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Top Things to Do in August in DC

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Updated: October 22, 2023
 By Canden Arciniega

This post covers the top things to do in August in Washington, DC (updated for 2023).

We include nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

This section covers our top ten list of things to do in DC for August.

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.

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.

Where possible we link to websites that often offer discounted ticket prices (like StubHub). While we are unable to confirm their prices are the best, they are all verified ticket resellers .

1. Go a Sporting Event

Sports and a cold beer are the perfect way to fend off the summer swelter, and luckily there are a number of games to attend in DC in August.

Baseball

Soccer

Tennis

Note that if you're catching a baseball game, there are lots of great activities and restaurants to enjoy in the Nationals Park neighborhood.

For more family-friendly ideas, check out our things to do with kids section.

2. Attend a Concert

August is still rolling with the summer concert vibes, and DC has plenty of concerts to attend.

Below is a list of just some of the performances being put on in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

Concerts

Festivals

  • Moonrise Festival | August 12th | Pimlico Race Course | Featuring: Alison Wonderland, Bonnie X Clyde, and more
  • Masters of the Mic | August 17th | Wolf Trap | Featuring: Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, KRD-One, and more

Visit the complete list of concerts taking place in August in the DC area.

3. Take a Walking Tour

Our tours cover several different neighborhoods.

There is no cost to take our main tours, and you have the option to pay what you like or can afford, only after the tour is over.

You can find out more about all our walking tours here.

In August 2023, you'll have the chance to see the new Beyond Granite exhibition on our National mall tour.

4. Attend DC Jazz Fest

This annual music festival brings jazz musicians from around the world to DC for over 100 concerts.

The concerts take place in over 30 venues throughout the city. There are also workshops and other jazz-related events.

Activities take place between August 30th and September 3rd.

For tickets and information, visit the DC Jazz Fest website.

5. Enjoy The DC Theatre Scene

Fans of the theater will be glad to hear there are several shows on the stage to see in and around Washington, DC.

Musicals

Opera and Classical Music

Comedy

Family-Friendly

6. Discover the Wharf

Explore the newly redone Wharf neighborhood in Washington, DC.

Along with great food spots and a gorgeous view of the water, the Wharf has a lot of history to uncover, which we do on our Wharf walking tour.

Some of the concerts featured in our Top 10 will be hosted at the Anthem Theatre at the Wharf.

7. Visit the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is one stop every visitor to DC should make

They put on concerts, lectures, and other events throughout the year as well as special exhibitions.

A list of events can be found here, all of which are free (although concerts require tickets).

It is free to explore and we include a tour of it on our Capitol Hill Tour.

8. Explore DC's Restaurant Week

DC is known for its great food scene, but eating out all the time can be pricey! The solution? Restaurant Week!

During this week over 100 restaurants in the DC area will offer three-course meals for reasonable fixed prices.

This means tasting more and spending less and enjoying the best food in DC without breaking the budget.

The 2023 summer Restaurant Week dates haven't been released as of May, so check the website for updates.

9. Around the World Cultural Food Festival

Taste food from all over the world in this year's Around the World Culture Food Festival, taking place on August 26th.

There will also be arts and crafts, dance performances, and more.

General Admission is free, although you can purchase VIP passes.

The event has moved from downtown DC to the waterfront Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town.

For more information, visit the Around the World Cultural Food Festival website.

For other food activities in DC itself, check out our food tours in both Georgetown and Eastern Market.

10. Look into a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass for Savings 

Tourist attraction discount 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 IN AUGUST

August in DC can get pretty hot and humid, which makes nighttime optimal to do activities.

We have a number of evening activities listed in our top 10 section above, such as attending a sports event or a concert.

Below we have a list of a few more things to do after the sun goes down.

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

Take a Night Walking Tour

We offer a number of tours in the evening. Our daily evening 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.

Free Outdoor Movies

Outdoor movies take place all around DC after dark in the summer.

These continue through August, and depending on what neighborhood you're exploring, chances are there will be a place to see one.

These movies are free and usually family-friendly, with huge screens and a great view. 

Bring a blanket and some snacks and sit back and enjoy the show.

For a complete schedule of films, dates, and locations, visit these sites:

Or, you can click here for a spreadsheet list of all of the movies being shown from April-October.

Sunset Parade at Marine Barracks

Friday nights in August, you can watch musical performances by “The Commandant’s Own,” the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as a precision drill by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

The parades begin in June and run through August at the Marine Barracks at 8th & I Streets, SE.

Visit the Friday Evening Marine Parade to secure your seat.

You can also read more and watch a video about the Sunset Parade here.

We have special National Mall tours that end at the Lincoln Memorial just in time to watch the parade.

Navy Band Free Concerts

On many nights of the week, you can usually find the Navy Band performing for free throughout the city.

From pop tunes to patriotic songs, these performances take place in some of the most beautiful venues and outside at the memorials.

