This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Catherine Moran.

Ring in the first official weekend of summer with a comedy festival, a giant barbecue and fist-pumping rock music.

Friday

Choctaw Nation Arts and Music Festival

Celebrate the tribal history and heritage of the Oklahoma Choctaw Nation at the Smithsonian American Indian Museum. Choctaw Nation princesses will have a meet and greet backed up by the powerful vocals of Choctaw singer Samantha Crain, who will perform her folk music starting at 3 p.m.

4th St. and Independence Ave. SW. All day. Free admission.

District of Comedy Stand-up Showcase

Laugh your worries away with a joke-filled night at the Kennedy Center. Headliners from the 2016 District of Comedy Festival are slated to be New York comedians Anthony DeVito from “Comedy Central,” Greg Stone from “America’s Got Talent” and Jared Freid from “Comedy Cellar.” Up to two free general admission tickets per person will be distributed in the Capital One Atrium Lounge at 5 p.m. before the show.

Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. 6 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday

24th Annual National Capital Barbecue Battle

The competition will be sizzling hot at this outdoor barbecue competition in the heart of the District. The annual barbecue has received numerous accolades, and CNN has listed it as one of the “Five Can’t Miss Summer Festivals in the Country.” No good on the grill? Don’t worry, the battle will also offer cooking demonstrations and live music for casual observers. Endless food samples will keep you full while you watch the masters flip burgers.

9th to 14th streets on Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 11 a.m. $12.

Sunday

The Mystery Lights + Teen Liver

Dance your heart out to head-banging garage rock by The Mystery Lights and punk rock by Teen Liver. Get ready for the night by listening to The Mystery Light’s single “Follow Me Home” from their debut album, which drops Friday.

Black Cat, 1811 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $10.