10 Things to Do in Washington DC in Summer

Summer arrives packed with lively festivals and plenty to see and do in Washington, D.C This is the time of year when the city feels its most vibrant, so locals and visitors alike take advantage of the pleasant weather to soak up the fun.

One of Washington , D C.’s most iconic summer celebrations is, without a doubt, the Fourth of July festivities. U.S. Independence Day is celebrated in a big way in the capital. If you’re passing through during the summer, you can’t miss these ten must-sees.

This is a three-day event celebrating geek culture. Fans of film, TV shows, and other geeky content have a celebration just for them.

This DC event aims not only to celebrate fans but also to attract curious visitors who want to be part of the exhibition and celebrate alongside the participants.

One of the most interesting things about Awesome Con is that it’s not just designed for people who are already fans of comics and other mass-market materials and content. It also features an exhibition area specifically dedicated to children.

Here, kids can learn a little more about geek culture. It’s definitely an activity I’d include on my list of things to see and do with kids in Washington, at least during the summer.

This event attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year, including both city residents and out-of-towners who come to see and learn a little more about the activities taking place.

Additionally, you can also see a wonderful futuristic exhibition organized by Awesome Con in collaboration with the Smithsonian. In this area, you’ll be able to see the creators’ perspective on the role that science and science fiction play in today’s world and what the future holds for them.

To sign up and be part of the event, visit the official website, where you’ll find more information about the different exhibitions and what to expect from the event.

Practical Information

• Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, DC 20001.
• Price: Prices range from 45 to 90 euros for admission to the event. To join the Awesome Con Club, you must pay between 400 and 1,000 euros.
• Hours: Fridays from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The capital takes Pride very seriously, so for a few days the city becomes a hub for the LGBTQ+ community’s celebration. Throughout Pride, numerous events are scheduled, and I highly recommend attending them if you’re passing through Washington in the summer.

Among the events held to honor the LGBTQ+ community during Capital Pride are:

• Pride Honors: To honor those who have dedicated their lives to defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the nation’s capital and across the country.
• Discussion Groups: These types of events and forums are generally organized to share experiences and knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community.
• Opening Party: At the start of Pride Days, a party is held exclusively for those 18 and older, marking the official kickoff of Pride season in Washington, D.C.
• Pride Block Party: This is typically an outdoor party featuring food trucks and other attractions where you can enjoy all the magic of the queer community and Pride at its finest. At this party, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy alcoholic beverages if you’re 21 or older.
• Pride Parade: This is one of the most well-known events of the entire Pride week in Washington; it’s the parade where the entire community participates and wears their best outfits to show society that they exist and are celebrating their moment.
• Saturday Pride Party: This party usually takes place on the last Saturday of Pride and aims to create a celebratory atmosphere for everyone who participated in the day’s events.
• Pride Festival: It’s a festival within the festival. On this day, when the Pride Festival is celebrated, you’ll be able to see multiple Pride exhibitions, as well as take part in a variety of entertainment activities. It’s a spectacle worth attending and enjoying.
• Pride Concert: To bring the Pride celebration in Washington to a spectacular close, a concert is organized where you can enjoy different artists who liven up the festivities.

Traveler Tip

There are events you won’t be able to attend with children, so I recommend keeping this in mind when making your plans.

This festival aims to highlight the nation’s culture and folklore, as well as showcase the traditions and cultures of other countries that have close ties to Washington and the United States in general.

The festival was founded in 1967 and has since been dedicated to celebrating the culture and folklore that connect the United States with other countries.

The mission of the organizers of this annual festival is to work together with communities in the United States and around the world to better understand and learn about their ways of life on economic, social, and cultural levels.

If you want to enjoy a unique experience and learn much more about American society and other parts of the world, then this is the event you must attend.

To find out everything the festival has to offer, I invite you to visit its website, where they always post updated information about the programs available each year. You can also find out on their website how to get into the festival and how to shop at the festival’s souvenir store.

This festival generally takes place during the last weeks of June and the first week of July, with its closing ceremony coinciding with July 4th.

Practical Information

• Location: Between Constitution and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20050.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with special events starting at 6:00 PM.

More than just a show, festival, or event, this is a battle among barbecue lovers vying for the title of National Barbecue Champion.

This event usually takes place in mid-June and is considered the city’s most important food and music festival. It’s a must-attend festival if you love food—and especially barbecue.

At the Barbecue Festival, you’ll have the chance to watch experts in the field cook their best meat dishes and sample the flavors.

This two-day event offers the opportunity not only to taste the best food and barbecue but also to sample wines and beers from Washington and around the world.

The barbecue festival is another great activity to enjoy if you’re visiting Washington with children, as it offers plenty of activities for the little ones. Another highlight you’ll discover while exploring the festival is the array of interactive exhibits where you can chat with chefs about their cooking techniques and exchange tips.

Practical Information

• Location: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20001.
• Price: From 15 to 150 euros.
• Hours: From 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Traveller Tip

I recommend going to the festival on an empty stomach, because you’re sure to find plenty of food options. This festival is not vegan-friendly.

Every July 4th , the United States celebrates Independence Day. Of course, the place with the biggest celebrations is the nation’s capital itself. That’s why watching the July 4th fireworks has become a must-do summer activity.

To enjoy this spectacle, you have many options , from watching them from the ground to climbing to the highest point in the city and viewing them from above.

If you want to enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations all day long, you can do so by attending the annual concert held to celebrate Independence Day.

