Get in the holiday spirit by shopping the Real DC. This year, the annual Downtown Holiday Market will have the most vendors in history—majority locally owned—including a Made in DC emerging brands booth. Save the date: Holiday Market opens Nov 21.🎁☕️

DC is proud to be a city that offers leaf collection services to every resident. That's only possible because of our continued investments in the DPW crews, modern equipment, and citywide beautification efforts. Section A: Leaf collection is underway. Section B: You're on deck.

DC’s small and local businesses are the backbone of our city’s economy—and they help build a stronger, more resilient city. CBEs are leading the Capital One Arena reconstruction, showing what it means for DC to be both the Talent Capital and the Sports Capital.

Calling all DC families with rising high school students! DC's annual public school fair—EdFEST—is a great opportunity to explore high school options, resources, and programs for the upcoming school year. Join us on December 6 to start planning your student's next steps.

A steadfast champion for the District, we are deeply grateful for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s years of service on the Hill. Under her leadership, the House voted twice to pass DC statehood—a critical milestone in our ongoing fight for full representation.

Let me tell you about the Real DC.

NOW OPEN: First-ever District owned and operated animal shelter and hospital. It's been many years in the making, and now, it's time for DC families to come take home your new pet. Animal adoption fees are waived through this Sunday, November 9th.

It's official: Registration for ALL DPR winter programming is open. With basketball, soccer, gymnastics, tennis, cheerleading, and more—DPR has everything to keep our young people active, engaged, and having fun all winter long. Sign up: dpr.dc.gov

With the sun setting earlier each day, we want to remind residents of the mental health resources available in our city. It's okay not to be okay. Reach out if you need help: 1-888-793-4357 for the Mental Health Hotline 988 for a suicidal crisis

DC has shelter space for anyone who needs it. ‌ As we officially enter hypothermia season, we want to remind all residents of the resources available for unsheltered residents.

NOW: Registration is live for DC winter aquatics programs! DC DPR is offering aquatic programs for residents of all ages to stay active, meet new friends, and have fun all winter long. And get ready—registration for all other winter programming opens tomorrow.

It's National Veterans and Military Families Month, a reminder that although DC residents have served in every major American war, they do not have full access to American democracy. We honor the sacrifices of DC veterans, their families, and their loved ones.

Here's what you need to know about DC.

NEW: We christened a @dcwater.bsky.social machine today that will help us cut wastewater in the Potomac River by 93%. This project builds on the success of the Anacostia River Tunnel—reducing overflows to the Anacostia by 98%—and continues our investments in the future of our waterfront city.

DC leaf collection starts tomorrow, and everyone plays a role. Here's yours: ‌ 1.) Download the DPW leaf app 2.) Know your section 3.) Rake your leaves to the curb/treebox ‌ Together, we can keep our neighborhoods clean and beautiful this fall!

We are declaring a limited juvenile curfew in Washington, DC. Effective immediately, all juveniles under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew from 11PM until 6AM, which will extend through 11/5.

Did you know there's a free Lyft code to get home safely in DC for Halloween? From now until 4AM, use the SoberRide code to get $15 off your ride home: SAFEHALLOWEEN25 Let’s work together to have safe roads tonight, DC.

We all have a role in keeping trick-or-treaters safe. 🚗Drivers: Slow down 🎃Parents: Accompany your children 🍬Trick-or-treaters: Use sidewalks, wear bright clothing, and only approach homes with the lights on As always—if you see something, say something.

It's a very special, very spooky groundbreaking today! 👻 Thank you to all of the students and families who joined us to celebrate the King Elementary modernization project. No better way to celebrate Halloween than with our trick-or-treaters.

Happy Halloween, DC! Wishing families across all eight wards a safe, fun, and joyful celebration—and one that’s filled with treats. 🍬🍭

DC is making sure every young person has a safe and fun place to celebrate Halloween. From costume parades & haunted houses to trick-or-treating & the monster tennis smash—DC DPR is the place to be for holiday fun all weekend long.

Robert's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and love for DC. It's also an example of government doing its job: supporting residents with the resources they need.

Two days away from Halloween in the best city in the world! Let's keep each other safe by staying alert, sticking together, and making sure our young trick-or-treaters are always with an adult. And remember: if you see something, say something.

The new Louise Senior Affordable Apartments represent how important it is for us to have affordability in all eight wards of DC. DC seniors deserve to affordably age in place—with grace, dignity, and respect. Let this home be a model.

One reason people choose DC is our world-class community events. That includes tonight's 38th Annual High Heel Race—a local tradition celebrating the LGBTQ+ community that makes our city shine. Let's show off our DC pride in style.

