Maryland

Weekend Scene: What to Do Around DC July 19-21

All-you-can-eat crabs, big-name concerts and lots of food trucks are on the agenda for this weekend.

What to Know

  • Saturday will be mostly sunny — and completely sweaty. Expect temperatures around 100 and high humidity
  • Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny and very hot, with a 30% chance of PM storms

All-you-can-eat crabs, big-name concerts and lots of food trucks are on the agenda for this weekend, but be advised: Storm Team4 predicts a heat index of 110 degrees for Friday, 110 on Saturday and 103 on Sunday, so plan ahead before you venture outside.

All Weekend

Free Pick
Apollo 50 Festival
National Mall
Through July 20

The “Apollo 50 Festival” on the National Mall features hands-on exhibits and activities, costumed characters and more. Tents by NASA, Boeing, Raytheon, the LEGO group and “Ready, Jet, Go!” will line the Mall between 4th and 7th streets.

Speakers at the event include MythBusters’ Adam Savage, astronauts from the International Space Station, NASA scientists and engineers, and more.

On July 20, the museum will host a free late-night celebration from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Called “The Eagle Has Landed,” the program includes astronaut costume designing, trivia, scavenger hunts, science demonstrations, stargazing at the observatory and more.

There will be a countdown at 10:56 p.m. to the exact time Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon.

The rocket launch that landed Neil Armstrong on the moon will be recreated in projections on the Washington Monument. "Apollo 50: Go For the Moon" airs on Friday and Saturday, but News4's Megan McGrath got a sneak peek. <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/We-Have-Liftoff-National-Air-and-Space-Museum-to-Project-Apollo-11-Rocket-On-Washington-Monument-512485402.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here's more information about when and where you can see it for yourself</a>.

Free Pick
"Apollo 50: Go for the Moon" Showings
9:30 pm, 10:30 pm, and 11:30 pm on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20
Washington Monument

Through a projection on the Washington Monument, spectators will be able to relive the launch of the Apollo 11 rocket and tell the story of the first moon landing.

The best spot to view it is on the National Mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle, the Air and Space museum says.

Free Pick
Sunflower Peak Bloom at McKee-Beshers Sunflower Fields
16898-16500 River Rd, Poolesville, Maryland

Sunflowers covering 30 acres are in full-bloom in Maryland. This is definitely one of the most Instagram-friendly activities you can do this weekend, and it promises to be beautiful (even if you've had enough of the sun).

There aren't any bathrooms, benches or picnic tables, but there are biting bugs. Come prepared. You can check the status of the sunflowers here.

Beer Fundraiser for Montgomery County Humane Society
July 18 - 25
World of Beer, Rockville and Bethesda locations 

Starting Thursday, Flying Dog Brewery will donate $1 to the Montgomery County Humane Society for every Truth on draft purchased at the Bethesda and Rockville World of Beer locations. Stop by the fundraiser’s kickoff party Thursday, 5-8 p.m. at the Rockville location for a chance to win prizes and a private Flying Dog Brewery tour.

Washington County AG Expo and Fair
Through July 20
Sharpsburg Pike, Md.

This weekend is the last weekend to visit the Washington County Fair before it closes for the summer. The Washington County Fair hosts a carnival, bull riding, truck and tractor pulls and more. You’ll also find live music, demolition derby and plenty more fun.

Allegany County Fair
Through July 20
Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11490 Moss Ave. in Cumberland, Md.

You can also get your fix of county fair fun at Allegany County Fair, which is celebrating its last weekend before it closes for the summer. Fireworks, rides and performances are on the schedule.

Capital Fringe Festival
Through July 28
Southwest Waterfront

Choose from dozens of art shows organized by category, venue and age appropriateness and celebrate performance art at the Southwest Waterfront. Tickets are $20, but cost less per ticket if you buy multi-show passes. Learn more and buy tickets here.

UniverSoul Circus
National Harbor, Md.
Through July 28

Join the 25 million people who have seen UniverSoul, a circus that celebrates diversity, culture and fun during shows. UniverSoul recently celebrated its 25th birthday and has received critical acclaim for performances. Tickets start at $16, and you can buy them here.

Cider House Birthday Bash
July 20 and 21
Capitol Cider House, 3930 Georgia Ave. NW
Cider House is turning one, and you can celebrate all weekend. On Saturday, Cider House will release multiple new ciders, host brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and live music 7 - 9 p.m. Sunday’s activities will be family friendly: from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., a kids’ show will feature free face painting, balloon animals and the unveiling of a new train table. Entry is free

Cider House Birthday Bash
July 20 and 21
Capitol Cider House, 3930 Georgia Ave. NW

Cider House is turning one, and you can celebrate all weekend. On Saturday, Cider House will release multiple new ciders, host brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and live music 7-9 p.m. Sunday’s activities will be family friendly: from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., a kids’ show will feature free face painting, balloon animals and the unveiling of a new train table. Entry is free.

Every year, the Capital Fringe Festival brings the best, and sometimes weirdest, performances to the D.C. area. News4's Tommy McFly has the details.

