Everything Fun You Can Do in DC This Weekend
© The Yards DC
Who says you need to go out of town to have some fun? It’s officially summer in DC thanks to this week’s solstice, and that means day-long cultural festivals, outdoor movie screenings, and late nights at the museum. There’s so much to do in the district now that the sun’s out. So whether you want to spend some much needed quality time with your puppy or sip beer from across the country, we’ve got details on all this and more in our list of all the fun things to do in DC this weekend.
Visit the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Friday, June 24 – Sunday, June 26National Mall
Head over to the National Mall for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, an international exhibition of modern cultural heritage from around the world. A variety of activities make up the festivities, so you can attend sessions on origami making, coffee tasting, poetry writing, and so much more. Check out the full schedule on the festival's website to plan your day accordingly.
Cost: Free
Have ‘The Office’ Experience
Friday, June 24 – Sunday, June 26Downtown
When will you have the chance to experience one of your favorite shows in real life? Well, you can this weekend. The world of The Office is in DC, complete with 17 distinct areas inspired by the hit TV show. Visit Scranton Business Park, sit at Michael’s desk, recreate Beach Day, and before heading out, take a piece of Dunder Mifflin home from the exhibit’s retail store.
Cost: $39.75-$69.50
Have a night out with your pup
Friday, June 24 – Saturday, June 25The Sandlot
Grab your puppy and head over to The Sandlot in Tysons for Yappy Hour. You’ll enjoy after-work drinks while your dog saddles up to the treat-filled bone bar. Beyond mingling with other dogs and their parents, you can jam out to a live DJ, snap some Instagram-worthy photos of you and your furry companion, and pick up some free dog swag. Come back the next day for a beginner’s dog training session with a local trainer complete with coffee and treats.
Cost: $0-$10
Sip craft beer from across the country
Friday, June 24Southwest
All beer lovers, report to The Anthem. Savor, an American craft beer and food festival, is taking over the space this weekend. Enjoy beer from more than 110 small and independent craft breweries representing 36 states and, of course, DC. Beyond the brews, there’s a pairing menu that offers small bites to go with each sample, and the dishes feature mostly organic ingredients from local producers.
Cost: $144+
See an outdoor movie screening
Friday, June 24Arlington, Virginia
Bring your lawn chair and a blanket to Gateway Park for an outdoor screening of National Treasure. The event is part of Rosslyn’s month-long outdoor movie screening series, where you can buy beer, wine, and snacks from local food trucks before the movie begins at sundown.
Cost: Free
Stay late at a Smithsonian museum
Saturday, June 25Downtown
For your very own Night at the Museum experience, head to the National Mall for Smithsonian Solstice Saturday. Each year to celebrate the first Saturday of the summer, participating museums host parties, programs, and performances. This year, you can hang out at several Smithsonian museums until midnight, including the Smithsonian Castle and Haupt Garden, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of Asian Art, and National Museum of Natural History.
Cost: Free
Visit a curated street market
Saturday, June 25LeDroit Park
With a new weekend comes a new outdoor market. Visit Streetmarket, an annual event hosted by the Howard Theatre and Streetsense to celebrate DC’s art and culture. Get homemade ice cream and ice cream cones from Happy Ice Cream; buy candles, incense and diffusers by Smell of Love Candles; enjoy luxury bath essentials from Best Life Organics; and more.
Cost: Free
Sip rosé on the waterfront
Saturday, June 25The Yards Park
To kick off the official start of summer, unwind with rosé at The Yards Park. As part of the Rosé All Day event, you can listen to live music, adorn your head with a flower crown, play around with sequin face art, and capture it all in one of the photo booths. Each ticket includes a drink from participating retailers like Due South, Osteria Morini, and Maxwell Park.
Cost: $15
Support LGBTQ makers
Sunday, June 26Alexandria, Virginia
Wrap up Pride Month at a celebration featuring more than 15 local LGBTQ and allied makers. The second annual Growing Pride at The Garden event will feature food from vendors like Bradshaw Sauce Co. 's small batch hot sauce and The Clover & Maple’s handcrafted wooden goods, among others. After shopping, enjoy food trucks, live music, and arts and crafts for kids. The event is free but donations are encouraged to support Safe Space NOVA, an advocacy and support organization for LGBTQ youth.
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Oyin Adedoyin is a Baltimore-area freelance journalist with previous experience at The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and The Baltimore Sun. On the off chance that she’s not writing, you can probably find her nose buried in a good book or learning new songs on the ukulele. Follow her on Twitter @Oyin_Adedoyin_.