Beyond the 9-5: The Best Things to Do in Washington, DC this July

City Life, Capital style; Washington DC is full of spark this July.

Naomi Chadderton

An experienced editor and journalist specialising in news and lifestyle.

Beyond the 9-5 is our round-up of all the best things to do in Washington DC each month. July is all about festivities and fireworks.

1Independence Day Fireworks

Nothing beats seeing the Independence Day fireworks against DC's skyline of monuments and memorials and fortunately, the city and the surrounding area offer a plethora of scenic viewing options. Our top spot is the National Mall - stake out a spot near the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial. The stunning 17-minute display is launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Check out other top spots by clicking here

2Embrace the Folklife

Each summer, the National Mall plays host to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Established in 1967 this festival is a massive, family-friendly celebration of cultures across the globe. Enjoy a dazzling display of dancing, music, art and treat your tastebuds to a delicious array of dishes from around the world. Visitors are encouraged to sing and dance along, try crafts and games, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange.

Festival runs 2th-7th July

3Liven Up Your Lunch

From salsa to strings, blues to swing, reggae to rock - Live! Concert Series on the Plaza features hot entertainment for the downtown DC community. Join them for free lunchtime performances featuring the area's most talented entertainers.

There is plenty of outdoor seating, so take the Metro, grab lunch and get your afternoon grooving!

July 15th - September 27th; noon - 1pm

4Tread New Ground

Head to The National Gallery of Art to see three awe-inspiring sculptures by American artist Chakaia Booker who cuts, coils, and contorted tires into spectacular, awe-inspiring abstract forms. Each sculpture spans 20 to 21 feet wide and features a mass of curled bands of tire rubber, some interspersed with spiky shards, coiled strips, and loops made from inner tubes. The environmentally conscious work inspires visitors to ponder the effect of materials on the natural world.

Exhibition runs 'til August 3rd; 10am – 5pm. Free Admission.

5.Collect Memories

The Library of Congress opens its new David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery with a brand-new exhibit filled to the brim with fascinating artefacts across its 120 items. Including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, a map from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and lyrics from The Sound of Music. “Collecting Memories” explores how cultures preserve memory, including the role of the Library in preserving collective memories representing entire societies, important moments in history and individual lives. The exhibition draws from the Library’s rich holdings of Americana and international collections, bringing together a mix of voice recordings, moving images, diaries, manuscripts, photographs, art, maps, books and more.

Exhibition runs until December 2025, open 'till 8pm on Thursdays.

Collecting Memories, Library of Congress

6Get a Dopamine Hit

After welcoming over 250,000 guests in London and Madrid, Dopamine Land has finally arrived in the United States. Open now in DC, with adult-only evening sessions Dopamine Land is a colourful multimedia and multisensory event that is not to be missed. Discover and explore 10 playful rooms that will surprise your senses and awaken the imagination of your inner child. Which room will trigger the most dopamine for you?

7Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

Go and get your barbecue fix at this epic foodie festival in Richmond. Complete with over 60 beers, 40 bourbons, live music, and loads of barbecue!

The Meadow Event park, 26th July.

beer and bourbon promotional image Washington DC

8Have a Smithsonian Sleepover

Join fellow adventurers at the Natural History Museum - one of the world's most visited museums for a night of fun, where you can wander through the Fossil Hall after dark - where dinosaurs cast giant shadows..

Elsewhere at The Smithsonian, both the National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum are open until 7pm.