Dance the Night Away at National Landing's "NaLa Noches"
Free Fall Concert Series Brings Latin Music, Culture and Community to Metropolitan Park Thursday Evenings
WHAT: NaLa Noches returns to National Landing’s Metropolitan Park this fall for five weeks of free Latin music, dancing, art and more. Hosted by the National Landing BID and sponsored by Amazon, the series kicks off Thursday, September 17, from 5–7 p.m. Live performances from top regional acts are curated by DC trumpet legend Joe Herrera, with a lineup featuring the DMV’s only female-led merengue band, DC’s youngest salsa band, and more. Spanning Hispanic Heritage Month, NaLa Noches celebrates Latin music and culture as the sounds of the güiro, clave and timbales transform Met Park into a dance floor.
During the set break, instructors from Arlington-based Inspira Dance will lead a short, beginner-friendly dance lesson, from salsa to merengue, giving guests a chance to get in on the action. Participants can also grab empanadas and alfajores onsite from local favorite Peruvian Brothers and cool down with complimentary Topo Chico Sabores while supplies last.
As part of the cultural celebrations, the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington will host Studio Sessions: Colores y Cultura, a series of hands-on art activities inspired by folk crafts and traditions from across Latin America and South America.
2026 NaLa Noches music and art lineup:
- September 17: René Ibañez & Cubano Groove (Latin Jazz)
On-site art activity: Sculpt Talavera pottery-style decorative pieces with air-dry clay. - September 24: Punto i Aparte (Salsa/Merengue)
On-site art activity: Paint Papel Amate-inspired scenes of flora and fauna with artist David Amoroso. - October 1: Orquesta Manplesa (Salsa)
On-site art activity: Craft corn husk flowers with artist Michelle Espinoza. - October 8: Monte Cimarrón (Cuban Son/Salsa)
On-site art activity: Color and collage little houses inspired by Caminito Street in La Boca, Buenos Aires with artist Jaqui Falkenheim. - October 15: Son Cubano Subterráneo (Cuban Son)
On-site art activity: Create colorful mini nicho shadow boxes.
WHEN: Thursdays, September 17 through October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Metropolitan Park | 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington, VA 22202
HOW: The event is FREE; RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.
GETTING THERE: Metropolitan Park is easily accessible by rail and approximately a 5-minute walk from Pentagon City Metro, or a 10-minute walk from Crystal City Metro Station. Capital Bikeshare stations are within a short walk and limited bike parking is also available. Met Park offers two on-site garages with entrances at on South Elm Street and 13th Street. During the week, rates apply, with free parking after 4PM.
Nala Noches is one of several events across National Landing that brings the community together to experience the everyday unexpected through shared programming, food, art and music. For real-time event updates and more information on National Landing, please visit www.nationallanding.org/events/calendar or follow on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Brand Guild
nationallanding@thebrandguild.com
602-579-8848
ABOUT NATIONAL LANDING:
National Landing is an urban community in Arlington, VA, uniting the three neighborhoods of Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard.
Here, the region’s rising talent connects with the industries building the future in the National Innovation Quarter (National IQ)—anchored by the Pentagon, Amazon HQ2, and the Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Computing.
Five minutes from Reagan National Airport and ten minutes from Washington, D.C., National Landing offers unparalleled connectivity and leading mobility infrastructure across five Metro stations, VRE access, and miles of protected bike lanes.
With a nearly 1:1 employee-to-resident ratio, work and daily life exist side-by-side with ease. Walkable streets lead to global cuisines and shopping. Sixty acres of parks and public space invite gathering, from jazz nights to yoga mornings. Murals and modern design bring color to mid-century architecture. In National Landing, innovation and everyday life meet in surprising and meaningful ways.
To learn more, visit nationallanding.org and follow @nationallanding.