Annual Events
Whatever time of year you visit, there’s always a fun festival, celebration or citywide event in full swing (many of them free!). Check out what’s happening here when you’re in town.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Enjoy the nation's greatest (and prettiest) springtime celebration in Washington, DC.
From patriotic holidays to festivals celebrating food, there's always something to look forward to in Washington, DC.
The nation's greatest springtime celebration blooms every year in DC. See how to enjoy it here.
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Pictured: Fourth of July fireworks
Fourth of July fireworks splash the sky with electric color above the Smithsonian Institution Castle and the Washington Monument. - Photo by Jake McGuire
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Pictured: Fourth of July fireworks
Fourth of July fireworks splash the sky with reds, whites and blues above the U.S. Capitol. - Photo by WETA
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Pictured: Fourth of July fireworks
Fourth of July fireworks fill the sky with golden streaks above the National Mall. - Photo by WETA
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Pictured: Fourth of July fireworks over the National Mall
Every summer, fourth of July fireworks splash the sky with reds, whites and blues above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol. - Photo by WETA
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Pictured: Fireworks over the Washington Monument
The rockets red glare: Fourth of July fireworks delight patriotic crowds on the National Mall.
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Pictured: Fireworks over the Washington Monument
Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall put the exclamation point on a day of patriotic celebrations.
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Pictured: Yankee Doodle marching band in the Independence Day Parade
Yankee Doodle march down Pennsylvania Avenue, part of the National Independence Day Parade each summer.
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Pictured: Fourth of July fireworks on the Mall
Fourth of July fireworks soar over the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument in DC. - Photo by PBS Capitol Fourth, Photo: Fred J Maroon
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Pictured: Passport DC Bolivian dancers
Passport DC packs the month of May with free, family-friendly performances, such as these traditional Bolivian dancers, on stages around the city. - Photo by Walter Woodward
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Pictured: Passport DC Embassy of Rwanda
Embassy open houses dot the weekends of May during Passport DC, a family-friendly celebration of DC's international history and culture. - Photo by Don Tanguilig
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Pictured: Passport DC Vietnamese dancers
Each spring, Passport DC packs the month of May with free, family-friendly performances, such as these traditional Vietnamese dancers, on stages around the city. - Photo by Asia Heritage Foundation
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Pictured: Japanese Pagoda at Tidal Basin
This 17th century stone statue was a given to the city of Washington, DC by the Mayor of Yokohama in 1957. Its annual lighting ceremony is central to the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: Jefferson Memorial through the cherry blossoms
The Jefferson Memorial peeks through the cherry blossoms, Washington DC's springtime signature.
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Pictured: Jefferson Memorial seen through the cherry blossoms
Light pink cherry blossoms frame the Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin.
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Pictured: Kite enthusiasts at the Blossom Kite Festival
Ready to take flight: Kite enthusiasts gather on the National Mall for the Blossom Kite Festival, part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: The National Cherry Blossom Festival's Blossom Kite Festival in Washington, DC
Up, up and away: Kites dance in spring breezes at the Blossom Kite Festival, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in DC.
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Pictured: A cloud of cherry blossoms
Festivalgoers walk beneath pink "clouds" during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: Visitors walk under pink cherry-blossom clouds
Visitors to the Tidal Basin walk beneath pink "clouds" during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: Washington Monument through the Japanese Stone Lantern
The Washington Monument soars above the blossoming cherry trees that ring the Tidal Basin in springtime.
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Pictured: DC Dragon Boat Races
Teams compete along the Potomac River in Georgetown during the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival.
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Pictured: Flags of the DC Dragon Boat Races
Flags representing a crew wave alongside the "Stars and Stripes" at the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival, a popular multicultural celebration.
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Pictured: Capital Fringe Festival performance
Since 2005, the Capital Fringe Festival has drawn more than 100 cutting-edge performing artists to theaters across DC.
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Pictured: National Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade attracts more than 250,000 patriotic Americans to honor those who have sacrificed through service to our country.
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Pictured: Watching the Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade attracts more than 250,000 patriotic Americans. Among the best places to watch are the steps of the Library of Congress.
