There’s something about recognizing the solar and lunar cycles that honors the larger natural world beyond us-and what better way to celebrate that than with a walk through the woods? Photograph courtesy of Flickr user shell game.
Other events associated with Solstice Saturday can be found here. (June 25, 5:30 PM- 12 AM National Museum of Asian Art and Enid A. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Solstice dance party : Stop by the National Museum of Asian Art and Haupt Garden for an outdoor dance party with local DJ Ayes Cold.
A combination of music, natural sounds and languages (English, Iñupiaq, Gwich’in and Latin), John Luther Adams’ Earth and the Great Weather promises to transport listeners to the “physical, cultural and spiritual landscapes of the Arctic.” (June 25, 9-10:30 PM Hirshhorn Museum’s Sculpture Garden free reserved tickets) (June 25-27, 10 AM- 10 PM Arts and Industries Building free)Įarth and the Great Weather: A Sonic Geography of the Arctic : Enjoy a mythical concert under the stars in the Hirshorn Sculpture Garden. Living Longer Festival: Health + Wellness 2050 : Discover what a healthcare visit might look like in 2050 at the Arts and Industries Building’s “FUTURES” exhibit, de-stress in a drawing-for-relaxation workshop, and finish the day in the Haupt Garden with a late-night glow yoga session. The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will stay open until 8 PM. Open until midnight: The National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Asian Art, the National Museum of African Art, the Smithsonian Institution Building (“The Castle”), the Arts and Industries Building, and the Enid A. (June 25, 6-11 PM 3rd to 4th streets, Southwest, across from the National Museum of the American Indian free)Įxtended museum hours: Museums will take advantage of the longer day with extended hours on Solstice Saturday. You may even have the rare chance to look at the sun on its special day with the help of specially filtered telescopes. After making it a virtual event in 2020 and canceling it in 2021 over Covid concerns, the Smithsonian will bring back Solstice Saturday with a host of in-person events.Īstronomy festival on the National Mall: Peer skyward through telescopes with amateur astronomers on the Mall for a chance to see remnants of dying stars, nebulas, and sparkling star clusters. The institution launched its annual “Solstice Saturday” tradition in 2018.
Solstice Saturday with the SmithsonianĪs a cultural and a scientific touchstone, the summer solstice is a big day for the Smithsonian. Photograph by NASA/SDO/AIA/HMI/Goddard Space Flight Center. (June 21, 6-9 PM Summer House Santa Monica, 11825 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda free entry). Meanwhile, over at the Bethesda picnic (June 21, 6-8 PM Bethesda Row, 7262 Woodmont Avenue $75), you’ll receive tastes from Terrain Cafe, PLANTA, Spanish Diner, and Levain Bakery.Īperol and Summer House Solstice Party: With Aperol spritz cocktails, California-style pizzas, summer games, and Insta-worthy pics, this has the makings for the perfect summer garden party. the Village at Shirlington, Campbell Avenue, $75), you’ll find tastes from Cheesetique, Stellina Pizzeria, and Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken. At the Arlington picnic (June 21, 6-8 p.m. Two summer solstice picnics: Luxury picnic company Picnics & Peonies has curated two summer solstice picnics, one in Virginia and another in Maryland. (June 18, 4-6 PM The Farm at 55 M Street, Southeast $50) Sample brews paired with seasonal plates such as blueberries and ricotta toast, chilled pea soup and pickled shrimp with fennel fronds, and curry-spiced bananas. Summer solstice beer garden: Join Colin McClimans, executive chef of the seasonally inspired restaurant Nina May, on the rooftop of the Farm at 55 M Street for a summer solstice beer garden.
Eat, Drink, Be MerryĬelebrate the bounty of the summer season by pouring drinks and pulling up a seat at the table with friends at these solstice get togethers. Here’s how and where you can get in on the celestial celebrations: Photograph courtesy of Pixabay user ColdwellPro. The festivities continue this year, on both the solstice and the weekends before and after. From fairies and sun dancing, to bonfires and feasts, people have devised clever ways to celebrate the astronomical event for millennia.