Get ready to dance in the streets — Music by the Metro: Clarendon Concert Series is back for spring 2026.
This free outdoor concert series takes place every Thursday evening in May at 6:00 p.m. at Clarendon Central Park, located at 3100 Wilson Blvd. (beside the Clarendon Metro Station). Presented by the Clarendon Alliance, the series is cosponsored by Arlington Arts.
The curatorial collaboration between Arlington Arts and the Clarendon Alliance is one of many partnerships between Arlington Cultural Affairs and community groups, partnerships and Business Improvement Districts. From the Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series to the Columbia Pike Blues Festival and the Rosslyn Jazz Festival, the artists you see on stage are curated and supported by Arlington Arts. (more…)
Artists and arts organizations who are seeking support for programs and ideas to benefit Arlington’s cultural offerings and amenities take note: starting in mid-May Arlington Arts will begin accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) for the Individual Artist Grant for individual artists and the General Operating Support Guidelines for arts organizations.
Now is the time to begin preparing to ensure a successful grant application. Start fleshing out your ideas, schedule meetings with potential collaborators or partner organizations that may be integral to your project. Please see guidelines for eligibility. Applications will be made available to those who attend a grant preparation workshop that will be announced on the website. See below for more details: (more…)
What can you do with a retail space in a prominent location between tenants? Activate it with arts and culture! LOOK: An Unexpected Arts Experience will transform the former Walgreen’s on Langston Boulevard with a pop-up gallery featuring interactive works, live music and dance performances, and inclusive creative experiences. Rossana Coffee will have beverages and concessions available, and the cash bar is run by another Arlington favorite,Northside Social. LOOK occurs on three consecutive weekends: Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20–22; Feb. 27–March 1 and March 6–8.
Presented by the Langston Boulevard Alliance, the activation is made possible by a Creative Placemaking Grant, a one-time grant offered by Arlington Arts. Additional support comes from Patron Sponsors Amazon and Rooney Properties.(more…)
Few things are more comforting in cold weather than steaming hot cocoa or mulled cider. For a unique mug to sip from, and other locally made art pieces, consider the creations by the resident artists at The Studios at Arlington Arts. Located at 3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington, Virginia.
Located in the Arlington Arts campus in the Four Mile Run area, the Studios serve as a new home for the professional resident artists of the former LAC Studios on Langston Boulevard. Their creations encompass not only mugs, but all manners of ceramics, prints, paintings and even jewelry. Artists celebrated the holiday season in their new space with the annual Holiday Sale in December. Follow the Studios on Arlington Arts’ social media and watch this space for info about their Spring Sale on May 2.
Meanwhile, it’s still too cold for a long walk or bike ride, so consider warming up inside of Arlington’s art galleries. Here’s a look at what’s happening in a gallery near you.
Anchored by a symbolic house frame and a shared kitchen table, the exhibition blurs the boundaries between personal and collective space. The Prescription is HOME positions home as both sanctuary and catalyst — where connection, care and transformation begin. Created by artist Melani N. Douglass in collaboration with community members, the exhibition reimagines the home as a site of healing, cultural memory and collective care. Through participatory installations, visitors are invited to contribute personal stories, photographs and recipes, shaping an evolving communal archive.
Studio Pause
Interactive Art Activations, Columbia Pike
Dictionaries and news organizations look back over the past year and come up with lists of words that identify the zeitgeist. Here are five that came up on various lists for 2025: slop, rage bait, aura farming, agentic, delulu. Bring four or five words that you identify, we’ll mix them together and see what poetry we can generate.
LouLou returns to mark-making in this new body of work created over the past year and a half, with a bolder exploration of marks and materials, collage and color, books and banners. The work traces themes of chaos, change and identity
Strength Through Stories Arlington Artists Alliance through Feb. 28, Alliance Gallery, Clarendon
The Arlington Artists Alliance is proud to celebrate the creativity and service of our local veteran artists. In honor of America 250, the Alliance will kick off 2026 by spotlighting artists who have both served in the military and engage in the arts to express their unique experiences. With no set theme, the show invites open artistic expression — reflecting the individuality, resilience and imagination of those who have served. As a community initiative, the Alliance will give 100% of art sales directly to the artist.
