Free & Almost Free Things To Do This Week In DC

Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around DC. Every week we highlight free and almost free activities, a choice happy hour or two, food specials and hot tips for budget survival. PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. So, time to plan the week! 

Outdoor movie season is beginning. That’s means there’ll be no end to the free movies showing throughout the city and into the burbs. Be sure to consult your Outdoor Movie Guide, my friend, if this is your bag

• Tuesday, July 28 – Planes: Fire and Rescue plays at South Riding Movie Night, because there’s nothing like a bunch of anthropomorphic jets diving headfirst into dangerous fires for a kids film.
• Tuesday, July 28 – Coen brothers direct the least family friendly film being shown this week, Burn After Reading, which screens at Georgetown Sunset Cinema. Brad Pitt is incredible in this film, truly.
  
• Wednesday, July 29 – Moulin Rouge shows at NoMa Summer Screen, Ewan McGregor 5ever.
• Wednesday, July 29 – The Jane Austen Film Fest continues with a screening of Pride & Prejudice at Dumbarton House.
• Thursday, July 30 – Capitol Riverfront plays Big Hero 6. You don’t need to see Big Hero 1-5 to get it. There are no other Big Hero films thus far.
• Friday, July 31 – Plus The Big Lebowski screens at Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival. White Russians encouraged, but not necessary.
  
• Friday, July 31 – A showing of The Wedding Planner plays at Golden Cinema in Gold Triangle.
• Saturday, August 1 – The Wine Bin shows Ghost in Ellicott City. I’m always ghost like Swayze, man, you know it.
• Saturday, August 1 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone plays at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. Accio young Daniel Radcliffe.

• Tuesday, July 28 – Free comedy at St Arnold’s Basement Bar, with Sean Joyce, Mikey Larrick, Natalie McGill and David Tveite.
• Thursday, July 30 – Straight outta Babe City (Records), BRNDA plays at Black Cat Backstage with label mates Den-Mate and Topshelf’s Wildhoney.
• Thursday, July 30 – Paint Branch, Norwegian Arms, Chief Scout and Wanted Man play at Paperhaus, part of In It Together Fest.
• Thursday, July 30 – Blizzard Babies, Bless, Valencia tear it up at 453 Florida Avenue.
  
• Thursday, July 30 – The El Mansouris perform a free show at the Kennedy Center. They’re pretty much the only DIY supergroup from the DMV area that’s relevant (members of Cigarette, Rival Skies, Lies About and Young Rapids).
• Friday, July 31 – In It Together Fest continues at the Dugout, with locals Misled Youth and Mobius Strip, plus three out of town bands (Youth Crush, Heart Attack Man, and the Public).
• Friday, July 31 – Another In It Together Fest show (but one like no other), RDGLDGRN and Laughing Man tear down the house at Babe City.
  
• Saturday, August 1 – The 8th Annual Summer Games takes place in Logan Circle, hosted by drag queen Summer Camp. All you need is a team of (preferably) four people and a timely arrival at 2:30 on Saturday.
• Saturday, August 1 – Loud Boyz play at DC9. I think it’ll be noisy but I’m not really sure tbh. Could be a quiet evening.
• Saturday, August 1 – If you’re looking for a nice day show to go to, The Beehive hosts Mattress Financial, Teenmom and Really Big Pinecone for a matinee, starting at 1 pm.
• Sunday, August 2 – Another matinee show (as a part of In It Together) goes down at Above the Bayou with Lilac Daze, Big Moth, Rachel Kline and Gluey.
• Sunday, August 2 – Positive Force celebrates its 30th anniversary with a show at St. Stephen’s, featuring locals Big Hush and Swings.

• Thursday, July 30 – Artshow 13: Going Out of Business goes down at Hole in the Sky in Northeast. All the art is priced to sell and a donation at the door also goes towards the charities benefitted by In It Together Fest.
  
• Sunday, August 2 – You like pinball? How bout playing pinball pro bono? Head to Lyman’s Tavern for free pinball wizardry and a free screening of VHS tapes by local analog enthusiasts, playbackthetape.

That’s all, remember – PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. Feel free to leave us your suggestions in the comments. Sharing is the new caring.