You can also head to Constitution Avenue to watch the magical and colorful parade that takes place along this major Washington avenue. The parade is one of the most fun activities you can do during the day.

Places where you can enjoy the fireworks

On the night of July 4, the sky lights up with a truly beautiful fireworks display. In addition to the 10 best views in Washington, D.C, here are other spots in the city from which you can admire the fireworks:

• National Mall: The Mall is one of the locals’ favorite spots to watch the Fourth of July fireworks. That’s where you’ll find the largest crowd.
• Cruise on the Potomac: I don’t think there’s a better place to watch the Fourth of July fireworks than on a cruise along the Potomac. You can board one with your whole family and enjoy the show in a special way.
• Mount Vernon Trail: In addition to being an interesting walk, you’ll have beautiful views from the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
• U.S. Supreme Court Plaza: This is one of the locals’ favorite spots. The plaza is large enough for you to enjoy the show from there.
• Hains Point in East Potomac: This is a public park located near the Potomac River, offering spectacular views of the Potomac and the Anacostia.
• Washington National Cathedral: This is a great spot to watch the fireworks display, especially from the terraces, where you can even have a picnic while waiting for the sky to light up with colorful pyrotechnics.
• The Wharf: An evening at the pier accompanied by a fireworks display in the sky is definitely the perfect way to enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations.

Every summer since 2006, Washington, D.C., has opened its doors to the city’s most unique theater festival. This is the Capital Fringe Festival, where the talent of countless artists shines on stage as they take the spotlight to offer audiences high-quality, entertaining, and captivating performances.

Generally, the festival takes place in various theaters and venues throughout Washington, D.C., presenting around 90 shows over several weeks.

The sheer number of participating artists on stage is what makes this a show you won’t want to miss. Among the genres you can enjoy during the festival are comedy, drama, and thrillers. You’ll also have the opportunity to see musicals with impeccable staging.

Some of the themes explored in the various theatrical productions relate to people’s relationship with their own bodies and how they interact with the world around them.

Although the central theme changes year after year, the essence of conveying a positive message to society and the general public is always present.

Practical Information

• Location: Various theaters and venues throughout the city.
• Price: From 20 euros for single tickets to 500 euros for passes to all shows.
• Schedule: Performances take place from morning until night, depending on the annual program.

This is one of the most interesting summer festivals in Washington, D.C. If you love Asian culture—including manga, anime, video games, and other elements of its pop culture—then this convention is for you.

This event takes place over a weekend in July. To attend, you can line up at the entrance or visit the event’s official website to register for the convention.

The schedule changes every year, as do the number and types of exhibits you can enjoy. It’s a great place to test your knowledge of Asian culture and have a blast letting your creativity run wild from the moment the convention begins.

Practical Information

• Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington, DC 20001.
• Price: Adults start at 55 euros for a single-day ticket. Children 8 and under get in free. Children ages 8–12 pay 50 euros.
• Hours: All day, with overnight accommodations available.

This is a celebration that takes place twice a year, in winter and summer. In this case, I’ll tell you about the summer version of this culinary spectacle. Although, if you’re a lover of restaurants and good food, you’re sure to love adding this event to your list of things to do in Washington, D.C. in winter as well.

Getting back to Restaurant Week in Washington during the summer, you should know that it’s a top-notch dining experience that you’ll love not only for the variety of dishes you can try but also for its affordable prices.

This summer Restaurant Week offers a varied menu for lunch, dinner, and brunch with exquisite combinations that will inevitably have you coming back for more.

In the summer edition, you can help select the best dishes from among the participating restaurants. On the official Restaurant Week website, you’ll find a detailed list of the restaurants participating in each edition.

Practical Information

• Location: Varies depending on the list of participating restaurants.
• Price: Brunch and lunch starting at 22 euros. Dinner between 35 and 55 euros.
• Hours: All day, depending on each restaurant’s schedule.

The DC Jazz Festival is not just a few days of celebrating jazz culture in the nation’s capital; it’s also an organization dedicated to providing year-round music education to those interested in jazz.

As for the Jazz Festival itself, it takes place during the last weeks of August and the first weeks of September. If you’re in Washington, D.C., during the summer months, this is an excellent option to enjoy some great music and to inspire you to learn a little more about American musical culture.

Practical Information

• Location: 515 M St. SE, Ste. 102-B, Washington, DC 20003
• Price: General admission is free. Other ticket prices start at 59 euros.
• Hours: From 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

If there’s one activity you can’t miss in the summer—especially given the pleasant weather and temperatures—it’s a trip to Mount Vernon.

On the guided tour, you’ll have the chance to visit George Washington’s estate and learn about what life was like for this U.S. president.

Lasting approximately 5 to 8 hours, the full-day tour aims to provide a complete experience from Washington, D.C., to Mount Vernon, featuring attractions ranging from the museum to the tomb where George Washington and Martha Washington are buried.

You’ll love seeing the period costumes, and you’ll also gain insight into the era of slavery in the United States by visiting an authentic slave quarters.

The tour is entirely historical and cultural, and summer is definitely the best time of year to take this excursion, as the temperatures make for a more pleasant and relaxing outing.

Useful Information

• Price: Starting at 64 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours, including the trip from Washington, D.C., to the tour at Mount Vernon.
• Transportation: Bus with a capacity for approximately 20 to 25 people.
• Advantages of this option: It is wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed. Strollers are permitted. The tour is also available in Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: You must be in average physical condition to complete the entire tour. The trip may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of participants is not met.