July

Local Residents Ride Free

Let us guide you and your family through the city as we celebrate the nation’s birthday! District of Columbia residents, as well as residents within a 50 mile radius can take advantage of some of our tours and attractions for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass!

Go to Hometown Pass for more information.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage on the National Mall, the Festival has featured participants from all fifty states and more than 100 countries.

July 4th at the National Archives

CELEBRATE JULY 4 AT THE HOME OF THE DECLARATION! Join a tradition like no other: the annual Independence Day celebration at the National Archives in Washington, DC – home of the original Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. View the list of grievances against King George III and cheer ‘Huzzah!’ as we declare our independence on the steps of the Archives, while enjoying a full day of family-friendly activities in our nation’s capital.

National Independence Day Parade

Line up along Constitution Avenue to observe DC’s annual National Independence Day Parade. Expect to see fife and drum corps, military servicemen and women, elaborate floats and VIPs galore.

A Capitol Fourth Concert

Find a spot on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for A Capitol Fourth, which begins at 8 p.m. This year’s concert features a star-studded lineup including the legendary Carole King alongside the Broadway cast of Beautiful starring Vanessa Carlton, as well as a 50th anniversary tribute to Sesame Street and a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra. The grand finale features jaw-dropping fireworks over the National Mall.

Fireworks

Watching the fireworks is one of the highlights of DC’s Independence Day celebrations and there are plenty of great spots to view them. You’ll find excellent vantage points everywhere from the National Mall to rooftop bars to across the river in Arlington. With the launch site of the fireworks in West Potomac Park this year, the National Mall will feature more viewing areas than years’ past including the World War II Memorial, Reflecting Pool and Constitution Gardens. Visitors should arrive early and expect to pass through security screenings.

ENO Wine Bar Celebrates Bastille Day

Celebrate Bastille Day with ENO Wine Bar on July 14th with an abundance of wines and food from the best regions in France. Georgetown’s favorite wine bar is celebrating Bastille Day in its bar and festive outdoor patio with French wine, cheese and food. $22 per person.

Nat Geo Nights: Stories From the World

Hear from some of the inspiring new voices at National Geographic: the 2019-2020 Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellows just back from nine months spent in the field. Learn about bee mating behavior across Spain with environmentalist Melanie Kirby, fisheries and fish-dependent communities in Vietnam with social ecologist Emi Koch, oral storytelling and folklore traditions in Trinidad and Tobago with author Alyea Pierce, and water scarcity in Kathmandu, Nepal, with anthropologist Madison Wrobley.

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden Guided Garden Tours

History and horticulture meet in this beloved garden, which grew and changed over two centuries and six generations. Enjoy an expert, guided tour of the 5.5-acre landscape and learn about the people who created and cared for it. The Tudor Place gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday and self-guided visits to the Garden are free. Illustrated garden maps and smartphone audio garden tour information are available in the Visitor Center. 10:30am, 11:30am.