Featured Events in Washington D.C. in October, 2025 (July Updated)

Artificial lights have become such a common nighttime fixture that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution extend beyond our reduced view of the stars, but solutions can have an immediate impact. Through more than 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why the dark night matters, rekindle your connection to the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?

Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Barro Colorado Island Research Station by immersing yourself in a Panamanian jungle! From monkeys to microbes, research on the “most studied piece of tropical real estate in the world” gave rise to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which now hosts 1200 scientists from 50 countries at 12 tropical research facilities, trains young biologists, and contributes new knowledge vital to the future of tropical forests and reefs.

Art history isn’t linear. Artists mix and remix references, finding inspiration across time. When contemporary artist Rozeal. began painting afro.died, T. in 2011 in her studio just outside Washington, DC, she didn’t have Titian’s Venus with a Mirror in mind. Paul Cezanne wasn’t thinking about Titian’s Ranuccio Farnese when he painted Boy in a Red Waistcoat in 19th-century France. Yet these works share striking visual similarities with Titian’s 16th-century paintings. Back and Forth illuminates unexpected connections between these four works and invites us to see them in new ways.

Experience the wonders of nature through the eyes of an artist. Look closely at works of art that depict insects and other animals, as well as real specimens. Art played a key role at the dawn of natural history in 16th and 17th century Europe. Advances in science and technology, trade, and colonial expansion enabled naturalists to study previously unknown and overlooked insects, animals, and other beestjes, or "little beasts." Artists such as Joris Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel helped deepen and spread knowledge of these creatures through highly detailed and playful works that inspired generations of printmakers, painters, decorative artists, and naturalists. A delight for all ages, this exhibition uniquely showcases nearly 75 of these paintings, prints, and drawings, as well as specimens and taxidermy from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Learn about the rich exchanges between artists and naturalists that have fueled our fascination with creatures big and small on Earth. Watch a new film by artist Dario Robleto to see how the intersection of art and science continues to inspire us.

A diverse selection of watercolors dating from 1800 to 1991 will reflect the medium’s journey from practical use to recognized fine art in America. Spanning two centuries and diverse artistic styles, this installation will be organized into four groupings: sights associated with the Washington, DC, area; the rivers, waterfalls, and ocean views of New England; Western views of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the California coast; and studies of plants and the natural world.

The first exhibition to consider photography’s impact on a cultural and aesthetic movement that celebrated Black history, identity, and beauty. As Black Americans continued their struggle for political liberation and self-determination in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, a group of artists, poets, musicians, playwrights, and filmmakers united around a new approach—art. Using creative mediums to express messages of Black empowerment and advance social justice, their efforts became known as the Black Arts Movement, often considered the cultural arm of the Black Power Movement. Photography was central to the movement, attracting all kinds of artists—from street photographers and photojournalists to painters and graphic designers. This expansive exhibition presents 150 examples by over 100 artists. Explore the radical vision shaped by generations of artists including Billy Abernathy, Romare Bearden, Kwame Brathwaite, Roy DeCarava, Doris Derby, Emory Douglas, Barkley Hendricks, Barbara McCullough, Betye Saar, and Ming Smith. See how they both shaped and documented the Black Arts Movement.

Mark your calendar for this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of modern and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and design.This eye-opening exhibition introduces North American audiences to the diverse and distinct visual iconographies of Indigenous Australia, which is made up of more than 250 distinct Indigenous nations. Explore this rich and living history of creativity through over 200 works made by more than 130 artists. Drawn exclusively from the collection of Melbourne’sNational Gallery of Victoria ( https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ ),The Stars We Do Not Seeoffers a rare opportunity to experience some of the most significant examples of modern and contemporary Australian Indigenous art. Charting watershed moments in Indigenous art from the late 19th century to the present, this exhibition reveals a rich history of creativity that predates the arrival of the British.See the work of trailblazing painters including Anmatyerr superstar Emily Kam Kngwarray and Senior Yolŋu artist Gulumbu Yunupiŋu (after who the exhibition is titled) along with contemporary innovators Brook Andrew, Destiny Deacon, and Betty Muffler. Witness Australian Indigenous art in all its forms, from ochre bark paintings and experimental weavings to immersive sound and video art and powerful photographs.