Friday

Wiz Khalifa at Jiffy Lube Live
July 19, 6 p.m.
Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va.

Get a little wild and free at "The Decent Exposure Tour" this Friday at Jiffy Lube Live, an outdoor amphitheater. Tickets start at $29, plus fees — buy them here.

Truckeroo Food Truck Festival
July 19, 4 - 11 p.m.
The Bullpen, 1201 Half St SE

Here is your opportunity to check out those food trucks you’ve been wanting to try. Truckeroo is a monthly festival featuring 15 food trucks, live music and games. Tapas, soul food, Korean barbeque, lobster, empanadas and more will be available for purchase.

Third Eye Blind, Jimmy Eat World and Ra Ra Riot
July 19, 7 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md.

Jam to your '90s favorites at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with special guest Ra Ra Riot. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50, plus fees — buy them here.

Free Pick
Golden Triangle: Golden Cinema Series
July 19, Sunset (Around 8:30 p.m.)
Farragut Square

Nothing says D.C. summer like a free outdoor movie, and Golden Triangle is back at it this Friday with "Incredibles 2." No tickets necessary, but bring your own bug spray, blankets and snacks.

Road Trip! 10 Places to Cool Off Within 100 Miles of DC

Saturday

Free Pick
The Eagle Has Landed Late-Night Celebration
July 20, 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.
National Air and Space Museum

Fifty years ago this Saturday, the first humans landed on the moon. The Smithsonian has a host of activities this week to celebrate, but this Saturday is the big party. There will be trivia periodically throughout the evening, a rebroadcast of the moon landing and first steps at 10:30 p.m., a special countdown at 10:56 p.m. to the exact time that Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, a space suit fashion show at 1 a.m. and more.

Free Pick
Dumbarton House Archaeology Day
July 20, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dumbarton House, 2715 Q Street, NW

Dig into archaeology at the 8th annual Day of Archaeology Festival at Dumbarton House, a preservation museum in Georgetown. Kids can experience mock-excavations, crafts and 3D-printed artifacts. There will also be live music, face painting and food trucks.

Free Pick
9th Annual DC Zinefest
July 20, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Art Enables, 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE

DC Zinefest is a one-day independent event designed to let zine-makers, self-published artists and writers share their work with the D.C. community and each other. This year’s fest will feature 70+ vendors sharing their writing, art, prints and more, cool DC Zinefest merch, and — most importantly — air conditioning. There’s no admission fee, but visitors should remember to bring cash to pay for the zines, and the event accepts donations to keep the festival running.

Shrub Life Festival: A Plant-Based Celebration
July 20, 12 - 6 p.m.
Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St. NW

Children under 16 can attend for free at this “all-ages, family friendly plant power party.” The festival will include cooking demos, samples and sustainability information. Vegans and non-vegans welcome. Tickets are $10, and you can buy them here.

America’s Best Brewfest
July 20, 12:30 - 8 p.m.
The Bullpen, 1201 Half Street SE 

This event is billed as “a celebration of the very best craft beer from all across these United States of America,” and will feature more than 80 different brews to try. There will also be wine, cider, hard sodas and more. Sessions are three hours, and you can get a ticket to the daytime or evening options, both of which will also have music, games and food vendors. Tickets prices vary, but they’ll all cost you $10 more at the door.

Dave Matthews Band
July 20, 8 p.m.
Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va.

Slow down your weekend with heartfelt tunes under a summer sky. Dave Matthews Band is live this weekend in Bristow, Va. Tickets start at $49.50, plus fees — buy them here.

ARETCHOUSE's newest immersible exhibit will have you soaring through "Infinite Space," watching algorithms build art right before your eyes.

Sunday

The Longest Ice Cream Sundae in Washington, DC
July 21, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Yards Park Sun Deck, next to Ice Cream Jubilee at 301 Water St. SE

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day in the best way possible: with giant amounts of ice cream. Ice Cream Jubilee wants to break the record for the District’s longest sundae, and you can help eat it. Free tickets are sold out, but there will be 40 free tickets for the first 40 people in line, or you can purchase an overflow ticket for $8.

District Winery Crab Fest
July 21, 12 - 3 p.m.
District Winery, 385 Water St. SE

For $75 and 3 hours, you can eat as much crab as you care to. Tickets include all-you-can-eat steamed crab from Capital Crab, sides of hush puppies, corn on the cob and coleslaw, soft drinks, water and two drink tickets. Buy them here.

Free Pick
Carifesta Music & Arts Festival
July 21, 1 - 9 p.m.
Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Md.

Enjoy free, live Caribbean music in Silver Spring on Sunday. Eleven artists will be performing throughout the day, and the venue includes a food court and a kids zone. RSVP here.

Blink-182 and Lil Wayne at Merriweather
July 21, 7 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md.

Pop meets hip-hop at Merriweather this Sunday. Neck Deep, a Welsh pop punk band, will open for the duo. Tickets start at $37.50 plus fees, and you can buy them here.

Weekend Scene is edited by Sophia Barnes

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