School shopping and stretching out the last of the summer days are at the forefront of most itineraries as August continues rolling through the District.
Here’s what to get into this week:
EDITOR’S PICKS
🎈 DC Hot Air Balloon Festival (Friday + Saturday)
Experience tethered hot air balloon rides, music, food, and a nighttime balloon glow and laser show during this two-day family-friendly festival at Rosecroft Raceway (5p - 10p, $34+)
🎼 Southern Hip-Hop with Strings (Friday + Saturday)
Juvenile and The 400 Degreez Band take over Baltimore’s Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (8/14, 7:30p, $62+), while Rick Ross performs hits off his “Port of Miami” album backed by The Renaissance Orchestra at Warner Theatre (8/15, 8p, $148+). Keep the night going at The Renaissance Orchestra’s after-hours party at Karma featuring live covers of hip-hop, R&B, and soul classics (8/15, 10p, $48+).
🥁 Gentrify the Monument: A 50-Year Go-Go Celebration (Saturday)
Celebrate 50 years of D.C.’s hometown sound with a go-go takeover of the Monument’s Sylvan Theater, bringing the culture, music, and community that shaped the genre to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks (11a - 8p, free)
🕯Destiny’s Child Candlelight Tribute Concerts (Sunday)
The iconic group’s timeless hits get a candlelit, string quartet reimagining during this immersive tribute featuring a VIP reception with Mathew Knowles. VIP guests will also receive a complimentary digital copy of “Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story” (Howard Theatre, 4:30p & 6:45p, $50+)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
WEDNESDAY
PO’ UP! Live Game Show One-Year Anniversary Celebration - Pearl Street Warehouse | 6:30p, $15+
Interactive game show experience featuring a brand of party games celebrating Black excellence. The live show will feature the College and Black in the Workplace editionsPaint Your Own Sneaker Vase - Dacha Beer Garden | 6p - 8:30p, $65
Ticket includes a sneaker-shaped vase, a drink, & a live or faux plant. Choose from Nike AJ1, AF1, & SB Dunk vase styles
THURSDAY
Live! at the Library outdoor screening of “Clueless” - Library of Congress | 8p - 10p, free
FRIDAY
Commanders vs Miami Dolphins Preseason Game - Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD | 7p, $66+
FRIDAY + SATURDAY
Be Your Own Muse Immersive Beauty Experience - LaVina Nail & Spa in Hyattsville, MD | 6p - 10p on Fri / 10a + 6p on Saturday, $200
Ticket includes a guided session to create a custom nail set & an appointment to have the set installed at a later date
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
African Diaspora International Film Festival - George Washington University | various showtimes, $99+ for a pass
Alexandria Restaurant Week
Participating restaurants will offer prix-fixe dinner menus for $35, $45, or $55 per person through 8/23. See the list of restaurants and menus here.
