What’s Happening: Fourth of July Festivities!

Parties & Festivals

Red White & Boom: Kastles Stadium at the Wharf will draw a huge afternoon and early evening crowd of young Georgetowners for 5 hours of open air open bars, fireworks, and music. The event will feature live performances by ‘70s light rock cover band Yacht Rock Revue and D.C.-based rock/country group The Morrison Brothers Band. Building on the excitement of the holiday for ticketholders, George will feature a ‘pre-game’ open bar from 9-11pm on Thursday, June 28th and at Mason Inn on Tuesday, July 3rd from 8pm to 10pm. $79 per person.
Starrs & Stripes: Party on the Potomac: Capitol Entertainment Group and Georgetown Events will present their 8th annual ‘Party on the Potomac’ at the SE Fairgrounds (across from the Navy Yard metro) on July 4th from 4:30-11:30pm. Food trucks, games of corn hole, and live music will abound, including performances by Perpetual Groove, Jimi Smooth & HitTime, and Slim Pickins. $20 per person general admission; $120 per person VIP (includes private roof deck with premium open bar).
BYT Summer Camp Presents: FAT CAMP: Brightest Young Things will be irreverently celebrating the U.S. declaration of independence as only they know how with its annual pool party at the Capitol Skyline Hotel from 11am-7pm. $15 buys kids of all ages all-day access to water slides, pool games, eating contests, bullhorns, water balloons, and, of course, an amazing lineup of music courtesy of Fatback DJs.
MADE: In America’s Presidential Picnic: The Washington Design Center will be welcoming guests from 1-3pm to ‘Take Pride in America’ for a fun afternoon of great food and design. Featuring foods from the nation’s leading organic growers and craft producers, the event will be led by Bibiana Osteria Enoteca Chef Nick Stefanelli and will showcase the foods served over the years to America’s first families, from George Washington to Barack Obama. $75 per person; $125 per couple.

Restaurants & Bars

LINCOLN Restaurant: Fresh off of a visit by President Obama himself, LINCOLN has an entire weekend of star spangled fun planned. The venue’s 2nd Annual ‘Patriotic Brunch’ kicks things off on Sunday, July 1st from 11am-3pm. DJ Adrian Loving will be performing a guest music set and Chef Demetrio Zavala will have a specially crafted menu on offer. The fun then continues on July 4th itself, with an all-you-can-eat ‘American Dream BBQ Grillout’ from 2pm-11pm, featuring locally farm-raised BBQ Chicken, house-made hamburgers and hotdogs, ’Freedom Fries’, American Apple Pie, and other American classics. DJ Huck Fin has also been enlisted to play a soundtrack of classic favorites from the likes of the Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, and more.
Sou'Wester at the Mandarin Oriental: In the family-style spirit of Sou’Wester, Chef Eric Ziebold’s regional Americana restaurant will be offering a “Red, White, and Blue” dinner designed for sharing on the fourth, including everything from Hush Puppies with Honey Butter to Crab Cakes with Old Bay Mayo to Eastern Shore BBQ Chicken to Blueberry and Blackberry Trifle. Lemonade and ice tea included. $65 per guest; $35 per child up to 12 years old.
America Eats Tavern: The current location of Chef José Andrés’ nod to American culinary history will close its doors after July 4th. To honor the occasion, America Eats Tavern will be offering a special menu from July 2nd to July 4th, featuring many of the restaurant’s most requested items. Think Fried Chicken with Cole Slaw, Chesapeake Crab Cakes with Pickled Watermelon Salad, BBQ Beef Short Ribs with Hoppin’ John, Maine Lobster Rolls, Strawberry Shortcake, and Key Lime Pie.
J&G Steakhouse at the W Washington, D.C.: Hoping to attract those patriots looking to escape the madness of the Mall on the fourth, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s D.C. establishment will be offering a three-course ‘Patio Picnic’ menu from 4-9pm, featuring a Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad, choice of the J&G Cheeseburger, Gourmet Hot Dogs, BBQ Chicken, or a Lobster Roll, and to finish it off, a house-made Ice Cream Sandwich. $38 per person; prix-fixe. Larger parties might consider the exclusive $3,500 Wine Bar package, which also includes an open bar, dedicated staff, and use of the outdoor fire pits for up to 28 guests.