More than 10,000 D.C. teenagers showed up to dance, eat free food and hang out at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation's Late Night Hype parties this summer. The season finale is Friday evening, Aug. 14, at Brentwood Hamilton Park in Northeast Washington.

Mayor Muriel Bowser highlighted the program's reach on X on Wednesday, Aug. 12, calling Late Night Hype "a safe, fun third place" for the city's young people.

The free weekly Friday-night series, open to residents ages 13 to 18, launched in 2021 as a pandemic-era effort to keep teens busy and safe. Five years later, it has grown into one of DPR's flagship youth programs, drawing crowds with DJs, free Rita's Italian Ice and popcorn, video games, henna tattoos, free hair services and tables with information on internships and volunteer opportunities.

"Teens want somewhere safe to go in their city," DPR Director Thennie Freeman told NOTUS in July. "D.C. doesn't have malls. So where can young people go to hang out, to walk? How can we still make them feel welcome and safe?"

A teen advisory committee helped shape this summer's lineup. In March, local teens gave DPR a list of what they wanted at the parties, and the department built its programming around those requests, Freeman told the outlet.

Security is part of the setup. Attendees register for each event with proof of age and D.C. residency, then pass through metal detectors and bag checks at the entrance. At the end of the night, DPR provides shuttles to Metro stations or holds attendees inside until a parent or guardian arrives.

The program also dovetails with the District's summer curfew law, which requires residents under 18 to be home by 12:01 a.m. but exempts those attending a city-sponsored recreational activity.

Friday's finale is at Brentwood Hamilton Park, 1300 6th St. NE, in the Ward 5 neighborhood near the Rhode Island Ave–Brentwood Metro station. DPR has not announced dates for a 2027 season.