The Wharf is the premier place to be this summer! The capital has plenty in store for everyone this summer and there’s no better place to celebrate than at The Wharf. Check out all these upcoming events and happenings in DC and The Wharf.
Summer Events at The Wharf DC
Rock the Dock
Starting on May 31, 2023, and going all summer long, you can catch free concerts at Transit Pier in The Wharf with Rock the Dock. Happening every 7 PM on Wednesdays, this event features live performances from local bands and artists in various genres, like rock, R&B, pop, jazz, and go-go.
Grab a Pacifico beer or drink from Cantina Bambina, a snack from one of the many Wharf restaurants, and find a seat or dock your boat by the floating stage, and get ready for a chill night of music and good times!
Friday Night Dancing
If you feel like busting out a move, Friday Night Dancing brings you dancing and cocktails every 2nd Friday of the month from June to September. Starting on June 9, 2023, visit Transit Pier at 7 PM for a night of dancing, with a new style introduced every month, from country line dancing to salsa.
Need a couple of lessons? No problem! Professional dancers will be around to help you get started. And after you’ve worked up a sweat, you can enjoy a cocktail at Cantina Bambina before you continue dancing the night away.
Pride on the Pier
Celebrate pride month in DC, whether you’re a member or an ally, with Pride on the Pier — The Wharf’s premier LGBTQ+ event!
Show off all your brightest colors on June 10, 2023, Saturday, from 2 PM to 9 PM at the District and Transit Pier, with a host of exciting activities, from a DJ, dancing, live performances, food and drink, music, and a fireworks show to end the night on a high note.
DC JazzFest
Join hundreds of fellow jazz lovers in DC’s biggest annual jazz festival happening right here in The Wharf! The 19th annual DC JazzFest brings you over 100 concerts in more than 30 venues all over the city, including The Wharf.
Featuring live performances from jazz legends to local talents, the event opens on August 30, 2023, and takes place at The Wharf on September 2 and 3, 2023, at the District Pier.
Summer Events in DC
If you feel like expanding your horizons beyond The Wharf, here are some of the hottest events coming to the whole of DC this summer.
Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
Prepare your appetite for a mouth-watering day at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle! This annual event features tons of cooking demonstrations and free tastings from local and national rib roasters, pit masters, barbecue restaurants, and more.
Enjoy all your favorite barbecued delights with refreshing drinks and live music, coming to you on June 24 and 25, 2023, at Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and 7th Streets.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Travel all around the world without having to leave DC at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Celebrate different cultures from all around the world with exhibits, arts and crafts, food demonstrations, live music, and educational family-friendly activities that aim to spark curiosity and encourage learning among kids and adults alike.
Head on over to the National Mall from June 29 to July 4, 2023, for the general festivities, and on July 6 to 9, 2023, for exhibits specifically about the unique Ozarks region of the US.
DC Black Food & Wine Festival
Support black-owned businesses and have a taste of the best African-American wine and cuisine at the DC Black Food & Wine Festival. Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of other food and wine lovers with a day full of the finest eats, wine, and music.
The festival kicks off on July 1, 2023, from 2 PM till 9:30 PM, at the Gateway Pavilion, 2700 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Southeast Washington.
A Capitol Fourth
There’s no better place to spend the 4th of July than in our nation’s capital! A Capitol Fourth is DC’s annual nationally televised 4th of July celebration. Starting at 8 PM on July 4, 2023, head on over to the US Capitol grounds for a night of free entertainment and concerts with nationally and globally renowned artists. And at the end of the program, witness a breathtaking fireworks show above the nation’s iconic monuments.
If you can’t make it to the concert or just don’t want to deal with the crowds, there are many excellent viewing spots where you can watch the fireworks safely and comfortably. Plus, they make great picture-taking spots themselves.
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Summer is a great time to visit DC and The Wharf. Have a blast at any or all of these upcoming summertime events happening here at The Wharf and around the city, and reserve a boat slip at the Wharf Marina this summer to experience all the action.