The city is preparing for a milestone 2027 with major anniversaries, reopenings, and groundbreaking new cultural attractions.
Major Anniversaries in 2027:
Marriott International’s 100th Anniversary – In May 1927, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine-seat A&W Root Beer stand in Washington, DC. The business evolved into the Hot Shoppes restaurant chain before the company opened its first hotel in 1957, just across the river in Arlington, Virginia. Visitors can discover a historical marker along the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail and stay at more than a dozen Marriott-branded hotels across Washington, DC.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s 60th Anniversary – First held on the National Mall in 1967, the free festival celebrates living cultural traditions through music, dance, foodways, crafts and storytelling each summer.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens’ 50th Anniversary – Hillwood opened to the public in 1977, sharing businesswoman and philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post’s renowned collection of Russian imperial and French decorative arts. Special golden-anniversary programming will celebrate 50 years of beauty, art and gardens at the Northwest DC estate.
International Spy Museum’s 25th Anniversary – Since opening in 2002, the museum has brought the hidden world of intelligence to life through the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display. Its interactive permanent exhibitions challenge visitors to adopt a cover identity, test their spy skills and explore how intelligence has shaped world events.
The Washington Ballet’s 50th Anniversary – The internationally recognized company celebrates five decades of classical and contemporary dance during its 2026–27 season. An initial 50th Season celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the National Union Building. Anniversary season programming includes Go-Go 50, The Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo & Juliet and more.
Keegan Theatre’s 30th Anniversary – Founded in 1996, the Dupont Circle theater celebrates 30 years of producing contemporary works, musicals and Irish plays that strengthen the cultural connection between Washington, DC and Ireland.
National Press Building’s 100th Anniversary – The National Press Building opened in 1927 near the White House and continues to serve as a center for journalists and news organizations. President Calvin Coolidge laid its cornerstone, while the building’s original Fox Theatre was considered one of Washington, DC’s grandest movie palaces.
- Charles Lindbergh’s Transatlantic Flight Centennial – Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20–21, 1927. His aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, can be seen at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
Major events in 2027:
NFL Draft | April 29 – May 1, 2027
Washington, DC will host the NFL Draft for the first time since 1941, bringing the league’s three-day selection event and an expansive, free fan festival to the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. The event will place professional American football against the iconic backdrop of the U.S. Capitol, monuments and museums.
Major League Volleyball Comes to DC | 2027
Washington, DC welcomes a new professional women’s sports franchise when Major League Volleyball begins playing in 2027. The team will add elite women’s volleyball to the city’s growing professional sports landscape, further cementing DC’s reputation as a national leader in women’s athletics. The team’s name, venue, schedule and ticket information are to be announced.
January
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan. 18, 2027
Honor Dr. King Jr.’s life and legacy in the city where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Visitors can stand on the marked spot at the Lincoln Memorial, reflect at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and explore African American history at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture among many other locations. Annual commemorative events include a peace walk and parade through Southeast DC, and musical tributes alongside a wide variety of free things to do in DC that explore African American history and culture.
Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week | Dates TBD
Discover Washington, DC’s diverse culinary scene through specially priced menus at hundreds of restaurants across the region. Participating establishments traditionally offer multi-course brunch, lunch and dinner menus, providing an accessible way to experience everything from Michelin-recognized dining to neighborhood favorites.
Indoor Sports Action | Ongoing
Washington, DC’s professional sports calendar heats up indoors during January. Watch the NHL’s Washington Capitals and NBA’s Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena or see the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go, part of the NBA G League, at CareFirst Arena.
Washington, DC Auto Show | Jan. 22-31, 2027
One of the nation’s largest indoor automotive events returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The family-friendly show traditionally features hundreds of new vehicles, interactive exhibits, electric-vehicle demonstrations and displays exploring the future of transportation.
February
Black History Month | Feb. 1-28, 2027
African American history and culture are integral to Washington, DC’s identity. Visitors can explore the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, walk through U Street’s historic Black Broadway, see where Duke Ellington was born and visit the Howard Theatre. Additional experiences include the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Black-owned restaurants and the Go-Go Museum & Café, which celebrates DC’s official music.
Lunar New Year | Feb. 6, 2027
Welcome the Year of the Goat with cultural programming, special menus and family activities across Washington, DC. Annual celebrations traditionally include a colorful Chinatown parade featuring lion and dragon dances, live music and firecrackers beneath the neighborhood’s Friendship Archway. Museums and cultural institutions also host performances, crafts and programs highlighting Asian traditions.
Presidents Day | Feb. 15, 2027
Explore presidential history in the nation’s capital through monuments, memorials and museums. The National Portrait Gallery’s America’s Presidents exhibition presents the country’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House. Visitors can also tour President Lincoln’s Cottage, Ford’s Theatre, The People’s House and nearby George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
March
March Women’s History Month | March 1-31, 2027
Celebrate the women who shaped the United States at museums and memorials throughout Washington, DC. Highlights include the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Visitors can also view the original 19th Amendment at the National Archives and discover portraits of influential women at the National Portrait Gallery.
National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Century of Celebration | March 20–April 11, 2027
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2027, Washington, DC welcomes spring with its signature celebration of the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. The four-week festival fills the city with free cultural performances, public art, blossom-inspired dining and family programming. Signature experiences traditionally include the Opening Ceremony, Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza and National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Exact peak-bloom dates are determined closer to the season based on weather conditions.