It's time to start ignoring the weather and reclaim your weekend! There's so much to do before binge-watching another mystery series:
But first:
-- It's your last chance to get a $7 burger at restaurants across town during Burger Week, which ends Sunday.
-- Jay-Z and Beyonce are bringing their On the Run II tour to FedExField for two nights. Here's everyone else heading to D.C. in the coming months.
-- Time is ticking for a summer vacation! Here's 10 places to check out in Virginia, day trips around Maryland and the best spots within 100 miles.
-- Feeling hungry? You definitely will feel the stomach rumbles after checking out the best ways to eat and drink your way through summer.
-- Outdoor movies are one of the best parts of a D.C. summer.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
-- Have you checked out our guide to 100+ Things to Do in D.C. This Summer? Get ready to make this the #BestSummerEver.
Here are our top picks for your weekend:
Free Pick
Water Lily and Lotus Festival
All Weekend, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
The water lilies and lotus are in peak bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. You can stroll through the park during regular visiting hours — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — or enjoy one of the special celebrations.
On Friday, the park hosts extended hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A ranger will lead you on an odyssey through the nighttime hours where you can see blooming night lilies and listen for wildlife.
Park rangers recommend bringing a picnic on Saturday night to enjoy jazz music al fresco.
Here's a sneak peek:
Explore Nature at DC's Annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival
Free Pick
Baseball Americana
Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Library of Congress
Go deep into baseball history at the Library of Congress' new exhibit, featuring some amazing artifacts including Babe Ruth's shoes and tons of retro photos.
Here are a few things we learned from the exhibit:
DC Field Day
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., RFK Stadium
Field day is a chance to time travel back to the best part of your school days (or the worst, but you can consider this a redo). There will be games including sack races, tug-of-war and an obstacle course. And beer. Tickets cost $45 and come with a beer.
Dupont club Decades is hosting a no-cover-charge rooftop happy hour in honor of the field day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.
Bathtub Final Farewell Fest
Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Bathtub Republic (2511 10th Street NE)
Catch a smattering of local bands and artists including Slow Love, Light Beams, Hothead, Bal Boheme and Cool People as they say goodbye to one of D.C.'s DIY venues. Suggested donation is $10.
Fun House at the National Building Museum
All weekend, the National Building Museum
Jump into the adult-sized ball pit at National Building Museum's Fun House by Snarkitecture. Tickets cost $16.
Check out our first look here:
Interactive 'Fun House' Opening at National Building Museum
For Your Friday
Free Pick
Chinatown Block Party
Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Chinatown Park at Sixth and I Streets
Chill out with giant-sized board games, silk screening, an origami workshop or just lounge back and enjoy music from Words Beats and Life's Own Beat Junkies.
Free Pick
Music in Motion at the Freer Sackler
Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Freer Sackler Galleries
Kick off your weekend with dance from the DC Mongolian Dance Group and Korean troupe the Washington Samul Nori. Food inspired by Tibetan and Mongolian Cuisine will be for sale in the cafe alongside treats and drinks. The night caps off with a free screening of a zombie satire form Hong Kong.
Brewmaster Tours Featuring Atlas Brew Works
Friday, 5 p.m., Heurich House Museum
Tour the Dupont brewery-turned-museum with a beer in hand. Tickets cost $30.
Free Pick
ThrillHER Tour: Michele Campbell, Kelli Clare, and Susie Schnall
Friday, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Politics and Prose in Chevy Chase
Join three authors who wrote mysteries for your summer reading list. It's free to attend.
Karaoke Storytellers
Friday, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., District Karaoke
Don't worry: This isn't your typical rendition of a song that already made you recoil. Although it may be cringe-worthy: The performance is part confessional and part classic karaoke. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 at the door.
For Your Saturday
Record Party and Swap
Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, Brookland's Monroe Street Farmer's Market
Bring your favorite albums for DJ Golden Beets to play and your least-favorite to exchange for something fresh. Speaking of fresh, there's also of course plenty of veggies to buy.
Free Pick
National Dance Day
Saturday, 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., The Kennedy Center
Enjoy classes and performances starting with a warm-up yoga class in the morning. The day ends with live music and Afro-Columbian, Soukous and Chempeta dance lessons. See a full schedule here.
Free Pick
Shark Bites and Brews
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Wharf
Ocean-themed food, drinks, games, music and of course a mechanical shark will take over The Wharf's transit pier for an afternoon of fishy shenanigans.
730 Day
Saturday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tastemakers
Join the creators of this local newsletter as they celebrate it's birthday. There will be food, vendors and activities including a scavenger hunt and a tour of Brookland.
Queen of Samba Contest
Saturday, 7 p.m., Tropicalia Lounge
Watch some Brazilian Samba, cheer on your favorite competitor and then celebrate with the contestants into the night. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Awkward Sex... and the City
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., The Black Cat
Comics Natalie Wall, Anita Flores, Bobby Hankinson, Jen Keefe and Karolena Theresa are putting on two shows honing in on their cringe-worthy relationship stories. Tickets cost $15.
For Your Sunday
Free Pick
Anacostia Park Bike Ride
Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Anacostia Park
Enjoy a free, guided bike tour while learning about Anacostia's history as a camp site for protesting World War I veterans. The sit-in ultimately led to the GI Bill.
History Bites: Ice Cream
Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Dumbarton House
Yes: Organizers do promise ice cream samples! You'll also get to learn about ice cream and how it was made (and kept cold!) back in the day. Tickets cost $25 for non-members.
Chop Bar Ethipoian Pop-Up Restaurant
Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Big Chief
A $50 ticket gets you a multi-course tasting menu of Ethiopian dishes, a snack bar and a free drink alongside some fun activities including a photo booth and DJ.
111 Places in DC That You Must Not Miss
Sunday, 4 p.m., Mansion on O Street
Author Andréa Seiger will discuss her book on places you must see in D.C. We'd be sitting in the audience smug about the places we've heard about and intrigued by anything that we have missed.
