Thursday, September 27

HAPPY HOUR: No need to wait till Friday to start your weekend—Thursday will do just fine. Head over to Science Club for a free drink and a raffle ticket to some prize that still hasn’t been announced. Maybe you’ll win a Ferrari . . . or a few bucks off your bar tab. In either case, you’ll be supporting ThriveDC, which helps out DC’s homeless. Tickets ($10) are available through Eventbrite. 5 PM.

BEER: Common wisdom suggests you need a keg to sample the world’s best beers. You can head to RFD or Churchkey for dozens of the world’s finest brews, but some of them come in humble aluminum cans: Alexandria’s Jackson 20 is hosting a canned beer night, featuring beers from breweries such as 21st Amendment and Oskar Blues. Oh yeah, you’ll get five courses of food, too. $55. 7 PM.

Friday, September 28

MUSEUMS: You can only get into the Smithsonian after hours every so often, and it’s almost always worth it. Friday, the Freer Gallery hosts Asia After Dark, a night of Asian film, art, and, most important, dance music. Ping Pong Dim Sum will run three bars, so you’ll have the chance to observe Asian culture while getting kinda sloppy if you so choose. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 7 PM.

DANCE: For eight years, DC9 has hosted Liberation Dance Party, a night of indie and not-so-indie dance music. The main draw? An open bar from 9 to 10:30 for just $7. 9 PM.

Saturday, September 29

DANCE: People say you can’t wear white after Labor Day, but as the great philosopher Drake once said, YOLO. Break that white back out for Masa 14’s monthly White Party, a night of Latin dance music and cocktails. Anyone wearing blanco gets a free drink. Anyone wearing anything else gets a headshake of disapproval. Free. 10:30 PM.

ART: Sick of look-but-don’t-touch museums? Yards Park is hosting Figment, an interactive art festival-thingy. Dozens of artists from around the city will bring the supplies; you bring the creativity. Works range from the traditional (paintings, caricatures) to the more imaginative (giant Twister, spinning beds, soul cleansing). Bring any sins you’re trying to get expunged and your dance moves. Free. 11 to 8.

OPERA: The whole summer at Nats Park has been used for, you know, Nats games. With the way they’re playing, it looks like the stadium might be occupied for a good part of the fall, too. But they’re out of town this weekend, so it’s time for Opera in the Park—even if you’re not into Don Giovanni, you can check out stage-fighting demonstrations, flamenco dancing, and a dance party before the show. Free. 5 PM.

DANCE: Speaking of white, wear it and get a ton of paint all over you at Dayglow, an electronic music festival with more paint than the National Gallery of Art. And so many more drugs, just sayin’, not endorsing. Tickets ($55; $80 for VIP) are available through Ticketmaster. 7 PM.

FOOD: If you live near downtown DC, chances are you don’t get out to Friendship Heights much. But there’s a host of good restaurants out there—luckily you can try them all out Saturday at Taste of Friendship Heights. Five bucks gets you four tickets to try bites from Rosa Mexicano, Capitol Grille, Tynan Coffee & Tea, Indique Heights, and more. Noon to 5.

Sunday, September 30

BEACH: Where did September go? It’s pretty much over, and with it goes any semblance of summer. Send it off in style with New York Avenue Beach Bar’s Daylight Party, featuring drink specials, burritos, old-school hip-hop, and a ton of sand. Free. 3 PM.

ART: You sprayed paint all over yourself yesterday—now put it on canvases (with a little more control this time, please). ArtJamz is hosting a Sunday night party, where you’ll get to drink beer and wine as you make some sort of acrylic paint masterpiece. Tickets ($35) are available through Eventbrite. 6 PM.

BEER: LivingSocial kicked off the summer with an incredible beerfest at Kastles Stadium, featuring more than 40 breweries. They’re ending the summer in much the same fashion—head out to National Park’s Fairgrounds for dozens of tastings of craft beer, games, food trucks, live music, and complimentary sunglasses that you’ll lose and/or break within five minutes. Tickets ($35) are available online. Noon to 5.

Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.