National Archives Foundation
Our end-of-the-week picks for June 5-7, 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
Spirit of Independence Festival for the 250th
The one-month countdown to July 4 starts with a three-day celebration on Constitution Avenue, filled with free family-friendly events, live performances, culinary experiences and special evening programming – all at the historic National Archives building.
The National Archives, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408
DC Public Library
District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture
DC gave the world the football huddle, the modern blood bank and legends like Marvin Gaye. Discover the vibrant contributions of Washingtonians through images, artifacts, storytelling and free programs. The main exhibit location is Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, but satellite locations can be found across the city.
More Information | Free Admission
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Jazz in the Garden
Kick back and groove to the music with sangria in hand at Jazz in the Garden on Fridays throughout the summer, held in the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. An eclectic mix of DC-area jazz musicians lend a soundtrack to one of the city’s most idyllic scenes set around the sculpture garden’s central fountain. This is a free seasonal tradition that you do not want to miss. Due to high demand, the museum has instituted a lottery system; visit the Gallery’s website for more information.
6-8:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Photo by Cpl. Chloe McAfee
Friday Evening Parades at the Marine Barracks
This breathtaking 45-minute ceremony showcases the precision and pride of the Marine Corps with spectacular performances by "The President's Own" Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" Drum & Bugle Corps and the renowned Silent Drill Platoon. Held every Friday at the historic "Oldest Post of the Corps," the free event has captivated audiences for decades.
Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets SE, Washington, DC 20390
Phillips Collection
Phillips After 5: Party with Pride
Celebrate Pride Month with The Phillips Collection as America’s first museum of modern art hosts an evening of drag, drinks, music and more as part of its Phillips After 5 series. Food and drink specials will be available to go along with a dizzying array of entertainment, from a drag performance to a live puppet show to adult story time to Spotlight Talks led by Phillips Educators.
5-8:30 p.m. | Tickets
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Warner Theatre
Echo & The Bunnymen
One of the UK’s most successful post-punk bands continues to rip roaring sets all over the world. Echo & The Bunnymen were founded in Liverpool in 1978 and quickly went on to achieve stardom on both sides of the Atlantic. A catalogue filled with unforgettable songs will be on full display during this Warner Theatre performance.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Saturday
National Gallery of Art Block Party
The National Gallery will throw its largest ever public program, spanning the West Building, East Building and Sculpture Garden. Visitors can expect a series of art talks across the West Building American galleries and special exhibitions, artist-led community art projects (including a community collage quilt with local artist Trap Bob), a special appearance by The Racing Presidents of the Washington Nationals, kids’ activities (including story time, face painting, family yoga and an open play space), performances by local groups such as Batalá Washington Drum Band, East of the River Steel Drum Band, DJ RBI and the Eastern High School Marching Band and refreshing seasonal food and drinks, including 250th-themed special offerings such as Stars and Stripes Gelato.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Smithsonian Institution
American Aspirations
Co-curated by Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch, American Aspirations brings together some of the Smithsonian’s most treasured objects to commemorate the Declaration of Independence and consider how founding ideals have been interpreted across generations. The special exhibit will be housed inside the majestic Smithsonian Castle, which is temporarily open through Sept. 7. Among the highlights: the desk Thomas Jefferson used while writing the Declaration, Sally Ride's in-space flight suit, a personal hymnal that belonged to Harriet Tubman and a candle stand used by George Washington.
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
We Make History
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum dives into how communities in DC – and all over the country – collect, preserve and share local history. Stories of civic engagement and historical narrative-building will be at the center of this in-depth exhibit that showcases how American has been built one act, one document and one story at a time. Note that the museum is currently closed and will reopen along with the debut of the exhibit.
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
National Children's Museum
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!
Kids will go crazy for this new exhibit at the National Children’s Museum, which immerses them in the world of Curious George through a variety of interactive experiences. Activations include an apartment building where kids use pulleys to move George, a construction site, mini-golf and the rocket George took to space.
Hours & Admission
National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
National Gallery of Art
Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography
Mining and photography are intertwined in American history, with the camera used to document labor practices for nearly 200 years. This new National Gallery of Art exhibit goes underground with 150 photographs that showcase how we’ve extracted resources from the Earth and that ceaseless removal’s impact on people and places.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Extended Hours at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden
Summertime is the right time to visit the gorgeous (and totally free) Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art. The museum meets the moment with extended hours for the garden from Wednesday through Saturday throughout the summer, remaining open until 8 p.m. and offering a special happy hour menu (5-7 p.m. except during Jazz in the Garden on Fridays).
More Information
National Gallery of Art, 700 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Gay Men's Chorus of Washington
Soul Divas
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC celebrates the music of phenomenal soul divas who need no surnames: Tina. Aretha. Diana. Patti. Gladys. Dionne. Whitney. You know them, you’ve sung them, you “will aaalways love” them. Show some R-E-S-P-E-C-T and head to this show of icons and anthems on June 6 or 7.
Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sunday
©Jasper Johns and ULAE, National Gallery of Art
American Icon: The US Flag in Art
The exhibition spotlights more than 30 works from the late-1800s to today, each illustrating the changing uses and interpretations of the American flag. Paintings, prints and photographs from seminal artists such as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Jasper Johns and Faith Ringgold examine the ever-evolving symbolism of the Stars and Stripes.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Hillwood Museum
Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, the sumptuous estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, presents myriad treasures literally in every corner – this year they’ve rounded up their rich holding of fabrics for their first ever textile-focused exhibition. The offering invites visitors to consider the enduring power of textiles, not only as decorative or domestic objects but also as expressions of identity, devotion, innovation and exquisite craftsmanship.
No tickets required; suggested $20 donation for adults
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen
Studio Theatre hosts a new one-man show that goes on a stand-up comedian’s journey into (and potentially out of) love. All the stresses of modern life are touched upon as a painfully neurotic single person tries intimacy and encounters just a bit too much self-sabotage along the way.
Tickets
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Othello
Shakespeare’s Earth-shaking tale of deceit, betrayal and paranoia is vividly staged by Simon Godwin with The Wire’s Wendell Pierce in the titular role. Shakespeare Theatre Company's Harman Hall serves as the venue.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
A Fine Madness
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents a special local tour of the latest work from company artist Justin Weaks. A Fine Madness will be staged at four different venues across the District. The piece lives at the intersection of “performance” and “event” as Weaks weaves his own story of growing up as a Black gay man in DC and HIV diagnosis with audience participation. His goal: to build a new archive inclusive of his experience and yours.
More Info & Tickets
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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