August may be the final month of the summer, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy it and things to do in D.C.! To help you make the most of these last dog days of summer, we’ve compiled a jam-packed roundup of all the best things to do!
1. Grab fresh foods and enjoy live music at the Capital Harvest Market
This August, you can purchase fresh produce and artisanal goods while taking in live music at Capital Harvest on the Plaza. Taking place on Woodrow Wilson Plaza on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm, the market aims “to foster a sense of community, stimulate economic development and improve quality of life” for the D.C. community! Learn more here.
2. Give yourself a dopamine boost
This playful, happiness-inducing, immersive experience has been taking the DMV area by storm! Get ready to unlock dopamine through the magic of music, the calming effects of nature, thousands of twinkling lights, and more. With Labor Day just around the corner, this family-friendly experience is the perfect way to enjoy the extended weekend! Snag tickets here.
3. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- The Anthem: The Fray (August 1), The Struts (August 16), Lalah Hathaway with DC Jazz (August 31)
- The Atlantis: Alice Smith, (August 1), Elsa y Elmar (August 10), Henry Morris (August 11) Ocean Sleeper (August 13), Robert Randolph (August 28)
- 9:30 Club: Kokoroko (August 3), Spike and the Gimme Gimmes (August 13), The Fleshtones (August 14), Jake Scott (August 15),
- Echostage: Lost Frequencies (August 1), Getter (August 9), Adventure Club (August 22), Joe Kay (August 23)
4. Bubble Planet
This immersive experience lets you play in ball pits, take a larger-than-life bubble bath, and escape into a fantasy world perfect for a hot summer day. Bubble Planet will be open during select days all throughout the month, so come with a group, take part in a cool immersive, sometimes VR experience, and escape reality.
5. Visit Machu Picchu without the expensive plane ticket
Don your combat boots and put on your adventurer’s cap as you journey into the lost city of Machu Picchu–without ever leaving the city. This epic VR journey introduces you to this worldly wonder, unlike how you’d find it today. Instead, you’ll be transported 450 years into the past to uncover ancient ruins and secrets.
6. Dance the night away at DC Bachata Congress
This is considered the biggest Latin dance festival in the U.S. and for good reason! DCBX has hosted it in D.C. for the last five years, this event will take over the capital from August 14 – 18. Dance to bachata, salsa, and more. You can read up about it here.
7. Dine at District favorites for D.C. Summer Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week is back this summer starting on August 18 – August 24 offering you the chance to dine in (or out!) at some of D.C.’s best restaurants for a great price! With lunch/brunch starting at $25 and dinners ranging from $40-$65, this is a mouthwatering deal you don’t want to miss!
8. Don’t miss the afternoon concert series at the Plaza
Everyday from 12-1 pm, you can head to Wilson Plaza for a 1-hour live music concert series, with genres ranging from bluegrass folk to reggae to rock and country. The concerts will be going from July 7 to September 26.
9. Watch a movie outdoors
What’s better than a free outdoor movie?! Just outside of D.C. at National Harbor, the Movies on the Potomac series is running through September. Fun for all ages, every 6 p.m. on Sunday features a family-friendly film, while couples and adults can come for Thursday’s 7 p.m. date night showings. Find a full calendar listing of films here.
10. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
- The Kennedy Center
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- Sesame Street the Musical (throughout August)
- Dungeons & Dragons the Twenty-Sided Tavern (through August 3)
- Parade (August 19)
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11. Take a hike—literally!
Washington, D.C., may be a city, but it boasts a number of beautiful places in and around the District proper that are just as great for exploring the wilderness! Secret D.C. has come up with some of the most stunning trails for hiking in and around D.C. to help you do just that. Learn more here.
12. Unleash your inner bookworm at the National Book Festival
The Library of Congress’s National Book Festival is returning to Washington, D.C.! The free festival will take over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 24, following this year’s theme, “Everyone Has a Story,” meant to celebrate “the storyteller in us all.”
The genre-spanning festival will feature more than 120 writers who will participate in book readings and signings, live performances, and more, including appearances by actor Elliot Page, crime journalist Sarah Weinman, and Uyghur poet Tahir Hamut Izgil, among others! Learn more here.
13. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
- Lincoln Theatre: Ashley Gavin’s Comedy Show (August 15)
- D.C. Improv: Comedy Kumite XL (August 6), Steve Byrne (August 12)
14. Patronize your favorite local businesses
Use the summer weather as an excuse to head outside and support your favorite local businesses and shops! From vintage and handmade goods at Relume to colorful home decor from new Union Market hotspot LIBBY & MY, the possibilities are endless!
15. Take in drinks and a view on one of these beautiful rooftops
We’re officially in the thick of rooftop bar season, and D.C. has so many to choose from! Needless to say, we’re loving it, especially when it comes with a side of gorgeous city views and the perfect excuse to grab a drink with some friends! Check out some of our favorite spots here.
16. Par-take in a fun-filled round of mini golf
Fun for all ages, mini golf is always a hole-in-one! Luckily, the D.C.-area has a variety of options:
- Swingers – Dupont Circle
- Perch Putt – Tysons Corner
- Puttery – Penn Quarter
- Pixar Putt – The Wharf
17. Visit one of D.C.’s breathtaking gardens
D.C. is a vibrant city but still filled with beautiful places where you can admire nature and stop and smell the roses — literally! Grab a friend (or go solo) and take a leisurely stroll through one of these beautiful gardens! Check out the full list here.
18. Embrace your inner child at the Maryland State Fair
Just over an hour drive from D.C., the Maryland State Fair is running three separate weekends: August 22-25, August 29-September 2, and September 5- September 8. The nostalgia-filled experience will feature rides, games, animals, and all of the fair food you can eat! Did we mention live music, including from Baltimore’s own All Time Low?!
19. Take a short trip to one of the top 10 waterparks in the country
Just slightly over 2-hours from D.C. is the monstrous outdoor waterpark, Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Virginia. Every water slide, game, and splashing activity you could imagine exists at this park. From a 23,000-square-foot pool to the Jet Scream slide designed only for the brave of heart. Learn more here.
20. Treat your taste buds at the Around the World Cultural Food Festival
Across the river at Oronoko Bay Park on the Alexandria waterfront, you can explore cultures worldwide through the ultimate uniter—food. On Saturday, August 23 11 am – 7 pm you can take in the culture of more than 20 countries through native dishes and stunning performances at Around the World Cultural Food Festival! Learn more here.
21. Enjoy America’s pastime at a Washington Nationals game
Baseball! A hot dog, some peanuts, and cheering on the home team is a classic summer activity that never fails to be fun—win or lose! Check out the Nats’ August schedule here.
22. Get out of the city for a refreshing dip outdoors
Looking to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors? Why not embrace the warm weather with a hike followed by a dip at one of these outdoor swimming spots?! Some can even allow for kayaking! All located just a short drive from D.C., these spots are worth the trip. Learn more here.
23. Indulge in a booze cruise
The weather is warming up, and summer is sailing its way in! What better way to celebrate summer’s return than on the water with a drink in hand? Thankfully, the Potomac River offers Washingtonians and tourists alike the chance to do just that. Whether you’re looking for a tropical vibe, a more upscale affair to take in the sights, or to try your hand as a pirate at sea, D.C. has the perfect booze cruise for you! Learn more here.
24. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: From Bach to the Beatles
- Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
- Candlelight: Best of Hip-Hop
25. Take advantage of the weather with a camping trip
Sometimes you just need to get away from the bustle of the city and reconnect with nature: unobstructed skies, fresh air, the smells of flowers and trees, and the sound of wildlife, wind, and branches. Whether you’re only looking to drive 30 minutes or 4 hours, these fantastic camping spots have what you’re looking for! Learn more here.
26. Enjoy the smooth sounds of D.C. JazzFest
The 20th annual D.C. JazzFest is running August 27 through 31! Teaching you the history of D.C.’s jazz roots and aiming to inspire a new generation of jazz musicians and enthusiasts, this year’s festival will feature renowned artists such as Eliot Seppa, Lakecia Benjamin, and many more!
27. Attend the 17th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival
Taking place from August 1 – 3 at George Washington University, the African Diaspora International Film Festival invites viewers to explore various narratives, dramas, and documentaries that showcase diverse stories from across the African Diaspora. From film premieres to Q&A’s, the festival uplifts diverse stories and voices from around the world.
Ticket prices start at $13. View the full lineup of all fifteen fiction, documentary, and short films here.