May 15, 2026
Dear Washingtonians,
It’s spring in the Sports Capital: the Mystics are back in action, the Battle of the Beltway begins this evening at Nationals Park, DC United are off to a strong start, as are the Spirit who will be back at Audi Field at the end of the month. To top it all off, the Wizards got the number one pick in the draft.
And just this afternoon, we were with DC United to announce the official DC watch parties for the FIFA World Cup 2026. We love the beautiful game in DC. Kids across DC play soccer at schools, in weekend leagues, and at summer camps. We love to cheer on DC United and the Spirit at Audi Field, often with sellout crowds. And now fans can enjoy the World Cup from right here in the nation’s capital.
This summer, come join two major World Cup celebrations over two weekends: the first from June 12–14 at Franklin Park in Downtown DC, followed by a second from June 19–21 at Tingey Plaza in Navy Yard.
For more information and to register, visit dcunited.com/soccer-celebration.
In addition to our professional sports, the Department of Parks and Recreation just opened registration for summer programming, and there are options for residents of all ages, starting with swim classes for infants as young as six months.
 DC is setting the standard for the nation when it comes to helping students recover and thrive after the pandemic. New results from the 2026 Education Scorecard—a rigorous analysis of more than 35 million students produced by researchers at Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth—show DC ranking 1st in the nation in academic growth in both math and reading from 2022 to 2025.
- In math, the average DC student gained 0.67 grade equivalents since 2022.
- In reading, the average DC student gained 0.34 grade equivalents since 2022.
- Chronic absenteeism dropped from more than 46% in 2022 to under 40% in 2025.
This is a testament to what’s possible when we consistently commit to our students. And while there is still ground to make up to reach pre-pandemic levels, DC's trajectory is clear: our students are growing faster than anywhere else in America, and we're not slowing down.
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Every year, SeniorFest is a vibrant celebration of wellness, joy, and community for older adults across DC! On Wednesday, May 20, join neighbors and friends at Gateway Pavillion to enjoy live entertainment, giveaways, and more at SeniorFest 2026.
Applications are now open for the brand-new Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, a $3.875 million fund to support the District’s restaurants and retailers and continue growing DC’s economy. Through the Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, the Bowser Administration is stepping up for small businesses, providing critical financial relief to brick-and-mortar establishments that took a hit in 2025—keeping neighborhood shops and restaurants open, resilient, and ready for the future.
Businesses must meet all the following requirements to qualify for this grant:
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Be a for‑profit retailer or restaurant with a physical brick‑and‑mortar location.
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Have experienced a revenue loss in 2025 compared to 2024; preference will be given to businesses that experienced at least a 10% decline in revenue.
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Generate between $100,000 and $5 million in annual gross revenue.
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Be independently owned and operated, with no more than three locations.
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Be established before June 1, 2024.
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This Saturday, Pennsylvania Avenue transforms into a street party as the Fiesta Asia Street Fair returns for its 21st year! The longest-running and largest free Pan-Asian festival in the DC metro area, Fiesta Asia brings together over 1,000 performers, artisans, and vendors representing more than 20 cultures for eight hours of food, music, dance, and family fun. Highlights include a Dragon and Lion Dance Parade, kid-friendly activities, the Umami Challenge cooking contest, Karaoke Duels, and a Cosplay Challenge. Admission is free and all are welcome.
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