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Pictured: The National Mall's "Screen on the Green"
A summertime tradition: Free flicks are shown on the National Mall as part of Screen on the Green on designated Monday evenings. Blankets and picnics are a must.
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Pictured: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Each summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival turns the National Mall into a museum of living history, with storytelling, music, dance and craft, welcoming more than a million people.
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Pictured: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
For 10 days in summer, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival draws a million people to the Mall to experience storytelling, music, dance, cookery and craft.
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Pictured: Holiday season at Union Station
A train depot and leisure destination, Union Station welcomes 32 million travelers a year. Its December holiday train display uses state-of-the-art electronics to recreate the sounds, lights and smoke of their real-life counterparts nearby.
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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival
Drag queens add sass to the annual Capital Pride parade, the center piece of the annual ten-day GLBT celebration. An estimated 100,000 people turned out for the parade and another 250,000 for the street festival in 2012.
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Pictured: Marathoners at the Capitol
DC boasts one of the prettiest race routes in the country. Every year, runners gather in DC for races such as the Marine Corps Marathon, Army Ten-Miler and the Nation's Triathlon.
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Pictured: Marine Corps Marathon
In October, thousands of runners descend on DC for the Marine Corps Marathon. Both soldiers and civilians run in this grueling, yet inspiring, road race.
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Pictured: Downtown Holiday Market
For 24 days in December, Penn Quarter's Downtown Holiday Market hosts more than 60 vendors displaying jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles and more - including freshly made donuts!
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Pictured: Downtown Holiday Market
For 24 days in December, Penn Quarter's Downtown Holiday Market hosts more than 60 vendors displaying jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles and other great gift ideas.
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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival
The GLBT Capital Pride Festival in June takes place in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol Building. - Photo by dctim1
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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival
The Capital Pride Festival, celebrating the GLBT community, takes place every summer in Washington, DC. In 2012, more than 250,000 people joined the street festival. - Photo by Mr. T in DC
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Pictured: Capital Pride Festival during summertime
The annual summer Capital Pride Weekend in June features a festival on Pennsylvania Avenue that celebrates the GLBT community with dancing, dining, drinking and education. - Photo by Capital Pride Alliance, Inc.
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Pictured: FedEx Field
Located just outside the city in Landover, MD, FedEx Field is home to the burgundy and gold Redskins, as well as many other high-profile events and concerts.
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Pictured: DC Jazz Festival
Music lovers flock to Washington each summer to attend the annual DC Jazz Festival, featuring up to 100 performances across more than 60 venues. - Photo by Ronald H. Green
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Pictured: Union Station decked out for the holidays
Decked out for the December holidays, Union Station looks especially welcoming. The Beaux Arts train depot and leisure destination welcomes 32 million travelers to DC who arrive by Amtrak, MARC, luxury buses and Metro.
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Pictured: Halloween in Georgetown
One of the most popular spots for celebrate Halloween, Georgetown draws costumed revelers and people watchers alike. - Photo by ep_jhu
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Pictured: Taste of DC
Taste of DC
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Pictured: National Independence Day Parade
National Independence Day Parade
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Pictured: Nationals Park
NL East Division Champs in 2012, the Washington Nationals have become a team to watch. Nats Stadium offers an exciting game day experience with local food vendors, good views and the popular Racing Presidents.
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Pictured: Nationals Park
Photo
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Pictured: The National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse
The holiday season in DC kicks off with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse. The First Family joins a high-profile list of musical entertainers for a nationally broadcast tree lighting ceremony in early December.
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Pictured: The National Menorah
The Pageant of Peace on the White House Ellipse also includes the National Menorah. An official lighting ceremony signals the start of Chanukah, followed by the lighting of a candle throughout each night of the holiday.
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Pictured: Septime Webre's The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre
Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker at the historic Warner Theatre is set in 18th century DC with “George Washington” as the heroic Nutcracker, waltzing cherry blossoms mingling with dancing sugar plums and sets featuring DC skylines. - Photo by
Brianne Bland
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Pictured: Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden transforms into an ice skating rink full of holiday cheer from mid-November through mid-February every year (weather permitting).
