Happy Monday, DC!
The World Cup wraps up this week with lots of spirited watch parties around town. There’s also a rare chance to see the Smithsonian Castle all lit up.
Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend
July 13–July 19
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- World Cup Watch Zone at the Wharf. It’s the last week for FIFA World Cup excitement and watch parties. Gather your friends and head to the Wharf to watch the semi-finals and final match this week on their big outdoor screen on Pearl Street. There’s first come, first served seating and food and drink deals at nearby eateries such as Pink Tiger, Colada Shop, and more (Tues-Wed, Sat-Sun, Wharf).
- “Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations.” Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol developed an AI light show that you can see illuminated on the facade of the historic Smithsonian Castle this weekend. The limited-run installation features a digitized 20-minute rotation of the Smithsonian’s collections, including manuscripts, photos, and more works (Fri-Sat, free, National Mall).
- Lotus and Lily Festival. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is blooming with fresh water lilies and lotus flowers. Take the family to spot blossoming florals, unwind with morning yoga, and join a forest bath meditation at Lotus and Lily Festival (Sat-Sun, free, Anacostia).
- District Fringe Festival. The homegrown District Fringe Festival is back for another year bringing together a mix of artsy, quirky, and comedic live acts and productions. The lineup—which features a ton of local performers—will offer a wide range of shows, including comedy, improv, storytelling, poetry, and Aye Aye: A Musical Pirate Adventure!; some shows are outdoors at Firefly Amphitheatre or indoors at Phoenix Theatre UDC (through July 26, $15, University of District Columbia).
Want More Things to Do?
Arts and culture:
- Have a screen-free night with friends and draw a still life portrait using oil pastels (Tues, free, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery).
- View the “Water’s Edge” exhibit and listen to a conversation about Native American and Indigenous collections with museum experts (Thurs, free, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian).
- Award-winning author Sigrid Nunez discusses her first short story collection It Will Come Back to You at Politics and Prose (Thurs, free, virtual, Northwest DC).
- There’s storytime, a LEGO sculpture of the US Constitution, and musical and spoken word performances at Library Fest (Sat, free, Arlington).
- Swap paint brushes, canvases, ceramic materials, and other craft items with a neighbor (Sat, free, MLK Library).
- If you’re a fan of conscious rap music, you’ll enjoy this author talk about the new book Raps of Resistance (Sat, free, Union Market).
- It’s Christmas in July at Van Ness. Find an early holiday present at this artisans pop-up market (Sat, free, Van Ness).
Community and heritage:
- Celebrate Bastille Day at Le Diplomate with a live sketch artist, sparkling wine cart, music, and more French culture (Tues, free entry, 14th Street Corridor).
- Go on a guided tour of Lafayette Square to discover the history of famous French-Americans (Tues, $30, Downtown).
- If you missed the chance to snag a Bastille Day ticket at the Embassy of France, you can celebrate with the embassy at their outdoor Garden Party (Fri, $118, Georgetown).
Theater and shows:
- It’s last call to see musical comedy Beetlejuice at National Theatre (closes Sun, $44+, National Theatre).
- CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical brings the legacy and jams of the ’90s music trio to Arena Stage (through August 9, $83+, Southwest DC).
Music and concerts:
- Fans of Billboard-charting artists Usher and Chris Brown can watch them perform together live at the Raymond and Brown tour at Northwest Stadium (Mon, $99+, Northwest Stadium).
- Sing along with King Street Bluegrass band at Postal Museum’s after-hours gathering (Thurs, free, Smithsonian National Postal Museum).
- Jazzy Sundays showcases local bands this summer (every Sun through August 30, free, Anacostia).
- Dance to house music played by King Britt at Mess Hall (Sun, $22+, Edgewood).
Sports:
- Rock your red or yellow soccer gear for the semi-final World Cup match between France and Spain at Del Mar; there’s happy hour deals on oysters, sangria, and tapas, too (Tues, free entry, Wharf).
- FIFA photojournalist Kwabena Ofori speaks on a panel about soccer and America 250 (Sat, free, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art).
- TAP Sports Bar is a lively indoor and outdoor destination for your World Cup spirit. Check out the final match on one of the venue’s big screens and enjoy food deals (Sun, free entry, reservations encouraged, National Harbor).
Exercise and wellness:
- Stretch and relax outdoors as fireflies light up the evening (Wed, $15, Edgewood).
- Meditate during new moon gong bathing at the serene National Arboretum (Wed, $23, Northeast DC).
Things to do with kids:
- This child-friendly movie screening of The Princess Diaries starts at dusk on the Reach’s lawn (Sat, free, Kennedy Center).
- Families can shop a craft market, feed animals, and stroll through sunflower fields and wildflower patches (Sat, Sun, July 25-26, $24 for adults, $17 for youth ages 3 to 14, Ellicott City).
If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
