The fireflies are out, the rooftop bars are open late, and summertime is in full swing in the District. From Fourth of July celebrations and music festivals to sporting events and popup markets, this month is boasting nonstop fun-filled events! To help you make the most of your July in D.C., we’ve compiled the best goings-on that you won’t want to miss:
1. Step into this delightful Dr. Seuss Experience
This whimsical Dr. Seuss immersive experience has been taking the DMV by storm! Get ready to watch your favorite childhood stories come to life as wander through towering Truffula Trees, take a spin on the Circus McGurkus carousel ride, make your way through Sneetches Mirror Maze and much more. You won’t want to miss this family-friendly experience!
2. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- Capital One Arena: Davido (July 1), Alicia Keys (July 7), Erykah Badu (July 13), Drake (July 28-29)
- The Anthem: Don Toliver (July 1), Melanie Martinez (July 2), Barenaked Ladies (July 5), Santa Fe Klan (July 7), T-Pain (July 8), First Aid Kit (July 14), Kehlani (July 17), Clutch (July 21), Jenny Lewis (July 22), My Morning Jacket (July 29)
- The Atlantis: Barenaked Ladies (July 2), Tegan and Sara (July 6), The Head and the Heart (July 7), The Magnetic Fields (July 15-16),Clutch (July 20), Jenny Lewis (July 21), The Struts (July 23), Living Colour (July 26), Third Eye Blind (July 27), Portugal. The Man (July 28), Living Colour (July 29), Iron & Wine (July 30)
- 9:30 Club: Emo Nite (July 1), The Stews (July 15), The Struts (July 16), Panda Bear (July 19), The Vagabonds & Nicholas Jamerson (July 22), The Drums (July 28), King Krule (July 29)
- Echostage: James Hype (July 1), Anees (July 3), Deorro b2b Valentino Khan (July 14), Don Diablo (July 15), Dexta Daps (July 21), Summer Recess Day Party ft. Sigala (July 22)
3. Indulge and imbibe at the D.C. Black Food and Wine Festival
Take the opportunity to indulge, imbibe and interact at the D.C. Black Food and Wine Festival Saturday, July 1. Celebrating the culture and taste with the help of local Black-owned businesses, the festival includes a variety of African American-influenced cuisine and beverages, live music, and highlights local businesses! Learn more here.
4. Check out the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival has returned to the National Mall for two separate runs, June 29–July 4, and July 6–July 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Presented by the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, this year the free festival is hosting two programs: one exploring “The Ozarks: Faces and Facets of a Region” and the other “Creative Encounters: Living Religions in the U.S.” Learn more here.
5. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
- The Kennedy Center
- “Shear Madness” (through Oct. 1)
- “The Enigmatist” (June 6-July 2)
- “The Lion King” (June 22-July 29)
- “1776” (June 26-July 17)
- “RENT” in Concert (July 26-28)
6. Celebrate the Fourth of July in the nation’s capital
U-S-A! U-S-A! Independence Day, held on July 4th, honors the birth of the United States as a country in 1776, making it among the most monumental federal holidays and celebrations in the U.S. D.C. even ranked one of the top 10 best places to watch Fourth of July fireworks in 2023! Sneak a peek at some of the best ways to celebrate below, then find the full list here!
- Experience the fun of the National Independence Day Parade.
- Sing along to “A Capitol Fourth.”
- Witness a grand fireworks display over D.C.’s famous monuments.
7. 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.
8. Attend the Capital Fringe Festival
You can catch the highly-anticipated Capital Fringe Festival July 12-23. Celebrating a spectrum of performances on the “fringes,”— ranging from comedy and musicals to drama and artist discussions—this year’s performances surround the theme “When life gives you lemons.” Many events are for ages 13+ but individual age limits and costs can be found here.
9. Immerse yourself in renowned art
What could be more awe-inspiring than immersing yourself in your favorite art? Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience allows you to do just that! The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in his art.
10. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
- D.C. Improv: DeRay Davis (July 1-2), Sammy Obeid (July 5), Michael Blaustein (July 6-9), Two Dykes and a Mic (July 12-13), Gina Yashere (July 14-15), Alex English (July 14-16), Danny Jolles (July 16), DL Hughley (July 20-23), Jive Turkey & Friends (July 30)
11. Hang out at D.C.’s 2023 Broccoli City Festival
This year’s Broccoli City Festival—being held Saturday, July 15 through Sunday, July 16— includes big-name performers, such as Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice, Kodak Black, Chloe Bailey, and many more! Broccoli City Festival has been occurring in Washington, D.C., since 2013 to benefit and inspire local youth and communities to create a “racially equitable” world and aid the D.C. community. Learn more here.
