Late summer continues its stretch across the District with another week’s worth of plans waiting to be made.
Here’s what to get into this week:
EDITOR’S PICKS
🎥🎵 CAN I KICK IT? Screening of “New Jack City” at the Monument (Saturday)
The classic film gets a musical remix as a DJ spins the soundtrack live during this free outdoor movie night. Bring your own blankets & lawn chairs (7p - 10:30p)
📖 National Book Festival (Saturday)
The Library of Congress will be homebase to more than 80 authors for a full day of conversations, signings, meet-and-greets, and literary programming, with this year’s lineup including Cynthia Erivo, Tia Williams, & more (9a - 8p, free with registration)
🏎️ Freedom 250 Grand Prix (Saturday + Sunday)
INDYCAR takes over the streets surrounding the National Mall for its first-ever D.C. race, with the main event set for Sunday at 1p. The 1.7-mile circuit runs past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and while free GA tickets are no longer available, Pubkey will be hosting watch parties (5p - 8p on Saturday / 11a - 5p on Sunday, free). Expect major road closures and parking restrictions downtown throughout the weekend (Gates open at 8a both days)
🍽️🏨 Quick Trip Idea: Restaurant Week at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (through 8/27)
Head roughly an hour out of town for dinner at one (or a few) of five participating restaurants, with prix fixe menus ranging from $35 - $75. Turn dinner into a quick getaway with an overnight stay at the hotel. See the list of restaurants & menu here
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
TUESDAY
Yoga: After Dark - The Monument | 8p - 9p, free
WEDNESDAY
Roju+ Run 006: CHEAT DAY - Hains Point | 6p - 8p, free
3-mile run followed by free cupcakes
THURSDAY
Movies on the Potomac outdoor screening of “Creed” - National Harbor Plaza in MD | 7p - 9p, free
DPR Roving Leaders Outdoor Screening of “Michael” - The Great Lawn at Yards Park | 6p - 9:30p, free
Family-friendly, complimentary karaoke & snacksoff worque game night - Andy’s Pizza NOMA | 6:30p - 10p, $10
FRIDAY
Films at the Stone outdoor screening of “Michael” - MLK Memorial | 8p, free
Waterfront Movie Nights outdoor screening of “Men in Black” - Georgetown Waterfront Park | 7p - 9p, free
SATURDAY
Rhythm + Release - manifest 002 - Union Market | 9a, $22
Yoga flow sessions with a live DJNot So Grand Prix - Gallery O on H | 5p - 10p, free
Freedom 250 Grand Prix-themed event with a toy car race, LEGO car building competition, retro console racing games, & moreA Moment For Stella - manifest - Florida Ave | 12p - 6p, free
Clothing brand activationOctober London Suiting Line Release - Arlo | 6p - 10p, free with RSVP
Reveal party for the R&B singer’s new brandTurning the Page Back to School Book Festival - The Parks at Walter Reed | 10a - 5p, free
School Daze: Back to School Event - Sycamore & Oak | 1p - 4p, free
DC Plant Week - PlantHouse - Alexandria in VA | 10a - 8p, fre
Will have sales, specialty workshops, giveaways, & more throughout the week
SUNDAY
Sip & Press: a Pressed Flower Happy Hour - Plants Alive! in Silver Spring, MD | 1p - 2:30p, $24+
PARTIES + MIXERS
MONDAY
Monday MOOD - doi moi | 7p - 12a, free
THURSDAY
Remedy Happy Hour - The Continent | 6p - 9p, free
Black Gov Tech: Summer Tech Mixer - 12 Stories | 5:30p - 8:30p, free
FRIDAY
ACT XXIV: A PARTY IN THE DISTRICT - Public Bar Live | 10p - 3a, free before 11p with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendlyWhite Durag Party - Transmission | 10p - 3a, $20+
Love the 90s with Chubb Rock - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $45+
HBCU + Divine Nine night
SATURDAY
Saturday Night Special: the Masego Afterparty - Officina | 10p - 2a, free before 11:30p with RSVP
Off the Grid NYC x DMV - WILD DAYS | 4p - 10p, free until 6p with RSVP
Sundresses & Short Sets - Location in Temple Hills, MD given to attendees | 3p - 8p, $30+
BYOB, will have food & gamesJerseys & Matcha Day Party - Llamabar | 11a - 5p, free with RSVP
JETFEST 2026: Camp Jet - Sandlot Uptown | 4p - 10p, free
Swim Stadium: Pool Party with BASH Sports - Location in Fort Washington, MD given to attendees | 6p - 10p, $56+
BYOB Eagles vs Patriots watch party with food & gamesThe LinkUp - Karma | 11p - 3a, $23+
LGBTQIA+-friendlyThe Black Bar Crawl - U Street | 3p - 10p, $15+
SUNDAY
Buga Suga, A Classic R&B Party - Songbyrd | 7p, $15+
Club 1BD Day Party - BANANAS at BERHTA | 3p, $48+
Viral traveling dance party. Dress code is yellow and orange tonesS&L Sunday Funday - Urban Roast - The Wharf | 3p - 9p, free
Adé Brunch: Fashion is Art - Location at The Wharf will be given to attendees | 12p, $67
Bourbon Brunch & Day Party - Arthur Wheeler Spirits Company in Upper Marlboro, MD | 12p - 5p, $15+
Eats, Beats, & Drinks: Leo Season Rooftop Day Party - CityBar | 4p - 9p, $30
CONCERTS + SHOWS
MONDAY
Isaiah Rashad - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $60+
WEDNESDAY
Diana Ross - Filene Center in Vienna, VA | 8p, $66+
Musiq Soulchild - Warner Theatre | 8p, $71+
Alena Ciera - Pearl Street Warehouse | 8p, $40
THURSDAY
Go-Go on the Green free outdoor concert - Concord Historic Site & Museum in Capitol Heights, MD | 5p - 8p, free
FRIDAY
Ella Mai - The Anthem | 8p, resale tickets available for $100+
SeatGeek | StubHub | Vivid SeatsRod Wave (Acoustic Concert) - Warner Theatre | 8p, resale tickets available for $240+
SeatGeek | StubHub | Vivid SeatsTequilaTlk Live - Union Stage | 7p, $34
Jon Batiste - Filene Center in Vienna, VA | 8p, resale tickets available for $85+
SeatGeek | StubHub | Vivid Seats
FRIDAY + SATURDAY
Ledisi - The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD | 8p, $60+
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Chico Bean - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $44+
SATURDAY
Masego - The Anthem | 8p, $63
Marc Bravo: Spontaneous Slim Tour - The Underline | 6p - 10p, $31
Thot Daughter Tour ft. Bbymutha - Transmission | 10p, $30
Man of the House - Howard Theatre | shows at 3p + 7p, $60+
Stage play exploring the experience of male victims of domestic abuse
SUNDAY
October London - Power Plant Live! in Baltimore, MD | 4p, $52+
FATTMACK - Howard Theatre | 8p, $36+