Make 2026 a sensational summer with this guide full of cheap and free movies, music, and more! Outdoor concerts and festivals are a summertime staple for our family. Starting this month, the following programs are back in full swing in Southern Maryland and across the DMV area. This guide will highlight some low-cost and mostly free entertainment options that are family-friendly and welcome children of all ages. Check out the Indoor & Outdoor Activities Guide for even more family-friendly fun. Also, keep checking the community calendar of events for ideas on entertaining little ones. Always check with the event before attending in order to stay connected with weather updates, additional information, reservations, ticketing, and details.
MUSIC FESTIVALS & CONCERT SERIES
FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA features “Summer Sounds” honoring America’s 250 with a mixture of free live musical performances featuring a variety of styles from across the U.S. and line dancing classes. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m.. In addition to great music, enjoy lawn games and beautiful sunsets over the Potomac River down at National Harbor.
MARBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL– Concert planning still in the works.
JAZZ IN THE GARDEN- DC’s favorite summer concert series returns with a variety of performances including jazz, Latin fusion, R&B, and more. Concerts take place in the DC Sculpture Garden on Friday’s from May 22 through July 10, 2026 (no concert July 4) 6:00PM-8:00PM. Registration is offered through a lottery that opens each week on Monday’s at 10:00AM and closes Friday at noon. All lottery entrants are notifies whether they were selected to register the Monday before each program. If selected, you’re welcome to register for up to 4 passes. Registration is required for ages 2 and up. FREE event.
JAZZ IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD– July 11, 2025 4:30PM-7:30PM. Get ready for a summer night of smooth grooves and stunning waterfront views! Kick off the 25th anniversary of the Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival with a FREE “Jazz in the Neighborhood” concert at the beautiful St. Clement’s Island Museum.
ROCK THE DOCK SERIES– At 7:00pm on Fridays this summer, come to Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy free live performances by these talented local artists:
- May 29: Pink PaLiSh (Funk & Soul)
- June 5: Swing Dance Night with Gottaswing and music by The Thrills (Swing & Americana)
- June 12: Punk Rock Night – stay tuned!
- June 19: The JoGo Project (Go-Go & Jazz)
- June 26: Red Bull Takeover!
- July 3: Country Line Dance Night with DC Rawhides and music by Shawn Parsons & The Secret Service (Country)
- July 10: HariKaraoke Band (Party)
- July 17: Hot Cactus (Top 40)
- July 24: Fearless Era (Taylor Swift Tribute Band)
- July 31: 7 Deadlies (Rock)
- August 7: Salsa Dance Night with Salsa with Silvia and music by Cubano Groove (Salsa)
- August 14: The Experience Band & Show (Go-Go)
- August 21: Rock Creek Kings (Rock)
- August 28: Secret Society (Go-Go & Jazz)
- September 4: Perfekt Blend (R&B)
- September 19: Soulfire (Soul & Blues)
SALUTE THE SUNSET– Saturday evenings throughout the summer are military band nights at National Harbor. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening with performing ensembles from a variety of United States military bands at 7pm. See there schedule for a full list!
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES– La Plata Town hall offers concerts are FREE to the public every Friday May- August 2026. Be sure to bring blankets & lawn chairs for your seating comfort. Coolers are allowed. A variety of food is available for purchase at each concert. Pets, tents, shade canopies and alcohol are not allowed. There is a small splash pad on site for kids to run through, so pack a swim suit and towel. 2026 Line up coming soon!
- June 5- Joe Falero Band
- June 12- Solid Brass
- June 19- Quiet Fire
- June 26- 257th Army Band
- July 3- No Concert
- July 10- Mid Night Sunsets
- July 17- Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band
- July 24- The Randy Runyon Project
- July 31 – Navy Band Cruiser
- August 7- The Steve Potter Band & Hardway Connection
- August 14- The Sidley’s
- August 21- Michael Christopher & Coastal Country
- August 28- Bobby McKeys
KIDS SHOWS & PROGRAMS
ENCORE KIDS– Port Tobacco Plays Theater- Encore Kids presents Honk Jr. Performances take place June 6th 8PM & June 7th 3PM. Honk! JR. is a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, focusing on self-discovery, acceptance, and celebrating differences. The story follows Ugly, a baby bird who looks different from his siblings, as he sets off on a journey to find his place in the world, meeting colorful characters along the way. This delightful adaptation of the beloved fable and the award-winning musical is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special. ***Purchase tickets in advanced, show almost sold out!***
KIDS SUMMER SHOWS– The Town of La Plata is hosting FREE summer kids shows and fitness programs on select Tuesdays & Thursdays in June, July and August at 10AM. Schedule will be posted soon!
