The best things to do in Washington, D.C. this week: July 6-10

A talking sandworm, a haunted house, and a demon with a flair for chaos: Beetlejuice the musical brings Tim Burton’s cult classic to the stage with a riot of color and attitude. The production leans into its macabre roots, filling the theater with jaw-dropping set pieces and visual gags that feel ripped from a fever dream. Lydia Deetz, the goth teenager at the heart of the story, navigates grief and the afterlife with a sharp wit that cuts through the supernatural mayhem. The score swings from gleefully unhinged ensemble numbers to moments of genuine tenderness, all while the titular demon gleefully breaks the fourth wall. It’s a show that revels in the absurd, but never loses sight of the messy, complicated bonds that tie families together—even when half the cast is already dead.

Damon Wayans Jr. steps onto The Comedy Loft of DC stage for his debut, bringing the quick wit and offbeat charm that made him a standout on New Girl and Happy Endings. His comedy draws on a knack for sly observations and a background in both television and film, including Let's Be Cops and Big Hero 6. Wayans Jr. weaves personal anecdotes with a sharp comedic edge, shifting easily between self-deprecating humor and clever takes on everyday absurdities. The intimate setting of The Comedy Loft amplifies his energetic delivery, making each punchline land with extra force. Fans of his screen work will recognize the same playful timing, but live, his improvisational skills and rapport with the audience take center stage. This is a rare chance to catch a seasoned comic in a room small enough to feel every laugh.

Held inside the Embassy of France’s La Maison Française, this Bastille Day gathering turns a diplomatic venue into a layered evening of dining, music, and fundraising shaped around the 250th anniversary of French-American ties. Rather than a formal ceremony, the night unfolds as a slow build of shared tables, where French and American dishes are served alongside wines and cocktails in a space dressed with café-style seating and soft lighting. Live performances by the Hot Club of Baltimore set a shifting rhythm early on, moving from jazz-driven listening to a looser, more animated atmosphere as DJ sets take over later in the evening. The culinary program leans into collaboration, with multiple chefs and partners contributing tasting plates that reference both sides of the Atlantic. Beneath the social energy sits a clear philanthropic focus, with proceeds and auctions supporting French-American community initiatives, giving the celebration a quieter sense of purpose behind its convivial surface.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is taking an unusual turn in 2026, stretching its footprint far beyond the National Mall and reimagining itself as a traveling constellation of festivals. Instead of a single summer gathering in Washington, DC, it becomes “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals,” a nationwide collaboration running from March through November. This year’s edition connects with more than 30 partner festivals across 27 states and two U.S. territories, reframing the Smithsonian’s signature event as a decentralized cultural exchange. The timing is tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary, with programming focused on how festivals function as living spaces for civic participation, tradition, and community expression. Rather than importing a curated showcase to one location, the Smithsonian embeds itself within existing celebrations, from rodeos and music festivals to religious gatherings and regional cultural events. Each partner festival retains its own identity while contributing to a shared national narrative shaped by artists, tradition bearers, and local communities. The result is less a single destination experience and more a moving network of encounters that highlights the diversity of cultural life across the country.

We the Woolly: Remixing 250 transforms Woolly Mammoth Theatre into a lively crossroads of performance and conversation for America’s 250th birthday. Across four weeks, the venue pulses with live music, dance, spoken word, and circus acts, each drawing on DC’s eclectic creative energy. The programming leans into the city’s diversity, inviting audiences to experience the capital’s many voices in one space. Family-friendly afternoons give way to evenings that blur the lines between audience and artist, with interactive moments woven throughout. Rather than simply marking a milestone, the series asks what the next chapter of American culture might look like, using the stage as a canvas for possibility. The result is less a retrospective and more a living, breathing snapshot of a city in motion, where celebration and reflection unfold side by side.

Stretching across the National Mall between 14th and 4th Streets, The Great American State Fair turns the capital’s most iconic civic corridor into a sprawling, day-long festival built around all 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Organized by Freedom 250 as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary programming, the event reshapes the Mall into a patchwork of regional showcases, where performances, demonstrations, and exhibits sit alongside interactive installations representing different parts of the country. Rather than concentrating activity in a single stage or arena, the fair spreads outward, inviting visitors to drift between cultural displays, live entertainment, and hands-on presentations that highlight local identity at a national scale. A Ferris wheel rises above the historic landscape, adding a carnival-like rhythm to a setting usually defined by monuments and museums. What emerges is a temporary civic landscape where celebration and exhibition overlap, reframing the National Mall as both stage and map of the United States.

Todd Rundgren’s “Damned If I Do” tour lands in DC with the kind of genre-hopping unpredictability that has defined his career for over five decades. Known for weaving together art rock, blue-eyed soul, and synth-laced pop, Rundgren’s live shows are as much a spectacle as a concert, often blurring the line between performance and experiment. His setlists are famously restless, darting from cult classics like “Hello It’s Me” to deeper cuts and unexpected covers, all delivered with a theatrical flair that borders on the surreal. The stage itself becomes a playground for Rundgren’s restless creativity, with visuals and arrangements shifting to match his mood. Fans and newcomers alike can expect a night that feels less like a nostalgia trip and more like a living, breathing retrospective of one of pop’s true iconoclasts.

Paul Oakenfold lands in DC with the kind of pedigree that needs little introduction: Grammy nominations, global tours, and a pair of DJ Magazine’s top spots to his name. His sets are a masterclass in trance, weaving together pulsing rhythms and cinematic builds that have filled dancefloors from Ibiza to Los Angeles. At this show, Oakenfold’s signature blend of euphoric melodies and relentless energy promises a night that’s as much about collective release as it is about technical prowess. The venue’s sound system will be pushed to its limits as he digs deep into his catalog, mixing classics with newer productions. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, it’s a rare chance to catch a pioneer at work, shaping the night with the same intensity that’s defined his decades-long career.

Tuesday nights at The Urban Winery swap the usual after-work crowd for a lively mix of humans and their four-legged sidekicks. The outdoor patio transforms into a casual gathering spot where dogs are not just allowed but genuinely catered to, with water bowls and treats appearing as naturally as wine glasses. The mood is easygoing, with regulars chatting over glasses of local red while their pups lounge under the tables or make new friends nearby. There’s no pressure to dress up or keep your dog on best behavior—just a shared appreciation for good company, both canine and human. The event’s charm lies in its simplicity: a place where wine lovers and dog owners can relax together, week after week, without fuss or fanfare.

Moonshot Studio at the REACH invites visitors to roll up their sleeves and dive into the creative process, transforming a corner of the Kennedy Center into a lively workshop. The space buzzes with the energy of families and solo makers, each drawn to a rotating selection of hands-on art projects that range from printmaking to sculpture. Staff circulate with gentle guidance, offering tips without steering the experience, so each creation feels genuinely personal. Projects are designed to be immersive, often taking an hour or more, which encourages a slower, more thoughtful approach to making art. The studio’s open layout and abundance of materials foster a sense of possibility, making it easy to lose track of time while experimenting. Moonshot Studio’s atmosphere is relaxed but purposeful, striking a balance between playful exploration and focused creativity.