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 from 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
- Capital One Arena: Missy Elliot (August 8), Future & Metro Boomin (August 17), Usher (August 20-21), Childish Gambino (August 29)
- The Anthem: Black Eyed Peas (August 7), Still Woozy (August 10), Tate McRae (August 13), Ken Carson (August 18), Koe Wetzel (August 24)
- The Atlantis: Madilyn Mei (August 2), Jonah Kagen (August 5), Victony (August 11), Perpetual Groove (August 21), Silverada (August 30)
- 9:30 Club: Princess Goes (August 10), UB40 (August 13), Washed Out (August 21), White Ford Bronco (August 30)
- Echostage: Adventure Club (August 2), Seven Lions (August 10), Alison Wonderland (August 23), Galantis (August 24)
4. Step into the spicy side of the galaxy at The Empire Strips Back
The Empire Strips Back brings Star Wars to life like never before with this burlesque twist. From seductive Stormtroopers to tantalizing Twi’leks, an unforgettable evening of comedy and allure awaits. The productions are taking place from now through Labor Day, so get tickets for a show here!
5. Travel back in time to D.C.’s King Tutankhamun exhibit
Take a trip through Ancient Egypt and learn all about King Tutankhamun this August! His treasures and his tomb are full of incredibly interesting historical facts, and you can discover it right here in D.C.! With over 1,000 painstakingly reproduced artifacts, you’ll feel like you’re right inside the young pharaoh’s tomb! Get tickets here.
6. Join in on the pickleball craze at this ultimate summer park day
Get active for free at a unique pickleball pop-up event this August! Break the Love, in partnership with Walmart, is taking over the DMV area on August 10 to bring you accessible pickleball games, music, food, prizes, and more! From instructor-led sessions to free refreshment stations, the action-packed afternoon is not one to miss. Learn more here.
7. Dine at District favorites for D.C. Summer Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week is back this summer from August 12-August 18, 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. Learn to arrange a breathtaking flower arrangement at She Loves Me
She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me! Local D.C. flower shop She Loves Me knows the secret to beautiful bouquets…and now, you can too! Each month, She Loves Me hosts a number of flower arrangement workshops, centering on seasonal flowers and how to make breathtaking bouquets of your own! Workshops are available on Wednesday, August 17, Sunday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 24! Learn more here.
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. Enter the colorful world of Claude Monet
Beat the record-breaking heat and watch Monet’s brushstrokes come to life at this breathtaking immersive experience in Washington, D.C.. Brought to you by the creators of D.C.’s acclaimed Van Gogh Experience, the Rhode Island Center’s latest digital art experience will surely take your breath away. From enchanting gardens to expressive landscapes, each reproduction is as captivating as the next. Plan your visit here.
11. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
- The Kennedy Center
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- The Magic of Broadway—Our Way! (August 2)
- Back to the Future: The Musical (through August 11)
- MAMMA MIA! (August 13-September 1)
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12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
- The Kennedy Center: Jordan Klepper (August 3), The Ultimate Improv Show (through August 11)
- D.C. Improv: Rosebud Baker (August 2-4), Alfred Kainga (August 2-4)
15. 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!
16. 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.
17. 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
18. 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.
19. 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?!
20. 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.
21. 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 24 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses! Learn more about these two different offerings here and here.
25. 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.
26. 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: A Tribute to Bad Bunny (August 14)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More (August 14)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift (August 15)
- Candlelight: Legends of R&B (August 22)
27. 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.
28. Enjoy the smooth sounds of D.C. JazzFest
The 20th annual D.C. JazzFest is running August 31 through September 1! 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!
29. Attend the 17th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival
Taking place from August 2nd to 4th 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 $11. View the full lineup of all seventeen fiction, documentary, and short films here.
30. Don’t miss the final Jazz in the Garden concerts
If you haven’t been selected for Jazz in the Garden tickets this summer, or simply want to return for another performance, there’s still time to enjoy live music in the Sculpture Garden! The August lineup features the following musicians:
- Plena Libre (August 2)
- Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star (August 9)