SUPER HERO SUMMER– Join our friend Finley Powers and hear legendary tales straight from the comics. But this isn’t just story time, it’s your chance to jump into the action and flex your superpowers. Solve puzzles, test your heroic instincts, and craft your own adventure. Stay sharp — you never know when a hero will make a surprise appearance! This fun adventure will be at the Gaylord National Hotel May- September 6, 2026. For more details about this experience visit the link.
MOVIES
CURTAIN CALL CINEMA– Family Movie Night! For one night only, step into the world of “Jurassic Park!” A special screening will take place at Port Tobacco Players Theater on June 12, 2026 at 7PM. Costumes are encouraged, so break out your best park ranger gear, scientist fits, or dino-inspired looks. Movies tickets are $5 per person all ages, $2 popcorn and candy.
AMC SUMMER MOVIE CAMP FOR KIDS– The AMC Theater Summer Movie Program is back! Get discounted tickets to family favorites every Monday and Wednesday from 6/22-8/12. A portion of the proceeds will support the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. AMC Hoffman seems to be the closest location offering the program.
- June 22 &24- Paddington in Peru
- June 29 & August 1- David
- July 7 & 8- How to Train Your Dragon
- July 13 & 15- The LEGO Movie
- July 20 & 22- Sonic Movie 3
- July 27 & 29- Bad Guys 2
- August 3 & 5- Sponge Bob The Movie
- August 10 & 12- Muppet Treasure Island
MOVIES ON THE BEACH – At dusk through out the summer on select Saturday’s, enjoy free movies on the boardwalk at North Beach. Here’s a look at what’s showing on the big screen.
- June 20
- July 18
- August 22
- September 9
CAMP FLAGSHIP– Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Camp Flagship showings at the theater in Prince Frederick, MD! All tickets just $2 (plus booking fees) on Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays & Wednesdays at 10 A.M. Dates and play list coming soon!
MOVIES ON THE POTOMAC– Located along the edge of the Potomac River, National Harbor offers Movies On The Potomac, free movies on the Plaza during the summer. Films are usually offered Thursday 7PM and Sunday 6PM. Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for free fun! Visit there site with a full list of movie options.
RC LEXINGTON EXCHANGE– Summer starts before you know it! Make plans now for our amazing Summer Movie Series, every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10, starting June 17th through August 6th. Tickets are just $1! Every title will have a sensory-friendly, open-caption show available. All titles are available to watch using the TheaterEars app. Tickets are now on sale online or at the theatre! Check out the line up:
- Smurfs: June 16 & 17 •
- How to Train Your Dragon (live-action): June 23 & 24
- Dog Man: June 30 & July 1 •
- David: July 7 & 8
- The Wild Robot: July 14 & 15
- Bad Guys 2: July 21 & 22
- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: July 28 & 29
- Minions: The Rise of Gru: August 4 & 5
SUNSET CINEMA – Join The Shops at Waldorf the 2nd Saturday of each month May through September for a family fun outdoor movie! Movies are FREE and geared for all ages. Gates open at 7:00PM/ Movie will begin about 8:30pm or dusk. Bring Chairs and blankets for seating! This seasons line includes:
- June 13: Wakanda Forever
- July 11: ELF – Christmas in July
- August 8: Mario Galaxy Movie
XSCAPE THEATERS SUMMER MOVIE SERIES – Xscape Theaters Brandywine 14 is hosting it’s annual summer movie program again this year. While this program was previously free, this small ticket price helps us continue to provide a fantastic movie-going experience for all. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or in person at the theatre. Seating is general admission and not reserved, so please arrive early for the best seating availability. All shows start at 9:30 AM. Doors open at 9:00 AM. The Concession Counter will be open during all shows. A $6.00 Summer Combo (Popcorn & Drink) will be available for purchase until 10:00 AM every show day.
- June 23 & 25: Trolls
- June 30 & July 2: Bad Guys 2
- July 7 & 9: Boss Baby
- July 14 & 16: The Croods
- July 21 & 23: The Wild Robot
- July 28 & 30: Dog Man
- August 4 & 6: Kung Fu Panda $
- August 11 & 13: Trolls: Band Back Together
EVENTS
VILLAGE DAYS– Step back in time and try your hand at an ancient skill with this free, drop-in program. Each month Jefferson Pattereson Park offers the chance to explore a new topic such as fire-making, pottery, or hunting in their Woodland Indian Village. Learn a little about what life was like for Maryland’s first peoples. This event takes place the third Saturday of every month between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, 2026. FREE Event.
