Saturday is the Summer Solstice! Take advantage of the longest day of the year by checking out one or more of these educational events focused on nature, culture and history.
Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Day for Juneteenth
June 19-21, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon | 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309
The Mount Vernon estate may have been George Washington’s home, but it was also a place where many enslaved people lived. Learn more about these people and their stories of slavery and emancipation at this special Juneteenth event, which will also feature musical performances, historical reenactors and demonstrations in cooking, spinning and blacksmithing.
$28, $15 for youth aged 6 through 11, free for children aged 5 and younger | mountvernon.org
Bugapalooza
June 21, 10 a.m.-noon
National Museum of Health and Medicine | 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Do you love bugs? Or do you want to conquer your fear of them? Check out this free event celebrating all things creepy and crawly. Learn more about how certain bugs carry diseases, what is done to treat those diseases and about bugs that are actually beneficial to your health. Bug costumes are encouraged!
Free | medicalmuseum.health.mil
Summer Solstice Festival
June 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
National Gallery of Art | 6th St. NW & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565
Take advantage of the longest day of the year at this festival held in collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History! Bring a picnic blanket and snacks, and learn about nature through art and music. Smithsonian museums are also open longer today to celebrate the Summer Solstice, so it’s a great day to check out museums you haven’t been to.
Free | nga.gov/calendar/summer-solstice-festival
