July 4, 2016, Events In Washington, DC: 13 Ways To Celebrate Independence Day In The Capital

There’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the nation’s capital. Washington will be popping this weekend, with events ranging from the historical to the alcoholic, so you’ll need to plan your D.C. days accordingly.

The average American household spends about $370 on July Fourth, according to WalletHub. But honoring our Founding Fathers doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are 13 affordable events this weekend in the District, collected from the Washingtonian, the National Parks Service and washington.org (all times are EDT):

1. Baseball is, after all, America’s pastime. Why not go to a Washington Nationals game for the Fourth? The team will be playing the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before facing the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, Independence Day. You can get tickets for as low as $23 here.

2. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is hosting an all-night party for its 40th birthday. Check out an outdoor ceremony from 8:30-9 p.m. on Friday, then hang out in the museum until 10 a.m. the morning after. There will be a scavenger hunt, live band, tours and a film festival. Food trucks will be parked right outside in case you get hungry.

3. Order a $35 bucket of fried chicken and sides — including blueberry hand pies — from Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. They’re also offering bottomless mimosa brunches all weekend from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Yum.

4. Stop by the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. It’ll run 11 a.m.-5 p.m. every day through Monday. The festival is free but fun, with dance performances, language lessons, concession stands and craft workshops. This year is all about California and Spain’s Basque Country.

5. At 10 a.m. Monday, the National Archives will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence by re-enactors playing people like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Afterward, head inside the building for activities with quill pens and period clothing.

6. Get a $45 picnic basket from Astro Doughnuts that includes fried chicken, tater tots and, of course, some patriotic doughnuts.

7. Check out the National Independence Day Parade at 11:45 a.m. Monday. See balloons, drill teams, celebrities and drum corps in the procession, which runs along Constitution Avenue from Seventh Street to 17th Street. Details here.

8. Get ready for the Third Annual BeerBQ Battle at City Tap House Penn Quarter, noon-5 p.m. Monday. A $20 ticket gets you samples of meat, coleslaw, watermelon and more. Beer is cheap, too, at $5.

9. Book $35 all-you-can-eat tickets at the Lincoln Restaurant in Penn Quarter. Kids are $17 for the buffet, which kicks off at 2 p.m. Monday.

10. Hang out at the Red, White, Blue July 4th Pool Party at the Embassy Row Hotel until 5 p.m. Monday. It costs $20. Wear your swimsuit and enjoy DJs and drinks.

11. Tune in to A Capitol Fourth, the annual concert from the West Lawn of the Capitol, broadcast on PBS. This year’s performers include Kenny Loggins, Gavin DeGraw, Amber Riley and the National Symphony Orchestra. It starts at 8 p.m. Monday, but gates open at 3 p.m. Get more info here.

12. Grab a spot on the National Mall to watch the fireworks that will go off from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at 9:09 p.m. Monday. The National Park Service recommends you leave pets at home, as it will get loud, but bring a lot of water.

13. There are other great spots to watch the fireworks, as well. Curbed recommends the Marine Corps War Memorial or Lady Bird Johnson Park so you can avoid the crowds but still see the show.