It’s officially September, and though we’re headed toward the fall, the first weekend of the month is bringing the heat with no shortage of things to do! Secret D.C. has rounded up all the best ways to bring in the new month:
1-3. Catch your favorite musician at a concert
- Emo Night Brooklyn at 9:30 Club on Friday, Sept. 2.
- Carin Leon at The Anthem on Friday, Sept. 2.
- Bruno Mars at MGM National Harbor on Friday, Sept. 2.
4. Enjoy the sounds of D.C. JazzFest
The 18th annual D.C. JazzFest kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at The Howard Theatre and officially returns to The Wharf Saturday, Sept. 3 through Sunday, Sept. 4. With the aim of teaching the history of jazz roots—including those in D.C.— and aiming to inspire a new generation of jazz musicians and enthusiasts, this year’s festival will feature renowned artists such as Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Dianne Reeves, and many more!
5. Embrace your inner child at the Maryland State Fair
Just over an hour drive from D.C., the Maryland State Fair—running Sept. 1 through Sept. 5 and Sept. 8 through Sept. 11—will feature rides, games, animals, and all of the fair food you can eat!
6. Unleash your inner bookworm at the National Book Festival
The Library of Congress’s National Book Festival is returning to Washington, D.C., this weekend! The free festival will kick off Friday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. with an opening celebration before convening in full on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, following this year’s theme, “Books Bring Us Together.” The genre-spanning festival will feature more than 120 writers who will participate in book readings and signings, live performances, and more, including appearances by Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman, Gallaudet grad and model Nyle DiMarco, and singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe, among others!
7. Celebrate National Cinema Day with $3 movies
To celebrate National Cinema Day this Saturday, Sept. 3, participating theaters throughout Washington, D.C., will be showing movies for just $3! The celebration, hosted by the nonprofit The Cinema Foundation, aims to support the return to movie theaters following the COVID-19 pandemic. There are more than 40 participating theaters within 25 miles of D.C. and 5 within D.C. proper. The participating movie theaters within D.C. are:
- AMC Georgetown 14.
- Landmark E Street Cinema.
- Regal Gallery Place.
- Landmark Atlantic Plumbing Cinema.
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema-D.C. Bryant Street.
8. Indulge in these Labor Day food deals
- Brunch deals: Casta’s Rum Bar, All-Purpose Riverfront, Paraiso, and Ambar.
- Estuary’s Labor Day Picked & Shucked Crab Feast.
- Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown all-American BBQ.