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D.C.’s temps hit 101° for three straight days this week, which has only happened once before — in 1930. And, boy, we’re ready for a staycation from the heat. Luckily, more comfortable weather is on tap for a weekend packed with flower festivals, concerts and scoops for National Ice Cream Day. Just plan around some rain chances.
It’s a big music weekend between the Home Rule Music Festival (it’s free!), Carly Rae Jepsen after a Nats Game, the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival and Olivia Rodrigo — if you have the guts to find tickets to the sold-out show at Capital One Arena.
Whatever you do, we love hearing about your DMV adventures!
Be Scene: Share a photo or video of you and your posse at your favorite place. Tag @nbcwashington on social or upload at nbcwashington.com/ugc!
Stop and smell the flowers (or hold your breath)
Free pick
Lotus and Water Lily Festival
Fri. Sat. and Sun., Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
🔗 Details
A pink petal palooza is flourishing in D.C. — but in July, it’s not for cherry blossoms.
The annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival runs through Sunday, and each day highlights a special theme through unique activities, including free workout classes, plant foraging and art classes.
But the highlight is the flowers sprouting out of the park’s 45 ponds.
The festival marks lotus flowers reaching peak bloom, but the “stunning sea of pink” usually lasts until mid-August, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens said.
The flowers tend to close in intense sun or heat. So, the best time to visit is early in the morning or in the evening. The park will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Here are tips on getting there by bike, Metro, car or on foot.
Free pick
McKee-Beshers sunflower fields
Poolesville, Maryland
🔗 Details
Four fields of sunflowers are blooming at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Poolesville. Nearly 30 acres of flowers draw a lot of birds — and bird watchers.
Come prepared for a somewhat rugged nature experience with no bathrooms, picnic tables and little shade. Note that it’s illegal to pick these sunflowers.
It’s free to visit, wander and take gorgeous photos! Here’s a map showing sunflower fields and walking trails.
If you’d like to pick your own sunflowers, you have many options, including Sunflower Sunsets at Burnside Farms! Check out our full guide for more ideas.
Free pick
Corpse flowers in peak bloom
Currently on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden
🔗 Details
Two rare, gigantic flowers known for their powerful stench are approaching peak bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Corpse flowers are named for their powerful stench and bloom only every 2-3 years.
Two of the Botanic Garden’s corpse flowers could reach peak bloom between Friday and Monday. You can visit them – if you dare! The plants can grow up to 8-feet tall, and their smell is often compared to rotting flesh.
More weekend highlights
Free pick
“This Morning, This Evening, So Soon: James Baldwin and the Voices of Queer Resistance”
Through April, National Portrait Gallery
🔗 Details
The National Portrait Gallery is honoring civil rights activist, author and playwright James Baldwin for his 100th birthday.
The exhibit features a larger-than-life portrait of Baldwin and includes artwork from contemporary artists who Baldwin surrounded himself with.
There are photographs of Baldwin with singer Nina Simone and with Bayard Rustin, a gay civil rights activist who was one of the main organizers of the March on Washington.
National Ice Cream Day
Sun.
🔗 Find local deals and specials
National Ice Cream Day is another excuse to indulge in frozen goodness. This year, it’s on Sunday, but you can find specials and freebies all weekend.
Dolcezza, Here’s the Scoop, Ice Cream Jubilee and Insomnia Cookies are among spots offering some sort of BOGO deal.
National Ice Cream Day is also an excuse to check out Tyra Banks’ ice cream pop-up shop, Smize & Dream, which is set to open in Woodley Park on Friday.
Concerts this weekend
RAZZ (THE) DOCUMENTARY - The Next Directors' Cut, 3 p.m. Saturday, AFI Silver Spring, $13/$11 (senior)/$8 (child)
Documentary about the iconic D.C. cult band from the ‘70s gets the AFI treatment with a Q&A from the filmmakers. Guests are invited to McGinty’s Public House afterward for special guest performers. Details.
Wand, doors at 7 p.m. Saturday, Songbyrd, $20/$23
A decade along, this ace L.A. psych rock band is touring off its sixth LP, “Vertigo.” Details.
The Meridian Brothers, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Black Cat, $25
Colombian band plays a sort of sci-fi, psychedelic salsa, with other Latin and jazz roots in the mix. Can be exciting and haunting at the same time. Details.
Lambrini Girls, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, DC9, $18-$20
Politically motivated English punk trio is invigorating, raw and flying the riot grrrl flag. Excellent D.C. punks Ekko Astral open. Referring to themselves as “mascara moshpit,” they mix noise, garage rock and hooks. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Capital Fringe Festival: Through July 23, various venues in D.C., tickets to each show cost $15
Dionne Warwick: Fri., 8 p.m., Warner Theatre, $82+
Open Crafting Night: 21+: Fri., 6-9 p.m., Merry Pin at 7350 Georgia Ave NW, free to attend
Nats Summer Concert Series: Carly Rae Jepsen: Fri., game begins at 6:45 p.m., Nationals Park, $32+
- FYI: Nationals play Reds at home Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Free skate lessons: Fridays, 6-8 p.m. through Aug. 5, Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, free but registration required
- FYI: Photo ID needed for free skate rentals
Library of Congress July Family Day: The Olympic Games: Sat., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., free but timed entry passes are required to enter the Library of Congress
Home Rule Music Festival: Part II: Sat., Alethia Tanner Park, free
DC United: Military Appreciation Night: Sat., Audi Field, $27+
Humor Books: ALIVE!: Sat., 7:30 p.m., The Kennedy Center, $17.25+
Things to do in Maryland
Lake Arbor Jazz Festival: Weds. to Sun., National Harbor, $95 (advance) or $110 (day-of)
Washington Country Fair: Through Sat., Boonsboro, Maryland, $5 for daily gate admission
Pint Size Plunge benefitting Special Olympics Maryland: Sat., Lone Oak Farm in Olney, free attendance, charity raffle starts at $10 per entry
Afro Latino Festival: Sun., noon to 8 p.m., Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, free
Summer Concert: Larry Dennis & The Wild Rice Band: Sun., 6:30 to 8 p.m., Bladensburg Waterfront Park, free
Things to do in Virginia
Wright at Twilight at Pope-Leighey House: Fri., 6:30 p.m., Alexandria, $25
Purcellville Wine and Food Festival: Sat., 2-8 p.m., Fireman’s Field Park, $5+ in advance or $10+ at the gate
11th Annual Old Town Pub Crawl: Sat., 1:30-6 p.m., Alexandria, free to participate
Stand-up comedy night hosted by Leon Scott: Sat., 7:30 p.m., HIGHLINE RxR in Arlington, $4-$8
“Kicking and Screaming” screening with inflatable soccer: Sat., events start at 6 p.m., Reston Station Metro Plaza, free
Nas with the National Symphony Orchestra: Sun., 8 p.m., Wolf Trap in Vienna, $59+
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