June
Capital Pride
An all-day event held in early June along Dupont Circle and the Kalorama district, this walk includes open houses of six museums and historic sites featuring food and performances. See
In mid-June, a two-week run of evening performances of a free Shakespeare play are offered at the outdoor Carter Barton Amphitheater. Call 202-547-3230 or
For the past fifteen years, the annual barbecue battle has seen the nation's leading barbecue chefs and restaurants compete for over $25,000 in cash and prizes. The event features lots of free food and interactive cooking demonstrations, as well as children's activities. The battle takes place on the third weekend in June. For more information, call 202-828-3099 or visit
One of the fastest growing carnivals in North America. In the last week of June there is a weeklong celebration of Caribbean culture and food, culminating in a six-hour parade with over 5,000 masqueradees strung along the Georgia Avenue corridor starting at Missouri Avenue and ending at the International Marketplace at “De Savanah” Banneker Recreation Park. It features crafts, food, and entertainment for the general public. For more information, visit
This annual festival on the National Mall spans about ten days from late June to early July. Sponsored by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, it celebrates national and international contemporary living conditions and features crafts, performances, music, and food from all fifty states, highlighting one region or state in particular. Most performances and demonstrations are free, and food is available for purchase. Call 202-275-1150 or visit