Operated by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, the Innovation Studio + Store hosts a series of six- to eight-week Artist Residencies. The artist develops and creates work, interacts with the public and shares about their artistic practice and process. Drop in to meet the artist, learn more and even engage in making art alongside them.
JD Deardourff creates bold, graphic, bittersweet compositions that riff on traditional genres of landscape, still-life and portraiture. He employs innovative rhythms and his signature blazing palette to his screenprints, murals, paintings and collages; drawing inspiration from the vocabulary of comic books; exaggeration, energy, movement, contour line, the interplay of sequential images and, most importantly, artificial color.
Tim Davis: Conversations Fred Schnider Gallery Artist Talk: Saturday, Feb. 7, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Exhibition: through Feb. 28, Ballston
Davis is the founder of International Visions Gallery and Consultancy, where he encourages cross-cultural engagement with diverse collections of artists from the Washington, D.C. area and underrepresented parts of the global community. As an artist, educator and curator, Davis believes art can be used to make statements, engage, inspire and take action for the growth of, history and identity of people everywhere. Enjoy an “Artist Talk” with Tim Davis and curator David Carlson on Saturday, Feb. 7.
In Essential Arlington, photographer Mac Cosgrove-Davies captures portraits of people whose labor, care and expertise keep the community of Arlington running. They support the infrastructure and services that allow everyone who lives, works or just visits Arlington to go about their daily lives.
The project highlights workers in Arlington County departments such as Environmental Services, Fire, Police, and Parks and Recreation, as well as private sector workers providing core services such as food supply, medicine and funeral services. This selection of workers is meant to be representative of the broad range of essential workers employed in the County. With this project Cosgrove-Davies seeks to honor “those whose jobs are essential for what makes Arlington tick, but who are rarely given credit for their contribution.”
Each year, Arlington comes together to honor the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a heartfelt tribute that celebrates his enduring impact.
The 2026 MLK Tribute, themed “Dreams, Faith, and Justice in Action,” continues this meaningful tradition with an inspiring program on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Wakefield High School.
This year’s production features an array of regional musicians, dancers, actors and spoken word artists, while also highlighting local organizations that live out the importance of Dr. King’s work right here in Arlington.
For example, attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations with them to the performance to support the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) and community members in need.
Join us for an unforgettable experience as we reflect, celebrate and reaffirm our commitment to Dr. King’s dream.
Join Arlington County as our community honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 2026 MLK Tribute event on Sunday, January 18, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. in the Wakefield High School auditorium (1325 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington, VA 22206). For the full schedule and detailed information, click here. The event is free, but registration is required for this always well-attended event.
Arlington Arts has long provided both technical and programming assistance to support this beloved community tradition presented by Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. Arlington Cultural Affairs is a division of Arlington Economic Development which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington. For an array of activities across the visual and performing arts, please visit our website at arlingtonarts.org .
’Tis the season for gathering with family and friends!
If you’re looking for ways to entertain your guests or explore Arlington’s vibrant arts scene this holiday season, we’ve got you covered. With events running through January, Arlington’s Winter Arts Highlights offers a comprehensive guide to arts and cultural happenings across the County, ensuring you’ll find something for everyone.
Arlington, together with Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, ranked fourth among the most arts-vibrant communities in the U.S. as evaluated in 2024 by the National Center for Arts Research’s Arts Vibrancy Index. This ranking assesses vibrancy by analyzing supply, demand and government support for the arts across 900+ communities. Since the index’s debut in 2015, Arlington has remained a top-ranked community for the arts, bolstered by a creative mix of visual and performing artists. This high ranking was achieved because of Arlington’s exceedingly talented and creative array of visual and performing artists.
This winter, Arlington’s vibrant cultural calendar includes unique events for all ages and range from a staging of the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof by the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre (through Jan. 25, 2026); an Artist Talk at Arlington Artists Alliance (Dec. 18), to Encore Stage & Studio’s staging of Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. (Jan. 9–18, 2026).
Below are just a few of the highlights, with a full schedule available on the Arlington Arts’ Winter Arts Highlights page.
