FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST-JANUARY 2009

August 9-17: Legg Mason Tennis Classic
DC's prestigious annual tennis event celebrates its 40th anniversary. Past winners include Andy Roddick, Mike and Bob Bryan, along with five-time champion Andre Agassi. Located in Rock Creek Park, the host facility is the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center- a top-flight stadium with seating for 7,500 spectators.

August 11-17: Washington, DC Summer Restaurant Week
This bi-annual tradition encourages visitors and locals alike to sample some of the region's top restaurants with special three-course, fixed-price meals. Lunches are priced at $20.08 (to correspond with the year) and dinners at $35.08.

August 30-Oct. 5: Kennedy Center Prelude Festival
The Kennedy Center previews its 2008-2009 season with a multi-week festival of dazzling performances and free events that celebrate the best of the arts in DC. The 24th annual Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival takes place Sep. 13.

August 31: National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Concert
The National Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2008-2009 season with a free concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Sep. 6 - 7: Black Family Reunion
This two-day annual festival on the grounds of the Washington Monument celebrates the strength and values of African-American families and includes free concerts, arts and crafts, an international marketplace, health screenings, food and activities for kids.

Sep. 11: Pentagon Memorial Park Dedication
Pentagon Memorial Park will include 184 cantilevered benches that represent each victim who lost his or her life in the attacks on the Pentagon on Sep. 11, 2001.

Sep. 13: Open House Arts Festival
In its 24th year, the daylong indoor and outdoor event celebrates the Kennedy Center's birthday with more than 30 free performances of music, dance, and theatre, plus many other events and family-friendly activities.

Sep. 14: Adams Morgan Day
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, this day-long festival celebrates the international and cultural diversity and creativity that is the hallmark of one of the District's most colorful neighborhoods, Adams Morgan.

Sep. 20 & 21: WalkingTown DC
Offered twice a year, Cultural Tourism DC's weekend event of free walking and bike tours is designed to introduce residents and visitors to Washington DC's unique neighborhoods.

Sep. 27: National Book Festival
The Library of Congress and Laura Bush host a celebration of books and reading on the National Mall. The free event features more than 70 well-known authors, illustrators, poets, family-friendly activities and more.

Oct. 1-7: Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
Jazz-lovers flock to the nation's capital for a tribute to one of DC's most famous natives, Duke Ellington. More than 100 performances at venues throughout the city are featured, including two days of free jazz performances on the National Mall.

Oct. 11: Taste of Georgetown
In its 15th year, Taste of Georgetown continues its food and wine festival tradition, offers food and wine tastings from more than 30 neighborhood restaurants.

Oct. 11: Festival of the Building Arts
The National Building Museum invites families to meet building professionals, climb aboard construction vehicles, compete in a nail driving contest and more.

Oct. 11: Navy Day in DC
This celebration marking the 21st anniversary of the U.S. Navy Memorial and the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Navy. Program will feature ceremonies, performances, tours and displays.

Oct. 16 - 25: Reel Affirmations Film Festival
One of the largest gay and lesbian film festivals in the country, Reel Affirmations showcases nearly 60 gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender films from around the world.

Oct. 21 - 26: Washington International Horse Show
One of the country's top equestrian events will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Verizon Center with a week-long show featuring leading riders from the U.S. and Europe, Olympic veterans and superstar horses, along with entertaining exhibitions, family activities and educational events.

Oct. 24-26: Boo at the Zoo
A ten-year-old tradition, Boo at the Zoo takes place at the National Zoo and invites costumed children and families to celebrate Halloween with hands-on activities, interpretive talks with zoo-keepers and trick-or-treating.

Oct. 26: Marine Corps Marathon
Known as "The People's Marathon," this annual race includes a 26-mile course that travels past many DC attractions including the Capitol, Union Station, the National Mall and the Kennedy Center.

Nov. 7 - 9: Washington Craft Show
One of only three in the U.S., Washington, DC's annual craft show brings together established and emerging artists to present their latest collections for the home, office and to wear.

Nov. 8 - 9: Green Festival
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center hosts two energetic days of socially-responsible shopping, notable speakers, presentations by industry leaders and demonstrations by more than 350 green businesses. Visitors can enjoy tasty food, organic beer and great music, as well as films, workshops, yoga and more.

Nov. 21 - Dec. 7: DC Sales Tax Holiday
The District of Columbia sales tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75 percent sales tax on clothes, shoes and accessory items costing $100 or less.

Nov. 25: Holiday Model Train Opening & Toys for Tots Kickoff
Union Station's Holiday Model Train winds its way through the mountains and fjords of Norway. At 9am, join the Marines, City Officials and the Ambassador of Norway in the West Hall as they jumpstart the train in an official launching ceremony and kick off the Toys for Tots donation drive with the first toy donation of the holiday season.

Nov. 28 - Dec. 14: Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Visitors to the famous estate learn about the Washingtons' Christmas traditions as they tour the candlelit Mansion, meet First Lady 'Martha Washington' and enjoy caroling and free cookies. New offerings this year will include 18th-century dancing, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon made by former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier and a live Christmas camel just like the one George Washington had on the grounds during Christmas of 1787.

Dec. TBD: National Christmas Tree Lighting and Pageant of Peace
This annual holiday tradition kicks off with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by the President of the United States on the White House Ellipse and lasts throughout the month with live musical performances each evening.

Dec. 2: Opening of U.S. Capitol Visitors Center
The largest expansion of the U.S. Capitol, the CVC makes its debut on the same day the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the building in 1863. The center features an Exhibition Hall that will include rarely-seen documents and artifacts from the National Archives and the Library of Congress.

Dec. 5 - 23: Downtown Holiday Market
The popular holiday market held on 7th and F Streets, NW across from the Portrait Gallery features an outdoor showcase of jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles made by local artisans along with live music and homemade snacks.

Dec. 6: Holiday Open House at Tudor Place
Stroll through the mansion built by Martha Washington's granddaughter almost 200 years ago and participate in early American dancing. Kids can take an interactive children's tour of the house and attend a holiday art workshop.

Dec. 13 - 14: Russian Winter Festival
Hillwood Museum & Gardens celebrates Russian holiday traditions with folktales, cultural performances, music, hands-on arts projects for kids and self guided family tours of the museum's Russian art collection.

January - Spring 2009: Lincoln Bicentennial
DC's cultural organizations, attractions, restaurants and hotels throughout the region join a nationwide celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday through exhibitions, lectures, special events and more. Highlights of the promotion include the grand re-opening of Ford's Theatre on Feb. 12, the re-enactment of Marion Anderson's historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial and the re-dedication of the Lincoln Memorial.

Jan. 20, 2009: Presidential Inauguration & Parade
A week of festivities culminates on January 20th with the Presidential Swearing In Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Parade, and a night of Inaugural Balls and parties honoring the new President of the United States.

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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.