Get Some Culture: Sensational Summer To-Do’s Around the DMV

Summer is officially heating up, and so is the lineup of can’t-miss experiences across the DMV. From outdoor movie nights to immersive art pop-ups, cultural festivals and theater under the stars, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of these sunny days. The team at TheListAreYouOnIt.com has curated the best of what’s happening, so all you need to do is slather on the SPF, and get out there. Summer starts now. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Bethesda Yappy Hour : Yappy Hour is back on Thursdays 6-8:00 p.m. at Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm Street. There will be pop-up dog parks for large and small dogs, live music, and food and beverages for sale. Info here.

Cool Summer Finds

Watergate Wellness Summer Series: The Watergate Hotel has launched lululemon x The Watergate Hotel’s Summer Series, a bi-weekly wellness collab designed to energize, inspire, and connect the DC Metro community. Bi-weekly Thursdays; final date is August 21. More info here. 

Stephane Koerwyn at Park Hyatt: The Park Hyatt  has the exhibit of internationally recognized French artist Stephane Koerwyn’s aluminum creations of “prêt ART porter” in both the public spaces and the private suites of this landmark luxury hotel in the West End of the nation’s capital. A total of 30 sculpture dresses are on display and available for purchase. The talented culinary team at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Blue Duck Tavern, has created a new cocktail, European Spring, priced at $24, available in both the restaurant and bar during the exhibition, which will remain in place until October 30, 2025. The libation is a nod to these colorful dresses made of painted recycled aluminum that are a fusion of art and fashion. More info here. 

Distillery & Gristmill Tours: These guided tours allow you to see the distillery where George Washington made his whiskey and the gristmill that produced thousands of pounds of flour and cornmeal a day. If you're not planning to visit Mount Vernon and only wish to tour the distillery and gristmill, purchase a $10 tour ticket. Info here. 

Listen to the Music:

National Hip Hop Honors: The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. in partnership with the National Hip-Hop Museum, has announced that the museum will host the National Hip-Hop Honors on Saturday, August 23, from 12 PM to 10 PM. The event will be hosted by Master Gee and Grandmaster Caz and celebrate the honorees Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with concert performances and awards. This year’s inductees are Kid ‘n Play, Jungle Brothers, Kool DJ Red Alert, Dana Dane, Kwame, Sweet Tee, and DJ Hollywood. Info here. 

Fridays at the Fountain at National Landing: Back for another season, Fridays at the Fountain invites you for free live music at National Landing Water Park, the region’s only outdoor food hall. Hosted by the National Landing BID in partnership with Pipkin Creative, the concert series kicks off Friday, July 11 with a performance by Flex Mathews, a high-energy hip-hop band. The music lineup includes: 

August 15: Orquesta Manplesa (Classic Salsa)
August 22: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)
August 29: Ari Voxx (Indie Pop)

Bethesda Summer Concerts: Bethesda Urban Partnership has begun their summer concert series Friday evenings at 6pm this summer for live music at the corner of St. Elmo Ave. and Norfolk Ave. Final concert on August 19th. More info here. 

Goodstone Inn Summer Concert Series: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is launching it's first Summer Concert Series. Shows will be held every Sunday until August 31 at the Inn’s Wildflower Barn in Middleburg, VA. Each open-air concert will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and feature regional talent, including Ryan Jewel, Bobby G and the Heavies, Bailey Hayes, and more. Tickets start at $30. For more information, visit goodstone.com

City Ridge Concert Series: City Ridge is thrilled to announce the return of its Summer Concert Series. Every Friday evening through September, the central square at City Ridge will come alive with the sounds of live music, showcasing a vibrant lineup of local artists. From bluegrass and jazz to pop and global rhythms, line dancing to salsa dancing, the series promises something for every music lover. For more information, click here. 

