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. 

Museum Visits

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Youth & the Future of Culture: In 2025, Youth and the Future of Culture will explore creativity, vitality, resilience, and intergenerational learning and exchange through the contributions and experiences of youth. The program will underscore how young people influence and engage with culture, and how they create, innovate, and sustain cultural practices and traditions. Drawing from diverse communities and perspectives, Youth and the Future of Culture will feature youth-centered—and often youth-led—projects and organizations, and individuals who are generating new ideas, transforming their communities, and confronting contemporary challenges. festival.si.edu

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. 

National Building Museum: The National Building Museum has extended its Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania exhibition through Sunday, October 5, 2025. This exhibition is a journey into the famed architect’s mind, articulating—for the first time—his broader creative vision. Presenting both realized and unrealized projects Wright designed for the Southwest Pennsylvania region from the 1930s through the 1950s, the exhibition examines how Wright’s vision of the future might have impacted urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. 

Theater:

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Arlington Players: The Peanuts gang comes life with heart, charm, and wit in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, and Snoopy is in the doghouse... This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, is guaranteed to please audiences of all ages. Tickets 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. 

Liquid: LIQUID by New York Circus Project is a 75-minute punk rock circus party where punk rock collides with jaw-dropping spectacle. Follow a reclusive salesman as he’s pulled into a wild punk world filled with acrobats, tap dancers, and aerialists from around the world, navigating chaos with a pulsating soundtrack from The Ramones to Avril Lavigne. From the moment you arrive, the show surrounds you: graffiti streaks, neon lights, and a full bar serving craft cocktails from the minds behind Jack Daniel’s and Diplomatico Rum. Get tickets here. 

Folger Theatre: Twelfth Night: Folger Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night is on stage at the Folger Shakespeare Library from May 13–June 22, 2025. Tickets start at $20. Folger Theatre presents a playful interpretation of a beloved Shakespeare comedy that brings gender fluidity, mistaken identities, and what it means to move between worlds into a joyful discovery of love. Buy tickets here. 

Grab Some Popcorn:

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. 

Listen to the Music:

 Jazz @ Met: Back for a third year, Jazz @ Met invites all to celebrate the warm weather and incredible music at the weekly free concert series in National Landing’s Metropolitan Park. Hosted by the National Landing BID, presented in partnership with the DC Jazz Festival and sponsored by Amazon. The upcoming lineup is as follows:
June 5: Son Cubano Subterráneo (Cuban Son)
June 12: Carr-Keys (Straight-Ahead Soul Jazz)

Chevy Chase Lake Summer Concert Series: Chevy Chase Lake has a new event series. Music highlights include performances by The Original Moonlighters, Hurricane Kevin & The Cat 5 (CBMA Song of the Year) and Honest Lee Soul, recently named Best Blues Band at the 2024 Maryland Music Awards. The events will also feature local retailers, food and beverage partners like Elena James and community nonprofit Nature Forward.

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. 
 

Where Else You'll Find Us

Sweat the Stacks: The Stacks, invites you to kick off your fitness goals at "Sweat The Stacks with FLEX," a dynamic new monthly fitness series that brings high-energy workouts to the heart of Buzzard Point. Get ready to crush your workout in a boot camp-style session that will leave you feeling energized and empowered. From beginners to seasoned athletes, The Stacks welcomes all fitness levels to experience a dynamic workout against the stunning backdrop of the Southwest Waterfront. Info here. 

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. i-weekly Thursdays: June 12 • June 26 • July 10 • July 24 • August 7 • August 21. More info here. 

Yoga at Hush: Curated by Faith Hunter, creator of the Spiritually Fly, each session is a nourishing blend of intentional movement, grounding breath and mindful moments designed to help you feel good in your body, clear in your mind and connected to your spirit. Set along the poolside at HUSH Rooftop at Viceroy Washington DC - a vibrant city escape showcasing local creatives - this series offers the perfect blend of urban energy and soulful retreat. Book here. 

LGBTJews: LGBTJews in the Federal City explores a turbulent century of celebration, activism, and change in the nation’s capital. This landmark exhibition is the first of its kind to explore DC history, Jewish history, and LGBTQ+ history together, drawing from the Museum’s robust LGBTQ+ archive. Immerse yourself in historical and contemporary photography, artifacts, and oral histories. Tickets here. 

Summer Nights Barbecue Series: Presented by a.kitchen+bar D.C. x OpenTable + Benefiting Southern Smoke Foundation: join James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur Ellen Yin + team for a sizzling five-part BBQ & grilling series featuring top DC chefs. One night only dinners will feature a range of flavors including Korean, modern regional Vietnamese, Italia, and bold Mexican. Each chef (headshots here) will prepare four signature dishes ($18-$38). Guests can expect live DJ sets, pay-as-you-go plates + cash bar, with proceeds to support Southern Smoke Foundation ($10 entry fee). Chef lineup below, all events Thursdays, 5–9PM. 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. Koerwyn will be at Park Hyatt Washington on Thursday, May 29, and available for interviews as he tours his installation at the hotel with a welcome reception. 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.