This weekend is the Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in DC, and the lotuses are right about at peak bloom.

Every year, I tell as many people as I can about the lotuses because they are truly beautiful and if you've never seen them in person, it will feel like you've been transported to another (gorgeous) planet.

The Lotus and Water Lily Festival was how I discovered the gardens a decade ago, and it holds a special place in my heart.

If you want to avoid the crowds to see the lotuses, go on a weekday morning (they open at 8 AM). But even at its most crowded, it's no where near the level of crowds as cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin.

Don't miss the boardwalk into the marsh while you're there—it feels like you are miles outside of the city.

On another note, congrats to S. for winning tickets to see Dead Inside at Wooly Mammoth Theatre in DC! Premium subscribers had the chance to win tickets to see the performance, which runs through July 27.

Dead Inside is a hilarious and deeply personal new musical about fertility by Riki Lindhome (who you may know from Garfunkel and Oates, Wednesday) and produced by Ali Wong & Bill Hader.

Enjoy the weekend!

Valerie

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• 🤸 Check out the new Momentum Park(our) at the National Building Museum, a limited-time parkour-style pop-up for all ages. Until Sunday 7/20. $5 in addition to cost of regular museum admission.​
• 🎭 Free popcorn & three free screenings of transit classics running every Wednesday 7/16 and 7/23. Free.
• 🕺 Dead Inside is part musical & part solo stand-up, featuring a one-woman story-musical about fertility challenges with humor and raw honesty. Wednesday 7/16-Sunday 7/27. $31+

• 🤝 Join artist Jen White-Johnson on a creative zine-making session for Disability Pride. Thursday 7/17. Free.
• 🖌️ Preserve the flowers you love with dried flower arrangements. Learn how in this workshop! Thursday 7/17. $65.
• 🐾 Yappy Hour is back at Elm Street Park for a tail-wagging good time with your pup, featuring free giveaways, live music, and tasty bites from Smoke BBQ. Thursday 7/17. Free.
• 🌲 Ready to unleash your inner ninja? Check out Sip & Flip at Momentum Park(our) for obstacle courses, parkour performances, and a couple of drinks to keep things lively. Thursday 7/17. $25.
• 🎭 Experience a unique evening with Sweden on the Roof: Screening of The Bridgeplayers, where you can catch a moving film about friendship and survival on the Embassy of Sweden's rooftop. Thursday 7/17. $5.
• 🤝 Join us for a powerful evening as Good Trouble Lives On with speakers, live music, and a candlelit procession honoring John Lewis' legacy. Thursday 7/17. Free.

• 🌲 It's lotus season, and the Lotus and Water Lily Festival with live music, performances, self-care, and connecting with nature while viewing the beautiful gardens. Friday 7/18-Sunday 7/20. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Calling all collectors and fashion lovers! Join the Labubu meet-up for street style moments, espresso martinis, and endless photo ops at CityCenterDC. Friday 7/18. Free.
• 🍲 Meet friends at the Melanin Mixer, a cultural fest for idnividuals who love social experiences with wine. Friday 7/18. $40.
• 🤸 Swing by Banneker Park for adult tennis clinic! Friday 7/18. Donation.
• 🍾 Stop by and meet the one and only Taraji P. Henson at Seven Daughters Wines in Laurel! Friday 7/18.
• 📖 Join the July Bad Romance Book Club for a fun chat about "Time Loops and Meet Cutes" by Jackie Lau - it's a quirky love story that'll keep you guessing! Friday 7/18. Free.
• 🛍️ Check out the summer night market with curated vintage finds, art, and after-hours coffee and matcha - plus, there's natural wine and pizza on the patio with a DJ spinning tunes. Friday 7/18. Free.

• 🤸 Mubadala Citi DC Open features local legend Tiafoe along with Medvedev, Venus Williams, Osaka & Raducanu plus 16 US players ready for world-class matches. Saturday 7/19 - Sunday 7/27.
• 📜 Get ready for a DC history-packed day at the Monumental Moments event with expert talks, unlimited streetcar rides, and museum access! Saturday 7/19.
• 🖌️ Get ready for a summer fiesta with a Tacos, Cacti, & Cookies Decorating Class where you can learn piping techniques and decorate cowboy-themed cookies. Saturday 7/19. $86.
• 🏞️ Grab your headphones and join us for a literary adventure with Book It Around DC where you can connect with fellow book lovers while enjoying a refreshing audiobook walk. Saturday 7/19. Free.
• 🤸 Join a family-friendly, guided ride around Ward 5 with coffee and food truck stops included. Saturday 7/19.
• 🤝 It’s flower potluck season, and this time, it’s fairy-themed. Bring flowers and start arranging, while a mist fairy floats around. Saturday 7/19. $20 suggested donation.
• 🍾 Dance like you’re in the ’60s sitcoms! Culture Queen will be around to teach you the twist, swing, and classic rock & roll steps. Saturday 7/19. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Swifties, enjoy a full-on Swiftie Soirée with live covers, trivia contests, friendship bracelet making, line dancing, Cruel Summer photo ops, and sing-alongs. Saturday 7/19. $23.
• 📖 Get your favorite beach read from this monthly book swap! Saturday 7/19. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 From now on, your Saturdays are for dancing. Come to The Wharf each month through August for swing and salsa dance nights. Saturday 7/19 & 8/16. Free.
• 📜 Tour around the residential architecture of Washington Heights, Kalorama Triangle, and Lanier Heights on Saturday, 7/19. $10 members; $20 nonmembers.
• 🖌️ Ever wanted to fix your favorite necklace or make your own bling? Join a fun jewelry repair and making session just for adults. Saturday 7/19. Free.
• 🍲 Enjoy the rich flavors and cultures of Africa at the Taste of Africa event, where you'll enjoy savory stews and delicious grilled meats. Saturday 7/19. $55.