From the largest mammals to the smallest insects, the animal world has always inspired writers and illustrators. Since ancient times, humans have projected character traits onto animals. In medieval Europe, animals became subjects of a new literary genre of religious stories. At the same time, a growing interest in science made artists concerned with anatomic accuracy. See how illustrators approached the same creatures from different perspectives during this period of rich development. You’ll find early scientific drawings, illustrated fables, and drawing manuals from the 16th to 18th centuries—all rarely on view.

See standout works by Black artists from the past century, newly gifted to the Nation. For over four decades, Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson have championed the work of Black artists. They have supported exhibitions and scholarship as they built a remarkable collection that spans 100 years of Black creativity in America. This exhibition celebrates the recent and promised gifts of 175 works from the Thompsons to the National Gallery—the largest group of objects by Black artists to enter our collection at one time. Explore more than 60 paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints organized in sections around themes of music and abstraction, figuration and portraiture, civil rights and social politics, as well as landscape and transcultural connections and influences. Works range from a captivating portrait by Beauford Delaney and lyrical abstractions by Mildred Thompson to a towering allegorical woodcut by Alison Saar and an intricate sculpture of found objects by vanessa german. Enjoy works by renowned artists—Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley, and Kara Walker—and discover artists you may not yet know, such as Camille Billops, Vivian Browne, Moe Brooker, and Alonzo Davis.

This conference is for program directors, administrators, and teachers working in community-based heritage language schools; members of the language communities involved in these schools; and directors and leaders in public, private, and charter schools and researchers who are interested in working with community-based heritage language schools. This conference aims to: Build partnerships among and across community-based heritage language schools and determine arenas for future action Help schools create, strengthen, and build their school structures and activities Make clear the importance of community-based heritage language schools in the language learning landscape and in the lives of language communities in the United States Develop information about community-based heritage language schools through a national survey of schools Share and make available resources that will be helpful to schools All content is presented both online and in-person. Information Source: The National Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools and American University's Institute for Innovation in Education in Washington, DC | eventbrite

TSEI Fall: Advancing Government/Industry Collaboration Everything WE or a CAMERA “sees” is due to reflected or emissive light. The conference theme will focus on reflected light and its interpretation by the driver and IE, that is Intelligent Electronics. Traffic signs, people, objects, animals are illuminated by daylight or by other lamps. What are the improvements in reflective materials? What are the improvements in light sensors, especially in terms of low light and resolutions? What are the developments in intelligent electronics to see and interpret the traffic situation? What’s happening at the Department of Transportation, especially NHTSA and FMCSA? Welcome to the TSEI Fall event! Join us for a day of exploring how government and industry can work together to drive innovation and progress. Network with professionals in the field and gain valuable insights into collaboration strategies. The event will be held at the Law Offices of Foley & Lardner , providing a professional environment for engaging discussions and connections. Don't miss out on this opportunity to advance your understanding of government/industry collaboration! The ATA Safety Management Council meets October 6-8 with their main day on October 7. Consider participating in both conferences. https://smcfall.trucking.org Information Source: TSEI Transportation Safety Equipment Institute | eventbrite

Date & Time: October 9, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET Location: CTA Innovation House- 21 D St SE, Washington, D.C. Ticket Price: $35 – Includes admission, refreshments, and supports our ongoing Internet advocacy work Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the people who shape the Internet. The i2Coalition Internet Leadership Awards return this October as the inspiring conclusion to our annual Congressional Fly-In. Each year, we honor individuals who have made transformative contributions to building and protecting the open, secure, and innovative Internet we all rely on. This year’s event will be held just steps from the Capitol and will bring together Internet infrastructure leaders, policymakers, advocates, and visionaries for an afternoon of celebration, connection, and reflection. Come hear the stories behind this year’s honorees—including Becky Burr , a legal trailblazer in digital privacy and Internet governance, and Mike Masnick , founder of Techdirt and one of the most respected defenders of digital rights today. More awardees will be announced soon. Enjoy food, drinks, and conversation with the people working every day to keep the Internet free and resilient. Your $35 ticket directly supports i2Coalition’s policy and advocacy work. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate what we’ve built together—and what we must still protect. Information Source: Internet Infrastructure Coalition | eventbrite

