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33 Best Things to Do in DC with Kids July 2025: 4th of July Events and More

The Louodun County Fair includes fun activities like a Take part in a Power Wheels Derby. Photo courtesy of the fair
The Louodun County Fair includes fun activities like a Take part in a Power Wheels Derby. Photo courtesy of the fair
6/29/25 - By Jennifer Swope

Summer is in full swing! July in DC brings Fourth of July, sunflowers, peaches, and more summer fun.

The DC area really celebrates Independence Day. Local towns and neighborhoods like Takoma Park, Vienna, and Capitol Hill have hometown festivities while the city plays host to large celebrations such as the National Independence Day Parade and the big DC fireworks show on the National Mall.

July has so many reasons to be outside, including the Loudoun County Fair, Summer of Sunflowers & Peaches, free DC summer concerts, and free outdoor movies.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family this July, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

More Things To Do in DC This July With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

DC's 4th of July fireworks are simply stunning. USDAFPAC photo by Preston Keres, via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
DC's 4th of July fireworks are simply stunning. USDAFPAC photo by Preston Keres, via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids in July: 4th of July Events

Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
The annual Capitol Hill Community Fourth of July Parade takes place on Barracks Row for a patriotic celebration of Independence Day. READ MORE

July 4th at the National Archives

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The day includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, live music, presentation of the colors, and more. READ MORE

National Independence Day Parade

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
Families can watch marching bands, floats, military units, giant balloons, and more to celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic celebration of America's birthday. READ MORE

Washington, DC 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
The National Park Service hosts its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on the National Mall. From 1-8pm at the Sylvan Theater Family Activity Area, junior spies ages 10 and up can use the password Operation Independence! to embark on a scavenger hunt and learn about spying techniques during the American Revolution. The fireworks start at 9:09pm and launch from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. READ MORE

Baltimore 4th of July Celebration

Baltimore, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate July 4th in Baltimore's Inner Harbor with an afternoon picnic, live music, and a drone and fireworks show over the water.  READ MORE

Germantown Glory (at South Germantown Recreational Park)

Germantown, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Germantown celebrates 4th of July with music beginning at 7pm and fireworks at 9:15pm. READ MORE

Kensington's Annual Fourth of July Bike Parade

Kensington, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
This annual bike parade is open to any and all. Join in with bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers as the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department leads the parade. READ MORE

Rockville's Independence Day Celebration

Rockville, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate 4th of July with live music and a 20-minute fireworks show at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  READ MORE

Takoma Park 4th of July Parade and Evening Celebration

Takoma Park, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Takoma Park's 4th of July parade begins at 10am. The evening celebration features music, games, food and drinks, and other fun activities and begins at 6:30pm. READ MORE

4th of July Hometown Celebration & Fireworks (at Great Falls Village Centre)

Great Falls, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
The city of Great Falls celebrates the 4th of July throughout the day with a parade and fun activities in the morning followed by a fireworks display at 9pm. READ MORE

An American Celebration at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Friday, July 4
Meet George Washington, watch made-for-daytime fireworks, listen to live music, watch a US citizenship ceremony, and more during Mount Vernon's annual Independence Day Celebration. READ MORE

Celebrate America in Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate Independence Day in downtown Manassas with a fun festival with lots of activities for kids beginning at 3pm, followed by a fireworks display at 9:15pm. READ MORE

City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

Fairfax, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Fairfax City's annual Independence Day parade, beginning at 10am, includes high school marching bands, large balloons, floats, and costumed characters. READ MORE

Town of Herndon 4th of July Celebration

Herndon, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Families can celebrate July 4th with activities, music, games, and a fireworks display in Bready Park. READ MORE

Six Flags America Coca-Cola July 4th Fest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Friday - Sunday, July 4-6
Celebrate 4th of July all weekend long at Six Flags America with rides, live music, and fireworks every night. READ MORE
Catch a flick al fresco at Summer Movies On the Lawn at Library of Congress. Photo courtesy of the event
Catch a flick al fresco at Summer Movies On the Lawn at Library of Congress. Photo courtesy of the event

