60 upcoming events near Washington — concerts, theater, markets, library programs and more. Free to browse; each links to the source.
Lifelong learning
June 5, 2026
12 to 1:30 p.m.
Smithsonian Associates (online) · Washington, DC
Smithsonian Associates (online)
You can join an art historian to explore the power and place of the Medici villas in this lecture.
Theater & film
June 5 to 7, 2026
Dupont Underground (Woolly Mammoth) · Washington, DC
Dupont Underground (Woolly Mammoth)
You can see Woolly Mammoth actor Justin Weaks weave poetry, music and storytelling inspired by the Voyager Golden Records sent into space.
Music & concerts
June 5, 2026
7 to 9:30 p.m.
National Museum of American History · Washington, DC
National Museum of American History
You can hear the Smithsonian's resident jazz orchestra perform a patriotic program at the American History museum.
Community & civic
June 6 to 7, 2026
Dupont Circle and Kalorama · Washington, DC
Dupont Circle and Kalorama
You can tour Anderson House, Dupont Underground and several neighborhood museums free over one weekend.
Classes & arts
June 6 to December 6, 2026
National Gallery of Art · Washington, DC
National Gallery of Art
You can see how artists like Jasper Johns, Gordon Parks and Faith Ringgold interpreted the Stars and Stripes across two centuries.
Classes & arts
Opens June 6, 2026
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens · Washington, DC
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
You can view Marjorie Merriweather Post's extensive textile collection plus works by contemporary fiber artists at this Northwest DC estate.
Music & concerts
June 6, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Lost Generation Brewing Company · Washington, DC
Lost Generation Brewing Company
You can hear a live jazz trio over drinks at this Northeast DC brewery on a Saturday evening.
Theater & film
June 6 to July 12, 2026
Keegan Theatre, Dupont Circle · Washington, DC
Keegan Theatre, Dupont Circle
You can laugh through the slapstick disaster of this farce at the Keegan Theatre.
Theater & film
June 9 to July 12, 2026
Folger Theatre · Washington, DC
Folger Theatre
You can see this play at the recently renovated Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill.
Tastings
June 10, 2026
Evening
The Chocolate House, Washington DC · Washington, DC
The Chocolate House, Washington DC
You can pair Spanish wines with artisan chocolates and truffles at this guided evening tasting.
Theater & film
June 11 to 14, 2026
Various DC venues including MLK Library and National Archives · Washington, DC
Various DC venues including MLK Library and National Archives
You can watch more than sixty documentaries and shorts with talkbacks from the filmmakers across four days at theaters around the city.
Theater & film
June 12 to August 9, 2026
Arena Stage, Southwest DC · Washington, DC
Arena Stage, Southwest DC
You can relive the music of the 90s supergroup TLC in this new musical at Arena Stage.
Lifelong learning
June 12, 2026
Politics and Prose (Connecticut Avenue) · Washington, DC
Politics and Prose (Connecticut Avenue)
You can hear the author of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk discuss his satirical new novel set in Washington.
Markets
June 12, 2026
8 a.m.
Eastern Market · Washington, DC
Eastern Market
You can shop handmade art and crafts from local makers at this popular fair held at Eastern Market.
Music & concerts
June 13 to 14, 2026
MGM National Harbor · Washington, DC
MGM National Harbor
You can hear the veteran Philly neo-soul singer perform behind her first album in years over a two-night stand.
Dance & fitness
June 14, 2026
2:45 to 6 p.m.
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park · Washington, DC
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park
You can take a waltz lesson and then dance the afternoon away in the historic Spanish Ballroom.
Lifelong learning
June 16 to September 7, 2026
Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building · Washington, DC
Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
You can explore this free democracy exhibit in the Arts and Industries Building, reopening for a limited time.
Theater & film
June 16 to 28, 2026
The National Theatre · Washington, DC
The National Theatre
You can see the Tony-winning suffragist musical on its tour stop at the National Theatre downtown.
Outdoors & nature
June 17 to 22, 2026
The Wharf · Washington, DC
The Wharf
You can greet the amateur sailors racing around the world as their fleet arrives free at The Wharf.
Theater & film
June 18 to 19, 2026
Warner Theatre, Downtown · Washington, DC
Warner Theatre, Downtown
You can catch the snarky comic's My First Farewell Tour at the historic Warner Theatre.
Outdoors & nature
June 19 to 21, 2026
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
U.S. National Arboretum · Washington, DC
U.S. National Arboretum
You can view the delicate art of kusamono accent plantings during a free weekend exhibit at the Arboretum.
