It's almost 4th of July! Lots of options for things to do in this issue, but no matter what you do, if you're moving around DC, the metro is going to be your best bet.

And good news: Metrorail and Metrobus will be free from 5:00 PM to close on Friday.

Valerie

Give your opinion, and check back next week for the results.

Last week, I asked: The newsletter is running out of room! Which would you rather see? You responded:

• Next 2 weeks of events with more events for each day (86%)
• Next 4+ weeks of events but less per day (14%)

So that's what you'll see in the newsletter going forward! We're working on an option to give you access to all the events further out.

Looking for something specific? Check out these options:

• ​Museum parties & happy hours​
• ​DC farmer's markets​
• ​DC-area BARK Ranger programs​
• ​Summer event series​

Did you go to one of these? Reply and let me know how it was!

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

• 🌲 Cut sunflowers, ride hayrides, explore corn pits, playgrounds, pedal bikes, and enjoy food trucks & ice cream at the Sunflower Festival until Sunday 7/20 only. $15. (all-day access to the farm + 5 stems!)
• 🌲 Flowers for open harvest in full bloom at the farm! Pick fresh sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias, squashes & herbs any day, no appointment needed! Free (donation suggested).
• 🧠 For data nerds, there’s a FREE half-day workshop on survey methods, public datasets, & intro to R. Wednesday 7/2. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 If you love a social mid-week boost for work, join Ladies Work Remote on Wednesday mornings for coworking sessions. Wednesday 7/2. Free.
• 🤸 Need a good challenge? Join Sends With Friends Rock Climbing for top-rope sessions (bouldering if you prefer). Newbies can rent gears & get discounted day pass by mentioning meetup group. Wednesday 7/2. Free.
• 🏞️ Here’s a way to reset your week: a sunset walk from Old Town Alexandria to Wilson Bridge with DC Metropolitan Hikers. Wednesday 7/2. Free.
• 🍾 They’re launching fireworks for Independence Day with food trucks, pony rides, amusements, and a DJ show. Wednesday 7/2. Free.
• 🧠 Make some Asian dumplings from scratch with Chef Dobbie with some lessons on knife skills, folding, and dipping sauce recipes. Wednesday 7/2. $65 on sale now.
• 🍾 You won’t know who’s coming to perform on stage, but expect R&B, neo-soul, and open mic surprises at the secret speakeasy. Wednesday 7/2. Free admission.
• 🤸 Free outdoor yoga Wednesdays and an after-party with Cool Yoga. Wednesday 7/2. Free. ​
• 🎈 Young creatives from around the world will be on the Mall sharing stories, skills, and visions for a better tomorrow at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Enjoy workshops, demos, food, music, dancing, hands-on activities. Wednesday 7/2-Monday 7/7.

• 🧠 Craving French macarons? Learn how to make one & master the macaronage method in this beginner-friendly macaron class. Thursday 7/3. $65.
• 🤝 Getting ready for 4th of July Parade? Decorate your ride with flags, banners, streamers, and sparkles on a full-day workshop. Thursday 7/3. Free.
• 🧠 Spice up your Español with games, slang practice, grammar chats, and real conversations with native speakers! Join Spanish to Learn with Games Thursday 7/3. Free.
• 🕺 Join DC Indie and Local Music Meetup for the free bluegrass showcase with Hollertown and AlgoRhythms. RSVP for first-come entry. Thursday 7/3. Free.
• 🤸 Check out the new Momentum Park(our) at the National Building Museum, a limited-time parkour-style pop-up for all ages. Thursday 7/3 - Sunday 7/20. $5 in addition to cost of regular museum admission.​
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 If you’ve never tried climbing the Cathedral Tower on a sunset, now you can with their after hours climbs until 7 PM. Reserve early before they run out of capacity on all dates. Thursday evenings until 7/31. Free.