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Pictured: Celebrating the Season at The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown gets into the holiday spirit with an annual tree lighting of their own in late November. Musical entertainment, holiday crafts and a visit with Santa (and Rudolph!) make for a memorable evening.
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Pictured: Holidays at the Willard InterContinental
The historical Willard InterContinental Hotel pulls out all the stops for the holiday season. In 2012, they’ve partnered with the White House Historical Association to display the White House Ornaments on their lobby tree.
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Pictured: "Seasons Greenings" at the U.S. Botanic Gardens
The U.S. Botanic Gardens showcases an environmentally friendly DC with its annual “Seasons Greenings.” The exhibit features plant-based models of DC's iconic landmarks, an expansize collection of poinsettias and one of DC's largest indoor decorated trees.
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Pictured: The National Cherry Blossom Parade
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is one of DC’s most popular events, drawing 100,000 spectators from around the world each spring. Filled marching bands, floats and balloons, it is a springtime celebration in itself!
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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Korea
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, known as the Korus House, is located on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest DC. It is one of more than 40 embassies participating in the Around the World Embassy Tour. - Photo by Walter Woodward
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Pictured: Passport DC
Passport DC annually offers the Around the World Embassy Tour, which allows visitors to explore more than 40 embassies in the District. The tour lets visitors experience international art, film, dance, food and music.
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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt is located on International Court in Northwest DC, an area that features numerous foreign embassies. Visitors can sample foreign cultures throughout Passport DC, including food and drink.
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Pictured: Passport DC
Passport DC is an annual month-long celebration occurring each May that celebrates more than 100 international events and activities around the District. Numerous embassy tours are offered, along with international festivals, performances and workshops. - Photo by Don Tanguilig
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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia
The Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia can be found on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest DC. The avenue features more than 15 embassies that will be included on the Around the World Embassy Tour. - Photo by Walter Woodward
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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Ireland
The Embassy of Ireland is shown here in "Shortcut to Europe: E.U. Embassies' Open House." This event allows visitors to experience the culture of 28 nations in the European Union, with embassies open for touring.
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Pictured: Passport DC at the Embassy of Nepal
The Embassy of Nepal is located on 34th Place in Northwest DC, and is a participant in the Around the World Embassy Tour. Participating countries display music, dance, art and more.
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Trip Ideas
Planning a trip to DC this December? You wouldn't be the “first family” to spend the holidays here.
Military Bowl by Northrop Grumman is an exciting new holiday tradition in the nation's capital.
Learn more about the nation's greatest springtime celebration, happening March 20 - April 14, 2013
Presented by Cultural Tourism DC, this annual event celebrates the international side of DC.
The most critical part of any Independence Day is where you’re going to hunker down to watch the fireworks. You’ll want to catch all the booming flashes and floating cascades of red, white and blue, and we have just the spots to optimize your view.
The annual DC Jazz Festival, June 5-16, features more than 125 live performances throughout DC.
From parades to The Changing of the Guard, honor veterans and fallen heroes in the nation's capital.
Where will you be when the clock strikes midnight? From family friendly First Night festivities to swanky soirees at high-end hotels, Washington, DC is the perfect place for a New Year’s Eve party. Check out our countdown of hotspots below.
No matter what month you visit Washington, DC, there's always something to celebrate.
Washington, DC's summer festivals celebrate everything from food to film.
A month-by-month guide to annual GLBT events in Washington, DC.
With such beautiful vistas, DC is a running town. Check out where you can compete - or spectate.
Spend the Fourth of July in the nation’s capital and celebrate with fireworks and festivals.
There's more to the world-famous festival than beautiful flowers.
The nation's capital serves up spooky, kooky and family-friendly entertainment in October.
Celebrate the last days of summer with football, music and more in the nation's capital.
See the cherry blossom trees in bloom and celebrate spring with exhibitions and live entertainment.
Celebrate global culture with these fun Washington, DC festivals.
