June Culture Guide: 42 Things to Do in the DC Area

Happy June, DC!

Summer ushers in outdoor music festivals, great concerts from local musicians such as rapper Wale, and a ton of ways to mark America 250 at Smithsonian museums and local theaters.

10 Best Things to Do in DC

by Pat Padua

Theater

A Fine Madness

June 5–7

This production, created and performed by Woolly Mammoth actor Justin Weaks, is inspired by the Voyager Golden Records, LPs sent into space containing natural and manmade sounds illustrating life on Earth. Weaks mixes poetry, music, and storytelling.

Museums

“Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles”

June 6

Set at Marjorie Merriweather Post’s former home, this exhibit highlights her extensive textile collection, from Russian Orthodox vestments to elegant garments she wore herself. Also included are works by contemporary textile artists, including Sophia Narrett and Manca Ahlin.

Museums

“American Icon: The US Flag in Art”

June 6–December 6

Stretching from the 19th century to today, this exhibit examines how artists—including Jasper Johns, Gordon Parks, and Faith Ringgold—have interpreted the Stars and Stripes and its evolving symbolism.

Books

Ben Fountain

June 12

The Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk author turns his satirical lens on Washington in Rasputin Swims the Potomac, the sprawling tale of a beleaguered second-term President who summons a mystical wrestler.

Museums

“Saodat Ismailova: Melted Into the Sun”

June 13–November 29

In her first major solo exhibition, Ismailova, an Uzbek filmmaker and artist, explores Central Asian history and landscapes through immersive installations.

The veteran Philly neo-soul singer comes to town promoting the wide-ranging, well-reviewed To Whom This May Concern, her first album since 2018.

Music

Wale & Smino

June 20–21

The DC rapper Wale (left) hosts a hometown mini-fest, showcasing both his most recent album, Everything Is a Lot, and additional performers including Smino (right) and Alex Vaughn.

Books

Isaac Butler

June 25

In his new book, The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art, and the Birth of America’s Culture Wars, Butler explores flashpoints that shaped modern America, including controversies such as the Corcoran’s canceled 1989 Robert Mapplethorpe retrospective.

Music

St. Vincent With the NSO

June 25

The art-rock musician will be backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Jules Buckley setting her catalog in lush, orchestral arrangements. Get a preview on St. Vincent’s recent album, Live in London!, also featuring Buckley and an orchestra.

Museums

National Geographic Museum of Exploration

Opening June 26

National Geographic has reimagined the museum at its downtown headquarters, now offering immersive, state-of-the-art installations and exhibits showcasing the organization’s legacy of groundbreaking photography and exploration.

Want More Things to Do?

by Briana Thomas

Arts and culture:

• View historic treasures and documents from America’s founding at the new exhibit “American Aspirations” (June 2 through July 26, free, Smithsonian Castle).
• Play word-themed puzzles and sing karaoke at Planet Word’s Wordplay Wednesday museum parties (June 3, $5+, Downtown).
• For a drag performance, gallery talks about LGBTQIA+ artists, and refreshments, you can spend a Thursday evening at Phillips After 5  (June 4, $20, Dupont Circle).
• Tour through Anderson House, Dupont Underground, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, and other attractions during Dupont Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend (June 6-7, free, Dupont Circle, Kalorama).
• Watch more than 60 documentaries and shorts at DC/DOX Film Festival (June 11-14, $225 for festival pass, various participating DC locations).
• Ring in the first day of summer at Solstice Saturday with live jazz, curator talks, arts and crafts, and more after-hours fun at several Smithsonian museums (June 19-20, free, various participating locations).

Community and heritage:

• Learn how Washingtonians have helped shaped shape American culture (June 3 through September 27, free, MLK Library).
• Eric Marcus from the Making Gay History podcast speaks at Congressional Cemetery (June 4, $20, Capitol Hill).
• This year’s Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier is a DJ dance party on the Wharf’s waterfront (June 13, free, Wharf).
• Exhibitors and performers parade through DC to show their spirit for Capital Pride (June 20, free, Downtown).
• The Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building reopens for a limited time to present “Voices and Votes” exhibit (June 16-September 7, free, Southwest DC).
• Greet the amateur sailors who are racing around the world (June 17-22, free, Wharf).
• Georgetown will host several live acts and concerts on Fête de la Musique as an ode to the French holiday (June 20, free, Georgetown).
• Smithsonian’s Juneteenth Community Day honors Ms. Opal Lee— the activist behind legislation for creating the federal holiday (June 19, free, but registration required, Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum).
• New history exhibits beneath the Lincoln Memorial debut this month (opens June 25, free, National Mall).
• Devour finger-licking samples from America’s top pit-masters at Barbecue Battle; there’s live music, too (June 27-28, $21, Penn Quarter).

Theater and shows:

• Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going to Happen explores love and intimacy through dark comedy (June 4 through July 12, $42+, Logan Circle).
• Relive the music of ’90s supergroup TLC in the new production Crazy Sexy Cool at Arena Stage (June 12 through August 9, $83+, Southwest DC).
• Snarky comic Daniel Tosh does standup at Warner Theatre (June 18-19, $86+, Downtown).

Music:

• Grammy-winning producer and songwriter James Blake arrives in DC to promote his first self-released album Trying Times (June 2, $58, Wharf).
• DC rapper Sideshow has a homecoming show at Pearl Street Warehouse (June 4, $27, Wharf).
• This underground rap show at Songbyrd brings local artists Paco Panama and Ankhlejohn to the stage (June 4, $20+, Union Market).
• Flash’s sister club Berhta welcomes partiers to their spacious open-air venue Bananas for a EDM party headlined by DJ Marten Lou (June 6, $35, Northeast DC).
• Britain’s genre-defying artist Yungblud performs an electrifying concert at The Anthem (June 7, sold out, $98+ from third-party sellers, Wharf).
• Rock out with Amyl and the Sniffers (June 10, $62+, Wharf).
• Come dressed like your favorite Black Pink, BTS, or Stray Kids artist at Union Stage’s K-pop and K-EDM night (June 12, $21, Wharf).
• Sing along to feel-good hits from Bleachers at Merriweather Post Pavilion (June 12, $56+, Columbia).
• Vans Warped Tour continues the punk rock mania at a two-day summer showcase featuring more than 80 live acts (June 13-14, $199+ for two-day admission, RFK Festival Grounds).
• Festival-goers will be transported into the cosmos with jazz, soul, go-go, and funk rhythms at Home Rule Music Festival (June 20, free, Takoma Park).
• Everyday People bash is a groovy option for a day party at The Bullpen (June 20, $36, Navy Yard).
• Attend a multi-day R&B and soca block party with your besties at Fest Wknd (June 26-28, $12+, Navy Yard).

Things to do with kids:

• Celebrate America 250 with Disney music, historic re-enactors, food, and more family fun at Spirit of Independence Festival (June 4-6, free, Downtown).

A version of this article appears in the May 2025 issue of Washingtonian.