January
Chinese New Year Celebration
Held New Years Day
Chinatown, Washington, DC
202-789-7000
Admission Free
Annual parade of marching bands, lion and dragon dancers, clowns and other
entertainers.
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance
Held on January 17
Lincoln Memorial
202-727-6306
Admission Free
Wreath laying ceremony accompanied by a recorded presentation of King's "I Have
a Dream" speech, local choirs, speakers and military color guard.
Orchid Show
Held in mid-January
U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, DC
202-226-4082
February
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Observance
Held in mid-February
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
703-619-7222
Admission Free
Concerts by military bands, wreath laying and a dramatic reading of the
Gettysburg Address.
Washington’s Birthday Ceremony
Held in mid-February
Washington Monument
202-619-7222
Admission Free
Observance with 202 speeches and music.
March
Cherry Blossom Festival
Late March – early April
1500 Maine Avenue
Washington, DC 20003
202-484-0206
Making their appearance in late March or early
April, the beautiful pink and white lacelike flowers surround DC's Tidal Basin.
This yearly sign of spring is one of Washington, DC's natural highlights. The
two-week festival features concerts, special exhibits, a street festival, a
parade, the Smithsonian Kite Festival, performances, athletic competitions and
other events at various DC locations.
Washington Boat Show
Held in mid-March
Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
804-425-6556
Admission Charged
Showcasing sailboats and motorboats.
Washington Flower and Garden Show
Held in mid-March
Convention Center, Washington, DC
703-569-7141
Admission Charged
Featuring blooming flowers and gardening tips.
April
Earth Day
Held in mid-April
Variety of venues
Admission Free
Annual event raising environmental awareness.
Smithsonian Craft Show
Held in mid-April
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC
202-357-4000
Admission Charged
Exhibition and sale of contemporary American crafts from more than 100 artists.
Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday Observation
Held in mid-April
Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC
202-426-6841
Admission Free
A commemoration with military drills and a wreath-laying ceremony.
White House Easter Egg Roll
Held at Easter Time
White House, Washington DC
202-456-2200
Admission Free
Annual event for children, ages 3 to 6, accompanied by an adult, on the South
Lawn. Eggs and entertainment are provided.
White House Garden Tour
Held in mid-April
White House, Washington DC
202-456-2200
Admission Free
Tour the garden and public rooms of the White House.
May
Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Held in early May
Venues throughout Washington, DC
202-727-3120
Admission Free
Georgetown Garden Tour
Held in early May
Georgetown, Washington, DC
202-965-1950
Admission Charged
Tour beautiful public and private historic
gardens.
Goodwill Embassy Tour
Held in early May
Held at the various embassies in and around Washington
Admission Charged
Tour of Washington, DC's embassies.
International Flower Mart
Held in early May
National Cathedral, Washington, DC
202-537-6200
Admission Free
Annual flower market with flower booths and entertainment.
Memorial Day at the Women’s Memorial
Held during Memorial Day weekend
Women's Memorial Ceremonial Entrance, Arlington National Cemetery
800-222-2294
Formal ceremony honoring all the men and women who defended this country.
Memorial Day Ceremony
Held during Memorial Day weekend
Vietnam Veterans Memorial and US Navy Memorial
202-426-6841
Admission Free
Events include speeches, military bands and keynote addresses.
Memorial Day Concert
Held during Memorial Day weekend
West Lawn of the Capital Building
202-225-6827
Admission Free
Concert includes the National Symphony Orchestra, actors and various bands.
Filmfest DC
Held in mid-May
4000 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-244-0882
Tickets, popcorn, and politics: It's all in a
night at the movies at Filmfest DC, where political landscapes and inventive
cinema come together in late April. The international festival offers 12 days of
more than 100 feature, documentary and short films from around the world in
theaters throughout the city.
