Things to Do in Washington, D.C. This Month

Is August too early to get excited for fall? While many of us are rushing to get in those last barbecues, rooftop drinks and beach vacations in, you can feel that the cooler temperatures and routines of September are lurking just around the corner. Until then, here’s what you should see and do in the last couple of weeks in August in Washington, D.C.

I’ve been flipping through the latest issue of Sotheby’s International Realty’s RESIDE magazine and this feature about Castle Howard has almost convinced me to buy a copper tub.
August is National Black Business Month, and Washington.org has a list of Black-owned businesses to support as well as Black-owned restaurants and bars in Washington, D.C.
August also marks the 60^th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s historic March on Washington. There will be a commemoration of the event on August 26 at the Lincoln Memorial. Speakers include members of the King family.
Eater has rounded up the hottest new restaurant openings around D.C. in August. I’m definitely intrigued by The Saga and Philippe Chow.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is playing at The Kennedy Center from Aug. 13 - Sept. 24. Tickets range from $49 to $199. Based on the Baz Luhrmann film, the show description promises, “a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory.”
Also at The Kennedy Center Aug. 15-27 – Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
Run fast to catch the last days of the fabulous Philip Guston exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. The retrospective of his incredible 50-year career featuring more than 150 paintings and drawings ends on August 27.
Stroll over to the National Mall to check out Beyond Granite: Pulling Together now through Sept. 18, the first curated outdoor exhibition in the history of the National Mall. Some of the works currently on display include “a sonic memorial to the AIDS crisis that honors fallen Black queer musicians and spirituality,” and “an interactive bell tower where passersby can play a monumental bell and share their personal story of freedom.”
One of DC’s most exciting annual events, DC JazzFest, will take place Aug. 30 – Sept. 3. Tickets start at $20. Held since 2004, the DC Jazz also provides free music education programs across many underserved communities. Read more at Washington.org’s 10 reasons to attend DC JazzFest.
Also taking place Aug. 30 – Sept. 3 is D.C.’s Summer Restaurant Week. “Savor every last bite of summer while taking advantage of specially priced meals, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings, courtesy of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and 150+ participating eateries.”