an item from the baby registry—kitten formula, heating pads and cleaning supplies. 2650 S Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Zarna Garg at The Barns at Wolf Trap
Be ready to laugh a lot as comedian Zarna Garg paints a hilarious picture of life as an Indian mother who launched her career in her mid-40s after 16 years as a stay-at-home mom. Performances are March 21 and 22, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $70.50. 1635 Trap Road, Vienna
Fiesta del Sol
Celebrate all things Latin American and Caribbean, including food, live music and artisan exhibitors at the McLean Community Center on March 21, 5-10 p.m. Learn some Latin dance moves, too. Free. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
The Stranger: A Tribute to Billy Joel at State Theatre
Sing a song with the Piano Man as a six-piece band led by sound-alike crooner Mike Santoro pays tribute to Billy Joel on March 21, 8:30 p.m. Keep an ear out for tunes by other famous folks, too. Tickets begin at $25. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Sit. Stay. Sip. Dog Meetup
Starting March 25, Water Park will host a bi-weekly social for fur babies. On the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., bring your pup for some good, clean fun with dog toys, treats and water stations. For humans, there will be bar cart service. 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Arlington Reads: Priya Krishna
The 20th annual Arlington Reads event focuses on food this year. Priya Krishna, a cookbook author, former restaurant critic and food reporter, will discuss her career and books, including Indian-ish at a free event March 25, 6:30-8 p.m. Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)Â
Brunch Crawl
Six Falls Church eateries have teamed up for the first Brunch Crawl. Visit Café Kindred, Preservation Biscuit Co., Ireland’s Four Provinces, Borek-G, The Falls and Harvey’s on March 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and ask for the Brunch Crawl Special. You’ll get bites and a beverage for $10. Plus, you’ll do good while eating well: The restaurants will donate 10% of sales from the crawl to Homestretch, which supports people experiencing homelessness.