We’ve all enjoyed watching the kids delight in their superhero costumes during the annual revels of Halloween, their primary goal being to score a haul of sugary treats at your door. Now, Arlington’s Synetic Theater offers an eerie treat for grownups — a play with real food for thought. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus is a myth forged in real time. Both intimate and epic, it asks not only what it means to create life, but what kind of life is worth creating.
In a barren world at humanity’s end, a man dares to steal fire and bring life to the dead — only to create something he cannot control. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic, this bold reimagining trades candlelit laboratories for storm-ravaged wastelands, where rhythm, ritual and elemental force breathe life into a new Creature. A visually raw and immersive meditation on grief, hubris and what it means to remake ourselves when the world has collapsed.
Synetic has earned more than 100 Helen Hayes Award nominations, accolades from the American Theatre Wing and the title of “Washingtonians of the Year” from Washingtonian magazine for its founders. Founded in 2001 by Georgian immigrants Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, Synetic has redefined storytelling in the Washington, D.C. area. The duo, who emigrated from Georgia in 1995, combine dance, theater and film with Caucasus traditions and distinctly American styles.
This production is presented with support from Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington. For an array of activities across the visual and performing arts, including our upcoming annual spotlight Winter Arts Highlights, please visit the Arlington Arts Website.
Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus runs Nov. 1 through Nov. 23, at Thomas Jefferson Theater, located at 125 S. Old Glebe Road. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Synetic Theater’s website.
Chill out and groove at the 33rd Annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd.in Arlington.
Headlining this year’s festival is Grammy-nominated Southern Avenue, a Memphis-based group known for its electrifying blend of blues, soul and gospel. The band will bring powerhouse vocals and high-energy sound to the stage following its latest album, Family, on Alligator Records.
Now in its 33rd year, the Rosslyn Jazz Fest is co-presented by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Arlington Arts. The festival has become a cultural cornerstone in the DMV, recognized for curating progressive lineups in jazz, funk and soul.
Set against the gorgeous Rosslyn skyline, the festival combines urban energy with park-side relaxation. In addition to live music, attendees can peruse Patch or Swap, the new textile rescue activation of the Arlington Art Truck. Enjoy local food trucks, outdoor bars, games and family activities, with admission free for all.
Joining Southern Avenue is a standout slate of performers:
New Breed Brass Band: A high-energy, New Orleans-style brass band infused with jazz, funk, hip-hop and R&B. Coached by Trombone Shorty, New Breed delivers music for and by New Orleans’ next generation.
The Sensational Barnes Brothers: Soulful siblings blending gospel roots with modern influences. Pop Matters praises their ability to bridge the gap between the Soul Stirrers and Stax while keeping a local flavor.
Son Cubano Subterraneo: A DC-based group rooted in the golden era of Cuban music. Led by sonero Gerardo Contino and tres maestro Josh Schneck, the band delivers rhythms brimming with sabor.
Beloved local media personality Tommy McFly will return as emcee, guiding festivalgoers through a day of world-class performances with his signature charm and energy.
“Rosslyn Jazz Fest is more than a music festival. It’s a platform for multicultural expression and emerging talent,” said Josh Stoltzfus, Deputy Director of Arlington Cultural Affairs. “Each year we spotlight both globally and locally inspired sounds across jazz, funk and soul to celebrate the diversity of Arlington and our neighboring communities, for what we hope is the last and best party of the summer.” Check out the Spotify Playlist!
“We are excited to host Rosslyn Jazz Fest every year because music brings people together and strengthens community,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID. “It’s a full afternoon of unforgettable performances, dancing, local food trucks and activities for all ages, an experience that reflects the vibrancy and connection we enjoy in Rosslyn.”
Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Admission is free. Tickets are available now at www.rosslynva.org/jazzfest.
The sun, contemporary art and local history will converge to cast a long shadow on Arlington’s 41st annual Dark Star Park Day on Friday, August 1.
This special event, beginning at 9:00 a.m., invites the community to experience the remarkable shadow alignment of Nancy Holt’s iconic sculpture, Dark Star Park. Last year’s gathering served as the grand finale of a year-long 40th anniversary celebration of Arlington’s renowned public art collection. The public is encouraged to join us once again as this unique tradition continues.
