What to Do in DC In June

This post covers the top things to do in June in Washington, DC updated for 2021, including nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do in DC for even more ideas.

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.

TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN JUNE

This section covers our top ten list for June.

For more ideas on favorite things to do in DC, check out the following posts:

Some of the items listed in this post are included for free with the purchase of a tourist attraction discount pass.

1. Attend a Sporting Event

Beer and baseball are the perfect way to fend off the summer swelter, and lucky for us we’ve got a great lineup for The Washington Nationals

And while you are here, you could watch the Presidents Race at each home game.

Baseball

The Nationals will play at home this month from:

June 10-13 vs San Francisco Giants
June 14-16 vs Pittsburgh Pirates
June 18 – 20 vs NY Mets
June 28 vs NY Mets
June 29-30 vs Tampa Bay Rays

Click here for ticket information from StubHub.

Soccer

The DC United soccer team will play at the Audi Stadium on June 19, 2021.

For tickets click here.

Washington Spirit, our women’s soccer team, will also play at Audi Stadium for many of their summer games. They play on June 6, 2021. Get discounted tickets on Stubhub.

This is a great option for families. For more family-friendly ideas, check out our things to do with kids section.

2. See an Outdoor Show or Virtual Performance

June brings plenty of performances to Washington, DC in venues all around the city but for 2021, you’ll find some of the best ones take place at the outdoor venues, like Wolf Trap.

If you’re looking for a great musical performance to enjoy, please check this list of concerts in Washington DC to see what’s going on during your visit.

You can also enjoy the DC Theatre scene virtually. Roundhouse Theatre’s production of We’re Gonna Die is available for streaming until July 11.

Morbid title aside, it has a comforting message. It is a one woman performance with a live band that will have you laughing, crying, and singing along.

Our guides are big theatre lovers, and while we are excited that live theatre is returning, a virtual show means you can watch whenever you want and in your pajamas! This was one of our favorite virtual theatre productions we’ve watched this year!

3. See DC From the Potomac River

Washington DC has two rivers – the Potomac and the Anacostia and both have kayak and boat rental options.

One thing we highly recommend is a Float Boat. DC Guides did this in the Summer of 2019! A circle boat with a bar in the middle and a driver so you don’t have to worry about it.

You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats in Georgetown, the Wharf, even the Tidal Basin. Check it out: https://boatingindc.com/dc-activities/rentals/

4. Take a Sightseeing Tour

There are so many ways to explore Washington, DC, but of course, we think that our pay-what-you-wish tours are the way to go.

Staring on June 5, we have a series of local neighborhood tours every Saturday.

June 06: H ST NE
June 12: Anacostia
June 19: LeDroit Park
June 26: Old Town Alexandria

In addition to bus tours and boat cruises, there are bike and segway tours.

You can explore on your own. We offer a GPS-enabled audio tour app, free self-guided tours and neighborhood guides.

Learn about all those monuments and memorials in DC and plan your visit to each of them.

5. Smithsonian Museums & Folklife Festival

Many of the Smithsonian Museums have reopened, but all require timed tickets. You can check out our advice on how to get tickets to the Smithsonian Museums here.

On June 18, the Natural History Museum will reopen!

On June 25-27, 2021, experience traditions from around the world virtually at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

This celebration hosted by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

For more free things to do in DC in June, check out our free things to do section below.

6. Exposed DC Photography Show

From June 6 to June 27, you can check out the 15th Annual Exposed DC Photography Show in an outdoor installation. On the exterior wall of a restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, you’ll find photographs that highlight life in Washington DC from amateurs and professionals.

While you’re there, enjoy a meal at the restaurant: Elle (pronounced ell-ee) is known for their pastries!

Find out more: http://exposeddc.com/2021/03/31/exposed-dc-photography-show-15th-annual-exhibition/

And if you’re interested in scenes of Washington DC, check out our Instagram page: @topthingstododc

7. Visit Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the best known military cemeteries in our nation.

Take a free walking tour or a trolley tour to learn about specific graves and history, or take a self-guided tour to enjoy at your own place.

Visitors will immediately notice the beauty of the landscape as they stroll through the cemetery, which is home to over 8,600 native and exotic trees.

8. Tuesday Bingo at Union Market

Every Tuesday this summer, hang out at our favorite Union Market for Bingo Night hosted by The Fray.

This is a FREE event and they provide everything you need! Our favorite kind of event.

Find out more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-tuesday-bingo-at-union-market-tickets-152745547043

9. Military Parades

The Marines also their Evening Parade from the Marines Barracks on Friday evenings.

