The asphalt’s getting hotter, the days are getting shorter and heads are dizzying from the heavy-with-humidity air — welcome to July in the District.
As summer in the city rolls along under the extreme heat, things may feel overwhelming. But D.C.’s diverse, vibrant neighborhoods continue to offer opportunities for community building, connection and joy this July, from sporting events to arts and culture festivals.
The International Colombian Festival
On July 19, the District’s ninth International Colombian Festival will take place at Catholic University in Brookland — a 40-minute journey via Metro from the Foggy Bottom station — and will celebrate Colombian music, dance and cuisine through performances and vendors. Each year, the festival honors a Spanish-speaking “guest country,” with this year’s being Puerto Rico, and spotlights their shared customs and the country’s cultural heritage.
Journalists Divalizeth Cash and Kris Jaimes will be hosting the event, and musicians and DJs like Zip Code and Edgar Joel will provide entertainment to sing and dance to. Starting at 11 a.m. and lasting until 8 p.m., the all-day event boasts past attendance numbers of over 5,000 people in 2022 — tickets are $25 at the door but $1.43 less if purchased online in advance.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
A tradition since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrates various histories and cultures from across the globe through a free celebration of activities, workshops, concerts and hundreds of other community events. This year, the festival lasts from July 2 to July 7 and will showcase “Youth and the Future of Culture” as the featured program.
This year’s festival schedule includes events like spoken word poetry performances by National Youth Poet Laureates, a Youth and Belonging seminar and a Zine Lab workshop with DC Zinefest. With activities being held at various locations across the Mall, the programming caters to individuals of all interests, ages and desired level of involvement, with overarching themes of community engagement, connection and education.
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
A few miles north of the Smithsonians, the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is a decorative art museum and 13-acre garden that was once home to socialite and businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Post. With a $10 student entrance fee, the estate and grounds are open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including 30-minute Gardeners’ Focus Tours on select July days that highlight varying parts of the greenery.
A recently-opened exhibit, “From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley,” honors the socialite, model and actress through a collection of her possessions and other items, like news clippings, related to her. The charming escape, set back from the bustle of the city, combines nature, fine valuables — including the “most comprehensive” array of Russian imperial art outside of the country — and Georgian architecture, for a relaxing and informative day in D.C.
D.C. United games
At Buzzard Point’s Audi Field, Major League Soccer’s local team, D.C. United, will be playing twice throughout the month, on July 5 and July 26. With tickets for the July 5 game against Atlanta United starting at $27, students, faculty, interns and any other sports fans spending their summer in the District can come out and support their local players after one Metro transfer and a 19-minute walk to the Southwest D.C. stadium. Located near the Wharf and Navy Yard, you can celebrate their win, or stand in solidarity after their loss, at a local bar, like Trouble Bird or TAKODA.
