from last year’s Solstice, Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution
From the Smithsonian Institution:
“For the first time, the Smithsonian is expanding its popular Solstice Saturday into a three-day celebration, inviting visitors to kick off summer from Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21.
As part of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s Solstice weekend offers more opportunities than ever to experience Smithsonian museums, exhibitions and programs.
On Friday and Saturday, select museums on the National Mall will remain open until 11 p.m., offering extended exhibition hours alongside special after-hours programming. The celebration continues Sunday with family friendly daytime programming across multiple locations. Additional program details and a list of opening hours are available online.
Note: This month, pedestrian and vehicle access along and across the National Mall may be limited. Visitors should allow extra time to travel between museums on the Mall.
Events
Smithsonian Castle and the Arts and Industries Building (Friday and Saturday)
- Both iconic buildings will stay open late, offering a rare opportunity to experience them after hours. The Castle will feature extended shopping and a pop-up bar, while Arts and Industries comes alive with exhibitions, a Folklife Marketplace, live jazz, conversations and pop-up experiences. Free; no tickets are required.
Indepen’Dance at the National Museum of American History (Friday and Saturday)
- Indepen’Dance commemorates the 250th with a two-day celebration of music, movement and culture. Featuring live performances, dance classes, film screenings and hands-on activities for all ages, the program highlights how dance shapes creativity, identity and community. Visitors can explore Washington, D.C., styles like go-go and hand dance, enjoy live music and DJ sets, and watch the cult-classic movie musical Hairspray. The celebration continues Friday evening with Discoteca del Sol put on by the National Museum of the American Latino, featuring DJ Adrian Collazo and Orquesta Manplesa. On Saturday night, visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor DJ sets and dance classes until 10 p.m. The events are free, and tickets are not required.
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at the Anacostia Community Museum (Friday)
- The Anacostia Community Museum presents its largest Juneteenth Freedom Celebration to date Friday, June 19, transforming its grounds into a daylong, block party-style event 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. New this year, the signature “Juneteenth Late Skate” highlights the cultural legacy of Black roller skating through a high-energy nighttime rink experience. The celebration is presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The event is free to attend, but registration is recommended.
Asia After Dark at the National Museum of Asian Art (Saturday)
- Visitors can join the dance party on the museum’s plaza on Jefferson Drive S.W. with music provided by DJ Armana Khan 6 to 9 p.m., and alcoholic beverages will be sold 5 to 9 p.m. at the Moongate Café. Inside, exhibitions will be brought to life with exclusive curator tours throughout the evening, and the museum store will stay open for late-night shopping. The event is free to attend, but registration is recommended.
Sally’s Night at the National Air and Space Museum (Saturday)
- The museum’s annual June program Sally’s Night returns to celebrate Sally Ride’s legacy as the first women in space. Throughout the night, visitors can roam around the museum on a digital scavenger hunt, get creative by designing a mission patch or writing a postcard and learn more about Ride and women in STEM at Discovery Stations. The event is free, but tickets are required.
Science Solstice Sunday at the National Zoo (Sunday)
- Science Solstice Sunday kicks off the start of summer with a high-energy, hands-on experience for all ages. An interactive scavenger hunt leads participants across the Zoo, while live animal demonstrations and activity stations bring cutting-edge science to life. From studying elephants and designing animal diets to exploring genetics, ecosystems and space, the program offers an up-close look at the Smithsonian’s work to understand and protect the natural world. The event is free, but tickets are required.
Extended Hours
Open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday:
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.
- National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Arts and Industries Building
- Smithsonian Castle
- National Museum of Asian Art
- Smithsonian Gardens
Open until 10 p.m. on Saturday:
- Anacostia Community Museum
Open until midnight on Saturday:
- National Museum of African Art
Retail Offerings
Friday, June 19
- Smithsonian Castle
- Store open until 9 p.m.
- Pop-up bar open 5–10:30 p.m.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Dolcezza Coffee and Gelato open until 10 p.m.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Sweet Home Café evening after-hours 6–9 p.m.
- National Air and Space Museum
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Mars Café open until 7 p.m.
- National Museum of American History
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Indoor pop-up bar open 4–7 p.m.
- Outdoor pop-up bar on Madison Avenue Terrace open 7–10 p.m.
- National Museum of the American Indian, D.C.
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Coffee bar open until 9 p.m.
- National Museum of Natural History
- Store open until 10 p.m. plus a swag cart outside on Madison Avenue
- Atrium Café open until 10 p.m.
- National Museum of Asian Art
- Store open until 9 p.m.
- Moongate Café open until 8 p.m.
- National Museum of African Art
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Indoor pop-up bar open 6–11 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
- Smithsonian Castle
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Pop-up bar open 5–10:30 p.m.
- National Carousel
- Open until 9 p.m.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Dolcezza Coffee and Gelato open until 10 p.m.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Sweet Home Café evening after hours 6–9 p.m.
- National Air and Space Museum
- Store open until 10:30 p.m.
- Mars Café open until 8 p.m.
- National Museum of American History
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Indoor pop-up bar open 5–10 p.m.
- Outdoor pop-up bar on Madison Avenue Terrace open 4–10 p.m.
- National Museum of the American Indian, D.C.
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Coffee bar open until 10 p.m.
- National Museum of Natural History
- Store open until 10 p.m. plus a swag cart outside on Madison Avenue
- Atrium Café open until 10 p.m.
- National Museum of Asian Art
- Store open until 10 p.m.
- Moongate Café open until 8 p.m.
- Outdoor pop-up bar open 5–9 p.m.
- National Museum of African Art
- Store open until 8 p.m.
- Indoor pop-up bar open 6–11 p.m.”