Smithsonian Institution
Our end-of-the-week picks for Aug. 21-23, 2026
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America
In the Arts and Industries Building (the Smithsonian’s second-oldest building and the country’s first national museum) right next to the Smithsonian Castle, explore what American independence really means, and how that meaning has evolved over time from the American Revolution until now. The special exhibit runs throughout the Arts and Industries Building's limited opening through Sept. 7.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
Summer in the Parks
Live music returns to the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park, a local institution built in 1950 to commemorate DC's 150th anniversary as the nation's capital and one of the first racially integrated outdoor performance venues in the country. The theater has been closed since 2016 but roars back to life with three straight nights of performances thanks to a partnership with DC Jazz Festival and Washington Performing Arts:
Friday at 6 p.m.: Sylver Logan Sharp and the Groovement ALL Stars, hosted by DJ Lance
Saturday at 6 p.m.: Black Alley and Chester Burke Jr. & Company, hosted by Jacquie Gales Webb, in partnership with Washington Performing Arts
Tickets
Carter Barron Amphitheater, 4850 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011
Photo by Robert Mastroianni
The Notebook
Inspired by the best-selling book and classic film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, this musical adaptation of The Notebook makes for a wonderful night out this August. Broadway at the National rounds out its summer lineup with an unforgettable and uplifting take on the iconic story of romance that transcends time.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx
The Washington Mystics are more than DC's WNBA team; they're part of the fabric of the city. From championship history to the next generation of stars, Mystics games bring together basketball fans, families, friend groups and first-timers for an experience that's uniquely DC. The team is currently sprinting towards the playoffs, so don't skip their matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, who currently hold the league's best record.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
CareFirst Arena, 1100 Oak Drive SE, Washington, DC 20032
Saturday
National Book Festival
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center hosts a beloved annual celebration of books of all kinds, from children’s stories to epic novels, curated by the Library of Congress. Authors will speak and answer questions about their work throughout the day. The festival is always free to attend but tickets are required.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission | Tickets
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allan Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC 20001
Freedom 250
Freedom 250 Grand Prix
The first-ever INDYCAR race held in the nation’s capital is set on a street circuit that will weave through the National Mall and around the city’s iconic monuments and memorials. Expect multiple days of activities and celebrations as the showcase for American motorsports roars into DC. Visit the event website for further details.
Washington Improv Theater
Improvapalooza
Washington Improv Theater invites you to five consecutive nights of comic anarchy at Studio Theatre. The Improvapalooza includes more than 200 shows featuring outlandish costumes, imaginative concepts and of course, completely unscripted laughs. Each performance is totally different from the next.
Tickets
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
The Phillips Collection
Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise
The Phillips Collection maintains its commitment to DMV artists with this juried exhibition that will showcase 48 local creatives. The intergenerational group of artists was culled from 1,500 applications. Their pieces reflect a wrestling with the contemporary world as well as themes of beauty, resilience and persistence.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sunday
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Marlo Pascual: Making Something Out of Something
With images found in thrift stores and online, Marlo Pascual created pieces that beautifully blur the lines between photography and sculpture. This new exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts displays 17 of Pascual’s works and showcases the artist’s tremendous ability to upend her audience’s expectations.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Snarkitecture Architecture
THE PLAYGROUND
The National Building Museum has a penchant for hosting installations that double as spectacles. This summer will be no different with THE PLAYGROUND, which arrives just in time for Independence Day and celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. Infrastructure that is commonly outdoors is brought inside through nine unique activations that ask visitors to embrace exploration of the materials that make up the built environment around us. This type of interactive and immersive museum experience is unique to the National Building Museum and will be a popular destination throughout its run, so secure tickets at your earliest convenience.
Hours & Admission
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
National Gallery of Art
In the Library: Photobooks and American Energy – Final Weekend
With the National Gallery of Art’s Library as its source, this new exhibit examines how artists have used photobooks to indicate the impact of America’s energy industry. The images join text to tell fascinating stories that have forever changed the country’s landscapes and people.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Attend a Washington Spirit Game at Audi Field
Make sure to secure your tickets so you can watch Trinity Rodman and the Spirit in the midst of their playoff push as they go up against the Orlando Pride, a match that is fittingly the Pride Match of 2026 at Audi Field.
4 p.m. | Tickets
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Keegan Theatre
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Titles can be deceiving! This new play at Keegan Theatre is actually quite funny and heartwarming. Two connected souls find each other across time and its imperfect moments in a play that reminds us of the power of resilience. Expect a deft mix of dark wit and tender humor.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all.
Find Your Stay
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
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