Washington events & things to do in November 2026
Start with National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, plus US Capitol. November in Washington averages 14°C / 57°F highs, 4°C / 40°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 14°C/57°F days and about 11 rainy ones in November. Start with these:
- National Mall★ 4.8 · 139.6k reviewsThe two-mile park axis links the US Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and war memorials.
- Lincoln Memorial★ 4.8 · 54.1k reviewsThe 1922 memorial faces the Reflecting Pool and contains Daniel Chester French statue of Abraham Lincoln.
- Mamma Mia!Nov 1The National Theatre · Source: SeatGeek
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Washington in November 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
57°F / 40°F
13.9°C / 4.2°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
2.9in · 72.8mm
LightDaylight
10.5h
November cools quickly, good for museums and less crowded memorial photography.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Nov 1 – Nov 30
American Indian Heritage Month Cultural Events
A month-long series of exhibitions, performances, and lectures honoring Native American history and culture in Washington, D.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 2
- Nov 2
Show all 38 events for November
- Nov 3
- Nov 3
- Nov 4
- Nov 4
- Nov 5 – Nov 15
DC Jazz Festival 2026
Annual celebration of jazz music featuring local and international artists performing at various venues across Washington, D.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 5
- Nov 6 – Nov 13
- Nov 6
- Nov 7
- Nov 7
- Nov 8
- Nov 9
- Nov 9
- Nov 10
- Nov 10 – Nov 20
DC International Film Festival - November Edition
Screenings of international films, panel discussions, and filmmaker Q&A sessions at various theaters in Washington, D.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 11
- Nov 11
- Nov 12 – Nov 15
Smithsonian Craft Show 2026
A prestigious craft show featuring fine crafts from American artisans, held at the National Building Museum.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Nov 12 – Nov 14
- Nov 13
- Nov 13
- Nov 14
- Nov 15
- Nov 16
Gregory Porter - DC Jazz Festival Benefit Concert, A Night of Stars
Music · Jazz.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Nov 17
Disney Descendants, ZOMBIES & Camp Rock: Worlds Collide Concert Tour
Music · Other.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Nov 18
- Nov 19
- Nov 20
- Nov 21
- Nov 22
- Nov 24
- Nov 25
- Nov 27
- Nov 28
- Nov 29
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Nov 11Veterans DayPublic holiday
- Nov 26Thanksgiving DayPublic holiday
- Nov 26-Nov 29Long weekend with bridge day
About Washington
City overview
Washington, DC is a planned capital on the Potomac where the National Mall, federal buildings, free Smithsonian museums, neighborhood nightlife, and embassy rows sit inside a compact district. The Mall is the first-time anchor, but Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, U Street, Shaw, Adams Morgan, and the Wharf carry much of the city beyond monuments.
Food & drink
DC food starts with counter-service classics and immigrant dining: a half-smoke is a smoky sausage split into a bun with chili, onions, and mustard, mumbo sauce glosses fried wings and carryout chicken, Ethiopian meals spread stews over injera, and Salvadoran pupusas arrive as griddled corn cakes with curtido. Ben Chili Bowl on U Street, Eastern Market, Union Market, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant, and Eden Center outside the district add crab cakes, jumbo slices, food-hall counters, and power-lunch rooms.
Top sights
Ranked for November suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1US Capitol
- 2Washington Monument
- 3Georgetown waterfront and C&O Canal
- 4White House and Lafayette Square
- 5National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 6National Gallery of Art
- 7Library of Congress
- 8National Air and Space Museum
1US Capitol
4.7★ · 4,886outdoorClosed SunThe Capitol anchors the east end of the Mall and houses Congress under its 19th-century dome. Visitor tours start at the Capitol Visitor Center below the east plaza.
Wikipedia
2Washington Monument
4.7★ · 24,193outdoorOpen dailyThe 169m obelisk honors George Washington and stands at the center of the Mall composition. Timed elevator tickets are limited and views depend on weather.
Wikipedia
3Georgetown waterfront and C&O Canal
4.7★ · 7,498outdoorOpen dailyGeorgetown predates the federal city and keeps brick houses, university streets, shops, restaurants, the canal, and Potomac waterfront paths west of downtown.
Show 3 more sights
- 4White House and Lafayette Square
- 5National Museum of African American History and Culture
- 6National Gallery of Art
Neighborhoods
1National Mall and Federal Triangle
This is monumental DC, with museums, memorials, federal offices, long lawns, security lines, food trucks, and heavy daytime walking.
2Capitol Hill and Eastern Market
Capitol Hill mixes government buildings, row houses, Eastern Market, Barracks Row, parks, and quieter residential streets east of the Capitol.
3Georgetown
Georgetown is historic and polished, with brick sidewalks, shops, the university, canal paths, waterfront restaurants, and limited Metro access.
Day trips
25km / 45min by car or seasonal boat from Washington
Mount Vernon
George Washington estate on the Potomac includes the mansion, gardens, museum, farm areas, and river views south of Alexandria.
12km / 20min by Metro or water taxi from central Washington
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria has 18th-century streets, waterfront parks, restaurants, and the King Street mile, making it the easiest non-DC half-day.
25km / 35-45min by car from Washington
Great Falls Park
The Potomac drops through rocky falls and gorge viewpoints northwest of the city. There is no simple Metro access, so a car or tour helps.
Getting around
WMATA Metrorail, Metrobus, SmarTrip cards, Capital Bikeshare, and walking cover most visitor routes, with Metro strongest for the Mall edges, Capitol Hill, Dupont, U Street, and airports. Georgetown and late-night cross-town moves often need a bus, bike, taxi, or ride-hail.
Planning a Washington trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in November.
Common questions about Washington in November
- What to pack for Washington in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Washington checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 14°C / 57°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 4°C / 40°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Washington
- 4 days covers the main Washington highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Washington worth visiting in November
- Yes. November in Washington averages 14°C / 57°F highs, 4°C / 40°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan Washington?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Washington plan for November 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.