Reservations are required, but are free. You can make them here: https://www.barracks.marines.mil/Parades/2021-Parade-Schedule-Reservations/

On Tuesdays, you can watch the Sunset Parade from the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial – this event does NOT require tickets or reservations. Read more about it here.

Check out our nighttime activities section for more details.

This is particularly popular with families and we detail it in our family-friendly section.

10. Look into a Tourist Discount Pass

Tourist attraction passes bundle together many popular attractions and tours into one discounted price and can save you over 50%.

They also can save you time with skip-the-ticket-line privileges.

We detail how these passes work and help you decide which, if any, is best for you.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT

June is a lovely month weather-wise so spending some time outside after the sun goes down is a treat!
Some of our top ten items are great for evenings like watching a baseball game.

Here are a few more night time activities for the month of June.

For more nighttime activities, visit our post on things to do at night in DC.

Take a Walking Tour!

We offer a number of tours in the evening. Our daily 745pm Memorials and Moonlight Tour lets you explore the National Mall after the sun sets.

Other night tours that we offer include:

Reserve a spot now!

You might also be interested in a bike or bus night tour.

Military Evening Concerts

US Navy Band

The US Navy Band performs occassionally in the city.

It’s open to the public and no tickets are needed. See their schedule here.

US Air Force Band

The US Air Force Band performs on various dates.

It’s open to the public and no tickets needed. See their schedule here.

Kennedy Center Reach’s Victura Park

The outdoor beer and wine picnic area at Kennedy Center’s Reach is both kid and dog friendly! You’ll find beer, wine, cocktails and prepared food to eat at picnic tables or bring your own blanket. (just don’t bring your own food!)

https://www.victuraparkdc.com/

Entrance to the Kennedy Center is free and you can take our free self guided tour of Kennedy Center along with you.

Stay Late at a Museum

Celebrate the long summer days by staying late at the Smithsonian Museums.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery stay open until 7 pm every day.

We offer guided tours of many of the Smithsonian Museums!

For our definitive guide to all the best museums in DC, visit our post.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN JUNE IN DC

DC is (fortunately) overloaded with free things to do! A lot of the items we’ve listed in other sections like the Kennedy Center and National Zoo are 100% free to enter!

Here are a few more activities for the month.

For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out our post on free things to do in DC.

See a Free Outdoor Movie

Starting in June, you can see outdoor screenings of movies for free!

With huge blow-up screens, bring a blanket and some snacks.

For a complete schedule of films, dates, and locations, visit here.

Capital Pride Celebration

For the month of June, you can enjoy loads of events that celebrate LGBTQ Pride!

A popular celebration for festivals in 2020 and 2021 has been porch decorations and Pride is doing it as well. Businesses and residences will be decorated in support of Pride all over the city!

June 12, 3pm-6pm you’ll find the Pridemobile Parade drive around Washington DC.

It is a free and family-friendly event and should be a lot of fun! Get more details here.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN JUNE

Washington, DC is super family-friendly! There are also so many activity options available, there is sure to be something to fit everyone’s tastes.

A few activities we’ve listed above like taking a Potomac River cruise. Here are a few more kid-friendly things to do in June.

Be sure to read our master post on things to do with kids in DC for even more ideas.

Head to the Zoo!

A part of the Smithsonian Institution (meaning admission is free!), the National Zoo offers families a variety of animals and fun when they visit.

Don’t miss the zoo’s largest draw – the giant pandas that are currently on loan from China.

Other animals highlights include gorillas, elephants, lions, and zebras, or watch the orangutans walk the high wire every morning

Read more about the Zoo and remember timed tickets are required to enter the Zoo (and ANOTHER ticket is needed to see the Pandas)

Cool Off at the Georgetown Waterfront Park

Escape the DC humidity along the banks of the Potomac River at the Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Children will enjoy splashing around on the accessible fountain splash pad and lounging on the riverfront steps leading up to the water.

Our Historic Georgetown walking tour starts here and our family-friendly Ghosts of Georgetown Tour begins not too far away.

Celebrate Father’s Day!

In addition to the traditional barbeque and baseball game, why not celebrate Father’s Day with the “Father of our Country” George Washington at Mount Vernon?

You can meet and greet the General through the weekend at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m in the program “Father to the First Family.”

You can also meet our first First Lady June 25-26 to celebrate Martha Washington’s birthday!

Find out more about visiting Mount Vernon.

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Be sure to read our master post on things to do in DC for even more ideas.