What to Do in August in Washington DC (Festivals and Events)

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festivals and special events. All dates, prices, and activities mentioned are subject to change, so please check the official website or call to confirm information. Please note that most of these events are held each year and the dates are updated as available.

More Washington, DC Area Event Calendars

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Redskins Training Camp
Through August 16, 2015.

Redskins Park, Richmond, Virginia. Fans are invited to watch the Washington Redskins gear up for the season.

Citi Open Tennis Classic
August 1-9, 2015. This is an annual men’s tennis tournament held in Washington, DC.

Howard County Restaurant Weeks
Through August 3, 2015. Howard County, Maryland. The Farm-2-Table summer dining specials offer a great opportunity to enjoy locally grown products while trying new restaurants and supporting local farmers and food and beverage purveyors.

Free Summer Concerts
Find concert schedules for free family entertainment throughout the month in various destinations around Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Washington Nationals Baseball
The Major League Baseball's National League East plays 81 home games each season at Nationals Park. Enjoy a fun-filled day cheering on DC's baseball team.

Screen on the Green
Mondays, through August 10, 2015. Watch classic movies on a large screen on the National Mall. Bring the whole family out for an evening of fun under the stars.

Outdoor Movies in the Washington, DC Area
Watching movies on a large screen outdoors has become a popular summer activity. Find the schedules of outdoor movie festivals in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Summer Theater in Washington DC
With dozens of performances around the region, here is the schedule of the top shows for the 2015 season.

Sales Tax Holidays
Various dates. See information about sales tax holidays that are set to encourage families to save money for back-to-school shopping.

Quicken Loans National Golf Tournament(previously AT@T National)
Through August 2, 2015. Gainesville, VA. Top PGA Tour professionals compete at one of the highest-ranked courses in the country.

Friendship Firehouse Festival
August 2, 2015. Bring the kids to explore the firehouse museum in Old Town Alexandria and enjoy crafts, live musical entertainment, free giveaways and more.

County Fairs in Maryland and Virginia
Throughout the summer the counties that surround Washington, DC each host a fair, complete with carnival rides, live animal shows, musical entertainment, arts and craft exhibits, and lots of food.

Hagerstown Restaurant Weeks
August 2-8, 2015. Restaurants offer special menus to encourage diners to try a new place, enjoy a sought-after specialty restaurant, or revisit their favorite dining establishment.

Gettysburg Civil War Reenactments
(Rescheduled from July) August 7-9, 2015. Gettysburg, PA. Commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with three days of Civil War reenactments. The events will be held just three miles from downtown Gettysburg, on the beautiful Yingling Farm, filming site for the Civil War movie, “Gettysburg.

DC Beer Week
August 9-16, 2015. Hundreds of venues in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland will host a variety of beer related events, including beer dinners, tastings, educational panels, glassware giveaways, and more.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
August 14-22, 2015. Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg, Maryland. (301) 926-3100. Livestock competitions and displays, monster trucks, lots of entertainment and food.

Washington, DC Restaurant Week
August 17-23, 2015. More than 100 of Washington, DC’s finest restaurants will be offering 3-course lunches for $20.14 and 3-course dinners for $35.14 for this gourmet event.

Alexandria Restaurant Week
August 21-30, 2015. More than 60 restaurants will be offering special menus and pricing to entice visitors to dine in Alexandria, Virginia, just five miles south of Washington, DC. The restaurants are offering either a three-course pre-fixe dinner or dinner for two, both priced at $35.

Comcast Outdoor Film Festival in Rockville, MD
August 21-23, 2015. Held on the grounds of the old Rockville Drive-In that closed in 1981, this event brings the Drive-In Theater back to Montgomery County for three nights.

Capital Dragon Boat Races
August 29, 2015. Southwest Waterfront, Washington DC The event celebrates Asian culture and brings a family-fun event to the waterfront community near Washington DC.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
August 29 - October 25, 2015. A 16th century English village with crafts, food, live performances, games and lots more. Located in Crownsville, Maryland.