August is clearly right around the corner. Perhaps you are really lucky and heading out of town for the month! (Could you adopt me if that is the case or stuff me in your large suitcase?) Chances are you are like me and heading off for a few days to spend with family, That short trip leaves lots of room in my calendar for August events around the DMV! What to do? What to do? One of my favorites at any time of the year is to eat and I am in luck with restaurant weeks but there is so much more than just eating!
August Events in DC
August in Washington, DC is like the city’s own firework finale—bursting with music, flavor, and sunshine-soaked surprises. If you’re wondering what to do before pumpkin spice season sneaks in, here’s your delightfully detailed cheat sheet.
🎷 DC JazzFest at The Wharf (Aug 27–31) Picture this: jazz legends like Branford Marsalis and Eddie Palmieri serenading you by the water as boats bob nearby and the sun dips low. With over 20 concerts across multiple stages, VIP lounges overlooking the Potomac, and ticket options from $25 to $750, this is DC’s jazziest weekend of the year.
🍽️ Summer Restaurant Week (Aug 18–24) More than 200 restaurants roll out the red carpet with multi-course menus starting at $25 for brunch and $40 for dinner. Sip wine at Lulu’s Winegarden, savor Mediterranean bites at Ambar, or dive into José Andrés’ culinary playgrounds like Jaleo and Oyamel4. It’s like speed dating for your taste buds.
💃 DC Bachata Congress (Aug 14–18) Dance until 8am (yes, really) at the largest Latin dance festival in the U.S.9. With 200+ workshops, rooftop parties, and concerts featuring Grammy-winning artists, it’s a swirling celebration of salsa, bachata, kizomba, and zouk. Bonus: there’s even a monument party bus tour.
🎭 Kennedy Center Highlights Catch Parade (Aug 19–Sept 7), the Tony-winning musical about love and justice11. Or take the kids to Sesame Street the Musical for a singalong with Elmo and friends. For fantasy fans, Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern runs through Aug 3.
🌳 Outdoor Escapes & Quirky Fun
- Paddle the Potomac or hike Rock Creek Park for nature therapy.
- Watch free outdoor movies at National Harbor—Sundays for families, Thursdays for date nights.
- Groove at free concerts like Jazz in the Garden or Rock the Dock at The Wharf.
- Explore immersive experiences like Dopamine Land or Bubble Planet for a surreal escape from the heat.
August in DC is a choose-your-own-adventure novel—except every chapter can end with a rooftop cocktail or a standing ovation.
August Events in Montgomery County
August tiptoes in wearing flip-flops and carrying a tote full of surprises in Montgomery County, Maryland. The crickets hum backup vocals, the sun choreographs its golden glow, and the county becomes a playground of peculiar charm.
🎡 First stop: the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, where pigs race, pies compete for fame, and fried foods defy gravity. You might just meet a llama with political ambitions or discover you’re oddly good at axe throwing.
🎶 Next, drift over to Strathmore’s Live from the Lawn, where the grass becomes a dance floor and the music is as free as your spirit. Pack a blanket, wear twinkle lights, and pretend you’re in a rom-com montage. Don’t miss the Uke Festival on August 13!
🖼️ In Bethesda, watch a movie on August 1 and 8 courtesy of The Bethesda Urban Partnership. Bethesda’s 20th annual outdoor movie series will start at at 8:45 PM this year and will be held in a new location for 2025, 4650 Willow Lane (behind the Women’s Farm Market in the County Parking Lot). A limited number of chairs will be provided—please bring your own lawn chairs. Admission is FREE!
🎭 Grab tiny humans or your inner child and head to The Puppet Co. for a puppet show featuring dinosaurs that are sassier than they have any right to be. If your munchkin is too old for dinosaurs, check out The Lightening Thief at the Adventure Theater in Glen Echo. This musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
So pack your sunscreen, bring your curiosity, and let August be your invitation to the whimsical wonders waiting for you in Montgomery County!
August Events in Arlington and Alexandria
August in Northern Virginia is a vibrant blend of sunshine, culture, and community spirit. Whether you’re strolling through historic streets or dancing under the stars, Arlington and Alexandria offer unforgettable experiences to close out summer in style.
🎡 Arlington Highlights
- Arlington County Fair (Aug 13–17): One of the largest free events on the East Coast, this fair features carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, and a sensory-friendly morning for families.
- Lubber Run Concert Series: Enjoy free outdoor performances in a wooded amphitheater. From bluegrass to brass bands, the final shows wrap up early August.
- Columbia Pike Movie Nights: Catch family-friendly flicks like Top Gun: Maverick and The Goonies under the stars every Friday and Saturday.
- Dark Star Park Day (Aug 1): At exactly 9:32 a.m., shadows align with the big concrete or stone ball shaped permanent sculptures in Rosslyn, marking the city’s founding in a surreal annual tradition. Every August 1st at 9:32 a.m., Nancy Holt’s Dark Star Park (1984), in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, aligns with the sun. Shadows cast by the spheres and poles of this landmark outdoor sculpture align with their permanent forms on the ground, marking the moment of Rosslyn’s founding
🌊 Alexandria Must-Dos
- Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Aug 23): Held at Oronoco Bay Park, this free event features global cuisine, folk performances, and artisan vendors from over 16 countries.
- Summer Sidewalk Sale (Aug 9): Score deals at 40+ boutiques in Old Town and Del Ray while enjoying live music and free parking.
- Waterfront Dining & Art: Stroll along the Potomac, visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and grab a bite at one of Alexandria’s scenic restaurants.
- Alexandria Restaurant Week (Aug 22–31): Savor prix fixe menus at top eateries for $30–$50 per person.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, August in Arlington and Alexandria is packed with charm, flavor, and fun. Don’t forget your sunscreen—and your appetite!
I hope that I have included something of interest to you in this list! My final suggestion is that you join me for a drink at the Hip Flask, which is the roof top bar at the Marriott hotel in Bethesda. It seems like a pretty place to watch the sunset and we might be able to pick out your next home since it promises panoramic views of the city!