The best things to do in Washington, D.C. this week: July 20–24

Washingtonian’s 2026 Best of Washington event transforms The Anthem into a showcase of the city’s standout flavors and personalities. Guests mingle in a lively crowd, sampling signature bites and creative cocktails from some of DC’s most celebrated chefs and mixologists. The atmosphere buzzes with energy as local favorites and newcomers alike share their latest culinary creations, all set against the backdrop of sweeping waterfront views. Live entertainment punctuates the evening, adding a festive edge to the tasting experience. The event’s 21-plus policy keeps the vibe distinctly grown-up, with early access tickets drawing in those eager to get a first taste before the main crowd arrives. For one night, the city’s food scene gathers under one roof, offering a snapshot of what makes Washington’s dining culture so dynamic and ever-evolving.

Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide tour lands at Nationals Park, transforming the ballpark into a sprawling open-air stage for his confessional folk-pop. Kahan’s knack for turning personal stories into anthems has earned him a devoted following, and his live shows channel that intimacy into something communal. The stadium setting adds a sense of scale to songs that already feel big with emotion, while the unpredictability of a rain-or-shine event means the night could take on its own atmosphere. Fans can expect to hear the raw, unvarnished vocals and candid storytelling that have become Kahan’s signature, all set against the backdrop of a summer evening in the city. With the gates opening well before sunset, there’s time to soak in the anticipation as the crowd gathers and the city’s skyline glows beyond the outfield.

Curious George’s world becomes a hands-on playground of puzzles, experiments and discoveries in Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!, an interactive exhibit that turns the beloved monkey’s adventures into early STEM challenges. Designed for young learners and their families, the experience invites visitors to explore familiar scenes from George’s world while testing ideas through play. Kids can move George through an apartment building with pulleys, experiment with light and shadows, sort and count produce at a neighborhood stand, build structures at a construction site and investigate physics through a mini golf course. The journey even reaches space with a climb aboard George’s rocket. Created around curiosity and problem solving, the exhibit brings math, science and engineering concepts to life through tactile experiences inspired by the classic character.

Tori Amos returns to the stage with the kind of magnetic presence that has defined her career since the early '90s. Known for her haunting piano melodies and poetic lyricism, Amos crafts live performances that feel both intimate and theatrical. Her setlist draws from a catalog that includes “Cornflake Girl,” “A Sorta Fairytale,” and “Silent All These Years,” songs that have become touchstones for a generation of listeners and fellow musicians alike. The atmosphere at her shows is charged with anticipation, as fans gather to experience the raw vulnerability and intricate musicianship that set Amos apart. Each song unfolds with a sense of storytelling, weaving together personal history and cultural commentary. For those who appreciate music that lingers long after the final note, Amos’s concert promises an evening of artistry and emotional resonance.

Georgetown Waterfront Park becomes a storybook setting for a summer morning gathering built around songs, reading, and shared discovery. Song and Story Time in the Park invites preschoolers and their caregivers to settle beneath the trees for a free outdoor program hosted by Friends of the Georgetown Waterfront Park. The relaxed format brings young children together through the simple pleasures of music and storytelling, using the park's lawn as a backdrop for a community experience that feels closer to a neighborhood ritual than a formal performance. Held on select Thursdays in July, the series creates a gentle pause in the week, giving families a chance to spend time outdoors while introducing children to the rhythms of books, songs, and group participation.

A beloved underground world springs to life on stage as Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE brings the colorful creatures of Fraggle Rock to the Kennedy Center. The musical adventure reunites Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle in a new quest centered on the search for the lost Celebration Stone, blending puppetry, original music, and the playful spirit that has defined the series for generations. Built by The Jim Henson Company with creations from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the production expands the Fraggle universe with walk-around characters, puppet companions, and a theatrical world filled with movement and imagination. Designed for longtime fans and new audiences alike, the show revisits Fraggle Rock’s themes of friendship, curiosity, and community through a full-scale live performance.

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters channel the spirit of the sixties on their Morro Rock Tour, rolling into town with a fresh batch of songs from their latest album, 'In The Bay.' The group’s affection for the era is unmistakable, weaving Beach Boys harmonies and Beatles-inspired melodies into a set that feels both nostalgic and lived-in. Thornton’s gravelly vocals cut through jangly guitars and sun-soaked rhythms, conjuring the California coast even in the heart of the city. Longtime fans will recognize the band’s signature blend of storytelling and swagger, but there’s a new warmth here, shaped by years on the road and a clear reverence for their musical heroes. The show’s energy is less about retro revival and more about honoring a lineage, with each track nodding to the past while keeping its boots firmly planted in the present.

The U.S. Botanic Garden’s Summer Evening Hours turn one of Washington’s most formal green spaces into something noticeably softer around the edges. Held on select third Thursdays from June through September 2026, the Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m., giving visitors extra time to wander the glasshouse collection as daylight fades. The timing is the real draw here, with golden hour light filtering through palms, orchids, and desert plants that usually sit under the sharper glare of daytime visits. Live music begins at 5 p.m., adding a steady soundtrack as guests drift between climate zones inside the Conservatory rather than following a fixed route or schedule. Each month features a different local performer, ranging from funk-driven sets by Fuzzy Goldmine in June to soul, indie, and jazz-influenced acts later in the season. Food and drink vendors such as Vintage Views and Here’s The Scoop add a casual, walk-around dining element with lemonade, mocktails, and ice cream available throughout the evening. The result is less a structured event and more an open-ended invitation to linger, where the usual museum pacing gives way to slow movement and conversation under humid glass ceilings. Admission remains free, which keeps the focus on atmosphere and access rather than programming spectacle or ticketed experiences.

At Bonne Vie Café & Bistro, Thursday nights settle into a slow-burn jazz ritual in the second-floor lounge, where live sets drift through a space designed more like a Parisian salon than a traditional club. The music is framed by the venue’s French café identity, so martinis and a compact dinner menu sit in close proximity to the bandstand, folding sound into the rhythms of dining rather than separating it from them. Rather than a concert format, the evening moves in long, unhurried stretches, with musicians shaping familiar jazz standards and contemporary touches around the room’s low-lit, conversational hum. Set within a historic flatiron building at the intersection of Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and U Street, the space shifts as the night progresses, from early seating to lingering tables that stay long after the first sets have passed.

A wine tasting that turns strangers into dinner companions, The Dinner Table: Wine Tasting at District Winery blends guided discovery with the easy conversation of a shared meal. The evening begins inside District Winery’s working urban winery, where guests explore the winemaking process and sample a flight of house-made wines before moving to a communal table overlooking the Navy Yard waterfront. A three-course family-style dinner follows, with each course paired with a District Winery wine and designed around conversation between guests who may arrive without knowing anyone else. Part tasting, part social gathering, the event leans into the idea that food and wine are often at their best when they create connections around the table.