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 July 17: Yappy Hour is coming back Thursday, July 17from 6-8 PM 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

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. 

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. 

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 

Listen to the Music:

Bethesda Summer Concerts: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is launching it's first Summer Concert Series. Shows will be held every Sunday from July 13 to 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. goodstone.com

Goodstone Inn Summer Concert Series: Goodstone Inn & Restaurant has launched a Summer Concert Series. 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. More info here. 

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. 

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. 

Museum Visits

Parkour at National Building Museum: This summer, the National Building Museum invites visitors of all ages to move, climb, leap, and experience architecture like never before with MOMENTUM PARK(OUR), a bold new installation that transforms the Museum’s West Court into an immersive Parkour training course. It is open until July 20th. More info here. 

Tudor Place After-Hours Events: Civic Season takes place through July 4, bridging Juneteenth and Independence Day, and is designed to empower young people to reflect on the past and take action to shape the future. It’s celebrated across the country through dynamic events and programs hosted by more than 700 nonpartisan museums, libraries and historic sites, all committed to helping people connect with U.S. history and civics in relevant, engaging ways. More info here. 

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. 

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. 

Theater:

UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor: UniverSoul Circus returns to the greater Washington, D.C. region with its newRhythm of the World production from Friday, June 27, through Sunday, Aug. 10 Celebrating 31 years as one of America’s top family events, UniverSoul Circus brings together the best international performers in a high-energy, interactive spectacle featuring world-class talent, vibrant costumes and music from across the globe. Audiences will experience a cultural celebration filled with rhythm, soul and extraordinary performances. Info here. 

Midsummer Night’s Dream at Synetic Theatre: Synetic Theatre, described by the Washington Post as “the region’s premier troupe for physical theater,” has been thrilling DC audiences since its artistic debut in 2001. Now, its acclaimed adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns for Maryland audiences at Olney Theatre Center. Directed and choreographed by company co-founders Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, the production originally premiered in 2010 and received nine Helen Hayes Award nominations, winning Outstanding Resident Play and Outstanding Ensemble. It has since been remounted in 2013, 2015, and 2022, and toured internationally at Mexico’s 2014 Festival Internacional. 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.