July Family-Friendly Events Guide

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Summer is in full swing and there are a lot of family-friendly events going on in the DC area sure to entertain and enlighten!

If you want to enjoy the warm weather, outdoor options this month include movies, lots of music, river tours, checking out awe-inspiring aquatic blooms, and more. There are also many options for 4th of July Festivities!

Your crew can beat the heat indoors at the circus, a theater production, gaming, or appreciating Asian pop culture. However you choose to spend your time on these long summer days, we hope that you have tons of fun making sunny memories with your family.

Find more ways to enjoy the summer with our Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun and our Indoor Play Guide.

July family-friendly events

Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods

Now through August 5
Wolf Trap National Park
Vienna, VA
Each summer, Wolf Trap National Park hosts programming for kids at its Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods. The summer season kicks off this year on June 20th. Attendees can expect a wide variety of performers throughout the summer, including dance, music, puppetry, and storytelling. The performances are about an hour long and recommended for kids age 4 and over. Check out the website for the event schedule and to get tickets.

The Fisherman and His Wife

Now through August 6
Adventure Theater
Glen Echo, MD
This adaptation of the classic fable from the Brothers Grimm uses the help of the audience to explore the consequences of being greedy. This interactive production, narrated by a magical fish with a flair for jazz, is sure to delight kids of all ages. The run time of this production is 50 to 60 minutes and it is suitable for kids of all ages.

Nate the Great

Now through August 11
Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
The popular book series written by Marjorie Sharmat is brought to life in this lively musical. Kids will delight in seeing the boy detective solve mysteries in this production featuring entertaining singing and dancing. Check out the website for tickets and for dates of ASL-interpreted and Sensory-Friendly performances. This production is best for kids age 5 to 11.

Lubber Run Summer Concert Series

Now through August 11
Lubber Run Amphitheater
Arlington, VA
This FREE concert series will bring a wide variety of musical entertainment to Arlington this summer. Shows are scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 11am. The Sunday morning shows are family-friendly events geared toward children.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

June 29 – July 4 and July 6 – July 9
National Mall
Washington, DC
This annual DC event is truly special. This year, the Smithsonian will showcase our nation’s diverse culture with two programs: “The Ozarks: Faces and Facets of a Region” and “Creative Encounters: Living Religions in the U.S.” For two weeks, visitors will be able to experience these parts of our culture through a variety of events and activities including music, dance, craft demonstrations, readings, cooking demonstrations, and more, all of which are FREE to the public. Make sure you check out the jam-packed schedule for this year’s featured events, which includes a Community Square Dance!!

UniverSoul Circus

June 30 – August 5
National Harbor, MD
For 29 years, the UniverSoul Circus has been delighting audiences of all ages with its wide variety of energetic and awe-inspiring acts. You can purchase tickets online. Please note that there is a separate fee for parking.

Summer Block Party: Look Here

July 1 – September 4
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
This year, the National Building Museum’s annual summer interactive exhibition will give visitors the chance to experience how the spaces we are in are connected to our emotions. The installation, entitled Look Here, will turn into the Museum’s Great Hall into a Hall of Mirrors of sorts, with large mirrored objects hanging from the ceiling that look like origami fortune tellers, as well as a large kaleidoscope. Check out the website for more information about planned activities and a schedule. Take note that the Museum offers Ward Days wherein residents receive FREE admission to the Museum’s exhibits if they live in a particular Ward.

Artillery Demonstration

July 2
Fort Washington Park
Fort Washington, MD
A visit to historic Fort Washington Park on any day is like stepping back in time. However, visitors will feel especially transported through time as they observe an Artillery Demonstration. A Civil War era cannon will be fired as a Park Ranger explains the steps necessary to do so. Visitors sensitive to loud sounds should note that this is a loud demonstration. This 15 minute demo will occur three times throughout the day.

Independence Day Celebrations

July 3 and 4
Baseball! Parades! Fireworks! Check out 12 Ways to Celebrate July 4th in the DC Area for information about some ways to celebrate Independence Day in and around DC.

National Harbor Kids’ Day on the Plaza

July 4, 11, 18, and 25
National Harbor
National Harbor, MD
Looking for a way to entertain the kiddos on a summer weekday? Head to National Landing on Tuesday mornings this summer for Kids Day on the Plaza. Each week the Plaza will host different family-friendly activities including music and dance. There will even be a meet and greet day with the Prince George’s County Police Department and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. Make a day of it by taking a ride on the Capital Wheel (get one kids ticket free with the purchase of one adult ticket with the code “Kids Day”) and the carousel, and grab lunch at one of the many nearby restaurants.

Anacostia Watershed Society Boat Tour

July 6 – September 28
Various Locations
Washington, DC
Boat tours are offered on Thursdays (and occasional Saturday mornings) throughout the summer through the Society’s Anacostia River Discovery Series. Explore the river while riding in an open-air motorized boat during a one or two hour tour of the river. Guides will discuss the natural and cultural history of the river along with restoration efforts. The tours are FREE, but registration is required and limited for these events.

Cinematery: The Nightmare Before Christmas

July 7
Congressional Cemetery
Washington, DC
This unique outdoor summer movie series is back! Pack up your family, some low-lying lawn chairs or a blanket, and a picnic to enjoy this night under stars. On the first Friday of each month this summer, the Cemetery will screen an iconic Tim Burton movie. The film scheduled for August is Batman and the September film will be Dark Shadows. Tickets are limited and they are required for this event.