Community & civic
June 19, 2026
Late-night hours
Smithsonian museums and Zoo · Washington, DC
Smithsonian museums and Zoo
You can enjoy an expanded three-day version of the summer solstice event with late-night hours and special programs.
Community & civic
June 19 to 20, 2026
After hours
Multiple Smithsonian museums · Washington, DC
Multiple Smithsonian museums
You can ring in the first day of summer with free after-hours jazz, curator talks and crafts across several Smithsonian museums.
Community & civic
June 19, 2026
National Museum of African American History and Culture · Washington, DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture
You can join a free Juneteenth celebration honoring activist Opal Lee, though registration is required.
Music & concerts
Parade June 20, 2026, Festival June 21
Parade 3 p.m.
Washington, DC
Capital Pride brings a big, joyful parade through the city followed by a street festival and concert the next day. The route and the festival fill several blocks downtown with music and color.
Lifelong learning
Most evenings through June 2026
Usually 7 p.m.
Politics and Prose, Connecticut Avenue and other locations · Washington, DC
Politics and Prose, Connecticut Avenue and other locations
You can attend free author talks and discussions nearly every night at this beloved independent bookstore.
Music & concerts
June 20, 2026
Georgetown · Washington, DC
Georgetown
You can roam Georgetown for free live acts and concerts staged across the neighborhood for this French music-day tradition.
Community & civic
June 20, 2026
Downtown DC · Washington, DC
Downtown DC
You can watch exhibitors and performers parade through downtown during this free flagship Pride event.
Music & concerts
June 20, 2026
Takoma Park · Washington, DC
Takoma Park
You can hear free jazz, soul, go-go and funk at this outdoor music festival in Takoma Park.
Classes & arts
June 20, 2026
2 p.m.
Atlas Brew Works, Bridge District · Washington, DC
Atlas Brew Works, Bridge District
You can sculpt your own plant pot or vase in a hands-on workshop paired with a brewery taproom.
Outdoors & nature
June 20, 2026
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
U.S. National Arboretum · Washington, DC
U.S. National Arboretum
You can watch a master demonstrate the Japanese art of kusamono in this lecture and demonstration.
Music & concerts
June 25, 2026
Wolf Trap, Filene Center · Washington, DC
Wolf Trap, Filene Center
You can hear the art-rock musician backed by the full National Symphony Orchestra in lush orchestral arrangements at this outdoor amphitheater.
Lifelong learning
Opening June 26, 2026
National Geographic headquarters, Downtown DC · Washington, DC
National Geographic headquarters, Downtown DC
You can explore the reimagined National Geographic museum with immersive exhibits showcasing its legacy of photography and exploration.
Tastings
June 27, 2026
Washington DC · Washington, DC
Washington DC
You can sample a flight of Spanish wines poured alongside the winemaker at this summer tasting.
Food festivals
June 27 to 28, 2026
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Penn Quarter · Washington, DC
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Penn Quarter
You can sample more than one hundred free bites from top pit-masters and hear live music across multiple stages at DC's biggest barbecue street party.
Community & civic
July 2 to 7, 2026
Washington, DC
A free outdoor festival on the National Mall with music, crafts, cooking demos, and traditions from around the country and world. It overlaps the July 4th holiday and is built for wandering at your own pace.
Music & concerts
July 4, 2026
All day, fireworks after dark
Washington, DC
Independence Day on the Mall always means a concert and fireworks, and 2026 marks the nation's 250th birthday with a full-day festival and a fireworks show billed as the largest ever. Plan for big crowds and early arrival.
Community & civic
July 4, 2026
Evening
National Mall · Washington, DC
National Mall
You can watch the Independence Day fireworks over the monuments from many free vantage points around the city.
Classes & arts
Opens early July 2026 (July 3 to August 30)
National Building Museum · Washington, DC
National Building Museum
You can walk through the National Building Museum's big interactive summer installation that brings outdoor infrastructure indoors.
Theater & film
Through July 26, 2026
Signature Theatre, Arlington · Washington, DC
Signature Theatre, Arlington
You can see the classic Stephen Schwartz musical Pippin at Signature Theatre.
Markets
August 3 to 8, 2026
The National Mall · Washington, DC
The National Mall
You can shop a week-long national farmers market on the Mall featuring growers and makers from across the country.
