Axios D.C. Weekender

July 16, 2026
Hey, look at that, it's almost the weekend!
- Cuneyt here, with a roundup of events.
Today's newsletter is 708 words – a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: ⚽️ World Cup game plan
It's the World Cup's last week, with Saturday's third-place match between England and France and Sunday's final with Argentina and Spain.
Why it matters: It's been a cracking tournament, and there are plenty of D.C. watch parties for the grand finale.
It'll be a full day of footy at Union Market, starting Sunday morning with a 3v3 community soccer tourney at a pop-up field called "The Yard" (1271 5th St. NE).
- It's free to compete between 9:30am and 1pm, with prizes for winners.
- And later, the Latin American market La Cosecha is putting on a watch party next door at Neal Place and 4th Street NE, with a giant screen. A post-game block party runs until 9pm with food, drinks and DJs.
- Plus: Hi-Lawn is holding an open-air viewing party Saturday and Sunday.
🏟️ At the Wharf, a 14-foot jumbotron will start showing coverage at 1pm on Sunday — plus several restaurants will offer food and drink specials.
- Yala Greek Ice Cream: The Georgetown shop is celebrating its first birthday with an outdoor watch party, giveaways and four limited-edition World Cup flavors: Dulce de Leche (for Argentina), San Sebastián (Burnt Basque Cheesecake for Spain), Pain au Chocolat (France) and Strawberries & Cream (England). More info
- Franklin Hall: The massive beer hall has been hosting matches all tournament, with a menu of classic bar fare.
- National Mall FIFA Fan Zone: The third-place match and finale will be shown, capping off a month-plus of outdoor viewing on the big screen. Free admission
- PubKey: The Chinatown pub will have the final on a 5-foot-by-10-foot screen.
Other events this weekend:
🟦 A nighttime light show shines on the historic Smithsonian Castle tomorrow and Saturday, put on by internationally acclaimed artist Refik Anadol. Titled "Smithsonian Dreams," the building's red stone exterior will be illuminated with AI-generated visuals inspired by the Smithsonian's collections, starting at 9pm each night. More deets
🎬 Back after a two-year hiatus, the D.C. Asian Pacific American Film Festival debuts tonight, with showings in the city and Silver Spring until Sunday. Opening night is at Alamo Drafthouse on Bryant Street. Schedule
🪷 Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens hosts the Lotus and Water Lily Festival on Saturday and Sunday. You'll find blooming flowers and events like cultural dances, live performances, and morning yoga. More info
2. 📺 New to stream
Need a new show (or finale film)? We have you covered with a fresh crop of streaming titles.
The Hawk — Comedy series available today on Netflix.
- Will Ferrell plays Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins, a former golf great trying to prove he's still got one last major win in him.
- The latest: Ferrell brought Hawkins to the Home Run Derby broadcast, opening with "Are you guys ready to watch some balls go very far into the air?" Baseball fans were mixed on the bit.
Lucky — Thriller series available now on Apple TV+.
- Anya Taylor-Joy plays a con artist who goes on the run after a heist goes sideways, with Annette Bening and Timothy Olyphant co-starring.
- Behind the scenes: It's from Reese Witherspoon's production company and based on Marissa Stapley's novel of the same name.
Ride or Die — Action-comedy series available now on Prime Video.
- Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham star as longtime best friends whose lives blow up when one reveals she's secretly an international assassin.
- Zoom in: The action-packed first episode is directed by Peyton Reed, best known for the "Ant-Man" movies.
Heartstopper Forever — Finale film available tomorrow on Netflix.
- Kit Connor and Joe Locke return as Nick and Charlie for the final chapter of the queer coming-of-age romance.
- Catch up quick: Series creator Alice Oseman wrote the finale film — which follows Season 3 of the "Heartstopper" show — adapting her just-published final graphic novel and the "Nick and Charlie" novella.
Murder 101 — True-crime docuseries available now on Prime Video.
- A high school sociology class in rural Tennessee reopens the unsolved Redhead Murders cold case, turning a classroom project into a real investigation.
- Context: The docuseries grew out of the students' popular true-crime podcast.
🏆 I'm hoping Messi gets his second World Cup trophy.
Thanks to Alexa Mencia Orozco and Ashley May for editing.
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