We’re embracing late nights in the middle of June with Friday night fishing, twilight pool parties, after dark comedy shows, stargazing and this show from one-person band Tash Sultana.
And the nights really are getting later: The summer solstice just passed on Tuesday, and all weekend twilight won’t end until about 9:09 p.m.
Smithsonian Solstice Saturday is our pick for late-night fun on Saturday.
Galleries will stay open until midnight at the African Art Museum, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Arts and Industries Building, the Freer Gallery of Art, the Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian Castle.
You’ll also find a glow yoga (8:45 p.m.) and a dance party with DJ Ayes Cold in the Haupt Garden.
Or, stargaze through with optical and radio telescopes at Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival.
There’s one more weekend to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month! Check out the Arlington Pride block party (Saturday, noon to 7 p.m., Rosslyn Gateway Park), Baltimore Pride (Saturday, parade starts at 1 p.m. on Charles Street) or Montgomery County’s Pride in the Plaza festival (Saturday, noon to 8 p.m., Veterans Plaza).
Events and Activities This Weekend in the Washington, D.C., Area
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 22-27 and June 30-July 4
National Mall
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival — a sprawling celebration of art, culture, language, food and ideas — is returning to the National Mall starting Thursday after going virtual the past two years.
Jewelry, origami and fragrance workshops, honey tastings, nightly concerts, performances, cooking demonstrations and speaker sessions are on the schedule. Talk burgers with D.C. chef Spike Mendelsohn, get an oyster-shucking and ecology lesson or dive into natural cures in the forest.
If you can’t make it to the Folklife Festival this weekend, you’ll have another chance. Weekend two is scheduled from Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4.
The Giant National Capital BBQ Battle
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
A national championship BBQ contest, live music, free food samples, cooking demos, kids’ rides and artisan drinks: Throw it all on the grill for the 30th year of this huge food festival on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Tickets start at $20, here’s more info.
A graffiti art exhibit featuring the works of world famous artist Banksy opens Thursday in downtown D.C. News4’s Tommy McFly got a first look.
The Art of Banksy: Unauthorized Private Collection
Open June 23 to Aug. 21
709 7th St NW Washington, D.C. 20001
Experience what’s billed as the largest Banksy exhibit ever assembled in this privately-owned gallery. The globally acclaimed collection features some of the artist’s most iconic pieces such as “Girl and Balloon,” “Flower Thrower” and “Rude…
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