Hot Fun in the Washington, DC Summer: Feel the Spirit of Pride All Season Long

The fun-loving, inclusive community spirit of queer DC was on bold display last month as the District hosted WorldPride 2025.
But despite the rainbows, Speedos, and J. Lo of it all, summer hadn't even started yet!

In DC, July through September is the sultry season, when government business slows down and the queer social scene heats up. Suits become unsuitable. Neckties are nixed. Tank tops take over, and Daisy Dukes are on display.

From U Street to Dupont Circle to the National Mall, LGBTQ DC unbuttons and comes out to play in the sunshine.

Sporting events, outdoor entertainment, and al fresco dining are summer staples in the nation's capital, and the queers are here for it. The whole city feels like it's on break, and Pride marches on all season long.

Check out just a few great reasons to visit DC this summer...

The Sporting Life

If you're ready for a Pride reprise, join the Washington Spirit, DC's professional women's soccer team, for their annual Pride night at Audi Field on August 31. The afternoon match against the Chicago Stars will be accompanied by LGBTQ entertainment and festivities. Ticketholders will receive a free fanny pack emblazoned with a rainbow-striped team logo.

Even if you can't make Pride night, rest assured that the Spirit has an enthusiastic queer fan base that turns out all the time. Consider one of their other home matches this summer: August 3, vs Portland Thorns; August 15, vs Racing Louisville; and September 7, vs Seattle Reign.

One of DC's most esteemed annual athletic competitions is the Mubadala Citi DC Open, July 19-27. Co-founded by Arthur Ashe in 1969, it's the world's only combined ATP and WTA 500 tournament. Past champions include Andre Agassi, Martina Navratilova, and both Venus and Serena Williams.

This year's women's lineup includes Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula, and U.S. up and comer Emma Navarro. The men's slate brings Frances Tiafoe, Danlil Medvedev, and Nick Kyrgios to town.

The tournament is held at the Rock Creek Tennis Center, where even the championship matches offer spectators an intimate, up-close experience: The central stadium seats just 7,500.

Celebrating Music

If the term "go-go" only makes you think of gyrating muscle boys with dollar bills in their briefs, or Belinda Carlisle and her gal pals, think again. Go-Go music is a distinctive DC genre combining Afro-Latin rhythms with funk and hip-hop. It exploded out of the District in the late 1970s and had gained a national following by the time dancefloor scorcher "Da Butt," by the Go-Go band EU, was featured in Spike Lee's 1988 movie "School Daze." This past February, the official Go-Go Museum & Café opened in the Anacostia neighborhood, welcoming visitors to immerse themselves in the music's history through colorful displays of artifacts and interactive exhibits. What Nashville is to country music, DC is to Go-Go. So go find out what it's all about.

The DC JazzFest takes over multiple venues across the District for the long Labor Day weekend, August 27-31. Multi-artist outdoor shows featuring renowned performers, including the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Marcus Miller, and the John Scofield trio, run from noon to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday at The Wharf. Separately ticketed spotlight events showcase the likes of Cécile McLorin Salvant, Lalah Hathaway, and Ron Carter.

On September 6 and 7, the wickedly talented Broadway and Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo, a contemporary queer icon, will join the National Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular evening of song at the beautiful Filene Center at Wolf Trap, a covered outdoor amphitheater in a natural parkland setting. Erivo's concert is just one of over 80 musical events being held at Wolf Trap throughout the summer.

Cracking Wise

It seems like there have never been more openly LGBTQ comedians standing up for themselves at clubs nationwide. This summer, some of the scene's quippiest queers bring their acts to The DC Comedy Loft.

Gus Constantellis, a first-generation American, mixes stories about his big fat Greek family with raunchy takes on his big fat Greek... well, you get the picture. He'll play four shows on July 25-26.

"Yes Queen" is DC's homegrown comedy showcase dedicated to women, non-binary, and LGBTQ comics. Six times a year, the District's funniest local talents are featured, with a portion of proceeds donated to Climate Defiance. Say yes on August 7.

If you've seen Robby Hoffman, a young curmudgeon and lapsed Hasidic Jew, on the HBO Max comedy "Hacks," you know she can kvetch with the best. She'll take the stage on September 11-13.

Dining Deals

Come hungry if you're visiting DC for Summer Restaurant Week 2025, August 18-24.

Over 200 participating eateries, from casual spots to celebrity chef-driven fine dining establishments, offer temptingly priced special multi-course meals to introduce diners to their kitchens' specialties.

Chef José Andrés, whose non-profit World Central Kitchen provides meals to victims of natural disasters, is among the city's best-known culinary figures. You can sample his expert take on Peruvian-Asian cuisine at China Chilcano, modern Mexican gastronomy at Oyamel, or specialties of his native Spain at Jaleo.

Among the dozens of other restaurants who regularly participate are several Michelin-starred establishments, including Bresca, Tail Up Goat, and Mita, a superb plant-based spot.

Offerings vary from restaurant to restaurant, but dinner menus can be found for $40, $50, or $65 per person; lunch and brunch menus are $25 or $35.

Stylish Summer Stays

DC is home to more than 150 hotels, from crown jewels of the best-known luxury brands to eccentric local gems. You can discover the full gamut of options online at washington.org, but here are a few of our favorites:

Moxy Washington, DC Downtown is in the heart of the action. Several Smithsonian museums, Chinatown, high-end shopping at CityCenter, and Capital One Arena are all in easy walking distance. The hotel's clubhouse-like three-story lobby features many comfortable seating areas, a foosball table, and a convivial bar. There's also a rooftop bar with smashing views, a 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary coffee at all hours.

The LINE DC offers a super chic spot to lay your head in the trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood. A design lover's delight, the hotel features guest rooms outfitted with handsome contemporary furniture and art housed within the classical architecture of a century-old church. A popular gathering spot, the LINE presents an array of special programming, from literary events to rooftop dance parties.

Hotel Zena doubles as an art gallery focused on work that celebrates women. From a mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg constructed from painted tampons to a curtain wall made from thousands of buttons from women's rights campaigns, the hotel is a mini museum with creative surprises around every corner. On Wednesday nights through August 27, enjoy Dive-In Movies at Zena's rooftop pool bar, where you can enjoy a dip, a sip, and some classic cinema simultaneously!

Plan Your DC Summer Getaway Today

For a comprehensive, regularly updated guide on where to stay and play in DC, along with special deals and hotel booking visit www.washington.org.