Taste of DC
Held over Memorial Day Weekend
Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
Admission Free
DC's annual culinary celebration is one of the
areas most attended events. Pennsylvania Avenue between Seventh and 14th
streets N.W. is brimming with live music, kids' activities, chef demos and
booths selling food and drinks at the three-day outdoor festival. Take time out
from all the edible entertainment to check out what else is going on, from kids
activities to crafts. The biggest inedible hit is always the multiple stages
that are taken over by loads of musical acts throughout the afternoon.
June
Capital Jazz Fest
Early June
Held in the D.C. suburbs
Jazz lovers get an outdoor treat: The Capital
Jazz Fest, which slants towards contemporary jazz but manages to keep just about
everyone happy. The weekend festival typically includes a headline act with more
than a dozen other musicians jamming throughout the weekend.
Capital Pride
Held sometime in June
DC's Capital Pride, which started in 1975 as a
small block party, is now one of the largest pride festivals in the country.
Highlights of the weeklong event include the street festival, a parade, a
pageant, drag contests, film screenings, panel discussions and parties.
DC Caribbean Festival
Held at the end of June
Admission Charged
The DC Caribbean Carnival brings out the
Washington-area Caribbean community and other cultures for dancing in the
streets and an eye-popping parade. Performances at Crossroads Entertainment
Complex in Bladensburg, Md., about a mile from the DC line, kick off the week,
with a steel band jamboree featuring nationwide performers. On "Dimanche Gras"
("Big Sunday"), elaborate and flamboyant parade costumes are displayed and
judged, and later in the week, calypso concerts take the stage. On both Saturday
and Sunday, a street festival keeps everyone grooving.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
15th Street at Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-426-6841
Held in late June – early July
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
presents a living tapestry across the National Mall, introducing visitors to the
grassroots cultures of different American regions and their cousins abroad. The
festival typically focuses on one to four countries or regions. After festival
exhibits and food vendors close for the day, free concerts are held in the
evenings. Events geared toward children are also part of the festival.
National Capital Barbecue Battle
Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
Visitors won't want to miss out on the area's
biggest barbecue event of the year. Every June, the National Capital Barbecue
Battle takes over the streets of DC for one smokin', fun-filled weekend all in
the name of barbecue. Plus, there are tons of other activities for all ages and
interests. And if that's not enough, the Barbecue Battle hosts top national and
regional rock, reggae, R&B, jazz and blues musicians.
Duport-Kalorama Museum Walk
Held in early June
Washington, DC
202-667-0441
Visit this neighborhood's six museums and enjoy demonstrations, interactive
tours, hands-on workshops and concerts.
Shakespeare Theatre Free For All
Dates vary in June
Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC
202-547-1122
Admission Free
Performances of the plays of Shakespeare
featuring the performers and artists of the nation's premiere producer of
classic theatre.
July
Army Blues Jazz Ensemble
Held on July 4
Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC.
703-696-3399
Admission Free
Independence Day Parade
Held on July 4 at 11:45 am
Parade featuring floats and entertainment, traveling down Constitution Ave. at
7th St.
July 4th along the George Washington
Memorial Parkway
703-289-2500
Admission Free
Celebrate July 4th along the shoreline of the Potomac River in Virginia,
including fireworks.
U.S. Army Orchestra & the Washington Cathedral
Choral Society
Held in late July
703-696-3399
Admission Free
August
Georgia Avenue Day
Held in late August
Washington, DC
202-723-5166
Admission Free
Parade, rides and ethnic cuisines highlight this neighborhood festival.
National Frisbee Festival
Held in late August
Washington, DC
World Frisbee champions and disc-catching dogs take part in this festival on the
grounds of the Washington Monument.
September
Black Family Reunion
Held at the National Mall
15th Street at Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-426-6841
A massive gathering that takes place on the
National Mall at summer's end, the Black Family Reunion was conceived of by
legendary civil rights activist Dorothy Height in the early 1980s to show the
world the positive side of black life in America. The two-day reunion is a mix
of informative booths and musical performances.
