Summer Event Series in DC

ByValerie Moore Updated onJuly 1, 2025

A person captures a captivating light display with a smartphone at a futuristic exhibit.

Photo by Nima Farahani

Summer in DC is my favorite season (yes, despite the heat and humidity). While many museum happy hour series happen during the fall and spring, there are a ton of fun things to do in DC that are only happening during the summer.

These are things that happen consistently, but I can’t include in my weekly newsletter due to space.

🎭 Enjoy movies in a rooftop pool at Hotel Zena! Think sunsets, popcorn, cocktail, and a floater – every Wednesday 6/18-9/10. $31.
🤝 It’s time to do all those local summer fun you talk about. Check your #DCSummerBucketList, earn points, compete on the leaderboard, and win prizes! Now until Sunday 8/17. Free.
🕺 Free live shows for your Wednesday nights at The Wharf! Soul, R&B, 2000s throwbacks, and 90s pop tonight 6/18 until 8/27. Free.
🕺 Witness a whole visual show by The Old Guard and Army Band as they celebrate the Army’s 250th. Wednesdays 6/18 until 7/30. Free and open to the public!
🎭 Summer flicks at Downtown DC are back running! Come by Franklin Park for free Thursday movies until 10 PM. Thursday 6/19 to 6/26. Free.
🕺 Enjoy free summer concert nights happening rain or shine! BYO folding chair. Thursday 6/19-8/21. Free.
📜 Still love streetcars? See the launching of a new streetcar S.T.E.A.M series at the Trolley Museum every Friday 6/20-8/29.
🤸 A free outdoor yoga session at sunset. BYO mat! Wednesday evenings in 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, and 7/30. Free.
🎭 Summer nights are the best, and let’s make the most of them with free summer flicks on the lawn! Perfect for a cute date night with friends. Every Thursday, 7/10-8/7. Free.
🎵 Enjoy jazz (and sangria) in the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden each Friday. Jazz in the Garden tickets are only available via lottery. Fridays through 7/11. Free.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Enjoy more summer nights with the latest carnival-style after-hours pool parties in different neighborhood pools. Saturday 7/12-7/26. Free RSVP.
🍽️ FONA is bringing in food trucks to the Arboretum on select Fridays, and they have a lineup coming all season long. Runs until 8/29.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 If you’re loving hiking & icecreams because of the heat lately, Maryland’s 13th annual Ice Cream Trail lets you stroll, scan your ice cream, and win a $50 gift card when you complete the trail by Monday 9/1.

Extended Summer Hours

🌲 You asked, and National Arboretum listened! Their opening hours has been extendeduntil 8PM all summer! Some exclusions apply. Now through Saturday 8/30.
🌲 You can now enjoy sunset walks, lotus blooms, nature art, and wellness sessions at Kenilworth Gardens after 5, until 8PM! Until Sunday 9/7. Free.
🖼️ Celebrate summer the Smithsonian way with more after-hours access, because now the Museum of the American Indian stays open until 10 PM. Saturday 6/21. Free.

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Valerie Moore

Having lived in Washington, DC for the past 17 years, Valerie has a lot of thoughts about the best things to do, eat, and know around the city. She loves doing deep dives into the interesting things she finds, and sharing with the world. You'll often find her dog, Lil Mikey, along for the ride.

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Extended Summer Hours

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