More Great Things to Do in DC with Kids in July

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, DC - Daily, July 2-7
Free
Through cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, food, and more, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival aims to spark curiosity of various cultures and nurture human connection. READ MORE

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC - Wednesdays - Sundays, June 25 - July 31
At Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience, journey through 10 interactive rooms including a huge bubble-bath ball pit, an undersea LED room, a virtual-reality room, an endless infinity experience, and a vast ocean of pink balloons. Dazzling colors, lasers, moving lights, and bubbles integrate with 360-degree projection technology and virtual reality to create a magical experience. READ MORE

The Lightning Thief at Adventure Theatre

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, through August 17
This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. READ MORE

Lego Discovery Center Summer of Play (Washington, DC)

Springfield, VA - Daily, July 1 - August 3
Get ready for a celebration of play like no other during LEGO® Summer of Play at LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC! Discover your Play Mode with new and awesome build activities, experiences, and even some fresh new dance moves. READ MORE

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert at Wolf Trap

Vienna, VA - Thursday, July 17
Coming to Wolf Trap from a galaxy far, far away…the most epic space adventure of all time! Experience Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like never before as the National Symphony Orchestra brings John Williams’ iconic, Oscar-nominated score to life in a powerful multimedia event at Wolf Trap. READ MORE

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, July 12
Families can celebrate the 249th birthday of the USA and the 276th birthday of the City of Alexandria with a host of activities at Oronoco Bay Park. Guests can expect music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, cupcakes, a cannon salute, and fireworks.  READ MORE

Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, July 18-20
Free
Visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for its annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival. During this fun event, guests can expect family games, arts and crafts, and cultural performances from around the world. Lotuses and water lilies are on display.  READ MORE

Dory Fantasmagory at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD - Wednesdays - Sundays, throughAugust 3
It's tough being the youngest! Dory's siblings won't play with her and there are monsters to battle all over the house, like the hair-raising Mrs. Gobble Gracker. With the help of her fairy godfather, Mr. Nuggy, her monster-friend, Mary, and her mighty imagination, Dory sets out to win what she wants most: her family's attention. READ MORE

National Ice Cream Day Celebration at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, July 19
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Port Discovery by grabbing some free ice cream samples and participating in ice cream-themed games. READ MORE

Summer of Sunflowers & Peaches at Great Country Farms

Bluemont, VA - Daily, July 26 - August 15
Visit Great Country Farms to pick sunflowers, enjoy fun farm activities (and live music on weekends), and take great family photos. Pick-your-own sunflowers are $1 per stem, or you can purchase a bucket. Peaches will also be ready to pick throughout the festival. READ MORE

Disney ’80s-’90s Celebration in Concert with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap

Vienna, VA - Saturday, July 26
Highlighting unforgettable songs and clips from iconic Disney and Pixar films of the ’80s and ’90s—like The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, A Goofy Movie, and more—special guest singers join the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap. READ MORE

Loudoun County Fair

Leesburg, VA - Tuesday - Saturday, July 23-27
Enjoy food, carnival rides, live entertainment, games, a petting zoo, a demolition derby, and more at the annual Loudoun County Fair. READ MORE

Peach Fuzztival at Great Country Farms

Bluemont, VA - Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & 20
Celebrate peak peach-picking season at Great Country Farms with peach-eating and peach pit-spitting contests, family water games, pick-your-own peaches, and lots more.    READ MORE

Sesame Street the Musical at the Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Thursdays - Sundays, July 10 - August 31
Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and your favorite Sesame Street friends are bringing the TV show’s iconic songs and stories to the stage! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the Muppets from Sesame Street in an intimate, joyous theatrical setting at the Kennedy Center. READ MORE

UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor

National Harbor, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, through July 30
UniverSoul Circus celebrates urban pop culture with a thrilling circus at National Harbor. Performers reflecting cultural diversity from around the world showcase their talents in this interactive performance, which also includes circus arts, music, and theater.  READ MORE

Summer Movies On the Lawn at Library of Congress

Washington, DC - Thursdays, July 10 - August 7
This Library of Congress's annual Summer Movies on the Lawn series showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry. It is presented on Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, located on the corner of 2nd Street SE and Independence Avenue.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Great Falls Village Centre
Historic Downtown Manassas
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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