American flag LEGO build at the American History Musuem — see it on display through summer!
Independence Day celebrations are the main events, and there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the holiday weekend — live entertainment, seasonal fun, an indoor “beach,” baseball, butterflies, and the Women’s World Cup on the big screen (go, USA!) among them. The Everyday Play page has even more ideas (but check to make sure places are open during the holiday). Happy Weekend! And have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Come Fourth!
Where: Around the area
When: Saturday, July 4th!
Admission: Varies by activity
Our lovely city is one of the most exciting places to be this time of year, as people from all over the world come to celebrate America’s birthday. And from fireworks on the Mall and concerts at the Capitol to special events at George Washington’s house and the home of the Declaration of Independence to neighborhood parades and ballpark fun, they (and you!) won’t be let down. This post details on the many ways to celebrate July 4th in DC.
American Innovation
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Enjoy the Grand Opening Week of a brand new wing at the American History Museum! The 45,000-square-foot area features exhibitions that explore the history of American business and showcase “hot spots” of invention. The much loved (and missed) Spark!Lab is also back, and along with the Object Project space, has all kinds of cool, hands-on activities and exhibits for all ages. There will also be special programs and demos taking place during this opening week — see the schedule here for details.
Joys of Summer
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Get your summer on this holiday weekend with a host of activities exclusive to this time of year — outdoor swimming, spray ground play, concerts under the stars, movies al fresco. Go here for the full scoop on these joys of summer, and keep in mind that some regular events might not be happening due to the holiday.
Hit the Beach
Where: National Building Museum
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $5-16 (see details below)
First there was indoor mini-golf, last year it was a giant maze. This summer, the National Building Museum is riding the seasonal wave and bringing The BEACH to the Great Hall and they are debuting it on Saturday! The installation opens July 4 and will cover 10,000 square feet and include an “ocean” of nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls. Visitors are welcome to “swim” in the ocean or spend an afternoon at the “shore’s” edge. Admission is $5/youth member, $10/adult member and $13/youth non-member, $16/adult non-member.
Nats vs. Giants
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
San Fran comes to DC, as the Nats host the Cubs all weekend. See Freedom Fireworks after the game on Friday (6:05pm), catch part of the Patriotic Series on Independence Day Saturday (11:05pm) and take advantage of the Steven Strasbourg bobblehead promo on Sunday (8:08pm). Be sure to check out these tips for doing a Nats game for less as you plan.
Smithonian Folklife Festival
Where: National Mall at 3rd-4th Streets
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The annual Festival celebrating living cultural heritage and community traditions is underway. Visitors of all ages will have ample opportunity to discover and explore the culture of Peru through special exhibits, workshops, performances, exhibits, demos, and more, including plenty of activities especially children. For specifics, see the festival schedule. And it all takes place right on the National Mall where you can easily pop into museums in case of rain.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Cat-ch Garfield: The Musical with Cattitude at Adventure Theatre
* Fly away to Neverland at a spectacular performance of Peter Pan in the ThreeSixty Theatre at Tysons
* Experience Double Trouble on the Imagination Stage
* And little ones will live Aquarium, just opening at the Bethesda theater
* Take the fam to Shakespeare in the park as Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents The Comedy of Errors at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park
* See a show on strings at The Puppet Co. where Snow White and the 7 Dwarves is the current main stage production
* And Mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* IMPOSSIBLE: A Happenstance Circus is wowing audiences at the Round House Theatre
Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
See baseball on a smaller scale at a Bowie Baysox game! Saturday is their Red, White, and BOOM Independence Day celebration with a post-game fireworks display. On Sunday, go Back to Future as they celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Wings of Fancy
Where: Brookside Gardens
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $8/ages 13 and up, $5/3-12, free ages 0-2
Walk amid a garden of butterflies at Brookside Garden’s amazing Wings of Fancy exhibit, back this year through September 25 after being closed last summer during renovations. The seasonal display featuring live butterflies and caterpillars from all over the world is sure to delight! Read about a KFDC experience at the exhibit. Plan to tour the rest of Brookside’s lovely grounds while you’re there and see if there are any other special kids’ programs to enjoy.
Women’s World Cup Finals
Where: National Harbor
When: Sunday, 7pm
Admission: Free
A World Cup win by the Women’s U.S. Soccer team would be a perfect way to cap off America’s birthday weekend! And you can watch the big match against Japan on the really big screen at National Harbor, where they’ll be hosting a watch party on the waterfront Jumbotron, an 18’ x 32’ foot LED screen, on Sunday. It’s located on the plaza, and guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and watch from there or grab a meal and drinks and watch from Redstone American Grill’s outdoor patio.
