Summer in the city
Happy Weekend!
Easy links to inspo for local fun:
* Swim Spots
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Grand Opening Weekend
Where: Nat Geo Museum of Exploration | Downtown DC
When: Opening Friday
Admission: $29
After being closed for many years, Nat Geo is opening its museum doors again as a completely revamped venue. The National Geographic Museum of Exploration will launch with a special Grand Opening Weekend. Along with all exhibits that explore the world in fascinating ways, there will be fun drop-in activities, live performances, and pop-up talks. On Saturday, there will also be an Evening Street Fair, a free, after-hours block party-style event where the museum is transformed into a bustling marketplace complete with live music performances, food samples from international cuisines, and more. (FYI: It’s mostly sold out for the weekend, but still some tickets left. You can also reserve for a future date.)
Friday Night Fishing
Where: Kingman Island | RFK Area, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Join Anacostia Riverkeeper for their summer Friday fishing program — all ages are welcome. All essentials are provided: rods, reels, bait, and lessons for first time fishers. Staff are there to answer any questions and help with casting, tips, and tricks. Be sure to register and fill out a waiver if you plan to go — space is limited.
Family Hoppy Hour
Where: The Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $7-14
Start the weekend with a Friday evening filled with live music for all ages! The concert will be outdoors, perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. King Bullfrog is a kindie rock trio that plays high-energy tunes developmentally appropriate for kids that grownups like, too. Pizza, beer, wine, and cheese will be for sale!
World Cup Watch
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
The World Cup is in Round of 32 getting more and more exciting! If you want to share in it with other fútbol fans, there are a bunch of family-friendly places and events around DC where you can do that. This post has a round-up of where you can view the matches, from small pubs to patios and biergartens to large outdoor watch parties.
Summer in the City
Where: Around the DC area
When: All weekend9
Admission: Varies by locale
Enjoy activities that make this time of year so much fun. Start the weekend off on Friday with an evening of fishing and a concert at The Yards, then continue the fun on Saturday and Sunday with water play at a pool or sprayground., or cool off indoors at an exhibit. Feast on crabs or hit the beach to fulfill a seasonal must-do. Round it out it with a family movie under the stars. Get details about all of these summer diversions and even more in the 2026 Summer Guide.
Red Bull Spin-Off
Where: The Wharf | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy unique entertainment at this one-of-a-kind tandem bicycle challenge! Set on a floating obstacle course along the Washington Channel, teams of two will race custom-built bikes across the water while competing for creativity, showmanship, and speed — making for plenty of entertaining moments (and inevitable wipeouts). The free event will kick off Fourth of July celebrations in DC as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities.
MrBeast Swarm Spinner Workshop
Where: Lowes locations around the area
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $14.98 for the builder kit
It’s Lowes’ monthly workshop for kids on Saturday. Build a giant Ferris wheel for your Swarm! Spin it, decorate it, and feel like you’re riding high in a theme-park of your own. Purchase a kit, which includes all the supplies you need for the build. Be sure to register in advance!
BBQ Battle
Where: 3rd – 7th Streets NW | Pennsylvania Ave, DC
Wen: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: $16+, free/age 12 & under
Attend one of the biggest summer barbeques around this weekend as the National Capital Barbeque Battle returns to pit some of the nation’s best barbequers against each other as they compete for big prizes. The reward for attendees: Samples from all the entrants (plus, more food), live music, cooking demos, kids’ fun, and more.
Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $28
It’s opening weekend for Adventure Theatre’s new show… Rolly’s ordinary summer takes an extraordinary twist when he’s whisked back in time to the Age of Charlemagne! There, he meets Aurora, a bold 12-year-old princess with dreams of knighthood and adventure beyond her castle walls. But her overprotective royal parents have other plans—thanks to a mysterious curse that threatens to plunge her into a century-long sleep. As Rolly and Aurora plot a daring escape to the modern world, secrets are revealed, destinies collide, and the past and present merge in an epic journey filled with courage, friendship, and a dash of magic. Can they outsmart fate and find their happily ever after?
Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1pm & 4pm
Admission: $45-55
It’s also opening weekend for the newest show at Imagination Stage… Life is a really, really, really big adventure as Pete the Cat and the Biddle family rock out in a fast-paced, globe-trotting musical based on the smash hit book series. When Jimmy Biddle is anxious about finishing second grade, Pete takes him to Paris in his VW bus and Jimmy connects with his inner artist.
Family Day
Where: Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Head to the The Phillips Collection for a Family Day with DC Public Library! Inspired by Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series, families can learn about the artist during storytime, create art influenced by his artistic process, and explore his work in the galleries on a family-friendly tour.
First Studio: Art, Story, and Workshop
Where: Kreeger Museum | Foxhall-Palisades, DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $10
Young artists ages 3-5 and an adult companion are invited to spark their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. The program will include a museum tour, story time, and a hands-on art making experience. June’s theme is “Leaping into Landscapes!” Read more about the Keeger in this KFDC post.
Heritage Days
Where: Various locales | Montgomery County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County, MD, as more than 30 historic sites welcome visitors for guided tours, re-creations of historic events, children’s activities, and more — all free of charge. Learn about the history of dairy farming, railroads, and trolleys; African American communities, astronomy, local arts & culture, and outdoor recreation. Check the online brochure for participating locations and activities.
Asia in a Bite Food Fest
Where: Tinghey Plaza | Navy Yard, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free with timed tickets
This outdoor Asian street food fest will bring the vibrant Asian market experience to DC. Featuring 30–40 food vendors, 10+ crafty merchandise vendors, DJ music, and rotating food lineups, bring the wole fa and y our appetites! Sign up for one of serveral two-hour sessions each day.
The Boro FC
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Head to a World Cup-inspired playground where fans of all ages can kick, cheer, create, and celebrate together. The Boro and Copa Tysons are teaming up to present a day of activities including photo ops with Talon, live music, soccer challenges and play zones, a mobile gaming tuck, meet and greets with local soccer clubs, World Cup-themed crafts, giltter tattoos, and specials in the Boro Biergarten
Pride in the Plaza
Where: Veterans Plaza | Silver Spring, MD
When: Sunday, 12-8pm
Admission: Free
Join Montgomery County’s annual celebration of diverse LGBTQIA+ communities. The day will be filled with fun and festivities for all ages, including live entertainment, all kinds of vendors, and a family fun zone with arts & crafts, Drag Story Hour, and more.
Take Your Pick
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Blackberries, raspberries, peaches, and more fruits and veggies are ripe and ready for harvest, and many area farms welcome guests to come PYO. It’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.
Feeling Indoorsy
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With rain in the weekend forecast, you may be seeking indoor activities. This post pulls together all the KFDC round-ups with ideas for inside fun will come in handy. From museums and special programs for kids to play spaces and venues for indoor action to theaters presenting live entertainment and movies to stores where you can shop secondhand, you’ll find loads of ways to stay cool and dry — and sane. 
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Amazon’s Prime Day sale is going on through Friday, and there are so many great deals — here are some KFDC picks!
* Encore Stage & Studio has a lot of exciting things coming up, including a new show, an exclusive BOGO deal, auditions, and more!
* Weekly movie nights in Canal Park in the Navy Yard begin this Thursday night, starting with Bad Guys 2. It gins at 7pm, and there will also be a mask making activity.
* The Nats aren’t playing at home this weekend, but you can still catch them nearby at Camden Yards as they play the Orioles.
* The Air & Space Museum has a Family Day coming up July 11 that includes a special art workshop requiring registration. Space is limited, so sign up soon!
* Best BBQ Around DC for the 4th of July
* Family summer vacation ideas, if you’re still trying to plan a trip.
* J.Crew is killing it with the summer pants, like these, these, and these on sale.
* Their kids collection is supercute, too.
* Really enjoyed the new Netflix movie, Voicemails for Isabelle.
* Ode to World Cup Fans (aren’t they the best?)