• 🍾 Catch the 4th of July fireworks in DC on a rooftop open bar party, all-American food stations, and swag bags. First-come, first-served seating! Friday 7/4. $250.*
• 🎭 This comedy jam has stand-up sets, surprise guest comics, hookah lounge, and after-party for 4th of July. Friday 7/4. $24.​
• 🎈 Spend 4th of July at a good neighborhood farm cookout. Grilled veggies, meat mains, then bring your side or drink to share! Friday 7/4. Free.
• 🧠 Decorate patriotic mini cake donuts for the 4th of July! Ticket includes six mini donuts & a decorating kit. Friday 7/4. $18.
• 🍽️ Go on a mystery food adventure at U Street! Featuring hidden speakeasies, secret alley kitchens, and underground jazz lounges! Few tickets remaining. Friday 7/4. $110+
• 🍾 An outdoor block party with Hip‑Hop, R&B, AfroBeats, Dancehall, and more this Friday night 7/4. Free.
• 🍾 If you want to skip the crowds, there’s a cozy space for you at this backyard cookout, featuring Chef Joel’s comfort-food menu of fancy hot dogs & fried chicken. Friday 7/4. $12.
• 🕺 Free July 4th concert from US Army Brass Quintet + timpani ensemble, no tickets needed! Friday 7/4. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Ben Folds will be at Byrdland Records for a livestream, Q&A, and record-signing session. Get your record signed! Friday 7/4. Free, no tickets required.
• 🎈 Stop by the REACH lawn for food trucks, outdoor bars, and a live National Symphony Orchestra concert broadcast. Friday 7/4.
• 🍾 It’s a rooftop party served with grilled food, summer drinks, lawn games, ICE CREAM, DJs, and a front-row view of fireworks. Friday, 7/4. Free!
• 🍾 Free concert on Penn Ave! Featuring the USAF Band, The War & Treaty, Mayor Bowser, and more guest acts to be announced. Seating is first-come & nationally broadcast! Friday 7/4. Free.
• 🍽️ Join the neighborhood cookout! Grill burgers & hot dogs all day, enjoy frozen cocktails, picnic sides, and a happy hour on wine, beer, and juice boxes. Friday 7/4.
• 🤸 Wind down and enjoy the community on a bike! Join the Each One Reach One Cycling Club for an evening ride as a pre-4th de-stressor. Friday 7/4. Free.

• 🍲 Find authentic Ghanaian food on traditional dishes served in Asanka bowls + Afrobeats on Saturday 7/5. $40.
• 🏰 Did you know DC had forgotten canals? Tour & learn about the Washington City, C&O, Alexandria canals, and see historic locks & lockhouses from the early 1800s. And did we mention this is by bike/scooter? Helmet required! Saturday 7/5. $31.
• 🎭 This comedy tour walks you past the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and MLK Monument for jokes & history. Saturday 7/5. $29.
• 🏰 Discover city secrets along DC’s monuments and learn how ancient Egyptian practices influenced DC’s design & architecture. Saturday 7/5. $50.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Join the Beyoncé-themed rodeo to enjoy mechanical bulls, line dancing, southern food, and photo ops. Don’t forget your denim & fringe! Saturday 7/5. $45.
• 🖌️ Learn dyeing and eco-printing techniques on 100% cotton bandanas using plant-based pigments - a two-day natural dye class! Saturday 7/5. $71.

• 🍾 Paint & sip on weekly Sunday evenings at the Water Park, plus other fun activities. Sunday 7/6. $34.
• 🤝 It’s free plant swap day with beer & wine options, dog-friendly. Sunday 7/6. Free.
• 🖼️ If you’re a DCPL cardholder, claim your free entry to Special Library Day at the NMWA! Get complimentary access to current shows and art-making sessions with museum educators. Sunday 7/6. Free.