Friday Night Summer Concert Series

July 7 – August 4
Yards Park
Washington, DC
Every Friday night this summer, head to Yards Park for this FREE concert series. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but you can also bring a picnic or take away from one of the great restaurants nearby. You can cozy up on your blanket or bring a chair to relax in. If the music moves you, get up and dance on the boardwalk!

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration

July 8
Oronoco Bay Park
Alexandria, VA
Celebrate Alexandria’s 274th and America’s 247th birthday along the Potomac waterfront at Oronoco Bay Park. Festivities will begin with a performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and end with a Grand Finale fireworks display at 9:30pm. There will be local vendors and live music. And, of course, there will be birthday cupcakes!

Sunset Parade

July 11 – August 1
Lincoln Memorial
Washington, DC
Spend a summer evening at the Marine Corps’ weekly Sunset Parade at the Lincoln Memorial. This performance will be held on Tuesdays until August 1st. This one-hour performance is FREE and reservations are not required.

Cool Concerts for Kids

July 13, 20, and 27
The Gudelsky Gazebo at Strathmore
North Bethesda, MD
This summer, enjoy FREE, fun, family-friendly concerts outdoors at Strathmore’s Live from the Lawn series. Bring a blanket or low chairs and enjoy South Asian music and culture with Falu’s Bazaar (July 13), Spanish and English family music of Sonia De Los Santos (July 20), or a Dance Party with Fyütch (July 27). Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic, but there will also be food for purchase on site. These shows will last about an hour and there is no intermission.

Friday Night Live!

July 14
City Hall Plaza
College Park, MD
Throughout the summer, the City of College Park is hosting its Friday Night Live! Series. Attendees will enjoy musical performances and other entertainment. Kids will be entertained by arts and crafts activities, a bounce house, and more. Local food and beer will be available for purchase. Each of these family-friendly concerts will have a unique theme. The theme for July 15th is “80s Rock.” The concerts are FREE. See website for additional concert dates.

Archaeology Family Day

July 15
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
Mount Vernon, VA
Spend the day at the bucolic Mount Vernon Estate learning how archaeology has been used to learn about the Washingtons and the enslaved people who lived at Mount Vernon. Visitors will be able to talk to an actual archaeologist, sort found objects, plot objects on a Dig Grid, and more. Family Day activities are included with the regular admission ticket to the Estate.

Spanish is the Language of My Family Book Festival

July 15
National Postal Museum
Washington, DC
The Museum is celebrating the release of a new book written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by NPM’s Guest Artist, John Parra. Spanish is the Language of My Family addresses the importance of one’s culture, community, and identity. This FREE event will offer a whole day of fun-filled family-friendly activities.

Lotus and Water Lily Festival

July 15 – July 22
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Washington, DC
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is such a local treasure. Early summer mornings in late June through July offer breathtaking, Seuss-like lotus flowers and water lilies in full bloom. The annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival celebrates the peak bloom in July. Details have not yet been released about this year’s Festival, so check the website closer to the dates. Whether or not you participate in any festival programming, a visit to the park is a stunning experience this time of year.

Decades Summer Dance Party

July 16
MLK Library
Washington, DC
From 2pm to 4pm, you can let loose dancing to favorite songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. This family-friendly DJ dance party will also include games like ping-pong, Jenga, and more. This event is FREE to attend.

MLS All-Star Game

July 19
Audi Field
Washington, DC
The 2023 MLS All-Star Game is coming to DC! Head to Audi Field to cheer on your favorite MLS All-Stars as they take on Arsenal FC of the Premier League. Tickets are available online. A week of events around town will build up to the match and are sure to entertain all the soccer fans in your family. One of these events is the 2023 MLS Skills Challenge on July 18th, where attendees will get to watch ten top Arsenal FC players go head-to-head with ten MLS All-Stars in various skills challenges. Check out the schedule for more info on events and tickets.

SAAM Arcade

July 22
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Washington, DC
Make the gamer in your family smile by taking them to the Museum’s Kogod Courtyard for this annual event. This year, SAAM will explore the use of music and sound design in games, from rhythm games to musical instrument simulators to groundbreaking soundtracking. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to experience new games as well as classic arcade and console games. A “sonic-inspired” scavenger hunt has also been created that connects video games to SAAM’s collections. It is FREE to attend this event.

Otakon

July 29 – 31
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC
Since 1994, Otakon has celebrated Asian pop culture such as anime, manga, music, movies, and video games, as well as its fandom. There will be a Gaming Hall, Costume Contest, Makerspace, concerts, and more. Check out the event website for the schedule and its COVID protocols.

July family-friendly events

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Julie Hart
Julie is a proud born and bred Texan, but has called DC home since 2001. She studied at the University of Texas and then moved to DC to get her MPA at the George Washington University. Julie worked for ten years for a Member of Congress, where she loved working to impact public policy. In 2013, her world turned inside out when she gave birth to twins and decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Currently Julie lives in the H Street Corridor with her husband, two kids, and their increasingly grouchy senior dog, Presley. Yes, please: movie dates with her husband, trying new restaurants, exploring DC with her kids, last minute road trips, being outdoors, festivals (of any kind), girls’ night out, and a rainy day with “Pride and Prejudice.” No, thank you: hot and humid summers, mistreating animals, Legos (ouch!), public speaking, laundry, raw fish