We all have a role to play in making sure our trick-or-treaters have a fun, safe Halloween. Remember: Slow down, come to a complete stop at crosswalks and stop signs, and be patient. Let's all work together to keep our littlest Washingtonians safe!

Happy National First Responders Day, DC! We’re proud to celebrate—and invest in—the backbone of our public safety ecosystem, DC’s first responders. Thank you to the teams who keep our neighborhoods safe and strong all year long.

Getting ready for Halloween means more than just deciding your costume. Make a plan to get home safely after your Halloween celebrations—rely on public transit, rideshare, or a trusted friend. Remember: Sober driving saves lives.

Attention, DC: Leaf collection starts next week! Our DPW crews are ready—make sure you are too: 🍁Know your collection section 🍂Sign up for DPW updates 🍃Rake your leaves curbside Learn more: dpw.dc.gov/leaf

Can’t believe we're already two months into the school year! ‌ Proud of DC’s teachers, staff, and littlest learners for all their hard work this fall. ‌ And a special shoutout to Hearst Elementary for joining us this week to learn how to compost pumpkins the DC way!

It's National Pumpkin Day, and we're taking this opportunity to remind DC residents: you can compost your pumpkin! 🎃 ‌ Drop off your unpainted pumpkin after Halloween at pumpkin drop-off sites throughout the city or your neighborhood Smart Bin.

No matter what is happening in our city—our DPW teams are always out, keeping DC safe and clean. And now, with more than 200 seasonal employees, they’re getting ready to start leaf season on Monday, November 3. Learn more in this week's newsletter: tinyurl.com/OctoberNewsletterDC

When we say DPW is a family, we really mean it. Meet Mike and Shanonsa: a mother-son duo on the same leaf collection shift—showing up for their family, their team, and their city. Thank you to all our DC DPW crews for getting DC leaf season ready!

DC's public composting bins are working! Every month, DC Smart Bins collect 55,000+ lbs of food waste. By investing in 20 new bins, we expect that number to increase by 63%. So, if you haven't yet tried your neighborhood Smart Bin yet, consider this your sign.

DC, it's feeling like fall outside! You know what that means: Leaf collection season starts soon.🍁 (1) Know your section: dpw.dc.gov/leaf (2) Sign up for updates from DPW (2) Rake your leaves into the tree box or the curbside

Our young people are the future of the real DC. That's why we're investing in education from every angle—including school modernizations, ATCs, high-impact tutoring, and new pathways to opportunity. Keeping DC the best city in the world for the next generation.

It's a great time to be a fan in the Sports Capital! The Washington Spirit, Capitals, Commanders—and as of tonight, the Wizards—are all in season. DC pride is up in the District of Champions. 📈

Our strategies to drive down homelessness in the District are working. In FY26, we're building on that progress with key investments including: + $76.8M for shelter development and renovations + $7.6M for Permanent Supportive Housing + $7.4M for PASS truancy pilot program

The Sports Capital is getting an upgrade! From renovating Capital One Arena to demolishing the blighted RFK Stadium, we're paving the way for the best of the best. The sports economy creates opportunities and jobs for DC residents—far beyond game days.

Women’s sports make DC the Sports Capital. The sports economy brings together residents and visitors, celebrates our city's talent, and fuels local businesses. DC is proud to be a women's sports city!

No one does Halloween like Washington, DC. Get in the holiday spirit with safe, fun, family-friendly events hosted by DC DPR—including a Halloween Costume Skate Party next Friday. Tell your friends, grab your costumes, & get ready to celebrate in the best city in the world.

We're doubling down on tech in Washington, DC. From hosting DC Startup & Tech Week to investing $2.4M in the DC Technology Ecosystem Fund—we're attracting talent, driving innovation, and growing DC.

POV: A beautiful day in the Sports Capital. Let's go, @washingtonspirit.com!

ICYMI: DPR is hosting a Commanders tailgate tomorrow! 🏈 Let's show up, show off, and #RaiseHail.

Nothing captures the real DC quite like the 17th Street High Heel Race. In less than two weeks, residents are coming together for a uniquely DC event—celebrating our city's vibrant LGBTQ+ history, culture, and community. Get ready, get set, and get excited!

Purple Thursday honors survivors of domestic violence. Tonight, we've lit the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to illuminate their stories, champion their advocacy, and signal our unity.

The moment when Mr. Alberts learned he's the 2026 DC Teacher of the Year. Mr. Alberts, you uplift your students every day—today, we're proud to shine the spotlight on you. Congratulations!

Surprise! School Without Walls' Christopher Alberts is DC's 2026 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Alberts lifts up his entire school community through music and the arts. Congratulations, and thank you for all that you do for our young people.

SPOTTED: Halloween spirit in the best city in the world. 🎃

The spirit of DC is alive and well.