_{SANDRA ZO AWODELE | COITRAVELER}

Washington, DC., is packed with things to do as summer begins, eventually giving way to crisp fall days in 2025. If you’re looking for plans for summer in DC, you’ll find plenty, from cozy rooftop dinners and candle‑lit concerts for date night to kid‑friendly outdoor movies and lively street festivals.

As a DMV local who’s walked through more Wharf sunsets than I can count, I find summer shows to be my favorite excuse to trade laptop time for lanyard time. Mostly, I’m just happy to be outside, singing along with friends and breathing warm air that smells like street food instead of space heaters.

2025 Concert Summer Schedule in DC

Something about Metro escalators humming alongside pre‑show chitchat makes the city feel younger, lighter, and ready to sing. Summer concerts make the city feel alive again.

This season’s concert schedule is even busier, so below you’ll find the schedule at a glance, practical tips, venue intel, and more.

Date	Artist / Event	Venue	Why It’s Hot
May 31	Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour	Nationals Park	First DC stadium date in seven years. (MLB.com)
May 31 – Jun 1	Project Glow Festival	RFK Festival Grounds	Two‑day EDM & house party with multiple stages. (Project GLOW)
Jun 14‑15	Warped Tour 30th Anniversary	RFK Festival Grounds	Punk classics and new‑school acts, 70 + bands. (New York Post)
Jun 23	Stray Kids – dominate Washington	Nationals Park	K‑pop super‑group’s only Mid‑Atlantic stadium stop. (MLB.com)
Jun 26 & 27	Threads: My Songs in Symphony	Kennedy Center	Sting’s orchestral spin on his catalog. (Washington Theater)
Jul 17	Barenaked Ladies + Sugar Ray + Fastball	Wolf Trap	’90s alt‑pop sing‑along marathon. (Wolf Trap)
Jul 17	Michael Franti & Spearhead	Nationals Park Plaza Stage	Free with a game ticket—sunset vibes guaranteed. (MLB.com)
Jul 25–26	Pixies w/ Kurt Vile & the Violators	The Anthem	Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde played front‑to‑back. (theanthemdc.com)
Aug 10	Chris Brown: Breezy Bowl XX	Nationals Park	R&B bill featuring Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller. (MLB.com)
Aug 10	Simple Minds + Soft Cell + Modern English	Merriweather Post Pavilion	Retro‑wave night under the trees. (merriweathermusic.com)
Aug 15	Sam Hunt (post‑game)	Nationals Park	Country mainstay plays after Phillies matchup. (MLB.com)
Aug 16	Dark Star Orchestra – Grateful Dead set	Merriweather Park	Jam‑band faithful re‑create a 1970s Dead show. (merriweathermusic.com)
Aug 29	Ja Rule & Ashanti (post‑game)	Nationals Park	Early‑2000s hip‑hop hit parade, free with ticket. (MLB.com)

DC’s 2025 Concert Summer Schedule

This season’s concert schedule is even busier, so below you’ll find the schedule at a glance, practical tips, venue intel, and more.

Date	Concert · Venue ·  Why It’s Worth It
May 31	Shakira – Nationals Park First stadium set in DC. since 2018.
May 31 – Jun 1	Project Glow Festival – RFK Grounds Two‑day EDM blow‑out, five stages.
Jun 14 – 15	Warped Tour 30th – RFK Grounds 70‑plus punk and alt‑rock acts.
Jun 23	Stray Kids – Nationals Park Only Mid‑Atlantic stop on the tour.
Jun 26 – 27	Sting: My Songs in  Symphony – Kennedy Center Greatest hits backed by full orchestra.
Jul 17	Barenaked Ladies + Sugar Ray – Wolf Trap ’90s sing‑along under the stars.
Jul 17	Michael Franti & Spearhead – Nats Plaza Stage Free with a ball‑game ticket.
Jul 25 – 26	Pixies w/ Kurt Vile – The Anthem Bossanova front‑to‑back on the riverfront.
Aug 10	Chris Brown Breezy Bowl XX – Nationals Park Loaded R&B roster, big production.
Aug 10	Simple Minds + Soft Cell – Merriweather Retro‑wave night in the woods.
Aug 15	Sam Hunt (post‑game) – Nationals Park Country crowd‑pleaser after the Phillies matchup.
Aug 16	Dark Star Orchestra – Merriweather Park Full Grateful Dead set recreation.
Aug 29	Ja Rule & Ashanti (post‑game) – Nationals Park Early‑2000s hip‑hop hits for free.