Adams Morgan Day
Held in early September
Washington, DC
202-724-4091
Admission Free
Two-day event celebrating the ethnic diversity of this Northwest neighborhood.
Coming of Age: Elderfest
Held in early September
Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC
202-581-8100
Admission Free
A celebration of older Americans with food, crafts and entertainment.
Constitution Day Commemoration
Held in mid September
National Archives, Washington, DC
866-272-6272
Admission Free
The original US Constitution is displayed with a naturalization ceremony and
concert.
DC Blues Festival
Washington DC
Held in early September
202-828-3028
Admission Free
Annual festival with a variety of blues music.
Fiesta Musical
Held in late September
Washington's National Zoo
202-673-4800
Admission Free
Annual Latin Fiesta celebrating Hispanic culture.
Labor Day Concert with The National Symphony
Held on Labor Day
West Lawn of the Capital Building
202-619-7222
Admission Free
Concert includes the National Symphony Orchestra and various bands.
October
DC 101 Chili Cookoff
Independence Avenue and 12th Street
Admission Charged
Add a little spice to your life: Grab your
favorite spoon and head downtown to DC101's annual Chili Cook-Off. What has
proven to be one of DC's best street parties of the year keeps kicking it up a
notch. Vendors from the city's best restaurants line up to hawk samples of their
zesty recipes. Grab a bowl or two and cruise the streets with fellow revelers to
check out some of today's hottest bands on DC101's main stage.
Marine Corps Marathon
Held in late October
Marshall Drive
Arlington, VA 22211
703-289-2500
The Annual Marine Corps Marathon is an open,
amateur race beginning and ending at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima
Memorial). The race has been nicknamed the "Marathon of the Monuments" because
it passes many of the area's attractions -- the Capitol, Union Station, the
Jefferson and Lincoln memorials and the Kennedy Center. It's also dubbed "The
People's Marathon," for the diverse group of 18,000 runners it attracts from
around the world.
White House Fall Garden Tours
Held in late October
White House, Washington, DC
202-208-1631
Admission Free
Annual tour includes Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden
and South Lawn of the White House.
November
Annual Seafaring Celebration
Held in early November
Navy Museum, Washington, DC
202-433-4882
Annual sea festival, with storytelling and musical performances.
Army Ten Mile Run
Held the second weekend in October
One of the nation's largest ten-mile road races and rated as one of the Top 100
races in the nation by Runner's World Magazine. Starting in Arlington, VA, the
flat, fast course travels through scenic Washington, DC, passing some the most
famous monuments and memorials in the United States. The field is limited to
16,000 runners.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthday Celebration
Held in late October
Theodore Roosevelt Island, George Washington
Parkway
703-289-2500
Admission Free
Celebrate the 26th president's birthday, featuring tours and exhibits.
White House Fall Garden Tours
Held in late October
White House, Washington, DC
202-208-1631
Admission Free
Annual tour includes Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden
and South Lawn of the White House.
December
The National Christmas Tree
Held in early December
703-237-5993
Admission Free
Thousands of spirited patriots turn out for the annual lighting ceremony of the
National Christmas Tree in early December, and thousands more make a trip to the
Ellipse to see the tree throughout the rest of the month. The festivities are
all part of the Christmas Pageant of Peace. The National Christmas Tree, with a
large-scale model train running around it, is a must-see for Washingtonians and
tourists alike. Fifty-six smaller trees representing the 50 states, five
territories and DC surround the main tree, each decorated by state-sponsored
organizations. A Yule log burns nightly to keep warm, and local groups put on
shows on a performance stage. It's a fabulous way to celebrate the holidays in
our nation's capital.
Candlelight Tours
Held in late December
White House, Washington, DC
202-619-7222
Admission Free
Tour the candlelit and decorated White House.
Christmas Poinsettia Show
Held in mid-December
US Botanic Gardens
202-226-7674
Admission Free
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