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!) 

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

Attend DC's Water Lantern Festival

Those who purchase a ticket get a floating lantern kit and a candle, playing cards, a wristband for entry into the festival area (where the food trucks are), and more.

This event takes place at National Harbour SouthPointe on August 5th.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the DC Lantern Festival website.

For even more nighttime ideas, see our post on things to do at night in DC.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST

DC is loaded with free things to do!  Here are a few more free activities for August.

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

Tour the Pentagon

A guided tour of the Pentagon is a great way to learn more about the Department of Defense and is open to anyone who has an appointment.

These should be made pretty far in advance, so be sure to read our post on how to do so.

Attend a Farmer's Market

Come out to Capital Harvest on the Plaza located at the Ronald Reagan building.

This weekly farmer's market features farm-fresh goods and artisanal novelties.

There's also an information booth stocked with healthy take-home recipes to inspire the meal you'll be making with your purchases!

In August, the Market's dates are August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.

The market is easily accessible on the Metro and is not too far from the White House Visitor Center, which is a great place to visit if you couldn't get tickets to go into the actual White House.

Tour the FBI Building

Tours of the FBI Building are possible but take a little know-how. 

You will be guided to an exhibit room and a small museum but only if you have an advance reservation.

NOTE: Tours are only open to US citizens.

Visit the National Archives

Here you can see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, US Constitution, and more!

You can get timed tickets in advance for a small processing fee or you can walk up with no appointment, just be prepared to wait in line during busy times.

Read our post on how to plan your visit to the National Archives in DC.

For even more free things to do, visit our post Free Things to do in Washington, DC.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST

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 are also kid-friendly, like checking out the Wharf, so be sure to read through the other sections for more ideas.

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 free timed tickets are required to enter the Zoo (and ANOTHER ticket is needed to see the Pandas).

National Mall Walking Tour for Kids

Our newest walking tour is meant just for our younger visitors.

It's a shorter highlight tour with less walking and less talking... and more fun!

We have a scavenger hunt for kids to do at each memorial, where they will learn some fun facts about each memorial and history along the way (but shhh, don't tell them).

See more details from our post on our National Mall Tour: Kids Version.

Enjoy the Building Museum

Each summer the National Building Museum puts on a cool new exhibition in their Great Hall.

Last year they partnered with the Folger Shakespeare Library for "The Wonders of Shakespeare".

In addition to an immersive installation, they had behind-the-scenes tours, sword-fighting demonstrations, scavenger hunts, and other hands-on activities.

Visit their website for more information on 2023 events, and check out our post on top DC museums for more things to do inside while in DC.

You can also check out the Law Enforcement Memorial across the street while you're there.

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.

Also, catch some shade under one of the many lush trees or relax under the industrial pergola.

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

Play outside on the National Mall

If you want to run off some kid energy, the National Mall is the perfect place to do it. A few locations kids might find of interest are:

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats

Rent paddle boats on the Tidal Basin to get a unique perspective of the Jefferson, Dr. King, and FDR Memorials.

There is a fee to rent the boats and they only operate in good weather.

The Tidal Basin Boathouse supplies life vests for individuals over 18 months of age or 25 lbs.

You can find the operating status and current rates here.

Carousel on the National Mall

For little kids, a carousel ride on the National Mall provides a fun break between visiting the museums.

There is also a food and drink stand nearby for a quick snack. 

Visit the Kids' Sections at the Smithsonian Museums

Smithsonian museums have no costs.

Many of the main Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall have separate rooms for younger visitors.

A favorite is the miniature Julia Child's Kitchen in the Wegmen's Wonderplace at the American History Museum.

You'll also find an entire floor of the American Indian Museum geared towards kids, with a passport to explore the many Native cultures.

Sleep Over at The Smithsonian

Want to see the museums without the crowds? Your best bet would be to do it at night.

There are both Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures and Smithsonian Sleepovers taking place this month.

  • Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures take place August 11th from 7 pm-11 pm.
  • Smithsonian Sleepover takes place on August 4th. Kids 8-14 and their adults can stay overnight.

For information and to purchase tickets for either event, visit the Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures website.

Another way to optimize your museum experience is to book one of our Smithsonian guided tours.

You'll get the most out of your visit and have an expert to answer all of your questions!

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

Follow On Instagram | Canden is a historian & tour guide in Washington DC with 4 published books about the city. She has written for HuffPost Travel and has been featured in the Washington Post, WTOP, and numerous other DC papers. She's also been interviewed by the BBC, NPR, Travel Channel and Discovery Family Channel. Canden is the producer of the podcast, Tour Guide Tell All. She is an authority on D.C. history, and has led tours in the city since 2011. She currently resides in DC, but has also lived in London and South Korea, and has traveled to over 28 countries and every US State but Hawaii. She homeschools her 2 children by exploring the plethora of museums in DC.
Updated: October 22nd, 2023
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