45 Free Summer Events in the DMV: From Baltimore to Northern Virginia

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If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region or are planning a summer visit to Washington D.C. or Baltimore, there are tons of amazing free summer events in the DMV! We’re highlighting our picks for the best free events and on-going series between Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Freebies in the Washington D.C. Area

If you’re in the area, why not look for some great Washington D.C. attractions? From food to drinks, things to see and stuff to do, the Washington D.C. events calendar is always packed with tons of options!

Washington D.C. is the hub for our American government system so there it is chock full of history everywhere you look. DC. is also a thriving arts city. It is the home to a diverse array of museums and performing arts venues. Many of them are totally free! So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly summer vacation, Washington D.C. is a perfect choice!

Millennium Stage Summer at the REACH I Thru August 31

Head to The Kennedy Center to enjoy outdoor movies all summer on Friday nights from May 31^st to August 31st. Films are free, but registration is encouraged. There are a limited number of seats reserved for guests with disabilities which will be provided on a first come first serve basis.

Millennium Stage Outdoor Films begin at sundown or 8:30 pm at the latest. The movie selections feature something for everyone from family films to action and classic movies. On June 14th, there will be a  special night of short films presented as a part of the Kennedy Center’s 10,000 Dreams: A Festival of Asian Choreography. 

While events are free, capacity is limited. Check the website for the performance and registration schedule.

Washington D.C. Outdoor Movies

One of our favorite free things to do in the DMV is watching outdoor movies! Check out these free movies you can catch this summer that won’t overcharge you for popcorn or care if you bring a box of Milk Duds in your purse!

Adams Morgan Movie Nights I Thru June 25

Adams Morgan Movie Nights has been listed in the 100 Things to Do in Washington, D.C. Before You Die book so you know it has got to be good! Plus, you can skip the cooking and grab some affordable Brown Bag Movie Meals and snacks from area restaurants!

Check out the Adams Morgan Movie Nights Calendar for the latest information on showtimes and features! And mark your calendar for Adams Morgan PorchFest happening this fall! This free festival is held annually on the first Saturday in October and features a wide range of free live music throughout the Adams Morgan neighborhood.

The NoMa CiNoMatic Summer Screen I Thru June 12

The up-and-coming NoMA community is located near Capitol Hill, the H Street NE neighborhood, Mount Vernon Triangle, and Shaw area. The NoMa Summer Screen has relocated to the recently built Alethia Tanner Park. The park is next to the Metropolitan Branch Trail at 227 Harry Thomas Way NE.

The NoMa movie series kicks off at sunset on Wednesday nights. Check the Events Calendar for the outdoor movie schedule!

Drive-In at Union Market I Thru Oct 4

The Drive-in at Union Market is a fun event and offers a variety of classic films on the first Friday of every month from June through October. This one is NOT free, but it is still a wonderful price so we wanted to include it anyways!

The cost is $20 for drive-in parking (purchase online). Make sure you arrive early! The lot opens at 6 pm and closes by 8:15 pm.

Union Market is known for its unbeatable selection of local vendors. Grab some great food in the market and then head outside to enjoy a night under the stars!

Capital Pride Festival I June 9

In past years before the pandemic, The Capital Pride Festival has been held on Pennsylvania Avenue. This family-friendly event is typically held on the second Sunday. This free pride festival offers a full day of entertainment spread over three city blocks and accessible by several metro stations.

Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand including food and beverage vendors, businesses, and local community groups. There will be several stages of musical and dance performers, a family fun zone, and sports and cultural village. Capital Pride Alliance is also hosting several other Washington D.C. Pride Month events as well as activities throughout the rest of the year so be sure to keep an eye on their calendar for updates!

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival I June 26-July 1

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes place on the National Mall and is one of the largest celebrations of Indigenous culture. Kicking off at the end of June, this multi-day festival includes artist demos, music, cooking demonstrations, athletic and dance performances, and much more! Head to the festival website and check out the schedule of workshops and other events!

There is also a Festival Marketplace. Shop handmade products from around the world including the countries of Armenia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, and more. Food will also be available for purchase at the event.

District Wharf Summer Events I Thru August 28th

District Wharf has tons of free events multiple days of the week during the summer. From karaoke to concerts and free workouts, check out their calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun!