SATURDAY
Summer of Hope at The Wharf: Live Music & Movie Screening - Transit Pier | 4p - 9p, free
Will have live performances & a screening of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” with a DJ spinning the soundtrack live, & family-friendly activitiesThe Taste of Thompson Restaurant Experience - departs from Matchbox - Penn Quarter | 11:15a - 4p, $150
Foodie bus tour visiting restaurants under Thompson Hospitality, a Black-owned restaurant, food service, and facilities management company. Ticket includes transport & tastings at each stopFight For Children: Youth Sports Day - The Fields at RFK Campus | 10a - 2p, free
Back-to-school event showcasing sports-based youth development programs. Will have games, music, food trucks, & moreDC Back to School Carnival - King Greenleaf Recreation Center | 12p - 4p, free
Jollof Festival - Union Market | 2p - 9p, $34+
Bingo Loco - Howard Theatre | shows at 6p + 10p, $40
Movie Night at a Black Female Veteran-Owned Farm - DSQ Farm in Brandywine, MD | 7p - 9:30p, $24+
Ticket includes unlimited popcornPole & Sip Outdoor Tasting - Reservoir Park (McMillan) Community Center & Park | 11a - 1p, $35
Blue’s Coffee & Crates: Sip & Shop Vinyl Lounge - National Union Building | 10a - 3p, free
SUNDAY
Bustin’ Loose: Chocolate City Fest - metrobar | 2p - 7p, free
Will have live go-go music, an art market, an Uncle Nearest bottle release & free tastings, and moreDinosaur Festival - Because Science | 12p - 5p, free
Dig into prehistoric fun with dinosaur crafts, fossil projects, slime experiments, scavenger hunts, & hands-on STEM activities for kids ages 5–12Mejuri - M Street 1-Year Anniversary Summer Sale - 11a - 6p, free
Will have a swag bag raffle, giveaways, & totebag decorating in celebration of the jewelry brand’s first year at its Georgetown locationHey Cousin Culture Fest - Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, MD | 1p - 8p, free
Relentless Run Club x Nike National Harbor - starts at Tanger Outlets National Harbor in MD | 8a - 11a, free
All levels are welcome for this 1-5 mile run (attendees can choose their distance). Followed by a shopping experience at NikeFriendship Mixer: the Girly Pop Up Experience - SkyVibe Restaurant & Lounge in Laurel, MD | 2p - 6p, $20
Will have a floral bar, a henna artist, a perfume bar, a tooth gem bar, a permanent jewelry station, & more
PARTIES + MIXERS
THURSDAY
rhythm & booze - Vera Cocina | 10p - 2a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
The Club Social Mixer - Social All Day in Arlington, VA | 5p - 9p, free
The Guest List: The White Edit - GAIA | 7p - 1a, free
No Signal (Afrobeats & Amapiano) - SOST Vinyl Room | 10p - 2a, free
FRIDAY
Girls Gone Day DC - Public Bar Live | 10p - 3a, $18+
Queer women-friendlyLes Play House Tour - Transmission | 10p - 3a, $15+
Black Health Connect Q3 Mixer - ONYX Rooftop Lounge | 5p - 10p, $30
SATURDAY
The Renaissance Room: After Hours - Karma | 10p - 3a, $36+
The Renaissance Orchestra will be performing live covers of hip-hop, R&B, and soul classicsBlack Future: An Afrofuturist Gallery Party - Chela Mitchell Gallery | 6p - 10p, $25+
Everything Nice at The Bullpen - 3p - 9:30p, $18+
Boozy Bounce - Zebbie’s Garden | 4p - 9p, free before 5p with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendlyMOCHA: a Chocolate City Block Party - Karma | 4p - 9p, $27+
Sucka For Love: R&B w/ a Lil Bounce - Officina | 10p - 3a, free until 10:30p with RSVP
LIT BY 6 R&B Brunch & Day Party - ZOOZ | 12p - 9p, free
KAYTRADAY! - Penn Social | 9p - 2a, $24
Kaytranada-inspired dance party
SUNDAY
October London’s Summer Soirée - Hook Hall | 5p - 10p, $62+
R&B singer October London hosts an evening of music, cocktails, and summer vibes at Hook Hall, bringing together fans for a celebration inspired by classic soul and contemporary R&BSundresses & Whiskey - Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free
Pour Decisions Day Party - ZOOZ | 3p - 9p, free before 4:30p with RSVP
The Wind Down - Electric Cool-Aid | 3p - 8p, free
Uptown Takeover on the Rooftop: Backyard Band & UCB Live - Citizens & Culture in Silver Spring, MD | 9p - 1:30a, $45
CONCERTS + SHOWS
WEDNESDAY
Olivia Dean - CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $$ for resale tickets
SeatGeek | StubHub | Vivid Seats
THURSDAY
Tank and The Bangas - Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $31+
Next, Silk & H-Town: R&B Unplugged - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $95+
FRIDAY
Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD | 7:30p, $62+
Rome Streetz - Songbyrd | 7p, $32+
SATURDAY
Rick Ross Port of Miami Orchestra Tour with The Renaissance Orchestra - Warner Theatre | 8p, $148+