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The first week of July in the Washington, D.C., area is all about Independence Day fireworks and beating the heat.
Before we dive into our calendar for this month, check out these stories:
- Fireworks Finder: Where to see Independence Day fireworks displays in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- 10+ places to swim near DC if you want to avoid Bay Bridge traffic
- Keep cool at these DC-area splash pads, water parks and pools
- Where to watch outdoor movies all summer long in DC, Maryland and Virginia
Here's what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.
What to do in Washington D.C.
Pixar Putt: Through Aug. 4, The Wharf, $30.50+
Nationals vs. Mets and Freedom Fireworks: Weds., July 3, 6:45 p.m., Nationals Park, $18+
Fourth of July at the National Archives: Thurs., July 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., National Archives, free
Takoma Park Parade: Thurs., July 4, begins at 10 a.m. at Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues, free
Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade: Thurs., July 4, Begins at 10 a.m. at Barracks Row, free
National Independence Day Parade: Thurs., July 4, 11:45 a.m., Constitution Avenue NW between 7th and 17th streets, free
Family activities on the National Mall: Thurs., July 4, 1-8 p.m., Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument, free
Reading of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: Thurs., July 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1411 W St. SE, free
Palisades Parade and Picnic: Thurs., July 4, parade at 11 a.m., picnic at noon, Palisades Park in Northwest D.C., free
Capital Jewish Museum Family Day: Summer Party: Thurs., July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 575 3rd Street, NW, D.C., free
Nationals vs. Mets: Thurs., July 4, 11:05 a.m., Nationals Park, $18+
A Capitol Fourth: Thurs., gates open at 3 p.m., concert begins at 8 p.m., U.S. Capitol grounds (Dress rehearsal on Weds., July 3 is also free and open to the public)
Fourth at The Wharf: Thurs., 5-9 p.m., The Wharf, free
July 4th Cookout and Go-Go Day Party: Thurs., July 4, noon to 9 p.m., metrobar in Northeast D.C., free admission
Generator's Banging July 4th Pool Party: Thurs., July 4, noon to 8 p.m., Generator hotel in Northwest D.C., $25 before fees
July 4 Day Party: Thurs., 4-9 p.m., Decades in Northwest D.C., free entry before 5:30 p.m.
FYI: Open bar available with RSVP from 4-5 p.m.
Hotel Hive 4th of July rooftop party: Thurs., July 4, 5-10 p.m., 2224 F Street NW, Washington, D.C., $74-$550
Bridgerton Craft Soiree: Fri., 6-9 p.m., Merry Pin at 7350 Georgia Avenue NW, $12
Nationals vs. Cardinals: Sat. and Sun., Nationals Park
NGA First Saturdays: Sat., National Gallery of Art, free
Cool Down Movie Time: "The Princess and the Frog": Sat., noon to 2 p.m., Anacostia Community Museum, free
Singalong Saturdays: Live band karaoke: Sat., 7-9 p.m., The Wharf’s Transit Pier, free
National Museum of Women in the Arts free day: Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free but tickets required
What to do in Maryland
Global Bites Fest: Through July 6, Rockville
Dino Safari Festival: July 4 to Aug. 4, at Westfield Montgomery Mall, $20.88+
Shakespeare In The Parks: “A Midsummer Night's Dream”
- Wed., 7:30 p.m., Riverdale House Museum, free
- Fri., 7:30 p.m., Watkins Regional Park, free
- Sat., 7:30 p.m., Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, free
Live music at Babycat Brewery: Thurs., Fri., Sat. and Sun., Kensington, Maryland, free admission
Surprisingly Savannah: The Mobile Tour: Sat. and Sun., National Harbor, free
What to do in Virginia
Fredericksburg Nationals vs. Delmarva Shorebirds with postgame fireworks: Weds., July 3, 6:05 p.m., Virginia Credit Union Stadium in Fredericksburg, $10+
An American Celebration: Thurs., July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Vernon, included with admission
The Great Meadow Independence Day Celebration: Thurs., July 4, gates open at 5 p.m., fireworks at dusk, The Plains, Virginia, $52-$515
Columbia Pike Movie Nights: Fri. and Sat., free
MAGICAL MYSTERY DOORS – A Tribute to The Beatles, Led Zepplin, and The Doors: Fri., The Birchmere in Alexandria, $35
EU Sugar Bear: Sat., Workhouse Art Center in Lorton, free
Comedian Donnell Rawlings: Sat., The Birchmere in Alexandria, $49.50
Specialty tour: “Hamilton’s BFFs and Frenemies”: July 5-12, Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria, $8 per person ages 5 and up.
Coming up later in July
Capital Fringe Festival: Begins July 11, Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Romanian Weekend at The Wharf: July 11-12 (Fri. to Sun.), Washington, D.C., free
Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration: Sat., July 13, Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria, Virginia, free
Home Rule Music Festival: Part II: Sat., July 20, Alethia Tanner Park in Northeast D.C., free
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