NATURE FEST – This years annual Nature Fest will take place on May 30, 2026 at College of Southern Maryland – La Plata Campus from 10AM -2 PM. Prepare to be amazed, get your hands dirty, and have loads of fun as we learn about the beauties of nature together! FREE Event.
FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS- May 30, 2026 11AM-2PM at Summerseat Farm. Join us in celebrating all the animals at Summerseat Farm. Sheep, goats, cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, donkeys, a horse, and llamas too! FREE (Donations Encouraged)
CHILDREN’S DAY ON THE FARM– June 7, 2026 from 11AM-4PM at Jefferson Pattereson Park & Musesum. Bring the entire family for a day of fun with live performances, crafts, games, wagon rides and food vendors. Check out the demonstrations and exhibits to learn about rural life in the past and today. FREE Event.
OUR COMMUNITY IN MOTION– June 6, 2026 from 11AM-2PM. Kick off your summer with an exciting, free, family-friendly festival celebrating fun, movement, and community spirit! Our Westside Summer Festival will boast an afternoon packed with interactive activities, fitness, games, and entertainment for all ages.- FREE
HOMETOWN HEROES CELEBRATION– Join in the fun Saturday, June 6, 2026 5PM-7:30PM for a free, family-friendly concert at Leonardtown Wharf! Enjoy live music from The Hometown Band while you relax by the water. Lots of fun things for kids including a touch-a-truck and other fun activities. -FREE
FREE FISHING DAYS- Fish without a license on June 6, 13, or July 4, 2026 during Maryland’s free fishing days! If you’re a license holder, it’s a great opportunity to introduce a friend or family member to fishing without any upfront cost.
FIRST FRIDAYS – LEONARDTOWN– Leonardtown hosts year-round FREE programming every First Friday of the month. Leonardtown’s art galleries, restaurants, cafés, gift shops, antique shops, bookstores, etc. open their doors to showcase local artists and/or serve specials at their establishments. Starting with the month of May each year, Leonardtown First Fridays are extended to Leonardtown First Friday All Weekend Events and continue through October. See the upcoming event themes below! June 5-7, 2026 – First Responder, July 3-5, 2026 – Red, White & Blues, August 7-9, 2026 – Sizzling Sumer, September 4-6, 2026 – ArtWalk.
FIRST FRIDAYS NORTH BEACH– Head to North Beach on the First Friday of each month from May through October! From 6PM-9PM to enjoy DJ music, classic cars, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, small pop-up shops, craft vendors, and free beach access. 2026 First Fridays Dates: June 5, July 10, August 7, September 4. FREE Event.
JUNETEENTH– June 20, 2026 12PM-6PM at St. Mary’s County Fair Grounds. The Unified Committee For Afro-American Contributions is excited to host the twenty-first annual Juneteenth African American Heritage Celebrations. A free, fun, event for all ages! This year we are featuring the Ni Dembaya African Drum and Dance Ensemble (above), Ms. Story (below), and the band SIXX (below). The event always includes opportunities for learning as well as entertainment with workshops, exhibits, art activities, living history, music, and a variety of vendors. We encourage you to bring your own lawn chairs – seating will be limited. All are welcome to spend the day in the park enjoying live music, speakers, workshops, food, community, and fun. FREE Event.
ARTSFEST– Join CCAA on June 13, 2026 11AM-5PM at the Village Green in Indian Head for a free, family-friendly community arts festival celebrating the creativity of Charles County and the surrounding region! Hosted by the Charles County Arts Alliance, ArtsFest brings together local artists, performers, and organizations for a full day of art, music, and community connection. Explore unique artwork from talented vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and experience the vibrant local arts scene in a welcoming outdoor setting. Open and FREE for all!
DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL – Help end hunger and enjoy watching the Dragon Boat races in the charming town of North Beach on June 13, 2026 starting at 9:00AM. This festival is an amazing family friendly event that brings our community together as we race to end hunger throughout Southern Maryland!
FLAG DAY– June 14, 2026 6PM-8PM at St. Governmental Lawn in Leonardtown. he Commissioners of St. Mary’s County invite the entire community to attend the Flag Day Celebration! This event features a procession by various color guards and veteran groups from around the county, a special Flag Day Service, an official Flag Retirement Ceremony, plus hand-held American Flags, food, music, for kids, and more! FREE!
JUNETEENTH– Come out to this years third annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2026 3:00PM-7:00PM at the Village Green Pavillion in Indian Head, MD. FREE Event.