• 🕺 Free Sunday jazz concerts in Anacostia on Sunday 7/20-9/7. Free.
• 🌐 Go on an International Chocolate Tour of Embassy Row where you can taste chocolates from around the globe while exploring the fascinating stories of Embassy Row. Sunday 7/20. $46.
• 🖌️ Bored with your old sneakers? Turn them in for a paint & sip on Sunday, 7/20. $55.
• 🤝 Grab a free watercolor meditation kit at The Labs, available while supplies last! Sunday 7/20. Free.
• 🍽️ Pack your (vegan) dish and join the Veg Society of DC Vegan for a vegan potluck at Rock Creek Park. Sunday 7/20. Free.
• 🍲 Need more summer drinks? RSVP for unlimited natural wine tastings & curated appetizers. Sunday 7/20. $70+
• 📜 Check out the River East Design Center's mobile cart for a fun game and a chance to learn about DC's architecture right at the Anacostia Metro Station. Sunday 7/20. Free.
• 🌲 Join in after dark for Moth Madness, where you can marvel at moths up close with fellow nature lovers! Sunday 7/20. Free.

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• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Summer line dance at Anacostia Library, Tuesday 7/22.
• 🕺 This interactive Dungeons & Dragons show is part theatre, part game night, where you can choose the heroes to help shape the story. Tuesday 7/22-Sunday 8/3. $39+
• 🧠 Learn how to multiply your houseplants through plant propagation and leave with your own cuttings to continue at home! Tuesday 7/22. $25.
• 🍾 Get ready for a night of whimsy at the Witches Night Party with games, tarot readings, and witchy crafts - just bring your magical self! Wednesday 7/23. Free.
• 🌲 Join the Water is Magic Kayak Night for a chill evening paddling on the Anacostia River - perfect for unwinding and meeting new people! Thursday 7/24. $13+.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Celebrate LGBTQ+ Jewish history through curated talks, drag performances, a DIY button station, and cocktails at this after-hours party. Thursday 7/24. $15 general admission.
• 🏰 The White House Historical Society has a summer-themed trivia night with drinks and prizes for winners! Thursday 7/24. $20 entry.
• 🖌️ Express your personal story through art in this guided collage and portrait-making experience inspired by the Bold and Beautiful Vision exhibit on Black arts education. Thursday 7/24, 8/21, 9/18. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Relax, mingle, and connect with creatives on an easygoing summer networking social for artists. Thursday 7/24. Free.
• 🧠 Create your terrarium! Cover it with moss and mini plants while sipping wine. Ticket includes all supplies and a glass container. Thursday 7/24. $70.
• 📖 Here’s a new club for history nerds. First read will be Plato and the Tyrant on Thursday 7/24.
• 🕺 Get ready for a night of vintage tease and thrilling variety acts at Blue Note Burlesque at Sid Gold's, featuring performers like Jim Dandy and Delilah Dentata. Thursday 7/24. $29.
• 🐾 Learn the science behind service dogs and canine cognition at the National Academy of Sciences, complete with working dog demos and furry therapy friends! Saturday 7/26. $15.
• 🎈 Mark this DMV Made Festival early! Enjoy storytelling & health pavilions, dance, craft workshops, fun zones, and more. Saturday 7/26. Free.
• 📖 Learn about the history of rice and Southern cuisines from historian & James Beard Award winner Michael W. Twitty. Saturday 7/26. $25.
• 📜 The Missing Soldiers Office Museum 10th anniversaryfeatures walking tours with Clara Barton and a Civil War history talk. Saturday 7/26. Free.
• 🏞️ Join the Twilight Trek and practice trail techniques that Freedom Seekers used to follow on the way to freedom. This is an immersive Underground Railroad history tour. Saturday 7/26. $8.
• 🎈 Live DJs, mural painting, dog adoptions, food deals, and more take over DC’s iconic street alleys for the big Alley Fest in Blagden Valley on Saturday 7/26.
• 🍲 Master the art of martinis with Nick Farrell at Bar Jo while sipping on six mini martinis and snacking on cheese and caviar - it's like a cocktail party with a side of education! Saturday 7/26. $73.
• 🕺 Get ready for a swashbuckling night at Shiver Me Tassels: An Interactive Pirate Cabaret! where you can dress up, enjoy burlesque performances, and sip on craft beers at City-State Brewing Co. Saturday 7/26. $25+
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A sunset dance with free salsa lessons, food trucks, cold drinks, and a beer garden setting, it’s a whole Salsa Bachata Bash. Sunday 7/27. Free entry.
• 🧠 Tired of pick-up coffee? Learn how to make your own cold brew in this class. Includes a 4oz take-home sample of Cafe Cino beans. Sunday 7/27. $30.
• 📖 Join a chat about how sleep is your superpower and discover the amazing benefits of a good night's rest with fellow sleep enthusiasts. Sunday 7/27. Free.
• 📖 Join the literary fun at The Reading Lounge with Pretty Little Bookshelf featuring romance authors Kristina Forest, Nikki Payne, Mia Sosa, and Natasha Bishop. Sunday 7/27. $20.

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* 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.