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!
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!
This iconic musical experience was once featured at Art Basel and has since toured the nation, becoming one of the most exciting pop-up experiences everywhere it goes!
The experience will only be around for a little bit longer, which means that there is a limited time to visit.
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.
Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
The Anthem: Lord Huron (August 2), Kaleo (August 8), Ella Wai (August 21), Jack Harlow (August 25)
The Atlantis: Wild Child, (August 1), 2charm (August 7), Millkzy (August 10) Anthony Green (August 22)
9:30 Club: Chance Peña (August 7-8), Hayla (August 16), White Ford Bronco (August 22), Tiffany Day (August 27)
Echostage: Seven Lions (August 8), Deorro X Bolo (August 14), William Black (August 29)
Experience Napoleon’s world like it has never been before with a unique VR tour through Napoleonic France’s history guided by Napoleon himself!
Fit for history buffs, Francophiles, and fun-lovers, this unique immersive experience is perfect for all audiences.
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.
Restaurant Week is back this summer running from August 24th to the 30th 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!
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 concert series will be running from July 13th to September 25th.
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 pm on Sunday features a family-friendly film, while couples and adults can come for Thursday’s 7 pm date night showings.
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!
There is even a trail just a few hours from D.C. that National Geographic recently dubbed “the hike of a lifetime”.
We’ve come up with some of our favorite trails for hiking in and around D.C. to help you do just that.
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 22nd.
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 Martin Scorsese, Cynthia Erivo, Tia Williams, and more! Learn more here.
As part of America’s 250th anniversary, the Victims of Communism Museum has opened a new temporary exhibit, “A New Birth of Freedom.”
The exhibit invites visitors to dive into history and see authentic artifacts connected to the country’s Founders and the Declaration of Independence, comparing the ramifications of communism with America’s founding principles of freedom side by side.
The museum is just two blocks from the White House, and tickets are free. Add it to your list of things to see in DC!
Feeling crafty this week?
Featuring paintings, jewelry, candles, and beyond, these hands-on creative classes will unleash your inner maker (and reduce your screen time).
Take a look at some of our favorite DIY classes and workshops here.
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!
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
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!
Just over an hour drive from D.C., the Maryland State Fair is running three separate weekends: August 27-30, September 3-7, and September 10-13.
The nostalgia-filled experience will feature rides, games, animals, and all of the fair food you can eat!
On August 21st the streets of D.C. will be converted into a race track for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix for an IndyCar race as part of the Freedom 250 celebrations of America’s 250th birthday.
The race will start near the Supreme Court and cover a full lap around the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial, and the ‘Pit Row’ will be staged along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Across the river at Oronoko Bay Park on the Alexandria waterfront, you can explore cultures worldwide through the ultimate uniter—food.
On Saturday, August 29th 11 am – 7 pm you can take in the culture of more than 20 countries through native dishes and stunning performances at the Around the World Cultural Food Festival!
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.
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 outdoor swimming spots are worth the trip.
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!
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!
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!
Taking place from August 14th – 16th 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.
