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For Your Weekend: What to Do on Father's Day

Here are some things to do this weekend in the D.C. area June 14-16

What to Know

  • Sunday is Father's Day and it's shaping up to be hot. Highs are in the 90s. There's a 40 percent chance of storms in the afternoon

We're headed toward a hot, dry Father's Day Weekend with plenty of places to eat and drink.

All Weekend

Infinite Space by Refik Anadol at ARTECHOUSE
June 13 - September 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Ave. SW

ARETCHOUSE's newest immersible exhibit will have you soaring through "Infinite Space," watching algorithms build art right before your eyes.

Turkish-born artist Refik Anadol's exhibit "Infinite Space" is now open at ARTECHOUSE. The exhibit uses machine learning algorithms to create moving images based on the relationships between archival materials in the SALT Research collections. These images are then projected onto ARTECHOUSE's immersive screens. There are also galleries that use images from NASA. Tickets range from $8-$10 online or $10-$20 onsite, and the exhibit is open until September 2nd. Buy tickets here.

DC Jazz Fest 

The 15th annual DC Jazz Festival continues this weekend, designed to provide enriching and entertaining performances and programs to introduce people of all ages to jazz. Ticket prices vary based on which artist you want to see, but there are plenty of free performances. You can check out the entire schedule and lineup (with prices) here.

Taste of Reston
June 14-15, 4-11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday
Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St., Reston Virginia

Taste of Reston is the largest outdoor food festival in the area, and has been voted "Northern Virginia's Best Food Festival" by Virginia Living magazine for the past six years. This year's festival features two days of restaurants and community vendors, live entertainment on three stages, a Family Fun Zone and a Wine n' Dine area. You can purchase tickets to spend on food and drink, but admission to the festival and garage parking are both free. More info can be found here.

MagicFest
June 14-16, 7 a.m.-11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday
Dulles Expo & Conference Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly Virginia

Grant Prix are the biggest open events for Magic the Gathering, a trading card game, run around the world. MagicFest is a three-day festival hosted near D.C., and features a two-day main event with thousands of dollars in cash prizes. The event will also feature artist signings and side events. There's no door charge, but guests must register ahead of time, which you can do here.

Free Pick
By The People Festival in AIB
June 15 - 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, North Entrance off National Mall

This Saturday, the Smithsonian’s Arts + Industries Building will be hosting By The People, a free international arts and dialogue festival celebrating life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The festival will include massive art installations, food from Foodhini, and popup sound/dance/art performances. There are also festival hubs at Union Market and a barge that will visit Georgetown, Capitol Riverfront, and Anacostia over the course of the week. Find out more and get free tickets here.

Smithsonian Sleepover at the American History Museum
June 15, 7 p.m. on Saturday to 9 a.m. on Sunday
Smithsonian American History Museum

This Saturday, every kid and their parent can live out their "Night at the Museum" fantasy. Kids are invited to solve the mystery of six objects, stolen by the devious diva Miss Rose. The event will feature games, experiments, and craft projects inspired by the exhibitions, followed by a sleepover in the museum. At least one adult must be present for every three children, and only children ages 8 to 14 are allowed to attend. Tickets are $100 for members (children and adults) and $120 for non-members (children and adults). Registration can only happen by telephone, but go here for more information.

Festival Afro Bahia
June 13-16
FICA, 733 Euclid St. NW and the African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave. NW

The Festival Afro Bahia is an educational event that aims to create opportunity to experience the culture of the Brazilian state of Bahia, based on the African traditions of food, dance, music, art, craft and discussion. The festival’s mission is to decrease the cultural gap among African descendants and create awareness and exposure to African Bahian culture. Tickets range from $45 to $130, and can be found here.

