10 Things to Do in Washington DC in Summer

Summer arrives packed with lively festivals and plenty to see and do in Washington DC. It is at this time of year that the city feels at its most vibrant, so locals and visitors alike make the most of the pleasant weather to soak up the fun.

One of Washington’s most iconic summer celebrations is, without a doubt, the 4th of July festivities. US Independence Day is celebrated in style 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. Lovers of film, TV series and other geeky events have a celebration just for them.

This DC event aims not only to celebrate the 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 this Awesome Con is that it isn’t just designed for people who are already fans of comics and other mass-market materials and content. It also has an exhibition area specially dedicated to children.

Here, children 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 children in Washington, at least in the summer.

Every year, this event welcomes over 70,000 visitors, including both city residents and visitors from further afield, who come to see and learn a little more about the activities on offer.

You can also see a wonderful futuristic exhibition organised by Awesome Con in collaboration with the Smithsonian. Here, you can discover the creators’ perspective on the role of science and science fiction in today’s world and what the future holds.

To register and take part in the event, visit the official website, where you’ll find more information about the various 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 for admission to the event. To join the Awesome Con Club, you must pay between €400 and €1,000.
• Opening hours: Friday from 13:00 to 20:00. Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00. Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

The capital takes Pride very seriously, so for a few days the city becomes a hub for the LGBTQ+ community’s celebrations. Throughout the Pride celebrations, numerous events are planned, which I recommend you attend if you’re passing through Washington in the summer.

Among the events held to honour the LGBTQ+ community during Capital Pride , the following stand out:

• Pride Honors: To honour those who have dedicated their lives to defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the capital and across the country.
• Discussion panels: These types of events and forums are usually organised to share experiences and knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community.
• Opening Party: At the start of Pride Week, a party is held for those aged 18 and over, marking the official start of Pride season in Washington DC.
• Pride Block Party: This is usually an open-air party featuring numerous 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 chance to enjoy alcoholic drinks if you’re over 21.
• Pride Parade: This is one of the most famous events of the whole Pride week in Washington; it is the parade where the whole community takes part, dressed in their finest 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 has taken part 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 a variety of Pride exhibitions, as well as take part in a range of entertainment activities. It’s a spectacle well worth attending and enjoying.
• Pride Concert: To round off the Pride celebrations in Washington in style, a concert is organised where you can enjoy performances by various artists who liven up the festivities.

Traveller Tip

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

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

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

The organisers of this annual festival aim to work together with communities in the United States and around the world to better understand and learn about their ways of life on an economic, social and cultural level.

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 up-to-date information on the programmes 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 shop.

This festival usually takes place during the last few weeks of June and the first week of July, with the closing day falling on 4 July.

Practical information

• Location: Between Constitution and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20050.
• Price: Free entry.
• Opening hours: From 11:00 to 17:00, with special events starting at 18:00.

More than just a show, festival or event, this is a battle between 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 event. It’s a festival you simply can’t miss if you’re a food lover, and especially a barbecue lover.

At the Barbecue Festival, you’ll have the chance to watch experts in the field cook their finest meat dishes and sample the flavours for yourself.

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

The barbecue festival is another great activity to enjoy if you’re visiting Washington with children, as there are plenty of activities on offer for the little ones. Another interesting feature you’ll discover as you explore the festival is the range of interactive exhibitions where you can chat with the chefs about their cooking techniques and share tips.

Practical information

• Location: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20001.
• Price: From €15 to €150.
• Opening hours: From 11:00 to 19:00.

Traveller Tip

I recommend you go to the festival on an empty stomach, as you’re sure to find plenty of places to eat. This festival isn’t suitable for vegans.

Every 4th of July , the United States celebrates Independence Day. Naturally, the biggest celebrations take place in the nation’s capital itself. This is why watching the 4th of July fireworks has become a must-do summer activity.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy this spectacle, from watching them from the ground to heading to the highest point in the city and viewing them from above.

If you want to enjoy the 4th of July celebrations all day long, you can do so by attending the concert organised annually to celebrate Independence Day.

You can also head to Constitution Avenue to watch the magical and colourful spectacle organised along this major Washington avenue. The parade is one of the most fun activities you can enjoy during the day.

Places from which to enjoy the fireworks

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

• National Mall: The Mall is one of the locals’ favourite spots for watching the 4th of July fireworks. That’s where you’ll find the biggest crowds.
• Cruise on the Potomac: I don’t think there’s a better place to watch the 4th of July fireworks than on a cruise along the Potomac. You can set sail with the whole family and enjoy the show in a special way.
• Mount Vernon Trail: As well as being an interesting walk, you’ll have some beautiful views from the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
• US Supreme Court Plaza: This is one of the locals’ favourite 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: A great spot to watch the fireworks display, particularly on the terraces, where you can even have a picnic whilst waiting for the sky to light up with colourful pyrotechnics.
• The Wharf: An evening at the wharf accompanied by a fireworks display in the sky is definitely the perfect way to enjoy the 4th of July celebrations.

Every summer since 2006, Washington DC has opened its doors to the city’s most special theatre festival. This is the Capital Fringe Festival, which showcases the talent of a host of artists who take to the stage to offer the public high-quality, entertaining and captivating performances.

Generally, the festival takes place in various theatres and venues across Washington, 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 chance 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 relate to the world around them.

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

Practical information

• Location: Various theatres and venues across the city.
• Price: From €20 for single tickets, up to €500 for passes to all shows.
• Timetable: Performances run from morning until night, depending on the annual programme.

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

This event takes place over a weekend in July and to attend you can queue at the entrance or visit the event’s official website and register to take part in the exhibition.

Year after year, the schedule changes, as do the number and type of exhibitions you can enjoy. It’s a great place to test your knowledge of Asian culture, as well as to have the time of your life by letting your creativity run wild from the moment the exhibition begins.

Practical information

• Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Centre. 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington, DC 20001.
• Price: Adults from €55 for a single-day ticket. Children aged 8 and under enter free of charge. Children aged 8 to 12 pay €50.
• Opening hours: All day, with accommodation available.

This is a celebration that takes place twice a year, in winter and summer. In this case, I’ll be telling 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 DC in winter too.

Returning to Restaurant Week in Washington in the summer, you should know that it is a top-class dining experience and that you’ll love it 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 the many participating restaurants. On the official Restaurant Week website, you can view a detailed list of the restaurants taking part in each edition.

Practical information

• Location: Varies according to the list of participating restaurants.
• Price: Brunch and lunch from €22. Dinners between €35 and €55.
• Opening hours: All day, depending on each restaurant’s opening hours.

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

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

Practical information

• Location: 515 M Street SE, Ste. 102-B, Washington, DC 20003
• Price: General admission is free. Other ticket prices start from €59.
• Opening hours: From 2 pm to 10 pm.

If there’s one activity you shouldn’t miss in 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 the life of this US president.

Lasting approximately 5 to 8 hours, the full-day tour aims to take you on a complete experience from Washington DC to Mount Vernon, with attractions ranging from the museum to the tomb where George Washington and Martha Washington are buried.

You’ll love seeing what period costumes looked like, and you’ll also gain an 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 trip, as the temperatures make for a more pleasant and relaxed outing.

Useful information

• Price: From €64 per person.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours, including the journey from Washington DC to the tour at Mount Vernon.
• Transport: Coach with capacity for approximately 20 to 25 people.
• Advantages of this option: It is accessible to wheelchair users. Assistance animals are permitted. Pushchairs can be brought along. The tour is also available in Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: You must be of average physical fitness to complete the full tour. The trip may be cancelled in the event of bad weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached.