The Weekend Scene: Juneteenth celebrations and more to do around DC
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The Weekend Scene: Juneteenth celebrations and more to do around DC
This weekend we’re celebrating Juneteenth and the first official weekend of summer. We hope you like it hot; plenty of pool weather is coming up in the forecast. The FIFA Club World Cup is bringing 32 top club teams to compete in cities across the U.S. The 33rd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle is back, drawing in top pitmasters to compete for a $50,000 prize. The Great Zucchini, Rocknoceros and other favorite children’s entertainers will be performing in Fairfax County parks on Wednesday and Saturday. This weekend, you’ll find the fun at Burke Park, Wakefield Park and Ella C. C. Park in Washington, D.C., as well as the National Mall and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. The National Mall will stay open late: Until 9 p.m.: American History Museum, Asian Art, American Indian and Natural History museums, plus the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
This weekend we’re celebrating Juneteenth and the first official weekend of summer. We hope you like it hot; plenty of pool weather is coming up in the forecast.
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Juneteenth celebrations
The Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival in Bethesda (Thursday), live music at the Anacosita Community Museum (Saturday), the Home Rule Music Festival (Saturday) and the Juneteenth celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts (Saturday) are some highlights from our guide to events for the holiday.
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Weekend highlights
FIFA Club World Cup
Audi Field, $33+
🔗 Details
In the lead-up to next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America, the soccer giant is bringing 32 top club teams to compete in cities across the U.S.
Audi Field will host two more matches: Salzburg vs. Al Hilal (Sunday) and Wydad vs. Al Ain (Thursday, June 26)
Tickets start at about $30. Here’s a rundown of the teams and players to watch.
Free pick
Home Rule Music Festival
Sat., 1-9 p.m., The Parks at Walter Reed in Northwest D.C., free
🔗 Details
Just in time for Black Music Month and Juneteenth, spend an afternoon with local artists including Plunky & The Oneness of Juju, Backyard Band and New Impressionz.
Family-friendly
The 33rd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
Sat. and Sun., Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th streets, $10.60+
🔗 Details
The long-running BBQ festival on America’s main street is back, drawing in top pitmasters to compete for a $50,000 prize (you can watch the meat magic happen, but health codes don’t permit attendees to try the competition BBQ).
Stuff yourself with 100+ free food samples and then dance it off to D.C. staples The Chuck Brown Band, Junkyard Band and EU (Experience Unlimited), or watch a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
New happenings this year include the Giant Corks to Caps 21+ Oasis with samples and drinks for sale, a go-go tent and a dance party zone with DJs.
Kids 12 and younger can go for free. Keep the young crowd busy with sports, BMX and skateboarding shows and art activities – if you can get them away from the free ice cream samples!
Free & family-friendly
Smithsonian Solstice Saturday
Sat., various hours
🔗 Details
Spend a night at the museum as the Smithsonians celebrate the first Saturday of summer.
All museums on the National Mall will stay open late:
🕘 Until 9 p.m.: American History Museum
🕙 Until 10 p.m.: African American History and Culture, Asian Art, American Indian and Natural History museums, plus the Hirshhorn
🕚 Until 11 p.m.: Arts and Industries Building, National Air and Space Museum
🕛 Until midnight: African Art museum
Special events can be found around every corner, including DJs and special tours at the Asian Art Museum, guided stargazing at the Air and Space Museum, a glow-in-the-dark arcade celebration at the Arts and Industries Building and a live DJ plus drummers until 11 p.m. at the African Art Museum.
Free pick
Art in the Parks
Saturday and Wednesday mornings, Fairfax County
🔗 Details
This one is all for kids! The Great Zucchini, Rocknoceros and other favorite children’s entertainers will be performing in several Fairfax County parks on certain Wednesday and Saturday mornings starting at 10 a.m.
This weekend, you’ll find the fun at Burke Lake Park, Wakefield Park and Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.
Concerts this weekend
Kelsey Waldon, 7 p.m., Thursday, Pearl Street Warehouse, $23.40-$44.60
A rare authentic country artist in modern music with a gorgeous voice. Details.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 Club, $36.50
Pigsx7 revives their native England’s 1970s-’80s stone-leaning heavy metal with noise rock, crunchy riffs and a sense of humor. Details.
Caamp w/ Whitney, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, The Anthem, $69.85
Caamp plays soft, twangy folk rock — a little sad, a little hopeful. It feels like a relaxing, sunny Sunday afternoon. Opener Whitney carries the same mellow and heartfelt vibe through its AM-gold-mining soft rock. Friday night show sold out. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
National Archives displays the Emancipation Proclamation and ‘Juneteenth’ General Order No. 3: Thurs. to Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, free (timed tickets available here but not required)
Juneteenth Community Festival: Thurs., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., One DC at 2500 MLK Jr. Ave SE, free
“Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City”: Opens Thurs., Northeast D.C., $29.50-$37
Some Smithsonian museums open late for Solstice Saturday: Sat., various hours, free
The 33rd Annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle: Sat. and Sun., Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th streets, $10.60+
Fête de la Musique – World Music Day: Sat., 3-10 p.m., throughout Georgetown, free
Adobo Day Party: Sat., 4:30 p.m., Plaza Stage at Nationals Park, $45.20
DC, I Love You: Ready or Not immersive story experience: Sat. and Sun., Folger Shakespeare Library, $30 (individual)/$50 (pair)
Dupont Museum Walk Weekend: Sat. and Sun., Dupont Circle neighborhood, free
Juneteenth Celebration: Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Anacostia Community Museum, free
Go-Go on the Rooftop: Sun., 1-5 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, free
Things to do in Maryland
History Boat Tour – Juneteenth: Thurs., noon, Bladensburg Waterfront Park, $3 for Prince George’s County residents, $4 for non-residents
The Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival: Thurs., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda, free (tickets for rides, games and activities cost extra)
Movies in the Park for Juneteenth: Thurs., 8 p.m., Watkins Regional Park, free
Salsa at The Square: Thursdays through Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m., Rockville, free
Bethesda Summer Concert series – Billy Coulter Band: Fri., 6 p.m., Woodmont Triangle, free
Juneteenth Block Party: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Prince George’s Community College in Largo, free
Juneteenth – Pushing Back: Sat., noon to 10 p.m., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, free
Rockville Juneteenth Celebration: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., The Square, free
Planet Maryland: Sun., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Elm Street Urban Park in Bethesda, free
Things to do in Virginia
Alexandria celebrates Juneteenth: Thurs. and Sat., various locations, free
Play All Day VA: Fri., activities with community centers and parks and recreation departments across the state, including Arlington County, Fairfax County, Reston and more
Chillin’ on Church: Fri., 6:30-9:30 p.m., Vienna Town Green, free
Juneteenth Celebration 2025 by “BURG” Family Reunion Club: Sat., noon to 7 p.m., Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, $5 (kids)/$10 (adults)
Fab Fridays Live Music – Still Surfin’ (Beach Boys tribute band): Fri., 7-9 p.m., Reston Metro Plaza, free
COPA Tysons Soccer Fest: Sat., 1-7 p.m., Ken Lawrence Park, free
Family movies – “The Goonies”: Sat., 6:30 p.m., 1800 Reston Row Plaza, free
Buddy Guy: Sat., 7:30 p.m., Wolf Trap, $51.50+
Philippine Independence Day Festival: Sat. and Sun., Mosaic in Fairfax, free
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