• 🌲 Watch it grow is a seed-to-plant planting session. Learn each stage of sprouting and take your own plant home. Monday 7/7. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Calling Love Island fans, come to a cinema watch party at Eaton DC on Tuesday 7/8 & 7/11. $7.
• 🤸 Free outdoor dance classes on Tuesdays for salsa, bachata, country, kizomba, and new themes each week! Pre-dance happy hour spots recommended. Tuesday 7/8. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Join the Writers Working club if you need a writer circle without the critique culture, just peer support. Tuesday 7/8. Free.
• 🤝 Nationals Park is turning into a kid’s dream (and maybe adults too), featuring bounce houses, batting cages, carnival games, even a race with the mascot Teddy 🐻 - all to support Horton’s Kids. Wednesday 7/9. $125 early bird; $150 after June 23.
• 🤝 Volunteer for Punk Archive Night! Help process, sort, and catalog zines, gig flyers, records, and artifacts from the DC punk archives. Wednesday 7/9. Free.
• 🤓 Grab a mid-week craft beer and do free DIY crafts at the 1921 Biergarten, Wednesday 7/9. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Millennials, grab a friend (or be the friend!) for this 30’s Pitch A Friend night. Get a free drink when you sign them up for a date. Wednesday 7/9. Free to attend; $5 to reserve pitch.
• 📜 Join this riverside history chat to learn how Black Washingtonians fought for safe river access from the early 1900s to modern times. Wednesday 7/9. $15.
• 🌲 Pack up your gear for a night fishing series at Black Hill Regional Park! Get shore or boat access for Wednesdays, dates 7/9, 8/6, 9/3, 10/8.
• 🍲 Enjoy tasting notes of Spanish wine & gourmet chocolate pairings from a pro sommelier (tickets on this sell fast). Wednesday 7/9. $60.
• 🤸 Join this free monthly 45-minute workout in DC local parks, with workshops rotating between yoga, meditation, and Zumba. Wednesday 7/9, 8/13, and 9/10. Free.
• 🤝 Play chess against International Master Oladapo Adu, up to 30 challengers at once. Thursday 7/10. Donations are welcome to support his US Open Championship.
• 🕺 If you were a fan of Sesame Street, catch them live on stage with songs & stories from Elmo, Abby Cadabby & Cookie Monster. Thursday 7/10. $40.
• 📖 Survivor icon Parvati Shallow will discuss her new memoir, Nice Girls Don’t Win, with NPR’s Stephen Thompson. Thursday 7/10. $24.
• 🎈 Learn ancient Japs traditions at the Japanese Star Festival. Enjoy Koto music, make lanterns, write wishes, stargaze with NASA’s telescopes, and try calligraphy/origami. Thursday 7/10. $20.
• 📖 Love romance reads? Join the Romance Book Club for monthly romantic reads, and July’s choice is Curvy Girl Summer, plus get 15% off the book in-store. Thursday 7/10. Price not stated.
• 🎈 Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival is a four-day jazz fest with boat cruises and a buffet of seafood. Thursday 7/10 to Sunday 7/13. $91.
• 🧠 Learn to shuck oysters with 6 oysters, wine pairing, and help restore the Chesapeake Bay - your ticket plants 2,000 baby oysters back in the Bay! Friday 7/11. $36.
• 🕺 Register for the Argentine tango class to watch, learn, or socialize with other dancers in an open space. Friday 7/11. $13.
• 🧠 Tired of your beauty routine? Get a masterclass on makeup & skin techniques from two beauty pros. Friday 7/11. $162
• 🤝 Attention! Free clothing swap!! Drop up to 25 items, pick new items, or stop by the pop-up piercing and flower station. Saturday 7/12. Free.
• 📖 Learn about the Amazon rainforest and why rainforest animals matter. Saturday 7/12. Free. ​
• 🕺 Join the crowd for the 5th Annual All-American Country Summer Nights and enjoy country swing lessons, live Americana music, BBQ, and wine at Bull Run. Bring your boots! Saturday 7/12. Early bird @ $25 for individuals; $40 for two!
• 🍽️ A day party brunch of bottomless mimosas, 80s/90s/early-00s R&B, breakfast staples, seafood entrees, and more. Saturday 7/12. $68+
• 🕺 Brian Curry will perform a mind-bending + interactive mentalism show on Saturday, 7/12. $53.
• 🕺 The Dragon Clan Show combines choreographies of martial arts, ninja illusions, and weapon mastery into one show. Saturday 7/12. Free.
• 🌲 Here’s a quiet way to start your day: go on a calm morning tour + tasting on edible plants and herbs at the US Botanic Garden. Saturday 7/12. Free.
• 🎈 Celebrate French National Day in Tenleytown with quiche and petanque. Saturday 7/12. Free.​
• 📖 Join this team of cozy readers gathering for a series of Jane Austen Tea Parties, cookies, and maybe a fancy hat to seal the theme. Sunday 7/13 & 8/24. $12.
• 🕺 Free Sunday jazz concerts in Anacostia on Sunday 7/13-9/7. Free.
• 🌲 Meet flower-farm duo instructors for a farm tour & a Gardening 102 for beginner gardening tips. Sunday 7/13. $5.​

Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.