As the 2025-2026 school year is coming to a close, students will have 67 days of freedom to do as they please. Whether you are looking for great activities to enjoy with friends, new places to explore, or simply some good entertainment, this 2026 Summer Guide is perfect for helping students find memorable experiences and opportunities!
Local Events and Activities:
Looking for fun activities close by? Look no further! This summer, the DMV area offers a whole plethora of activities and events to attend. As 2026 marks America’s 250th anniversary, Washington D.C. has plenty of events to check out, including the Great American State Fair, the Great American Famer’s market and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Running from June 25 to July 10 at the Washington D.C. National Mall, students would be able to experience 150 exhibits highlighting cultures from different regions across the United States at The Great American State Fair. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The 16 day fair will include different daily themes, including Military and Veterans Appreciation Day, Independence Day and Future of America.
From August 3 to August 8 (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), students can indulge in delectable food items at The Great American Farmers Market at the National Mall. Visitors can try premium meats, poultry, regional crops and meals from various states. What sets this market from a typical neighborhood market is that these products come from all over the U.S., rather than just the surrounding states. The market will feature up to 80 vendors and also offer different daily themes. Some of these include Honor America’s Natural Beauty, Community and Shared Value and Wildfire Prevention and Forestry.
For students interested in car racing, specifically INDYCAR, the Washington D.C. National Mall will host an INDYCAR street race from August 22 to 23. The track will have cars racing past Washington D.C.’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol. This gives students a great opportunity to watch cars fly by at over 180 miles per hour!
Summer Concerts:
For those looking to dance and sing along to their favorite artist, don’t fret! This summer features a massive lineup of concerts all over the U.S that students can enjoy. A few major artists playing this summer include Ariana Grande, Usher, Morgan Wallen, Maroon 5 and Red Hot Chili Peppers, among many others.
Movies:
In addition to concerts and festivals, there are also plenty of new movies students can look forward to over the summer. Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” releases this summer. Other highly anticipated movies and thrillers that are releasing this summer include: “The Odyssey,” “Toy Story 5,” “Minions and Monsters,” “Supergirl” and “Moana.”
Whether students choose to simply seek out watching entertainment, or go out and explore, there is something for everyone in this summer guide.
