THURSDAY JUNE 30
FOOD & DRINK If it seems like meat eaters get all the attention when it comes to dinner specials, never fear! Commissary’s got you covered with an eight-course vegetarian tasting dinner, featuring produce from EatWell DC’s EatWell Natural Farm, plus an optional wine pairing. $40-$60, 6:30 PM
FILM Mount Pleasant’s newly-opened art-house theatre and bar, Suns Cinema, presents Cry-Baby, John Waters’s musical comedy set in Baltimore. The film features a young Johnny Depp as a bad boy “drape” named Cry-Baby falling in love with a “square,” as their relationship turns the town upside down. $5, 8 PM
FRIDAY JULY 1
MUSIC Jazz In the Garden is usually packed, but you might stand a chance to grab some decent blanket space this time as people flee town for the long weekend. Sip on sangria and appreciate the sculptures underneath a setting sun while listening to an eclectic mix of jazz musicians each week. Tonight, Speakers of the House perform their unique blend of old school funk, boogaloo and rock. Free, 5 PM
MUSIC New York City-based Amor Prohibido is a Selena punk rock cover band that promises to bring you hits from the late, great Tejano singer in a way you’ve never heard them before. They play Salty Dog Tavern Friday. $10-$15, 8 PM
THEATER Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story is the true, hilarious tale of gospel icons BeBe and Cece Winans and their path to stardom. The two come from a prolific, gospel-singing family, but were able to strike out on their own, winning three Grammys along the way. $64, 8 PM
FILM Is there a better way to unwind on the eve of a long holiday weekend than by watching Tom Cruise pretend to fly a plane and win the heart of a beautiful woman through the what is possibly the first-ever flash mob? Not likely. First up in Union Market’s monthly Drive-In series is Top Gun. $10 per car or free for walk-ups, 8 PM
MUSEUMS The National Air and Space Museum is celebrating its 40th birthday by throwing an all-night party. They’re making use of the extra time with heaps of activities, including scavenger hunts, tours, stargazing and a film festival featuring late night showings of Galaxy Quest and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Free, 9 PM
SATURDAY JULY 2
DANCE Mousetrap, one of the city’s oldest and most popular indie-pop dance parties, is hosting a Post-Brexit dance at the Black Cat. Dance away your U.K. frustration (or fear over your retirement plan) to the tune of new and old Britpop hits. $10, 9:30 PM
MUSIC Backyard Band, “the bad boys of Go-Go” and one of the scene’s most beloved acts, are hosting a 4th of July Weekend Fan Appreciation Party at Howard Theatre with a promise of “no themes or gimmicks,” just a night of dancing and partying. $30, 11 PM
SUNDAY JULY 3
FOOD & DRINK Stop by Silver Spring craft brewers Denizens Brewing Co.’s 4th of July Weekend Preamble Party. Enjoy the usual barbecue foods plus live music by The Electric Peacock Dance Band, and, of course, Denizens beer on tap. Union Market ice cream purveyors Ruby Scoops will also be selling Cool Freeze, a collaboration with Denizens made with their Cool Breeze stout. 5 PM
COMEDY You’ll get laughs, costumes, and ton of patriotism at Old Engine 12’s third annual MURRICA: Part Theme Party, Party Comedy Show, All American Show. Show off your red, white and blue garb while comedians show their stuff. Stick around for the chance to “reenact the Boston Tea Party via cornhole.” $13, 6 PM
FOOD & DRINK If typical Fourth of July cookout fare isn’t your jam, enjoy the variety of food trucks featured at The Midnight BBQ. The rule of the night—“No Hotdogs. No Burgers.”—just goes to show that America is a melting pot of both cultures and cuisine. Food trucks on-hand include Nu Vegan Cafe, Rio Churrasco, and Lobstatonian. $25 to $35, 8 PM
MONDAY JULY 4
PARADE The theme for the Takoma Park Independence Day Parade this year is youth activism, and members of local groups like the Young Activist Club and Making A New United People will be serving as marshals. The community-funded event will feature musical acts, dancers, veterans, politicians and over 80 floats. The festivities begin at Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues and continue to Maple and Ritchie Avenues. If you decide to stay around for the evening fireworks, pick up a raffle ticket at Takoma Ace Hardware for a chance to win some local goodies. Free, 10 AM
PARADE The Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade runs from 8th and I Street, SE, to 8th and D Street, SE. The Eastern High Marching Band, Junior Miss America contestants and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps will walk the streets and toss candy, beads and other treats to parade-goers. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen will take the helm as the grand marshal. Free, 10 AM
PARADE Fairfax has plenty of celebrations for America’s big day, including its Independence Day Parade, the biggest parade in Northern Virginia. Spectators can enjoy marching bands, floats, horses, clowns and plenty of superheroes posing for pictures. Don’t forget to look up: In honor of the parade’s 50th anniversary there will be a fly-over circus and banner in the sky. The route begins at the Massey Building and continues down to Chain Bridge and Armstrong Roads. Free, 10 AM
PARADE The 50th annual Palisades Fourth of July Parade will begin at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard, NW. The event, a favorite for local politicians, includes clowns, a bagpipe band, dancers, and appearances from Miss Teen DC and Mrs. DC America. If you’re feeling extra patriotic, just join the walk (no need to register). The parade ends at Palisades Recreation Center, where there will be a free picnic of hotdogs and watermelon. Free, 11 AM
PARADE The National Independence Day Parade, the country’s “biggest and best” annual parade will kick-off on Constitution Avenue, traveling from 7th to 17th streets. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to come watch the drill teams, floats and VIP guests. And the music is sure to be good: high school marching bands from around the country are carefully chosen each year by the Parade National Selection Committee. Be sure to arrive early to snag a good view. Free, 11:45 AM
NIGHTLIFE The Brixton is hosting an Independence Day Party on its illustrious roof, with plans for an ice luge and a hotdog eating contest. Happy birthday, America, indeed. 1 PM
NIGHTLIFE Why push your way through crowds to see fireworks when you can get a great view from the waterfront while dancing your face off? The Silent Disco Society is partnering up with Malmaison at the Georgetown Waterfront for a Silent Disco and fireworks-viewing party. Dance partiers will get the night started at Malmaison, rocking out to three live DJs through their own personal headsets as hula dancers keep up the energy. Then, it’s off to the Georgetown Waterfront Park for stunning views of the fireworks. Then it’s back to Malmaison for more dancing. $14-$20, 7 :30 PM