At approximately 9:32 a.m., the spheres and poles of Holt’s Dark Star Park will cast shadows that align perfectly with permanent shapes on the ground. This moment marks the founding of Rosslyn and transforms the park into a striking space of cosmic connection. Rosslyn, known for its distinctive skyline and engaging public art, remains one of Arlington’s most dynamic urban neighborhoods. Light refreshments will be provided by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District to add to the festive atmosphere.
The annual shadow alignment commemorates the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired the land that would become Rosslyn. Holt’s Dark Star Park examines ideas of land ownership and our relationship with the cosmos, with the spheres symbolizing stars fallen to Earth.
Dark Star Park stands as a pioneering example of integrated public art in the United States and was Arlington’s first major public art commission. It remains one of Holt’s most significant urban works, offering an accessible and thought-provoking experience for all. Holt (1938–2014) was a trailblazing artist whose practice spanned poetry, film, video and large-scale public sculpture. Her work consistently challenged audiences to consider how we see the world and our place within it.
Join us at 9:00 a.m. for brief remarks, followed by the shadow alignment at 9:32 a.m. Dark Star Park is located at 1655 N. Fort Myer Drive, where N. Fort Myer Drive and N. Lynn Street meet, just off Route 50/Arlington Boulevard in Rosslyn.
There are no tickets required to come and experience the shadow alignment, but we invite you to register on our Eventbrite page to receive updates and to place it on your calendar! Click on the links below for more information about Dark Star Park Day on August 1 and to learn more about Arlington Public Art.
There’s nothing like live music to chase away the summertime blues. The Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series is in full swing, offering a wide range of performers through August 1.
Celebrate Independence Day weekend with the 257th Army Band on Saturday, July 5, followed by a family-friendly matinee with Mr. Jon & Friends on Sunday, July 6. The summer sounds keep coming with The Sidleys (Friday, July 11), King Soul (Saturday, July 12), and Drew Blue Shoes, a family performance co-presented with Arlington Public Library, on Sunday, July 13.
The series opened in June with a two-week run of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” by The Arlington Players (TAP), honoring their 75th anniversary season. Since 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have gathered at Lubber Run Amphitheater for unforgettable summer performances. This year’s lineup continues that tradition with a diverse mix of music, theater and cultural celebrations, all free and open to the public.
July 2025 Schedule Highlights:
Saturday, July 5 – 8:00 p.m.
257th Army Band (Military band)
Sunday, July 6 – 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Jon & Friends (Family Performance)
Friday, July 11 – 8:00 p.m.
The Sidleys (Indie Rock/Soul)
Saturday, July 12 – 8:00 p.m.
King Soul (Memphis Soul)
Sunday, July 13 – 11:00 a.m.
Drew Blue Shoes (family performance co-presented with Arlington Public Library)
Friday, July 18 – 8:00 p.m.
Bongo District (Reggae/Cumbia)
Saturday, July 19 – 8:00 p.m.
U.S. Navy Band Commodores (Big Band/Jazz)
Sunday, July 20 – 11:00 a.m.
The Rainbow Rock Band (family performance)
The free Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series continues through August 1 with performances every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and family-friendly matinees on Sundays at 11 a.m. Lubber Run Amphitheater is located at 200 N. Columbus St., Arlington, Va. 22203. All shows are free; no tickets are required.
For the full schedule, artist details and weather updates, visit www.ArlingtonArts.org. Don’t miss a beat — explore everything Arlington Arts has to offer!
The Columbia Pike Blues Festival is back for its 28th year, bringing music, culture and community to one of Arlington’s most vibrant corridors. Set for Saturday, June 14, the free outdoor festival will showcase all DMV-based musical talent, food trucks, artisan vendors and family-friendly programming that celebrates the spirit and diversity of Columbia Pike.
Headlining this year’s event is Everyday Everybody, a high-energy D.C. band blending funk, soul, jazz and afrobeats. The lineup also includes Rick Franklin, Little Red & The Renegades, Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark, and Sol Roots.
Presented by the Columbia Pike Partnership in collaboration with Arlington Arts, the festival reflects the cultural richness of the Pike while spotlighting local talent. It’s more than a music festival — it’s a tribute to the people and stories that make Columbia Pike a uniquely dynamic destination.