Packing & Prep

For the professional concertgoer, you already know that less is more. Not only can you keep track of your items and avoid theft or loss, but rules and regulations also ensure everyone’s safety by limiting what you can bring. Here are some tips on what to pack and how to prep:

• Clear 12″ × 6″ × 12″ plastic bag (stadium rule)
• Refillable 20 oz water bottle- free fountain refills at every venue
• Portable fan (USB‑charged)
• Small blanket or stadium cushion for lawn and post‑game sets
• Battery pack (metro tunnels drain phones fast)
• ID and a lightweight card holder, ditch the bulky wallet

Venue Guide & Cheat Sheet

If you find yourself at any of these venues, having some points on what to expect can save you from stress.

Even as a local who has been to all these venues at least once, I still get turned around and frustrated throughout the process. Here’s what you expect and how to plan ahead:

Venue	Capacity	Vibe	Best Seats	Nearby Eats
Nationals Park	41,000	Stadium energy	Lower‑hundred sections for clear sightlines	Navy Yard: Salt Line, Mission
The Anthem	6,000	Sweeping mezzanine, killer sound	Mezz 200‑level center	The Wharf: Mi Vida, Lupo Marin
Wolf Trap (Vienna, VA)	7,000	Covered pavilion + lawn, nature backdrop	Loge for balance of view + breeze	Pack your own picnic-BYO rules rock
Merriweather (Columbia, MD)	19,000	Wooded amphitheater	Sections 202‑ 204	Food trucks inside; Downtown Columbia 5 min away

Venue	Need‑to‑Know Details
Nationals Park	41 K seats · Stadium energy · Best sightlines in lower‑hundreds · Eat at Salt Line or Mission (Navy Yard).
The Anthem	6 K capacity · Killer sound, sweeping mezzanine · Balcony deck great for sunset breaks · Wharf eats: Mi Vida, Lupo Marin.
Wolf Trap (VA)	7 K mix of pavilion + lawn · Picnic‑friendly · Loge balances breeze + view · BYO wine, no glass.
Merriweather (MD)	19 K amphitheater under tall oaks · Lawn vibes · Sections 202–204 = sweet spot · Food trucks inside, downtown Columbia 5 min away.

Must‑See Headliners

Shakira at Nationals Park – May 31

Latin pop’s global icon is launching her stadium‑sized comeback right here. Expect pyro, dance breaks, and the full Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tracklist. Cheapest seats are around $65 during presale; field GA runs higher but includes the closest sightlines. MLB.com

Stray Kids – Jun 23

K‑pop fans, grab your light sticks. The 8‑member powerhouse brings tight choreo and EDM‑leaning beats to a 40,000‑plus crowd. Arrive early: merch queues wrapped Nationals Park during BTS’s pop‑up five years ago. The DC Metro’s Green Line drops you two blocks from the entrance. MLB.com.

Pixies with Kurt Vile – Jul 25–26

The Anthem’s riverfront setting feels built for surf‑rock guitars, so hearing Bossanova start to finish is bucket‑list worthy. Balcony tickets include access to the outdoor deck, which is handy for cooling off between sets. theanthemdc.com

Chris Brown: Breezy Bowl XX – Aug 10

A loaded R&B roster: Summer Walker, Jhené Aiko, Bryson Tiller, backs a full‑scale production. Nationals Park uses dynamic pricing; set a SeatGeek alert to catch price dips. MLB.com

Simple Minds + Friends – Aug 10

If ’80s music hooks are more your vibe, split the commute: Merriweather’s lawn lets you lie under tall oaks with a picnic blanket. Parking lots open at 3 p.m., and rideshares gather at Broken Land Parkway, save the pin. merriweathermusic.com

Summer Festivals & Freebies

Warped Tour – Jun 14‑15

Thirty years strong, the pop‑punk caravan returns with skate‑ramp vibes and genre crossovers. No lineup yet, but expect 70‑plus acts and enough black band tees to block out the sun. Two‑day passes start at around $180. New York Post

Project Glow – May 31 – Jun 1

House and techno under DC’s skyline. Multiple LED‑dripped stages, art installations, and a cool zone make it easy to spend twelve hours dancing without frying. RFK’s grass can get muddy, wear trail sneakers. Project GLOW

Nationals Post‑Game Summer Concerts (Free with Game Ticket)

Lineup features Natasha Bedingfield (June 6) to Ja Rule & Ashanti (August  29). Buy cheap upper‑deck baseball seats, slide down to the outfield grass once the final out is called, and watch the stage roll onto second base. MLB.com

Sustainable & Safe Concertgoing

•  Ride Metro late‑night service (Green/Yellow to NW, Silver for Virginia suburbs).
• Use reusable cups where permitted; Wolf Trap and Merriweather give $1 discounts for refillable tumblers.
• Check venue bag policies early, Nationals Park now scans at 60 per minute with new express lanes.
• Hydrate: temps hit the 90s, and shows rarely allow metal bottle caps.
• Stick to lit walkways post‑show; crowds thin fast once the rideshare surge drops.