Grab Some Popcorn:

Nobu Documentary: Years before his name became synonymous with a global luxury dining empire, Nobu Matsuhisa was a young man in Japan with a dream: to become a sushi chef. Directed and produced by Matt Tyrnauer, this compelling documentary traces Nobu’s journey from his childhood in Japan to the transformative experiences that shaped him in Peru and Alaska, ultimately leading to the creation of his iconic restaurants, Matsuhisa and Nobu. Nobu offers an intimate look at the triumphs and setbacks that defined his path, revealing the resilience, vision and love that drove him to blend diverse culinary traditions and revolutionize the sushi world. Beyond his artistic mastery, the film also explores the evolution of the Nobu restaurant group into a global symbol of luxury and hospitality. Nobu highlights the far-reaching impact of Matsuhisa's culinary innovation, featuring appearances from his founding partner Robert De Niro, supermodel Cindy Crawford and celebrated chefs Wolfgang Puck and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. A portrait of an artist who redefined sushi culture and pushed gastronomic boundaries, this documentary is a testament to the precision, care and unwavering dedication that continues to shape Nobu’s legacy.

Dive-In Movies at Hotel Zena Pool: This summer Hotel Zena is making a splash with weekly dive-in movies for guests and locals to enjoy. Whether you prefer to float in the pool and catch the film or relax under the starts, these Wednesday movie nights will be a nice break from the summer hustle and heat. Showing every Wednesday beginning at 9PM throughout the summer months, Hedy's will show classic movies such as Barbie, Independence Day, Girls' Trip, Blue Crush and more. Tickets include a bag of freshly popped popcorn and a signature cocktail or mocktail. 

Drive-In at Union Market: Union Market District’s Drive-In Movie Series is back for its 13th season. Roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the volume for one of DC’s favorite warm-weather rituals. The series continues with a movie night on a Friday each month through October 3. Get tickets here. 

Museum Visits

Little Beasts at the National Gallery of Art: Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World explores the rich exchange between artists and naturalists at the dawn of European natural history. In major cities like Antwerp, artists such as Joris and Jacob Hoefnagel and Jan van Kessel created highly detailed drawings, prints, and paintings of insects, animals, and other beestjes, or “little beasts” in Dutch. Little Beasts features nearly 75 prints, drawings, and paintings alongside some 60 objects from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, marking the first time their collections of art and specimens have been displayed together. Reserve here. 

Theater:

DC International Theatre Festival: Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announce today a year-long International Theatre Festival coming to Washington, DC. The festival, which kicks off in July, will present and celebrate the work of a wide range of theatre artists from around the globe. The festival launch is supported by Events DC, helping to energize the Downtown DC arts and culture district. More info here. 

Olney Theater Summer Lineup: Olney Theatre Center announced an ambitious, premiere-forward lineup for its 2025-26 Season that includes two world premiere musicals, one world premiere play, and one U.S. premiere drama. The season unites established theater luminaries like Lauren Gunderson, Zhailon Levingston, and Nova Y. Payton; rising star writer/composers Ari Afsar and Joriah Kwamé; award-winning UK theater artists Daniel Bailey and Tyrell Williams; and DMV resident (and celebrity chef) Carla Hall, all in one expansive season. More info here. 

Where Else You'll Find Us: 

Art Place at Fort Totten:  Starting July 25, Art Place at Fort Totten will be hosting a free summer activity series for kids of all ages, including live music, hands-on activities and children’s festivals. From July to September, families can enjoy free live music every Friday, from rock and blues to hip-hop and indie. Before the live music, families can check out the The Kid’s Maker Space series with hands-on activities and crafts. Art Place at Fort Totten will also be hosting the monthly Children’s Festival series for guests of all ages, with a “Minecraft” Back to School Bash & Pizza Party and Fall Carnival Experience. Info here. 

Thursdays in the Park with Owen’s: Join Owen's Tavern for Thursdays in the Park + Friday Night Salsa each week all summer long at the Pike District Pop-up Park. There will be live music and dancing, lawn games, raffles and giveaways, and food trucks. Owen's will be showcasing a bevy of craft beers, cocktails and wines weekly. Info here.