Summer is in full swing and there are a lot of family-friendly events going on in the DC area sure to entertain and enlighten! If you want to enjoy the warm weather, outdoor options this month include lots of music, river tours, checking out awe-inspiring aquatic blooms, and more. There are also many options for 4th of July Festivities!
However you choose to spend your time on these long summer days, we hope that you have tons of fun making sunny memories with your family. Find more ways to enjoy the summer with our Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun and our Indoor Play Guide.
PUTT in the Park
Now through July 12
CityCenterDC
Washington, DC
If you are looking for a FREE, family-friendly outdoor activity, head to CityCenterDC before July 12th to try your hand at Putt-Putt. A six-hole mini golf course has been installed and it is open to the public seven days a week from 11am until 7pm (8pm Friday through Sunday).
Lubber Run Summer Concert Series
Now through August 2
Lubber Run Amphitheater
Arlington, VA
This FREE concert series will bring a wide variety of musical entertainment to Arlington this summer. Shows are scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 11am. The Sunday morning shows are family-friendly events geared toward children.
Pete the Cat
Now through August 2
Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
The super popular Pete the Cat book series has been brought to life in this raucous, globe-trotting musical. Audiences will be entertained as Pete takes Jimmy Biddle, who is nervous about finishing 2nd grade, to Paris in his VW bus. Check out the show’s website for information about special performances, including a Sensory Friendly production and a couple that will offer ASL Interpretation. This production, best for kids aged 4 to 10, lasts 55 minutes.
Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods
Now through August 16
Wolf Trap National Park
Vienna, VA
Each summer, Wolf Trap National Park hosts programming for kids at its Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods. Attendees can expect a wide variety of performers throughout the summer, including dance, music, puppetry, and storytelling. The family-friendly performances are about an hour long and recommended for kids age 4 and over. Check out the website for the event schedule and to get tickets.
Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler
Now through August 23
Adventure Theater
Glen Echo, MD
Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler is the reimagined tale of Sleeping Beauty. It involves time travel, an epic journey, magic, and the power of friendship. Tickets are available online. Make sure you check out the post-show Sleeping Beauty Birthday Parties you can book!
Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience
July 1 – 14
Union Station
Washington, DC
If someone in your family loves cars and trucks, this FREE exhibit at Union Station will be a hit. It explores Ford’s history as an innovator and its role in American culture. Some of the most culturally significant vehicles Ford has manufactured during its 123 year history will be on display.
Independence Day Celebrations
July 3 & 4
Baseball! Parades! Fireworks! Check out 11 Ways to Celebrate July 4th in the DC Area for information about some ways to celebrate Independence Day in and around DC.
The Playground
July 3 – August 30
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
The National Building Museum’s summer installations are always exciting. This year’s installment, The Playground, creates a space in the Museum’s Great Hall where the community can play, build, and imagine together. Throughout the summer, programming will be offered for visitors of all ages including story times, Hard Hat tours, hands-on workshops, STEAM Saturdays, art-making activities, and much more. Check out the Museum’s calendar of events for more details. Tickets are required for this event.
Family Day: The Declaration of Independence
July 5
The Library of Congress
Washington, DC
The theme of this month’s Family Day at the Library of Congress is, fittingly, The Declaration of Independence. Visitors will learn about this founding document and its legacy through the Library’s collections. They can also write thank you letters to veterans with the National Veterans Memorial Museum and enjoy musical performances by the St. Paul VI Catholic High School Fife and Drum Corps. This event is FREE, but attendees must secure a timed-entry ticket to enter the Thomas Jefferson Building.
Artillery Demonstration
July 5
Fort Washington Park
Fort Washington, MD
A visit to historic Fort Washington Park on any day is like stepping back in time. However, visitors will feel especially transported through time as they observe an Artillery Demonstration. A Civil War era cannon will be fired as a Park Ranger explains the steps necessary to do so. Visitors sensitive to loud sounds should note that this is a loud demonstration. This FREE 15-minute demo will occur three times throughout the day on July 5th.
Beetlejuice: The Musical
July 7 – 19
The National Theater
Washington, DC
The musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s irreverent and beloved film is filled with fun music and raucous performances. This 2 1/2 hour production is recommended for audiences of at least 13 years old. Tickets available online.
National Harbor Kids Day
July 7, 14, 21, and 28
The Plaza at National Harbor
National Harbor, MD
Head to National Harbor on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am throughout the summer for a variety of engaging programming for kids. This month, WHUT, Howard University Television, will offer a Reading Rainbow event and other educational experiences based on PBS Kids Content. There will also be a Teen Ensemble performance of The Case of the Vanishing Vase and an event aimed at building kids’ connections to wildlife. All of these family-friendly events are FREE.
Cool Concerts for Kids
July 9, 16, and 23
The Gudelsky Gazebo at Strathmore
North Bethesda, MD
This summer, enjoy FREE, fun, family-friendly concerts outdoors at Strathmore’s Live from the Lawn series. Bring a blanket or low chairs to enjoy a variety of entertaining artists. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic, but there will also be food for purchase on site. These shows will last about an hour and there is no intermission. Attendance is FREE, but a contribution of $5 and an RSVP are suggested.
