Maryland

Weekend Scene: What to Do Around DC Aug. 9-11

Here are the best things you can do around D.C. this weekend

What to Know

  • Saturday will be another hot day with highs around 90 but low humidity. You'll see a few clouds through midday, then lots of sunshine
  • Sunday is also looking dry and sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s
  • Enjoy pleasant weather this weekend: Humid weather returns on Monday

It's county fair season, y'all, and not just in Iowa. 

But first...

This Weekend

Howard County Fair
Aug. 3-10
Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship, Maryland

This is the 74th annual Howard County Fair, and there will be amusement rides, games, farm animals, pony races, a bingo hall and more. Tickets to satisfy all your funnel cake and farm animal needs vary in price depending on the day, weekend and time. Evening tickets (5-11 p.m.) cost $7 and senior tickets cost $3. This Saturday, anyone with a valid military ID gets in free (and that includes spouses and children under 18). Learn more here.

Prince William County Fair
Aug. 9-17
The Fairgrounds at 10624 Dumfries Rd. Manassas, Virginia

The Prince William County Fair is no run-of-the-mill festival: keep an eye out for chainsaw art, a demolition derby, wine and a Youth Goat Show, as well as your classic mechanical bull rides, petting zoos, amusement rides and farming antiques. See the full activity schedule here. Admission is $12 for adults (14-64) and $6 for children (5-13) and seniors (65+). Entry for children 4 and under and active military personnel is free, and ride wristbands are available for purchase.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Aug. 9-17
Montgomery County Agricultural Center, 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery County Fair, which hosts more than 5,000 animals each year, according to the website. Explore 62 acres of fairgrounds with free and paid activities each day. Adult tickets are $12 online and $15 at the gate, and kids 11 and under are free. Parking is available on-site for $10 cash. Learn more here.

Bethesda Magazine Restaurant Week
Aug. 9-18
Various locations

Welcome to Bethesda Magazine Restaurant week, where 30 restaurants offer a discounted price for their lunch, dinner and some brunch menus. See the full list of participating restaurants here.

Alexandria Sidewalk Sale
Aug. 10-11
Old Town and Del Ray

Shop from 50+ boutiques in Old Town and Del Ray, which will offer discounts up to 80% off. The King Street Mile will feature giveaways and live music, and, most importantly, the city of Alexandria is offering free parking at all city meters Saturday and Sunday.

Dear Evan Hansen
Through Sept. 8
The Kennedy Center

The critically acclaimed musical started at D.C.'s Arena Theatre, went on to Broadway, picked up a bunch of Tony awards and now its back where it all started. Tickets start at $79.

A couple places in the region are getting nostalgic for drive-in movies this summer. Tommy McFly reports.

Friday

Free Pick
Cooking Up History: In the Kitchen with Julia and Paul Child

Aug. 9, 1 p.m.
American History Museum

This Smithsonian special event will showcase resident food historian Dr. Ashley Young preparing a recipe and explaining food traditions, techniques, ingredients and enjoyment. The demonstration marks Julia Child's Aug. 15 birthday.

Summer Swap Shop
Aug. 9, 2 - 6 p.m.
Wunder Garten at NoMa, 1101 First St. NE

Love raiding your friends' closets? Now you can raid your neighbors'! Summer Swap Shop will take place Friday at Wunder Garten in Noma. Participants will receive one ticket for every item of adult or children's clothing and accessories they bring. Then, use the tickets to "purchase" any item in the shop.

Love raiding your friends' closets? Now you can raid your neighbors'! Summer Swap Shop will take place Friday at Wunder Garten in Noma. Participants will receive one ticket for every item of adult or children's clothing and accessories they bring. Then, use the tickets to "purchase" any item in the shop.

Free Pick
The Golden Triangle: Golden Cinema Series
Aug. 9, 8:30 p.m.
Farragut Square, 912 17th St. NW

This free outdoor movie series is winding down for the summer, and this Friday is your last chance this year to see a movie in Farragut Square. The movies are shown at sunset — around 8:30 p.m. — and the last movie in the series is "Wonder Woman." Grab a blanket, bring some food, and enjoy the show!

Mission Impossible: Party Protocol at the Spy Museum
Aug. 9, 8:30 p.m. - 12 a.m.
International Spy Museum

The Spy Museum is partnering with BrightestYoungThings and hosting its first-ever after-hours party Friday. Test your spy skills and join an interactive scavenger hunt, enjoy live music, listen to a live episode of podcast SpyCast and talk famous spies with intel experts. Tickets are $65 plus fees and include an open bar. You can buy them here.

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Saturday

Steins, Wines & Spirits Festival
Aug. 10, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William Street, Manassas, Virginia

Sample your choice of beverage while lounging in your bathing suit, soaking up the sun. Water activities like a slide, dunk tank and game of water tag are new editions to the fourth annual Manassas Steins, Wines & Spirits Festival. Taster tickets (21+) cost $40 and get you access to local craft beers, farm wines and distilled spirits. Non-taster tickets (13+) cost $20 and include live bands. Buy your tickets here.

Asian Food Truck Festival  Aug. 10, noon to 10 p.m.  The Bullpen, 1299 Half Street SE

Korean BBQ tacos, pho, sate... you can have it all at the Asian Food Truck Festival. The Bullpen bar will offer drink specials and DJ Blakberri will set the mood with K Pop music from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Aerosmith at the Theater at MGM National Harbor
Aug. 10, 8 p.m.
The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Maryland

You won't want to miss a thing at Aerosmith's concert on Saturday at MGM National Harbor. Tickets are already over $150 and you can find them here.

Free Pick
Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series - World Music Night
6-8 p.m.
Fort Dupont Park, Southeast

You're advised to bring your dancing shoes to this performance by Sahel featuring Jean-Francis Varre.

Sunday

Free Pick
DC VegFest at Nationals Park
Aug. 11, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. SE

Impossible burgers are the norm at this veggie-themed event. Stop by for live music, cooking demonstrations, panel discussions and a tasting booth with jerk BBQ chickpeas, nacho mac and cheese and ginger miso noodle salad. Meat-eaters also welcome.

Free Pick
Mt. Pleasant: The Social Power of Music
Aug. 11, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Multiple locations

Mount Pleasant neighborhood is banding together for a full day of musical performances and walking tours. Stick around for the after party at Haydee's Restaurant, featuring DJ Kristy la Rat. 

Free Pick International Food & Craft Fair
Aug. 11, 2 - 8 p.m.
Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring, Maryland

Check out more than 60 artisans, crafters and small businesses at a celebration of the nations this Sunday. Enjoy great food, music and art with the whole family, all for free.

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