Salute the Sunset Concert

Salute the Sunset Concert

National Harbor does sunset concerts right. The stage faces the Potomac, the sun goes down behind the water, and the Capital Wheel starts glowing with colors as the sky gets dark. We brought camp chairs, grabbed dinner from one of the waterfront restaurants, and just sat there while the kids danced around in the grass. The music is family-friendly, the crowd is relaxed, and nobody's in a rush. It's the kind of evening where you look around and think, "Okay, this is why we live here."

The kids loved walking along the waterfront before the concert started. There's a lot to look at between the shops, the big sculptures near the pier, and of course the Capital Wheel itself. If you want to ride the wheel, that's a separate ticket, but just watching it light up as the concert plays is pretty great on its own. The parking situation at National Harbor is actually decent for a free event, with garages that don't charge too much. We stayed until the concert wrapped up around 9pm and the kids were tired enough to fall asleep in the car on the way home.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Bring camp chairs or a blanket. There's no assigned seating, so come early to grab a good spot near the stage.
• ✓Grab dinner before or during the show. Several restaurants along the waterfront have outdoor seating with views of the stage.
• ✓Bring a light jacket for the kids. It cools down by the water once the sun sets.
• ✓The Capital Wheel is a separate ticket if you want to ride it. Lines are shorter during the concert since everyone's watching the music.
• ✓Park in the garages further from the water for free parking. The closer lots sometimes charge on busy evenings.
• ✓Plan for a later bedtime. The concert starts at 7pm and runs until about 9. If your kids can handle a late night, it's worth staying for the full sunset and lights.