In addition to curating the musical lineup, Arlington Arts will activate the Arlington Art Truck at the festival with “Exposing Life Cycles.” Participants can create sun prints using kits developed by Arlington artist Zofie King and Michelle Montalbano, turning found organic materials into cyanotype art. The activation is supported by the Solid Waste Bureau, which will be on site to share tips on composting and food scrap collection.
Festival Lineup
Everyday Everybody – 6:30 p.m.
Known for its genre-blending sound and vibrant performances, Everyday Everybody has shared stages with The Wailers, Burning Spear and Cory Henry, and has been featured in The Washington Post and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Tour. More about Everyday Everybody
Sol Roots – 5:00 p.m.
The Sol Roots band fuses New Orleans funk, blues, soul and rock, with frontman Sol known for his ferocious guitar skills and work with blues legends like Beverly “Guitar” Watkins and Cool John Ferguson. More about Sol Roots
Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark – 3:30 p.m.
Blending contemporary blues with a funk edge, Anthony “Swamp Dog” Clark is a seasoned performer whose live shows span the East Coast and whose music has been featured on college and internet radio. More about Swamp Dog
Little Red & The Renegades – 2:10 p.m.
A local favorite mixing Zydeco, blues and New Orleans R&B, Little Red & The Renegades deliver a danceable set powered by accordion, steel pan and soulful rhythm. More about Little Red & The Renegades
Rick Franklin – 1:00 p.m.
An Arlington-based acoustic blues guitarist, Rick Franklin plays in the Piedmont blues tradition and has performed nationally and internationally since 1981. More about Rick Franklin
Arlington Arts also is proud to present Courtney LeBlanc, the outgoing Arlington Poet Laureate who will read of a new poem composed specifically for the Blues Festival (reading at aprox: 3:25pm). The author of several full-length collections of poetry, LeBlanc is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Riot in Your Throat, an independent poetry press, and is a fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Preceded in the position by Katherine E. Young and Holly Karapetkova, the application process for the County’s fourth Poet Laureate closed this Spring, and LeBlanc’s successor will be announced in Fall, 2025. For announcements about the Arlington Poet Laureate, visit our Arlington Poet Laureate webpage.
The Columbia Pike Blues Festival exemplifies the creative energy and cultural richness that continue to make Arlington a top destination for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Arlington’s beloved Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series returns Friday, June 6, with a special launch: a two-week run of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” presented by The Arlington Players (TAP), celebrating their 75th anniversary season. Performances take place June 6–8 and June 13–15 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m.).
Pack a picnic, bring friends, and enjoy the arts al fresco at this free outdoor series tucked beneath the trees in Arlington’s Lubber Run Park.
The regular concert schedule resumes Friday, June 20, with the Afrobeat rhythms of Elikeh. The Beatles tribute band “All You Need Is Beatles” performs Saturday, June 21, followed by a joyful, family-friendly show from Culture Queen on Sunday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. (co-presented with Arlington Public Library).
The Arlington Players (TAP) has entertained our community since 1951 with an array of musicals and plays ranging from contemporary comedy to Shakespearean classics and from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Sondheim. TAP also provides an environment for all members of the Arlington community to explore, learn, and become involved in the elements of stagecraft through arts education programs.
Since 1969, generations of Arlingtonians have gathered at the Lubber Run Amphitheater for unforgettable summer performances. This year’s lineup continues that legacy with a diverse mix of music, theater, and cultural celebration — all free and open to the public.
June 2025 Schedule Highlights:
June 6–8 and 13–15
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” – Presented by The Arlington Players
(Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:00 p.m.)
Friday, June 20 – 8:00 p.m. Elikeh – Afrobeat
Saturday, June 21 – 8:00 p.m. “All You Need Is Beatles” – Rock tribute
Sunday, June 22 – 11:00 a.m. Culture Queen – Family performance (with Arlington Public Library)
Friday, June 27 – 8:00 p.m. Bobby Thompson Trio – Blues guitar and vocals
Saturday, June 28 – 8:00 p.m. Cecily – Soul-jazz vocals
This is just the beginning. The Free Lubber Run Amphitheater Summer Concert Series continues through August with performances for all ages and tastes. Lubber Run Amphitheater is located at 200 N. Columbus St., Arlington, Va. 22203. All shows are free. For the full schedule and updates, visit www.ArlingtonArts.org.
