Spend Solstice Saturday in DC with the Smithsonian

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — June 22 is the first Saturday of the summer — also known as Solstice Saturday — and the Smithsonian is celebrating by staying open late and hosting events throughout the day and night.

Extended hours

• Open until 8 p.m.: National Museum of the American Indian

• Open until 10 p.m.: National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History

• Open until 11 p.m.: Arts and Industries Building, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum

• Open until midnight: National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art

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Special events

• African American History and Culture Museum: Making Black Freedom | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • The African American History and Culture Museum is celebrating Solstice Saturday by inviting people to embark on a “cosmic voyage to celebrate the rich heritage, creative expressions, and liberating joy of African American culture.” An after-hours dance party will feature performances from NativeSun, Novena Carmel, Ryan Celsius and Flying Lotus.

• National Museum of American History: Fenómeno Latino: Latin Music’s Global Rise: Family Festival | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • The National Museum of American History is hosting a daytime family festival with live music, dance lessons, a drum circle, and storytime focusing on the rise of Latin music in the U.S. The museum will also have extended hours after the event.

• Arts and Industries Building: Cosmic Arcade Party | 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • The glow-in-the-dark arcade party is back for Solstice Saturday – this year, with a cosmic twist. The Smithsonian said it is activating the magic of live visual art performance, sound mixing, and the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope to transport you to an out-of-this-world arcade experience.

• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden: Sound Scene 2024 | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Sound Scene is a free interactive sound and multi-sensory arts festival, with a special focus on the Solstice this year. The Smithsonian invites attendees to engage with the Solstice through interactive audio art installations, small group workshops, and live performances.

• National Air and Space Museum: Sally’s Night at Solstice Saturday | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • This year, the museum is celebrating Solstice Saturday and the anniversary of Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space with activities that allow visitors to explore the universe and shine a light on the women and underrepresented genders in STEM.

• National Museum of Asian Art: Asian After Dark | 4 p.m. to midnight

  • The museum is hosting an all-day event celebrating the solstice with sun-themed crafts. Featured are family-friendly activities, a CUT FRUIT fruit stand, an after-hours gallery tour of the Peacock Room, and more.

• National Museum of African Art: Live Art Series: The Earth Still Shakes | 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Solstice Saturday continues the National Museum of African Art’s live art series: The Earth Still Shakes. The series features musical performances by Inka Kendzia, Chmba, Soñxseed, and Nkosenathi Koela.

For more information from the Smithsonian, click here.

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