What: Join IWP supporters, alumni, and friends for a special dinner to celebrate 35 years of The Institute of World Politics! A full schedule of events will be available soon. Why: Since its founding, IWP has grown into the nation’s premier graduate school dedicated to developing leaders with a sound understanding of international realities and the ethical conduct of statecraft, based on knowledge and appreciation of the founding principles of the American political economy and the Western moral tradition. Sponsorship & Tickets: For information on sponsorship opportunities or to download a form to mail in with a check, please click here . To purchase a sponsorship online, please click here . With any questions regarding sponsorships, please email advancement@iwp.edu. If you cannot attend but would like to make a donation to the Institute, please click here . Dress: Black Tie or Military Dress Equivalent Optional Accommodations: IWP has a room block at the Riggs Hotel for October 7-10, 2024. Rooms are $389 per night. To book a room online, please click here . With any questions about the event, please contact events@iwp.edu. Many Thanks to our Sponsors: Founder The Louis DeJoy and Aldona Z. Woś Family Foundation Statesman John and Cynthia Lovewell Ambassador Kranjac Tripodi & Partners LLP The Honorable Ty McCoy and Judy McCoy Wieland-Johnson Wealth Management Group of Stifel Veterans Guardian Commander Drs. Thomas Desperito and Molly McBride John Garvey and Suzan Zimmerman Rochelle and Alexander Gray Shahal M Khan, Founder, Burkhan World Investments Khodorkovsky Foundation US Elise and Burk Murchison Mitzi Perdue Pinnacle Financial Partners John and Jenifer Smyth Guardian American Council of Trustees and Alumni Hugh and Nan Caison The Coyle Family Foundation Hydra Host Heidi and Jay Leupp The Honorable Edward F. Reilly, Jr. Sweet Briar College Westwin Elements Patriot Constituting America Elon University Dr. John Lenczowski Marine Federal Credit Union Military Cyber Professionals Association The Honorable Matthew J. O'Brien and Mrs. Gloria Brokaw O'Brien John Tattersall The Fund for American Studies University of North Carolina Pembroke University of North Carolina Wilmington Information Source: The Institute of World Politics | eventbrite

Tuesday, October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Den Coffeehouse A complimentary beverage (glass of wine, beer or coffee) is included in the ticket price. Join us for a focused discussion of the United States Supreme Court with Joseph Hartman of Georgetown University. We’ll cover key decisions from the 2024-2025 term and preview of some of the high-profile cases set for argument on the Court’s upcoming docket. We will discuss the Court’s current significance, review key decisions from the Court’s recent terms, and look ahead to the cases looming on the horizon as the Nine take the bench for the new term. As polarization continues, the United States Supreme Court plays a central role not only in American law, but also in American politics, perhaps fulfilling the prophecy of that peerless observer of American life, Alexis de Tocqueville, that “scarcely any political question arises in the United States that is not resolved, sooner or later, into a judicial question.” A complimentary beverage (glass of wine, beer or coffee) is included in the ticket price. Tuesday,October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Den Coffeehouse Joseph Hartman is the Walter I. Giles Professor of the Practice in Constitutional Law in the Department of Government at Georgetown University, where he also serves as the Department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Director of the Georgetown Summer Institute in Law and Practice. He teaches courses in American constitutional law, legal and political theory, and American government. Prior to his time in the academy he spent more than a decade as a litigation attorney in private practice with a large law firm in Washington, D.C. He earned his Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown in 2015, holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School (1999), and a B.A. in American Government from the University of Virginia (1996). His academic and intellectual interests focus on contemporary issues relating to public and constitutional law and theories of law. REFUND POLICY: Please note that we can issue ticket refunds up until seven (7) days before the event. Information Source: Politics and Prose | eventbrite

Welcome to the 22nd Annual Wiley A. Branton Symposium: Miseducation America! Come join us at the Howard University School of Law in the Damon J. Keith Moot Court Room for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of education and miseducation in America. Our symposium will feature renowned speakers and experts in the field who will delve into past and present challenges in the educational sphere and explore innovative solutions to address them. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights into the powerful future of education in America. See you there! Information Source: Howard Law Journal | eventbrite

We will learn from subject matter experts representing World Vision, Congress, the Administration, political strategists, our very own Advocate team, and more! You'll be inspired and equipped to take World Vision's prioritized issues to the halls of power as you meet with members of Congress, pursuing World Vision's commitment to biblical advocacy, and use our voices and our democracy on behalf of our global neighbors. Information Source: World Vision Advocacy | eventbrite