STAR WARS AND HEROS EVENT– This FREE event takes place in Washington, DC June 26-28, 2026. Join us at the The Amazing Art Expo for 3 days filled with your favorite Star Wars & Marvel characters brought to life through stunning art pieces, cosplayers and voice actors. You’ll find the magic world of art featuring Anime, Game, Disney, Horror, Star Wars, Marvel, and Cosplay. Whether you’re into classic anime series or the latest video games, there’s something here for everyone and… it’s FREE to attend!
FIRE WORKS ON THE BEACH– July 3rd at dusk. Enjoy fireworks on the boardwalk at North Beach.
RIVER AND ROOTS– June 28, 2026 from 11AM-3PM the Accokeek Foundation invites you to Piscataway Park for River and Roots, a vibrant celebration of local history, culture, and community. Enjoy live music, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, fishing activities, local food, a pop-up museum, and hands-on fun for all ages. River & Roots is free and open to all!
SALUTE TO AMERICA WALK AND PICNIC– Celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with a patriotic procession from Spirit Park to the midpoint of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy a unique salute to the capital followed by a free community picnic, ticket for The Capital Wheel, live music and waterfront views. Registration is required. Participants who wear their best red, white, and blue, or even a presidential costume will be entered for a chance to win prizes!
FOURTH AT THE WHARF– Spend the afternoon at the Leonardtown Wharf for the first-ever Fourth at the Wharf event! On July 4th from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. participate in contests, play games, visit the local Leonardtown vendors and enjoy the FREE concert featuring Midnight Sunsets.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION– The Town of La Plata hosts an annual free family fun day on the Fourth of July. Activities include live music, water slides, and air brushed tatoos. Event will be held at Laplata Town Hall on Friday, July 4th from 10AM-1PM. FREE Event.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION– This FREE event kicks off at 3:30PM at the Village Green in Indian Head, MD. Event includes live music, food venders, and fire works.
SHARK FEST– July 11, 2026 from 10AM-5PM. RAIN or SHINE! Celebrate all things shark, all day, at CMM! Sharks are one of the world’s most riveting creatures and SHARKFEST is a chance to learn more about them. Guests will be able to view sharks up close while outside at the Corbin Nature Pavilion. While the Discovery Room will be closed to allow the focus to be on the sharks for the day, our younger visitors will still have the opportunity to search for a fossil outside. The museum and grounds will offer opportunities to explore the diversity of sharks and their remarkable history on planet Earth. Learn fascinating ‘sharktoids,’ examine evidence of prehistoric sharks, and make a shark-themed craft. Food, drink, and face painting will be for sale on-site. Complimentary museum passes will not be honored and strollers are not allowed in the museum for SHARKFEST. Museum admission applies; members are FREE.
INSECTIVAL– Insectival is a insect festival! Join Annmarie Gardens on July 18, 2026 from 9AM-1PM for a day of buggy fun as we explore and get creative with the world of insects. Enjoy activities for all ages, meet community groups who love bugs, and have fun roaming the garden, galleries, and indoor classrooms as you explore and have fun with insects! Celebrate these invertebrates and all the wonderful wildlife that depends on them. FREE for members /$8-13 Non-members
FAMILY DAY– July 18, 2026 from 10AM-2PM at the Patuxent Naval Air Museum is this years fun-filled Family Day! Enjoy hands-on activities, explore exciting exhibits, and make memories with the whole family. Kids 12 & under get in FREE during the event, price is general admission for ages 13 and up.
YOUTH SHARK TANK– Come out August 15, 2026 1PM-5PM to the Shops at Waldorf Center’s 6th Annual Youth Shark Tank Kidpreneur Competition & Fun Festival! A day of fun for the entire family! Lawn games, moon bounces, petting zoo, corn hole competition, face painting, live music, arts & crafts, food trucks, and of course, a youth entrepreneur market with a shark tank competition. FREE to attend.
CLASSIC CAR SHOW– August 29, 2026 from 9AM-3PM join Waldorf Shops for a Classics Car Show with DMV Rod’s & Classic’s Car Club. All cars welcome! 100 trophies awarded! Food vendors, live music and raffles. Plus, while here eat, drink and shop at our great retailers and restaurants! FREE Event.
WALKERSVILLE RAILROAD EVENTS– All aboard these awesome upcoming events!
- June 6th – Scenic Railway
- June 13- Wild West Express
- June 19th- Super Hero Train Ride
- June 20th- Murder Mystery
- June 21st- Father’s Day Picnic
- June 26st- Teddy Bear Picnic
- June 30th- Fireworks!
***The Playful Parent is a 501(C)(3) Non-profit created to advocate learning through play, and promote family bonding. All content is intellectual property of TPP and information shared is to help provide a non-biased resource for families. If you have questions about programs or events be sure to contact the business directly. The Playful Parent isn’t affiliated with any of the camps.***
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