Friday Night Live!
July 10
City Hall Plaza
College Park, MD
Throughout the summer, the City of College Park is hosting its Friday Night Live! series. Attendees will enjoy musical performances and other entertainment. Kids will be entertained by arts and crafts and a variety games. Local food and beer will be available for purchase. The concerts are FREE. See website for additional concert dates.
Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration
July 11
Oronoco Bay Park
Alexandria, VA
Celebrate Alexandria’s 277th and America’s 250th birthday along the Potomac waterfront at Oronoco Bay Park. Festivities will begin with an introduction by Master of Ceremonies, NBC4 Washington Reporter Molette Green. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform the evening will end with a Grand Finale fireworks display at 9:30pm. There will be local vendors and live music. And, of course, there will be birthday cupcakes!
Marine Corps’ Sunset Parade
July 14, 21, and 28
Marine Corps War Memorial
Arlington, VA
Spend a summer evening at the Marine Corps’ weekly Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This FREE 45-minute performance will be held on Tuesdays until August 11. Don’t forget to arrive early, and to take your lawn chairs and blankets.
Library Fest
July 18
Arlington Central Library
Arlington, VA
Celebrate America’s 250th at this family-friendly celebration that will host musical and spoken word performances, arts and crafts activities, story times, and genealogy and digitization workshops. There will even be a LEGO sculpture of the U.S. Constitution to admire. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Lotus and Water Lily Festival
July 18 & 19
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Washington, DC
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a local treasure. Early summer mornings in late June through July offer breathtaking, Seuss-like lotus flowers and water lilies in full bloom. The annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival celebrates the peak bloom in July. The two-day family-friendly festival will be full of cultural performances, wellness activities, classes, and much more. Whether or not you participate in any festival programming, a visit to the park is a stunning experience this time of year.
Smithsonian Sleepover
July 18 & 31
Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Washington, DC
Smithsonian Sleepovers at the Natural History Museum are a truly unique experience. Explore exhibits like Fossil Hall and the Hall of Mammals without the crowds. Enjoy fun activities, games, and challenges. If you have a kiddo who loves learning about the Earth and its creatures, they’ll love this immersive museum experience. This event is for kids from 8 to 14 years old and their adults. Tickets must be can be purchased in advance online. The Smithsonian American History Museum is also hosting two Smithsonian Sleepover dates in July. Information about that can be found here.
Anacostia River Discovery Series Canoe Tour
July 23
Kenilworth Park
Washington, DC
The Anacostia Watershed Society is hosting this canoe tour of the Anacostia River as part of its Anacostia River Discovery Series. Participants will learn about the river’s environmental changes and how that has affected communities along the river. Guides will also discuss restoration efforts. These family-friendly tours are FREE, but registration is required and limited for these events.
DC United vs. Toronto FC
July 25
Audi Field
Washington, DC
The World Cup concludes on July 19th, but families can continue to cheer on live soccer at Audi Field. On July 25th, the DC United look to bodyslam Toronto FC here at home. Fans attending this match will be uniquely entertained as it will be a WWE theme night, which promises to “bring the energy of the ring to the pitch for one of the most unique matchday experiences of the season.” Tickets available online.
Montgomery Country Farm Tour
July 25 & 26
Various Locations
Montgomery County, MD
Enjoy a summer day exploring the rural countrysides of Montgomery country. Throughout the weekend, twenty-five Maryland farms will be open to the public for a variety of experiences. Depending on the farm, visitors could enjoy hayrides, animal encounters, tours, games, art activities, and more. And of course, some farms will offer farm goods, flowers, prepared foods, or beverages for purchase. Check out this map for a list of participating farms and what visitors will find at each one.
Mubadala DC Open
July 25 – August 2
Rock Creek Park Tennis Center
Washington, DC
Since 1969, the Mubadala DC Open, one of the nation’s most prestigious tennis tournaments, has been held in Rock Creek Park. Founded in part by Arthur Ashe, this tournament attracts world class talent every year and is held in an equal-access public park, which makes it accessible to everyone. This year, several big names will compete including: Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Jack Draper, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alex de Minaur, Victoria Mboko, Venus Williams, Marta Kostyuk, Tommy Paul, Emma Raducanu, Iva Jovic, Learner Tien, Leylah Fernandez, Kei Nishikori and Liudmila Samsonova. Tickets are available online.
Kids World
July 26 & 27
Franklin Park
Washington, DC
This FREE annual event aims to promote health and fitness, literacy, science, entrepreneurship, and more to kids of all ages. Your child can enjoy story times and meeting characters from some of their favorite books, test their skills at jump roping and Superhero workouts, bounce to engaging performances, or enjoy the fantastical bubble garden. This event is FREE, but you can register online.
Otakon
July 31 – August 2
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC
This annual convention celebrates all aspects of Asian pop culture including anime, manga, music, movies, video games, and more. Check out the weekend schedule for family-friendly activities, teen-focused highlights, and much more. Single Day and Full Weekend admission passes are available online. Please note that children 8 and under can attend for FREE.