Smithsonian Museums I On-Going

All the Smithsonian museums are free all year-round and they are the largest museum complex in the world! This is a great budget-friendly way to get you and your family out of the heat. Check out their calendar for the full list of latest events and exhibits. Below is a list of the most popular free summer programs at the Smithsonian museums.

National Gallery of Art Jazz in the Garden I June 7-August 9

Held every Friday at the National Gallery of Art, Jazz in the Garden offers concerts every Friday night typically between mid-May through July. While the concerts are free, there is a lottery for tickets. Click the link above to register. The shows start at 6:00 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m.

National Gallery of Art First Saturdays I On-Going

First Saturdays are a monthly series at the National Gallery of Art. Hosted in the East Building, free activities will be offered for all ages including hands-on art projects, films, and other experiences.

Fourth of July Weekend DC Events I July 4

There are several free Fourth of July weekend events in Washington D.C. A Capitol Fourth concert is planned to take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Check the website link above for more details about in-person attendance as it becomes available as well as ways to livestream DC’s fireworks show and host a watch party. There will also be an annual fireworks show on the National Mall to commemorate Independence Day.

Because Science I Thru June 8

Because Science is a STEM-based design lab and shop in Northwest Washington D.C. They magically blend art and science and offer FREE and low-cost classes throughout the year for ages 2 all the way up to adults.

Free summer events include:

• June 2: Science Playtime (Ages 2-5) from 12-2 pm
• June 4: Self-Led Science Exploration (Ages 6-9) from 4-6 pm
• June 29-30: Craft Lab Anniversary with free science activities, contests, and more
• June 6: Open Crafting Night  (Adult) BYO project and drinks from 6-8 pm
• June 8: Archeology Activities (All Ages) from 12-2 pm

You can link them all to their calendar.

Free Summer Events Near Washington D.C.

Salute the Sunset Concert Series I Thru September

Watch free performances by military bands at the National Harbor Plaza stage in Oxen Hill, Maryland just outside of Washington D.C. Performances run on Saturday nights and holidays from May to September in the annual Salute the Sunset Concert Series.

Movies on the Potomac I Thru Sept 29

National Harbor also runs outdoor movie nights all summer long! Thursday nights are a date night feature while Sundays are reserved for family-friendly movies. Check out the full Movies on the Potomac schedule for more details!

National Harbor Kids Day I Thru Aug 27

Beat summer boredom with National Harbor’s Kids Day! Every Tuesday, enjoy family-friendly activities with rotating themes from fitness to music and STEM activities.

National Harbor Fitness Classes I Thru Sept 30

Hosted by OneLife Fitness, National Harbor’s summer workout series includes something for everyone! Weekly classes include bootcamp, dance, and yoga. Plus, senior classes are offered monthly too!

Free Summer Events in Northern Virginia

As one of the original colonies, North Virginia is full of historic landmarks and history museums. Which may explain why some of these fun and free events are also educational.

Occoquan Music on Mill Concert Series I Thru August

Enjoy free concerts from 7 to 9 pm on various dates throughout the summer in River Mill Park in Occaquan. Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Innovations in Flight at the Air & Space Museum I June 15

Innovations in Flight Family Day & Outdoor Aviation Display is held annually each summer at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. This is your chance to check out some amazing aircraft and vintage cars. Admission is free but there is a fee for parking. Registration is required for the outdoor fly-in.

Taste of Leesburg I August 10

Taste of Leesburg is a free street festival that brings together unique shops, merchants, vendors and artists. This annual mid-August festival also has live music, strolling entertainers, and other entertainment. You can also buy sampling tickets for food and drinks.

Summer JAMS in Leesburg I Thru August 17

Enjoy free summer concerts in Leesburg on Saturday nights in downtown Leesburg Virginia starting at 7 pm on the Town Green. Concerts are scheduled through mid-August. Note: There will not be a concert on August 10th.

Friday Night Live in Herndon I Thru August 23

Herndon presents Friday Night Live through the end of August at the Herndon Town Green. Concerts run from 6:30 to 10 pm with concessions available starting at 6 pm.

Friday Night Live in Herndon I Thru October 25

Once a month on the fourth Friday of the month through the end of October, enjoy live music plus a beer garden and food vendors at Old Town Square. The free Fairfax concerts run from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Check out the full Fairfax City Rock The Block schedule for more details!

Tysons Corner Summer on the Plaza I Thru August 25

Head to the Plaza at Tysons Corner for summer concerts, wellness classes on Sundays, game nights on Thursdays and other fun all summer long. Check out the full Tysons Corner Summer on the Plaza event schedule!

Fairfax County Summer Entertainment I Thru August 31

Fairfax County has lots of free concerts and other entertainment scheduled all summer long! Choose from 11 local series at 17 venues across the county. Here is the full schedule of the Fairfax County summer concerts.

Arlington County Fair I Thru Aug 14-18

Considered one of the largest free events on the East Coast, the Arlington County Fair at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center has been a Virginia tradition for over 40 years. With a parade, pig race, pony rides, exhibits, activities and live entertainment you don’t want to miss this free end of summer fun. Admission and parking are free. There is even a shuttle service provided.

Central Maryland

Home to the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Central Maryland is known for its outdoor activities, culture and historical sites.

Check out these free events in Central Maryland

Summer Events in Downtown Silver Spring I On-Going

Join in on free activities in downtown Silver Spring. The line-up includes free fitness classes, yoga, musical performances, and more surprises popping up in rotating spots! Click the link for the detailed schedule and locations.

Heritage Days Weekend I June 29-30

Since 2004, Heritage Montgomery County has held the Heritage Days weekend on the last weekend of June. This free festival offers live music, children activities, exhibits and demonstrations that highlight historic and cultural events by allowing you to enter places not often open to the public.

Bethesda Summer Concert Series I On-Going

Head to Bethesda on Friday nights for live music at the Streetery! Concerts begin at 6pm at the corner of Norfolk & Del Ray Avenues. Check back as concerts and dates are being added.

Rockville Movies in the Parks I July 31 – August 21

Rockville features free outdoor movies in the parks on a big screen each Wednesday from July 31 to August 21. Movies begin at approximately 8 p.m. Check the schedule for the rotating location and feature films!

Bethesda Outdoor Movies I July 26

Held at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Ave, three nights of Blockbuster hits! Click the link for the latest updates.

Silver Spring Blues Festival I June 15

The Silver Screen Blues Festival runs from morning until night in downtown Sliver Spring! It will feature over a dozen talented performers with a wide range of jazz styles from acoustic to electric.

Free Summer Events in Baltimore

Baltimore was recently recognized as one of the most Underappreciated American Cities You Need to Check Out This Year. With its waterfront neighborhoods and historic charm, it makes a spectacular summertime destination!

Artscape I August 2-4

Artscape is one of the largest summer festivals in Maryland. It is usually held in early August near the Mount Vernon area of Baltimore. With vendors, live concerts, outdoor sculptures, and family-friendly activities, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained!

Check out scenes from our last visit to Artscape on Instagram!

The Walters Art Museum I On-Going

The Walters Art Museum is fantastic free museum in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore. The museum is open daily from Wednesday through Sunday. It contains over 36,000 paintings, statues, and objects from around the world housed in beautiful rooms. Plus, there is a family art center with drop-in art activities on the weekends as well as several free and paid special events, classes, and concerts throughout the year. Teen Lab is geared towards teens ages 13 to 17 and allows the opportunity to socialize and explore creative skills by working on collaborative projects. First Thursdays are geared towards adults and feature mix and mingle events along with hands-on art activities.

Moving Forward and Beyond: A Juneteenth Celebration I June 15

Registration is required for this free concert in the Graham Auditorium from 2 to 3 pm on June 15th.This performance commemorates the African diaspora through a diverse selection of compositions featuring the acclaimed vocalist Alexandria Crichlow and the accomplished pianist Dr. Samuel Springer, a respected professor. Here’s the link.

Patterson Park Concert Series I Thru Aug 18

Head over to the Pagoda Hill at Baltimore’s Patterson Park to enjoy free concerts. Concerts will run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Flicks from the Hill Movie Nights I Thru Aug 1

The AVAM highlights original works of art created by self-taught artists and presents a free Flicks from the Hill Federal Hill outdoor movie series. The museum usually offers free admission from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Flick nights.

FashionEASTa I June 1

Don’t miss the fashion event of the year in Baltimore! FashionEASTa is a free outdoor event that takes place in Harbor East from 12 to 5 pm on Saturday June 1st. Enjoy a fashion show featuring Baltimore’s top brands and boutiques, shopping discounts, live music and more. VIP packages are also available and include guaranteed seating, a swag bag, drink vouchers, free parking and other goodies. 