More Summer Into Fall Concerts & Activities

Even if you’re not going to a concert, this summer is packed with activities, and some of them are even free. Here are a few to add to your list.

Outdoor Movies on the National Mall

Catching a movie under the stars is a summer rite of passage in DC. All season long, the National Mall and neighborhood parks unroll giant screens so everyone can stretch out on the grass for free.

Bring a blanket, load up your snack bag, and watch the monuments glow while the film plays. The schedule changes from animated favorites to throwbacks, keeping the kiddos happy and parents nostalgic. And if you’re hunting for an easygoing date night, this laid‑back setup is perfect.

Check out DC Outdoor Film Screenings for a full summer lineup.

Fever’s Candlelight Concerts

Fever’s Candlelight Concerts set the mood with live strings and piano playing everything from Beyoncé and Coldplay to Mozart and Vivaldi. Thousands of flickering candles line the aisle of a historic church or grand ballroom, turning each note into pure aura. It’s an intimate, can’t‑miss date night, so get your tickets early; they disappear fast.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding on the Potomac River

Trade the sidewalks for calm water by renting a kayak or paddleboard from Key Bridge Boathouse, The Wharf, or the Georgetown waterfront. First-timers get a quick lesson, and the pros head straight out. A sunset paddle is great for couples, while team boats let parents and kids share the laughs.

Visit Boating in DC for rental locations and pricing.

Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art

Every Friday evening in summer, the National Gallery of Art hosts a lively event. Jazz in the Garden takes place outdoors in the Sculpture Garden.

Settle onto the lawn with a blanket, picnic basket, and a cold drink while top‑tier jazz musicians fill the garden with smooth tunes. It’s the perfect low‑key date night and a fun way for friends to launch the weekend. Entry is free, but spots disappear fast, so enter the lottery and hope for the best!

Rooftop Dining with a View

DC’s skyline steals the show at many lofty spots. Watch the sun dip behind the monuments over dinner at ‘La Vie’, sip cocktails at ‘POV’ atop the W Hotel, or share wood‑fired pizza at ‘Officina’.

All three serve sweeping views and solid food, perfect for catch‑ups with friends or any night you want the city lights as your backdrop.

Adams Morgan Day (September 2025)

Adams Morgan Day turns 18th Street into one big block party. Street food, local artists, and live bands jump in at every corner. Kids get face paint, balloon animals, and story time under pop‑up tents. Grown‑ups can hop between patios, try new bites, and sip craft cocktails while the music rolls on. If you want a quick taste of the neighborhood’s worldwide flavors, this is the day to dive in.

Learn more about this year’s lineup at Adams Morgan Day.

Hiking in Rock Creek Park

When summer finally settles, Rock Creek Park lights up with fall color. More than 32 miles of paths wind through the woods, so you can walk, bike, or even ride horseback without leaving the city.

The Boulder Bridge and Valley trails feel extra special in late September and October when the maples turn bright gold. Couples can get a quiet date spot, families get room to wander, and everyone wins with a picnic by the creek in that first snap of cool autumn air.

Visit the National Park Service for trail maps and guided nature walks.

Pumpkin Picking at Butler’s Orchard

Nothing says fall like a trip to a pumpkin patch, and Butler’s Orchard is a top spot just outside DC. Families with kids will love the hayrides, corn mazes, and delicious apple cider donuts. I had no kids when I went, and I still had a great time.

The farm also offers U-pick apples, sunflowers, and a fun barnyard area for children. For couples, it’s a cute and cozy day trip that makes for great fall photos. Weekend festivals at Butler’s Orchard often have live music, local vendors, and craft stations.

Check their official website for seasonal events and ticket details.

Fever’s Halloween Candlelight Concerts

When the evenings start to feel a little scary, Fever’s Candlelight Concerts lean into spooky season. It’s a classy way to welcome Halloween, perfect for date night or anyone who loves goosebumps with their music. Find upcoming performances and tickets on Fever’s website.

Washington, DC, has something for everyone. You can plan a fun-filled family weekend or a romantic date. Either way, the city is full of unforgettable experiences. I will be sharing my summer activities and experiences in real time on social media, so stay tuned.

Enjoy the music, and see you out there!