June 25-29 and July 2-6: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Learn about cultures around the world at the annual Folklife Festival on the National Mall (between 7th and 14th sts.). The Smithsonian packs the two-week event with music, food, dancing, crafts, cooking demonstrations, and outdoor exhibits from a diverse sampling of world cultures. This year, the culture of Bhutan will be highlighted alongside that of Texas (including its music, food, and wine). Open daily 11 to 5:30; evening events start at 6. Call 202-633-7484 during the festival to find out about daily events. Free. Closest Metro: Smithsonian (Orange and Blue lines).

July 4: Independence Day Celebration
What better place to celebrate the nation’s birthday than in the nation’s capital? Festivities start at 11:45 AM with a parade down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th street. More than 100 military and specialty units will participate along with marching bands, floats, and Washington VIPs. During the afternoon, live entertainment is performed on the Mall, and at the White House Visitor Center, from 10 to 3, there will be games, crafts and other activities for kids. From 8 to 9: 30 PM, the National Symphony Orchestra takes the stage on the west lawn of the Capitol; the orchestra is typically joined by celebrities and soloists. The fireworks show, the main event, follows at around 9:15. The lawn opens for the concert at 5, but there are usually long lines for security. Plan on arriving early to get a good spot.

July 4: Independence Day at Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, the site of George Washington’s home, hosts a daylong Fourth of July celebration, complete with 18th-century music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a performance of the National Concert Band of America, and a free slice of birthday cake. Admission is $13 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 6 through 11, free under age 6. Visit the Mount Vernon Web site for more information.

July 4-14: Liberty Festival and Bastille Day
Each year, Anthony Bourdain’s Brasserie Les Halles (1201 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-347-6848) celebrates the US and French independence days with an 11-day celebration featuring family-friendly events and a special menu of the countries’ favorites. The festival culminates with the waiters’ race from the restaurant to the Capitol and back. Watch as waiters run while balancing trays with a bottle and glass. Check the Web site for more information.

July 7-12: Hip-Hop Theater Festival
The annual hip-hop music festival hits DC this week at venues throughout the city, including the Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, Woodrow Wilson Plaza, and more. Catch free performances by national and international artists. Check the Web site for more details.

July 10-27: Capital Fringe Festival
The Capital Fringe Festival celebrates experimental art and theater. Over 18 days at venues throughout the city, it packs in hundreds of performances of contemporary theater, dance, music, poetry, and puppetry, performed by local, national, and international artists. There are also panel and round-table discussions with artists, performers, and others. Most events require tickets (usually $15 to $35), and packages to see multiple performances are available. Tickets on sale late June. Check the festival’s Web site for more information.

July 17-20: Slapsticon Film Festival
This annual festival, held in Arlington, Virginia, celebrates slapstick comedy with classic-film screenings. Movies from the 1910s to the 1940s, starring both well-known and lesser-known comedians, are featured with live music accompaniment. Screenings are held at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre (1611 N. Kent St., Arlington, near the Rosslyn Metro station on the Orange and Blue lines).

May-August: The Commandant’s Own
Friday nights at the US Marine Corps Barracks (Eighth St. between G and I sts., SE) mean free outdoor performances of the United States Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Shows start at 8:45, but it’s a popular event, so plan on getting there an hour earlier. The Marines perform in light rain or shine; if a passing shower occurs, performances are delayed until the it’s gone. Learn more at the Drum and Bugle Corps Web site.

May 23-October 3: Jazz in the Garden
Friday nights, enjoy free jazz concerts in the National Gallery of Art’s sculpture garden (Constitution Ave. between Seventh and Ninth sts., NW). Bring a blanket and picnic dinner or enjoy a sushi platter and a cheese-and-fruit plate from the Pavilion Cafe in the garden from 5 to 8:30 PM.

June 26-August 21: Sunset Serenades at the National Zoo
Head over to the National Zoo on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 PM throughout the summer for free family-friendly concerts. Musical acts from nearly every genre perform on a stage on the zoo’s Lion/Tiger Hill. Closest Metro: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red Line).

July 14-August11: Screen on the Green
Monday nights in July and August mean free movies on the National Mall. Film classics are projected on a 20-by-40-foot screen between Fourth and Seventh Streets. This year's line-up includes Dr. No, The Candidate, and Superman. Movies start at dusk, between 8:30 and 9 PM, but people get there as early as 5 to grab the best spots. In the event of inclement weather, call 877-262-5866; screenings may be canceled. Free.

Visiting a different month? Check out our City Schedule for events and festivals happening throughout the year.

This article is part of Washingtonian.com’s Visitors’ Guide. For more articles like it, click here.