Food festivals
August 9 to 15, 2026
Restaurants across DC · Washington, DC
Restaurants across DC
You can book prix-fixe lunches and dinners at hundreds of DC restaurants during the biannual Restaurant Week.
Lifelong learning
August 22, 2026
Walter E. Washington Convention Center · Washington, DC
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
You can hear authors speak and answer questions all day at the Library of Congress's free celebration of books, marking its 25th anniversary.
Music & concerts
September 2 to 6, 2026
The Wharf and venues citywide · Washington, DC
The Wharf and venues citywide
You can hear national and local jazz artists across the city, with some free performances and a stacked headliner lineup.
Music & concerts
September 2 to 6, 2026
Times vary
Washington, DC
Over Labor Day weekend the city's jazz festival lands much of its lineup at The Wharf, with national names and local players by the water. It is a fine excuse to spend the long weekend down on the Potomac.
Community & civic
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Noon to 6 p.m.
Washington, DC
The longest-running neighborhood festival in DC takes over 18th Street NW with music, food, and crafts. It is walkable, friendly, and easy to drop into for an hour or the whole afternoon.
Dance & fitness
Monthly, Sundays, 2026
Intro lesson 2:30 p.m., dance 3 to 6 p.m.
Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo Park · Washington, DC
Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo Park
You can join a monthly afternoon contra dance with a beginner lesson up front, live band and caller, for fifteen dollars at the door.
Music & concerts
Fridays, May 22 to August 14, 2026 (no concert June 5 or July 3)
6 p.m., gates open 5 p.m.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden · Washington, DC
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
You can catch free live jazz, soul, blues and brass in the Sculpture Garden every Friday evening all summer, with informal dance lessons on select nights and passes given out by free lottery.
Senior programs
2nd Wednesday of each month through September 9, 2026
2 p.m.
DC Public Library branches · Washington, DC
DC Public Library branches
You can drop in for a free cup of coffee and a casual conversation circle with library staff and neighbors once a month.
Dance & fitness
Wednesday, July 2, 2026 (recurring senior session)
Morning
Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW · Washington, DC
Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW
If you are 65 or over, this free beginner-friendly morning of low-impact line dancing set to music is open to all levels with no experience needed.
Music & concerts
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Noon to 7 p.m.
Washington, DC
H Street NE shuts down to traffic for a day of live music, food, and vendors across many stages and blocks. It is a lively, neighborhood-wide street party that draws thousands.
Lifelong learning
June 1 to 26, 2026 (weekly)
Daytime
OLLI at American University · Washington, DC
OLLI at American University
If you are 50 or over, you can take short four-week study groups that meet once a week on everything from history to the arts through this lifelong-learning institute.
Community & civic
Summer 2026 (3 days)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center · Washington, DC
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
You can browse an art marketplace and people-watch the cosplay crowds at this large anime convention downtown.
Dance & fitness
Fridays, 2026
Evening
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park · Washington, DC
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park
You can contra dance in the historic Spanish Ballroom every Friday, all ages welcome, for a five dollar minimum donation.
Markets
Sundays, year-round
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
20th Street NW near Dupont Circle · Washington, DC
20th Street NW near Dupont Circle
You can shop DC's flagship Sunday farmers market in the heart of Dupont Circle for local produce, meats, breads and flowers.
Music & concerts
Friday nights, Memorial Day through Labor Day 2026
7 p.m.
Transit Pier, The Wharf · Washington, DC
Transit Pier, The Wharf
You can hear free R&B, rock, go-go and country bands on the floating stage at The Wharf on Friday nights all summer long.
Music & concerts
Wednesdays through Saturdays, ongoing 2026
6 p.m.
Kennedy Center Grand Foyer · Washington, DC
Kennedy Center Grand Foyer
You can see a free concert at the Kennedy Center four nights a week, from chamber players to the NSO Summer Music Institute musicians, no ticket cost.
Classes & arts
Tuesdays, June 30 to August 4, 2026 (6 sessions)
Smithsonian Associates · Washington, DC
Smithsonian Associates
You can keep building your watercolor skills in a six-week studio course for adults.
Outdoors & nature
Periodic full-moon evenings, 2026
U.S. National Arboretum · Washington, DC
U.S. National Arboretum
You can slow down and connect with nature on a guided full-moon forest bathing walk hosted periodically through the year.
Food festivals
June 25 to July 10, 2026 (daily)
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The National Mall · Washington, DC
The National Mall
You can wander a sixteen-day coast-to-coast state fair on the National Mall, with food, music and exhibits marking America's 250th.
