Smithsonian Solstice Saturday

Smithsonian Solstice Saturday 2026

The Smithsonian throws open its doors for the first weekend of summer, and several museums on the Mall stay open well past their usual closing time. Solstice Saturday lands on June 20 this year, with sun-themed crafts, live performances, and a chance to wander galleries in the evening when they're a lot quieter than a weekend afternoon. Everything is free, which is the part that makes it easy to say yes to with a couple of kids in tow.

At the National Museum of Asian Art, kids can make celestial mobiles and sun-and-stars notecards, and there's a story-time corner if your little one needs a break from walking. If you'd rather do the animals, the Zoo runs its own Science Solstice Sunday on June 21 from 10am to 2pm with a scavenger hunt and keeper demos. You don't have to plan a whole itinerary - pick one or two buildings, go slow, and call it a night before everyone melts down.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Pick one or two museums, not five: Solstice Saturday is spread across the whole Mall. Trying to hit everything with kids is a recipe for tired legs. Choose a building, do it well, and leave wanting more.
• ✓Go in the evening for smaller crowds: The late hours are the whole point. Galleries that are packed at 2pm are calm by 6pm, which makes a real difference with strollers.
• ✓Bring water and snacks: June on the Mall gets warm and museum cafes close early. A refillable bottle and a few snacks save you from overpriced carts.
• ✓Check each museum's hours before you go: Not every building stays open the same length of time. A two-minute look at the schedule keeps you from arriving at a locked door.
• ✓The Zoo event is Sunday, not Saturday: If animals are the draw, plan for Science Solstice Sunday on June 21. Grab the free entry passes ahead of time so you're not turned away at the gate.
• ✓Carrier for the youngest kids: Distances between museums are longer than they look on a map. A carrier helps for the stretches between buildings.