Things to do the week of June 22-25, 2026
We've gathered up things to do across the nation's capital, including museum exhibits, concerts, only-in-DC events and much more. Don't miss our things to do this weekend and things to do this month as well.
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Monday
The 2026 National STEM Festival
Celebrating youth innovation, STEM projects and hands-on experiences for all ages. The National STEM Festival is an official program partner of America250 – and the Open Build Day is its all-ages public expo celebrating the next generation of builders and the partners helping drive American innovation. The festival runs from Monday through Saturday, June 27.
Register
1850 K Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20006
Dauphine's
EAT250: America at the Table
Celebrate 250 years of American history through every flavor the DC region has to offer, with collaboration dinners, public talks, tastings, immersive experiences and prix-fixe menus at restaurants across the city.
Citywide
9:30 Club
of Montreal
With the project’s 20th album set for release on June 5, of Montreal continues to wave its freak flag high, blending psychedelic pop, electronica and rock into their own subversive stew. Founder and bandleader Kevin Barnes has crafted one of the most idiosyncratic sounds in independent music and that carries over into the group’s wild live shows.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Tuesday
Smithsonian Institution
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.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
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
Photo by Joan Marcus
Suffs
Direct from Broadway comes the acclaimed, Tony Award®-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season. “Behind every powerful woman… are more powerful women.”
Tickets
National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Wednesday
Red, White and Spy: Tradecraft Try Its
Ever wanted to write in invisible ink like George Washington? Slip a secret note to someone like Virginia Hall? If so, drop by the International Spy Museum to try your hand at real spy skills inspired by American history. Quick, hands-on activities for agents ages 9 and up will be available not only within the Museum’s exhibits, but also outside on its plaza (weather permitting).
More Information
International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Arena Stage
CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical
Creep your way to one of the coolest venues in DC for a musical based on the fascinating story behind one of the most successful female pop groups ever. CrazySexyCool follows T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli on a riveting (mostly true) journey that includes hit songs such as “Waterfalls,” “Creep” and “No Scrubs”.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
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
Thursday
Lincoln Memorial Undercroft Opens
Just in time for America's 250th anniversary, the Lincoln Memorial invites visitors to experience its story in a whole new way. A century-old secret opens to the public on Thursday – 15,000 square feet of immersive exhibits right beneath your feet. Exhibits will also trace the construction history of the memorial and explore how its meaning has evolved across generations. Also, for the first time, original signed copies of both the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment will be on display together, housed beneath the president who made them law. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stand in the presence of the documents that reshaped America. You can also pose like the Lincoln statue, watch a video projected onto the memorial's pillars and use touchscreens to explore fascinating details about the historic site.
Timed-entry tickets are fee, but come with a $1 service fee per transaction. Advance tickets are available 30 days prior to visit on recreation.gov or by calling 877‑444‑6777. Individuals may reserve up to six tickets per transaction.
Starting Thursday, free, same-day tickets will be distributed daily beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk on Daniel Chester French Drive, just south of the Lincoln Memorial. Demand is expected to be high, especially on weekends and during peak periods, so be sure to reserve ahead.
More Information
Great American State Fair
The National Mall transforms into a huge state fair for the entire country. From Maine lobster rolls to Hawaii’s shimmering hula stage, Texas-sized steaks to Alaska’s towering ice carvings, all fifty states, territories and federal agencies showcase their food, culture and pride in an unforgettable, coast-to-coast celebration. You can register for tickets online in advance.
Register
National Mall, Between Constitution & Independence Avenues SW, Washington, DC 20050
Smithsonian Institution
From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage
As part of Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 programming, the National Museum of Natural History displays more than 600 artifacts that represent all 50 U.S. states, DC and an additional five U.S. territories. Items range from significant scientific discoveries to cultural keepsakes to ancient fossils like an American mastodon tooth.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Folger Theatre
How Shakespeare Saved My Life
In this one-man show, written and performed by Jacob Ming-Trent, Shakespeare speaks across time, place, age and race to help rescue its protagonist from the “slings and arrows” of his past. Calling on the Bard and a host of genius rappers, half-crazed preachers and soulful poets to throw him a lifeline, Ming-Trent takes us on a propulsive ride that reaffirms the power of language and music. The show runs from June 9 – July 5; approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Tickets
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
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