It’s time to shed that winter coat and get outside! The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting free, outdoor event series throughout DowntownDC this summer. Catch a flick, enjoy live lunchtime entertainment, bring your laptop and work in the park or just grab a blanket and eat lunch al fresco in DowntownDC.
DowntownDC Summer Flicks Presents: Can I Kick It?
Tuesdays, Sunset, June 5-July 10
Summer Flicks returns for season two with a fresh line-up of cult classic kung fu movies. For six Tuesday nights in June and July at sunset, Freedom Plaza (13th & Pennsylvania) will be transformed into an outdoor movie theater featuring classic martial arts films mixed with a live original music soundtrack of hip-hop and soul. Come early to snag prime seating, see a martial arts demo, groove to a live DJ set, play outdoor games provided by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and win DowntownDC swag. Complimentary popcorn will be available, while supplies last, from Pret A Manger.
Tuesday, June 5: Karate Kid
Tuesday, June 12: Rumble in the Bronx
Tuesday, June 19: Golden Child
Tuesday, June 26: Kung Fu Hustle
Tuesday, July 3: Romeo Must Die
Tuesday, July 10: Blood Sport
DowntownDC Live!
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30, June 7-July 26
This live lunchtime concert series returns to Franklin Park (13th & I streets) for its third season. The BID in partnership with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are providing free lunchtime performances in June and July from 12:30-1:30pm. Clap your hands and tap your feet to music from various genres and performances by local artists curated by 202Creates, Capital Fringe, DC Public Library, DC Jazz Festival and Washington Performing Arts.
Thursday, June 7, 12-2pm: DowntownDC featuring Sound of the City
Thursday, June 14, 12:30-1:30pm: DC Jazz Festival featuring Samuel Prather & Groove Orchestra
Thursday, June 21, 12:30-1:30pm: Washington Performing Arts Mars Urban Arts Initiative featuring East of the River Steelband
Thursday, June 28, 12:30-1:30pm: DowntownDC featuring Roquois
Thursday, July 5, 12:30-1:30pm: DC Public Library featuring Rock the Stacks Allstars featuring Renell and Ardamus
Thursday, July 12, 12:30-1:30pm: Capital Fringe featuring Organix Trio
Thursday, July 19, 12:30-1:30pm: Capital Fringe featuring Sarah Hughes
Thursday, July 26, 12-2pm: 202Creates featuring Sydney Franklin
Discover Chinatown Parks at 5th and Mass
May 5-October 27
Discover Chinatown Parks returns to Chinatown and Milian parks for its second season of free outdoor events and programming hosted by the DowntownDC BID, the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) and the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA). Programming includes outdoor movies, block parties, fitness classes, lunchtime lawn games, and the BID’s red tables and chairs will be available M-F for the public’s use. Click here to view full details on the Discover Chinatown Parks event flyer.
Co-Working With Comcast
Thursdays, 9-5pm, June 7-July 26
New this year, the BID invites you bring your laptop and work in Franklin Park (13th & I streets). Every Thursday in June and July, Franklin Park will transform into a virtual outdoor office from 9am-5pm. The BID, in partnership with Comcast Business, is providing the essentials to work outside with ease. Outdoor furniture, office supplies and WiFi will be available.
Sculpt & Shape
Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm, June 7 and 14
Join the BID and Crunch Fitness for on June 7 and 14 at 5:30pm for a free, one-hour outdoor fitness class on Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue & 13th Street). All levels welcome. Attendees should bring their own bottle of water. Free giveaways while supplies last. RSVP here.
Thursday, June 7: Pound
Thursday, June 14: High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.)
Jazz in Franklin Park
Friday, 12-2pm, May 11 and July 20
Wolf Trap returns this summer to bring you live, outdoor jazz on May 11 and July 20 in Franklin Park (13th & I streets). Enter to win tickets to an upcoming performance, compete with friends in a game of cornhole and take a photo with Wolfie to kick-start your weekend. Come out to be inspired by the music and collect giveaways while supplies last.
Picnics in the Park
Thursdays/Fridays, Noon
You bring your lunch, we’ll supply the blankets. Every Thursday in McPherson Square and Franklin Park and Fridays in Franklin Park, we will offer red-and-white checkered picnic blankets for use during your lunch break. Pick your spot, grab a blanket and have lunch al fresco. Complimentary blankets will be available beginning at Noon at McPherson Square and Franklin Park on Thursdays and Fridays in Franklin Park this summer.
Visit downtowndc.org/events for up-to-the-minute event information.