The DC Lineup for this weekend: summer solstice, snow cones and a splash park

Coinciding with the official start of summer today, DC has a ton of events lined up for the whole weekend. Ring in the new season with a social bike ride, a summer solstice celebration or a barbecue contest this weekend, June 21 to 23. For those living with HIV, there is also a special daylong gathering at George Washington University. Festivities that spotlight DC neighborhoods, Filipino cuisine and local theater round out our lineup for the weekend.

The weekend weather forecast calls for some clouds with temperatures ranging from 62 to 86 degrees.

1. Seasonal Festival: Celebrate the summer solstice with the 10th annual Astronomy Festival on the National Mall this Saturday from 6 to 11 p.m. near the Smithsonian Castle, 12th Street and Jefferson Drive SW. Attendees can take a look through the 25 telescopes on site to view the sun, Jupiter, Saturn, sunspots and stars during “a free guided tour of the sky,” according to the event’s website. Other highlights include a planetarium show under a 25-foot blow-up dome, discussions with astronomers, videos and hands-on activities. Donald Lubowich, coordinator of astronomy outreach at Hofstra University, organized the fest in association with the Smithonian’s Solstice Saturday — part of Halcyon’s By The People Festival, which continues through Sunday with events at sites throughout DC. On Saturday, select Smithsonian museums will stay open until midnight and host a variety of free festivities. For example, programs planned at the National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, includes a free dance party from 6 to 10 p.m. as well as paid screenings of Jurassic Park and the documentary Pandas ($5 and $1, respectively). Another highlight is America Now, a celebration of art and history in DC with hip-hop performances, DJs and dance parties at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F streets NW, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

2. Health: The Reunion Project invites long-term survivors of HIV living in the Washington area to a daylong event, Thriving With HIV, at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave. NW. The free gathering runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday; advance registration is required. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. To respect confidentiality, photography will be limited.

3. Food & Drink: Kick off summer with the 27th annual Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday along Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th streets NW. Admission includes free food samples, cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, a hot dog eating contest, games, and — of course — a contest for the best barbecue. The Spin Doctors and Everlast are among the 30 musical acts set to perform on three stages. Tickets cost $12 for one day (either Saturday or Sunday) and $20 for a two-day pass. Beverage tickets and VIP tickets are available for an additional cost. Admission is free for ages 12 and younger.

4. Arts: This weekend is the start of the DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival, which runs through July 5. The fest showcases theater, film, dance, music and art in more than 150 performances by local and national artists. The schedule includes workshops, a New Works Reading Series, matinee performances for seniors, and a “One-Act Battle” drama competition. Ticket prices vary for each event, and some are free to attend.

5. Recreation: Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association on Saturday for its Splash Ride Mosey, a leisurely bike ride to kick off the summer. Bikers will gather at 11 a.m. at the Kenilworth Recreation Center, 1300 44th St. NE, and ride the Marvin Gaye Trail. A splash park at the end of the trail and a full-size swimming pool at the Kenilworth Recreation Center await cyclists ready to cool off or take a swim after the ride. This event is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a water bottle, a helmet and a bike lock if they plan to go swimming. The excursion is supported by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and the DC Department of Energy & Environment.

6. Arts: The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities present the second annual District of Pride, a showcase of local queer performance artists at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. The show is free, but registration is required online and is first come, first served. While the program does contain adult content, all ages are welcome. Spoken word poet Regie Cabico will host. Performers include the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, Be Steadwell, Venus Thrash, Anthony Oakes, Xemiyulu Manibusan Tapepechul, and Tezrah. Doors open at 7 p.m. The performance runs from 8 to 11:30 p.m.

7. Community: The sixth annual Kennedy Street Festival takes over sidewalks, storefronts and parking lots from 3rd Street to 8th Street NW with food, music, vendors and activities for all ages. Organized by Uptown Main Street, this community celebration takes place Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Local eateries such as ANXO Cidery & Tasting Room, Soup Up DC, Andrene’s Soul Food & Caribbean Cafe, Taqueria District Federal and Tony’s Place will offer specials. Kennedy Street NW, the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D are among the sponsors.

8. Food & Drink: The D.C. Filipino Food Festival incorporates Filipino cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, music, giveaways, prizes and fun for all ages — plus cuisine from chefs at Tiger Fork, Kaliwa, Daikaya, Ekiben, The Game and more. Mindset Communities produces the fest, which takes place this Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. at District Pier at The Wharf, 101 District Square SW. Admission is free, with tickets for food tasting available online until midnight on Friday in packs of five for $22, eight for $33 and 11 for $44. Tickets will also be available to purchase on the day of the event in packs of two for $11, four for $22, seven for $33 and 10 for $44.

9. Family Fun: The 19th annual Ward 4 Family Fun Day is on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kingsbury Center, 5000 14th St. NW. The afternoon will include classic treats like popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, snow cones and an ice cream truck. Activities such as a moon bounce, bingo, face painting, tennis and pony rides are also part of the program, which is free to attend and presented by the office of Ward 4 DC Council member Brandon Todd.

10. Local Landmarks: Take in a DC landmark at the second annual Blagden Market on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The open-air marketplace is held in the historic Blagden Alley — Naylor Court Historic District, which is known for its Victorian architecture dating back to the late 1800s. On site, there will be 13 local vendors selling art. Live music and a daylong happy hour at Calico are also part of the festivities. The event is presented by La Colombe, Lost & Found, Calico, Tiger Fork and Toastworthy. … The Heurich House is turning 125. To celebrate this milestone, the mansion is hosting a 1990s-themed Birthday Backyard Bash (the house was finished in 1894, but an 1890s theme would have been harder to pull off). Local brews, including the Senate Beer showcased during Heurich’s taste testing last weekend, will be on tap. Top 40 music hits from 1994 and ‘90s party favors are part of the festivities — and guests are encouraged to wear ‘90s clothing. The celebration, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m., includes self-guided tours of the house and birthday cake. A $12.50 donation on Eventbrite is suggested for admission. Proceeds will benefit the preservation of the Dupont Circle landmark, home to the family of brewer Christian Heurich until his wife’s death in 1956.