12. Check out the happenings at MLS All-Star Week
It’s a great time to be a D.C. soccer fan! D.C. is hosting the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game presented by Target and celebrating with five days of festivities from July 15-19 OK, technically the game is at Naval Academy’s Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, but the rest of the festivities are in D.C.! Check out the timeline of events below:
- July 15-16: Free MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration at The Wharf
- July 16: Free eMLS All-Star Challenge
- July 17: MLS All-Star Concert at The Anthem featuring Kehlani and special guest DJ Pee .Wee
- July 18: The 2023 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge
- July 19: MLS All-Star Game
13. 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.
14. Take in drinks and a view on one of these beautiful rooftops
The weather is warming up, and we’re officially nearing rooftop bar season. 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! Learn more here.
15. Imbibe at D.C.’s inaugural (D)rafts and (C)rafts
Celebrate the District’s local artisans and craft beverage makers at (D)rafts and (C)rafts, D.C.’s inaugural “small-scale producers festival” hosted by D.C. Brewers’ Guild and D.C. Makers’ Guild. Head to The Square, a food hall at International Square Downtown D.C. on Saturday, July 22 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet some of these artisans and drink craft brews from vendors like Aslin Beer Co., Atlas Brew Works, Valor Brew Pub, It’s OK Clay, Stitch & Rivet, and many others! Learn more here.
16. Go to Jazz in the Garden
D.C.’s favorite concert series Jazz in the Garden continues! Every Friday night through August 4, the National Gallery of Art hosts an outdoor concert in its Sculpture Garden. Featuring a range of jazz, bluegrass, and Afro-Cuban music, attendees can enjoy the weather, tunes, and gorgeous views. You can register to attend at noon exactly one week prior to each concert. Learn more here.
17. Embrace the prehistoric at Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
Have you ever wished you could interact with dinosaurs? Well, now is your chance! This exhibit features 80 prehistoric specimens and even a virtual aquarium so you can interact with these magnificent creatures from millions of years ago.
18. Attend the International Colombian Festival
Catholic University is hosting the International Colombian Festival on July 22! The festival celebrates both Colombia and Latin American culture through live music, dance performances, local vendors, and food. Each year, the festival chooses a “guest country” that also receives an emphasis on its traditions and culture. This year’s guest country? Mexico! Learn more here.
19. Enjoy a boat tour through Georgetown on the C&O Canal
Georgetown’s Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal boat tours have returned for a second season! Guided one-hour historical boat rides are available four times a day (10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.) Wednesday through Sunday. Each tour cruises a mile down the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Learn more here.
20. 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.
21. Immerse yourself in Asian media at Otakon
Fans of Asian media and pop culture can fully immerse themselves in the world at Otakon. Held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center July 28-30, Otakon is a family-friendly convention dedicated to anime, manga, video games, and more! Visitors can enter cosplay contests, watch live music and performances, engage in panels, and purchase art. Learn more here.
22. 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.
23. 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! Learn more here.
24. Cheer on the Washington Spirit
D.C.’s professional women’s soccer team the Washington Spirit only have one home match this month—and you don’t want to miss it! Head to Audi Field on Friday, July 28 to cheer them on as they face off against NJ/NY Gotham FC at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
25. Grab fresh foods and live music at the Capital Harvest Market
Every Wednesday through October, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson Plaza you can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and artisanal goods while taking in live music at the Capital Harvest Market or “Capital Harvest on the Plaza” (CHoP). The market aims “to foster a sense of community, stimulate economic development and improve quality of life by providing local and sustainably sourced foods and products” for the D.C. community! Learn more here.
26. 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.
27. Head to the waterfront and try some paddle sports
With the Potomac River in our backyard, paddle sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing are very popular in the DMV area. Since this summer is going to be a hot one, we have gathered places where you can give these sports a try and explore the Potomac River! Learn more here.
28. 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: The Best Anime Soundtracks from Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Miracle Theater
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce
29. Beat the heat with local ice cream
Temperatures are soaring and ice cream is still a tried and true way to beat the heat! Luckily, D.C. has a variety of local shops and chains to help you do so! Learn more here.
30. 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.
31. Go on a quick getaway
Summer is upon us, but there’s still time to plan a weekend escape or two to celebrate! From the sandy shores of Delaware to the stunning heights of Maryland, there are plenty of last-minute trips not too far from D.C. Learn more here.
32. 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, from the beloved chain Swingers to Tyson Corner’s Perch Putt, and from the classic East Potomac Mini Golf to the newly-opened Puttery, grab a drink and putt away!
33. Explore one of D.C.’s beautiful 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! Luckily, it’s also home to a number of breathtaking gardens where you can wander and do just that. Learn more here.