Top Concerts for November/December 2026

Damn. Let’s get into some music. What concerts are you excited about to close out 2026?

Let’s add a new feature to these lists. My ‘Spotlight’ will be highlighted for both November and December. This is the concert I’m most excited about that month and you should drop everything and get a ticket. (Setting everything down gently is okay too.)

December is usually a little light on concerts, plus a lot of people travel for the holidays, but there are a few interesting shows to check out.

Find local music in yellow. Support local businesses and local artists. Do it! What are you waiting for?

November 2026

Fresh AIR: Artists in Residence Class of 2027 Debut Concert @ Strathmore (11/3/26)

Imperial Teen @ Comet Ping Pong (11/6/26)

Adams Morgan Porchfest (11/7/26) (Part deux of the porchfests in Adams Morgan this year, local music at its finest!)

Chloe Kimes w/ Lena Traynham @ Quarry House Tavern (11/7/26)

Fulton Lights @ Galaxy Hut (11/8/26) (Andrew Spencer Goldman just released a new album, Best World, for his music project Fulton Lights. It speaks to ‘what it means to remain present in a world that won’t hold still, circling themes of time, attention, creativity, parenthood, aging and mortality.’ If you haven’t made it to Galaxy Hut recently (or ever), check it out!)

Slow Pulp w/ Her New Knife @ 9:30 Club (11/9/26)

SPOTLIGHT! New Constellations @ Howard Theatre (11/10/26) (This Portland, Oregon band has become one of my favorites over the last year. I saw them at Union Stage in 2025 for their first show in DC, and have been waiting for them to return.)

Michaela Anne @ Pie Shop (11/10/26) (If I wasn’t already going to the New Constellations show the same day, I would be here. If you like good Americana, folk-pop music, this is your jam. Check out a review we did before. Michaele grew up in a military family, moving around including lived in Washington, DC. Check out our previous review of one of her opening sets.)

brookelen w/ Humidifier + It Wants @ Quarry House Tavern (11/10/26) (brookelen is also playing at DC9 on November 13, if you miss this one.)

Julia Jacklin @ Lincoln Theatre (11/10/26)

A Shrewdness of Apes w/ Tone + Endlings + Parasocial @ Death Punch (11/11/26) (Get your fresh prog rock at the Punch with ASOA and see a heavy hitting lineup of local bands!)

Bedouine @ The Atlantis (11/14/26)

Sir Women @ Black Cat (11/14/26)

Mother Soki @ DC9 (11/15/26)

Rachael Yamagata @ The Birchmere (11/16/26)

Die Spitz @ 9:30 Club (11/17/26)

We Are Scientists @ Songbyrd Music House (11/17/26)

BAILEN @ The Atlantis (11/18/26)

Girl Tones @ DC9 (11/19/26)

The Owners w/ Live Skull + Skull Practitioners @ Comet Ping Pong (11/19/26)

They Might Be Giants @ 9:30 Club (11/19, 11/20, 11/21 & 11/22/26) (Four nights of potentially giant music! The first three nights are sold out, but a fourth show was added. They are touring for their new album The World is To Big (via Idlewild Records). Speaking of giant music this is their 24^th album (but first in five years) and it can barely contain 18 songs. There is literally might never be enough TMBG.)

mary in the junkyard @ DC9 11/20/26) Sold Out

Palace @ The Anthem (11/20/26)

Fruition @ Pearl Street Warehouse (11/21/26)

Buko Boys w/ The Montaines @ Pie Shop (11/27/26) (The Montaines are from DC!)

December 2026

Hank Azaria & The EZ Street Band @ The Atlantis (12/1/26)

Sundyr w/ Savage Theory + Knave @ Pie Shop (12/3/26)

SPOTLIGHT! Temples @ The Atlantis (12/4/26) (These psych rockers return to DC, once again to the Black Cat on the strength of their new album, BLISS (via V2 Records). The album is ‘made without compromise, driven by instinct, chemistry, and the joy of making music together again.’ I’ve seen them mutliple times already and suggest you get in on the action!)

Porcelain w/ My Wife’s an Angel @ DC9 (12/4/26)

Eliza McLamb @ Songbyrd Music House (12/5/26)

Emma Ruth Rundle w/ Cinder Well @ Black Cat (12/8/26)

Charlotte Cornfield + Friendship @ Black Cat (12/9/26)

Mothlights w/ Lud Roes + Rain Shears @ Quarry House Tavern (12/9/26)

Chris Isaak @ The Birchmere (12/9/26)

Margaret Glaspy @ The Atlantis (12/11/26) (Check out our review of a previous concert.)

Baby Jane @ The Atlantis (12/12/26)

Thievery Corporation @ 9:30 Club (12/19 & 12/20/26)

Wrizzards @ Pearl Street Warehouse (12/27/26) (The return of the Wrizzards, a local collective of multi-genre artists.)

Bonus

(For when you need more music, and you deserve more music.)

Big Head Todd and The Monsters @ Strathmore (11/17/26)

Sirintip + Gracie Jay @ The Pocket (11/19/26)

Big Bill w/ Massie + New Passengers @ Pie Shop (11/23/26) (Recommending mostly for the two DC opening bands!)

Dave Hause & The Mermaid @ Songbryd Music House (11/21/26)

First to Eleven @ Jammin Java (11/23/26)

Laura Tsaggaris @ The Miracle Theatre (11/29/26)