Saturday

Smorgasburg DC
June 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tingey Plaza, 200 Tingey St., SE

New York City's wildly popular outdoor market is making its way to Washington's Navy Yard neighborhood, bringing together more than 30 D.C.-area vendors starting Saturday. The open-air marketplace is set to feature mumbo sauce poutine, arepas, vegetarian tacos and more. Also head over to enjoy a beer garden, shaded seating, the lush green lawn outside the U.S. Department of Transportation and clear skies. The market will run every Saturday through October.

Free Pick
Innovations in Flight Family Day
June 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly VA

Every year, the Smithsonian hosts the Innovations in Flight Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display at their Chantilly, VA facility. The event gives visitors the chance to learn about engineering and design innovations in flight, talk with pilots, and look at modern aircraft. There will also be hands-on, STEM-based activities. The event is free, but parking at the facility's parking lot is $15, and the Smithsonian warns that the event's high-volume attendance may cause the parking lot to fill quickly. Learn more here.

Women Empower X Washington D.C. 2019
June 15, 10-5 p.m.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Women Empower X is an annual event for female entrepreneurs, go-getters, industry leaders and executives, and this is the 3rd year it will occur. The Women Empower Expo will include 40+ speakers, 60 vendors, book signings and influence meet and greets, and more. Tickets range from $20 to $99, and you can get them here.

Free Pick
Fido Fest
June 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Westmore Dog Park, 11000 Berry St., Fairfax VA

If you're looking for an event you can bring your four-legged friend to, the Furfax Fido Fest will be at Westmore Dog Park in Fairfax. The event will feature vendors, dog activities, demonstrations, and a K9 splash zone. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.

Free Pick
Chinatown Community Festival
June 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Chinatown Park, 5th and I St. NW

Put together by the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, the Chinatown Community festival will feature performances, dancing, food samples, face painting, henna, crafts and more. The event is free and open to the public. Get more info here.

Maryland Food Truck Festival
June 15, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville MD

This food truck festival features over 25 trucks, live music, beer, wine, spirits, helicopter rides, and an area just for kids. Gates open at 11 a.m., and tickets ranging from $10 to $90 can be purchased here.

Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival
June 15, noon to 6 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
National Harbor, 300 Waterfront Street, National Harbor MD

This year is the 10th annual festival at the National Harbor, and will feature beer, bourbon, barbeque, bluegrass and more. The VIP Beast Mode session from noon to 6 p.m., featuring exotic smoked meats like alligator, is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. session. Ticket prices vary, and can be found here along with more information.

Free Pick
Columbia Pike Blues Festival
1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Columbia Pike & S. Walter Reed

Admission is free for this blues festival featuring Sugaray Rayford, Thornetta Davis and more. The Arlington Art Truck will make an appearance and food and drinks are available for purchase.

1st Annual Hirshhorn Ball
June 15, 7:30 p.m.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave SW & 7th St. SW

This year, the Hirshhorn is hosting its first-ever annual ball. The theme is surrealism, and guests are requested to wear their most extra outfit as they raise a glass to fashion, authenticity, and self-expression. There will be DJs, performances and open-air photo booth shoots. Individual tickets are $195, and can be purchased here.

Sunday

Free Pick
5th International Day of Yoga
June 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Washington Monument, 1600 Constitution Ave. NW

Embassy of India, in partnership with Friends of Yoga, is hosting an event for the International Day of Yoga at the Washington Monument on Sunday, starting at 8:30 a.m. All ages are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Participants will get a free yoga t-shirt on a first-come, first-served basis, and the event will be followed by an Indian Vegetarian Food Festival at 10:30 a.m. in association with Freer Sackler. Register for free here.

USA vs. Chile World Cup Watch Party at ChurchKey
June 16, noon
ChurchKey, 1337 14th Street NW

Interested in watching the next Women’s U.S. Soccer match after their 13-0 victory over Thailand on Tuesday? ChurchKey, a bar in DC, is hosting a watch party. Doors open at 11:30 for the noon kick-off time, and the event features food specials and $5 US beers. Get more info here.

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