WASHINGTON – The Italian Air Force will be flying over Washington, D.C. Wednesday afternoon as they make their way up to Canada to celebrate the country’s 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori will release green, white and red smoke as it goes over the U.S. capital, symbolic of the Italian flag. This will be the first time that their smoke has been seen over the United States or Canada since 1992.

The flyover will happen at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 21, and the show is expected to last about 30 minutes. The route will begin on the east side of the city with a single east to west pass just south of the National Mall.

The group’s final performance of their 2024 North American Tour will be at the Air Dot Show Ocean City on August 24-25. It will be visible over the beach and boardwalk.   

The Frecce Tricolori — the “Tricolour Arrows” in English — are officially designated as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale — 313th Acrobatic Training Group, National Aerobatic Team in English. 

Frecce Tricolori was established on March 1, 1961, at Rivolto Air Base in the province of Udine. 

The team operates the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN, a two-seat fighter-trainer craft. Comprising ten aircrafts, including nine in close formation and a soloist, they hold the distinction of being the world’s largest acrobatic patrol.

We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!

You may be counting down the days until Labor Day, but don’t miss out on all the fun stuff happening in the D.C. area this weekend.

Here’s what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.

What to do in Washington, D.C.

Usher: Past Present Future: Tues. and Weds., Capital One Arena

DCBX16: “The Super Bowl of USA Latin Dance Festivals”: Thurs. to Mon., Westin DC Hotel, $40+

Embassy Row Rooftop Night in Havana Under the Stars with Latin Band: Fri., 7-10 p.m., The Ven at Embassy Row, $25-$35

Oh He Dead: Fri., The Atlantis, $25

WWE Smackdown: Fri., Capital One Arena

DC United: United Night Out: Sat., Audi Field, $27+

National Book Festival: Sat., Walter E. Washington Convention Center, free

Joy of African Movement dance class: Sat., 9-10 a.m., National Museum of African Art, free

Opera in the Outfield: Sat., gates open at 4:30 p.m., free
FYI: Remember Nats Park’s strict bag policy

Hi Lawn’s Caribbean Festival: Sat., Hi-Lawn at Union Market, $10

Washington Spirit International Friendlies Double Header
Spirit vs. Kansas City Current at noon
Chelsea FC vs. Arsenal FC at 4 p.m.
Audi Field, $64-$125

Women’s Equality Day Power Up Concert: Sun., 6:30 p.m., The Kennedy Center, $50-$150

What to do in Maryland

Maryland Rennaissance Festival: Weekends through Oct. 20, plus Labor Day, Annapolis, $14-26 (before Sept. 8)

• FYI: Kids can go for free on Aug. 24 and 25. “One child aged 7 through 15 is admitted free with each adult ticket purchased. Children 6 and under are always free,” the festival said.
• Seniors aged 62 and over can go for free on Labor Day. No ticket is needed.

Maryland State Fair: Aug. 22 to Sept. 8, 200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, admission is $8.25 (ages 6-11) or $13.25 (age 12 and older) if purchased in advance

Foodie Fridays – Taste the Land: Fri., 6:30-8:30 p.m., Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda, $15

Kensington Community Block Party: Sat., 2-4 p.m., Kensington House Lawn, free

Fairwood Music Festival: Sun., 1-6 p.m., Fairwood Community Park in Bowie, free

Hand Dance Social: Sun., 6-8:30 p.m., Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt, free
Lesson from 6 to 6:30 followed by open dance

Free dog rides on the Capital Wheel for National Dog Day: Mon., National Harbor, free

What to do in Virginia

Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge: Sat. and Sun., Filene Center at Wolf Trap, $55

Around the World Food Festival: Sat., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria, free entry

Blues, Brews & BBQ feat. The Nighthawks: Sat., 6-9 p.m., Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont, Virginia, $20

Lake Accotink Park Celebration Day: Sat., 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Springfield, free
Free boat rentals, nature activities and amusements

Starlight Drive-in Cinema double feature of “Migration” and “Elemental”: Sat., gates open at 6 p.m., Sully Historic Site, free

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.