Baltimore By Baltimore Festival I Thru Oct 6

Baltimore by Baltimore is a monthly festival that features Baltimore’s best makers and musicians. It will take place at the Inner Harbor Amphitheatre one Saturday each month from June through October from 12 to 8 pm. Head to the website to find out more about each event’s featured artist!

Baltimore Waterfront Wellness Series I Thru August

Kicking off late spring, Baltimore’s Waterfront Wellness series will feature a different form of free fitness activities every day of the week. Activities include yoga, pilates, cardio and dance classes as well as organized group runs.  Click above to find out more about offerings and locations. 

Sundays in the City Fells Point Concerts I Thru July 28

Sundays in the City: Free Concert Series

Enjoy Sunday fun day at Broadway Square in Fells Point. Enjoy a free concert the last Sunday of the month on Broadway Square. The line-up includes Jimmy Charles on May 26th, Super City on June 30th, and Joi Carter on July 28th. The event will also include kids activities and adult beverages available for purchase. Follow @SundaysintheCity on Instagram for program updates!

Free Summer Events Near Baltimore

Howard County Summer Events

Howard County, Maryland is a suburban area located just about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Howard County is a great home base for a vacation to the area or as a day trip for those in neighboring states. Plus, there are always lots of fun free events in Howard County, especially for families!

Entertainment on The Chrysalis I June 24

Enjoy free activities at Merriweather Post Pavilion this summer! Throughout the summer, there will be weekly Thursday night happy hours at the Chrysalis. Saturday mornings, free yoga classes will be offered at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.

Columbia LakeFest I June 14-16

Columbia Festival of the Arts is a FREE weekend of fun in Howard County Maryland! Held annually the second weekend of June at the downtown Columbia lakefront,enjoy live music, arts and crafts, entertainment, kids activities, festival food and more!

Columbia LakeFront I On-Going

All summer long, there are free events at the Columbia Lakefront from concerts to dancing and movies….In fact, enjoy a total of over 60 events this summer! Check out Columbia Lakefront Live schedule here!

Crazy Mason’s 2nd Anniversary I June 13

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar & Ice Cream Shop is throwing a 2nd Birthday Party in Old Ellicott City! Get free balloon creations from Balloons All Around 2-4 pm and free face painting with Vivid Colors Face Painting 5-7pm. Don’t forget to enjoy an outrageous milkshake while you’re there!

Savage Bluegrass Festival I June 15

Get ready for a day of music and fun at the Savage Bluegrass Festival! Join us at Savage Mill on June 15, 2024, for a lively outdoor event featuring four bands, a free jam session, and seating under a festival tent. Don’t miss out on delicious food from Savage Mill-based restaurants as you enjoy the tunes from 12-5 pm!

Juneteenth at Savage Mill I June 19-20

Join us for Howard County’s prominent Juneteenth celebrations in Savage! On June 19, from 5-9 pm, Leona’s Sewing Studio and Carroll Baldwin Hall present the 2nd annual Juneteenth Commemoration at Baldwin Common. The next evening, June 20, from 7-8:30 pm, the Savage Branch Library hosts “Songs of Freedom: Journey Along the Underground Railroad” at Carroll Baldwin Hall. Both events are free and open to all!

Farmers Market I Thru August 28

Experience the vibrant flavors of the community at the Savage Farmers Market, open Wednesdays (excluding Juneteenth) until August 28! Located at Baldwin Common, this market offers fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and more from local farmers and vendors. Enjoy live music and food trucks while you shop and join us in celebrating the connections between people and food!

Baltimore County Summer Events

With Baltimore County being the third most populated area in the country, it hosts a diversified economy. A great emphasis on education, government, and health care are just to name a few.

Summer Concert Series in Hunt Valley I Thru August 23

This concert series will kick off in early June. Check out the calendar to confirm times and artists.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center I On-Going

Oregon Ridge Nature Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily (except Mondays). It offers free indoor and outdoor wildlife and educational exhibits.

Feet on the Street Friday Night Concerts I Thru August 2

Feet on the Street Friday night concert series runs the first Friday of every month through August. It features local bands, an outdoor bar, and kids’ activities.

Frederick Road Fridays I Thru August 30

Frederick Road Fridays runs from the beginning of June through the end of August. The weekly event features free local bands and family-friendly activities. Beverage sales benefit a rotating non-profit charity.

Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival I September 28

The Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival will be held in September. This street festival will feature over 250 artists and vendors.