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Washington DC Events and Washington DC Festivals (Washington, DC, USA)



The residents of Washington like to party and there are many exciting events that are held throughout the year in Washington. The popular events in Washington include numerous lively street fairs, carnivals, parades, festivals and numerous sporting events. Many of the events and festivals in Washington draw enormous crowds of both participants and spectators. The Washington Post newspaper often has details of the latest festivals and events being held in the Washington DC area.

Washington National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day
• 12th February - Lincoln's Birthday
• Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday
• Third Monday in April - Patriot's Day (Massachusetts)
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
• 4th July - Independence Day
• First Monday in September - Labor Day
• Second Monday in October - Columbus Day
• 11th November - Veterans Day
• 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving
• 25th December - Christmas Day

Washington Calendar of Festivals and Events - Washington, DC, USA

Washington Events in January - Washington

• Martin Luther King's Birthday - third weekend in January, a birthday celebration is held on the steps on Washington's Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King gave his famous 'I have a dream' speech in 1963
• Chinese New Year - late January / early February, celebrations for the Chinese New Year start with dancers, dragons, firecrackers and parades through Washington and continue for ten days
• Mount Vernon Open House - third Monday in February, free admission to Mount Vernon includes drums on the green and the laying of wreaths

Washington Events in February - Washington

• Black History Month - throughout February, the Smithsonian Institution holds a number of special events and cultural programs during February
• Famous Birthdays - a trio of famous men's birthdays take place in Washington during February, Abe Lincoln's birthday on February 12th is celebrated at the Lincoln Memorial, George Washington's birthday is celebrated on the third Monday in February at Mount Vernon in Virginia, and the Frederick Douglass birthday tribute celebrates this great African American statesman around February 14th at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Anacostia

Washington Events in March - Washington

• St. Patrick's Day Celebrations - March 17th, with festivals, parades of dancers, bands, bagpipes and carnival floats
• Smithsonian Annual Kite Festival - late Sunday in March, kite lovers of all ages proudly show off their handmade kites, including demonstrations
• Washington Flower and Garden Show - March 25th to 28th, with a number of gardens, statues and plants, at the Convention Center on Mount Vernon Place
• DC Spring Antiques Fair - this popular antiques fair takes place at the DC Armory in Capitol Street and attracts large crowds
• Environmental Film Festival - March 18th to 28th, held at the National Museum of Natural History, with numerous films

Washington Events in April - Washington

• Annual White House Easter Egg Roll - first Monday after Easter, for children aged between three and six years old, this fun event starts at the Southeast Gate at the corner of East Executive Avenue and E Street in Washington DC and features an appearance by the president. Arrive early to avoid the crowds
• National Cherry Blossom Festival - celebrations are held throughout Washington DC, including parades, fireworks, fashion shows and the Japanese Lantern Lighting Ceremony
• Filmfest DC - April 21st to May 2nd, held at local movie theaters and museums in Washington DC
• White House Spring Garden Tours - mid-April, tours of Washington's White House gardens include music and general festivities

Washington Events in May - Washington

• Eastern Market Day - first Sunday in May, this popular local festival features arts and crafts, games, rides, entertainment and food, close to Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC
• Washington Memorial Day Celebrations - last weekend in May, held on the Sunday evening, the National Symphony Orchestra performs a free concert on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, plus another concert on Labor Day in September
• Memorial Day Jazz Festival - last Monday in May, held in Alexandria, Virginia, this jazz festival features up to ten jazz artists and a number of food stalls
• Black Pride and Capital Pride - last Monday in May, this four-day event culminates in a parade of around 10,000 African American gays and lesbians

Washington Events in June - Washington

• Shakespeare in the Park - mid-June, two weeks of free performances of Shakespeare plays at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington DC's Rock Creek Park
• Fort Reno Summer Concert Series - June to August, many up-and-coming and well-known bands perform at this lively event, held at Washington DC's Reno Park, close to Wisconsin Avenue
• Marine Band's Summer Concert Series - June to August, free, twice-weekly outdoor concerts, from classical to brand bands, are held at the West Terrace of the US Capitol and the Sylvan Theater in the grounds of the Washington Monument
• Capital Jazz Fest - this popular two-day Washington jazz festival began in 1993 and is billed as the 'world's largest showcase of contemporary jazz music'
• Uni-Fest - first weekend in June, celebrating the African American community, this Washington festival includes gospel singers, dancers and food stalls
• Mount Pleasant Festival - first Sunday in June, this lively street fair on pedestrian Mount Pleasant in Washington DC celebrates the diverse neighborhood of Adams Morgan, with live music, games and food
• National Race for the Cure - first Sunday in June, one of the largest 5 km runs / walks in the world, this popular sporting event attracting over 70,000 participants and many cheering spectators, rasing money for breast cancer research
• Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Day - early June, ten museums and houses in Washington's Dupont Circle area take part in an 'off the Mall' museum day, with free food, music and tours
• Dance Africa DC, Annual Festival - mid-June, this two day Washington DC festival celebrates African and American dance and music, at Dance Place in Monroe Street, Washington DC
• Caribbean Festival - last Saturday in June, held in Washington's George Avenue, this popular festival attracts thousands of islanders who take part in a large parade, with many festivities

Washington Events in July - Washington

• Smithsonian Folklife Festival - first weekend in July, this is a major highlight in the Washington DC calendar and this festival celebrates the arts, crafts and food of selected US states and other countries
• Independence Day - July 4th, official events begin at 10:00 at the National Archives in Washington DC, attracting large crowds
• Bastille Day - early July, with live entertainment and food stalls, held at Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue
• Latino Festival - last weekend in July, this busy two-day Washington festival includes the food and music of the large Latino community in Washington DC

Washington Events in August - Washington

• George Avenue Day - late August, held at the intersection of Washington's East Avenue NW, America's large business corridor comes alive with exciting parades, carnivals, rides, live music and ethnic food stalls
• National Frisbee Festival - late August, world-champions compete on the Mall in Washington DC
• DC Blues Festival - late August, held at the Cater Barron Amphitheater in Washington's Rock Creek Park

Washington Events in September - Washington

• Adams Morgan Day - first Monday in September, many thousands of residents in Washington DC celebrate the Adams Morgan community, with general festivals, music and food stalls
• Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival - early to Mid-September, this day-long festival in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington DC celebrates the performing arts and features locals and national artists on the front plaza and river terrace, overlooking the Potomac River
• Washington National Cathedral Open House - late September to early October, this event celebrates the anniversary of the laying of Washington cathedral's foundation stone in 1907

Washington Events in October - Washington

• Taste of DC - second Monday in October, this is the largest annual outdoor food and music festival on the east coast and is held at restaurants throughout Washington DC
• Annual High Heel Race - late October, this amusing event attracts drag queens from the Dupont Circle area in Washington DC and beyond, taking part in this popular race
• Oktoberfest - second to last weekend in October, this popular Washington festival is held in Reston town center and include four days of beer, polka and food
• St. Sophia Greek Festival - late September / early October, held on Washington DC's Massachusetts Avenue NW, with live Greek music, cathedral tours and Greek food stalls

Washington Events in November - Washington

• Veterans' Day Ceremonies - November 11th, this is a solemn ceremony held at the Arlington national cemetery and features military bands, honoring the country's soldiers who died in battle
• Alexandria Antiques Show - second or third weekend in November, this busy antiques fair is held in Old Town Alexandria and features furniture, paintings and many European pieces
• Civil War Living History Day - November 10th, held at the Fort Ward Museum in Alexandria, this event includes reenactments of Civil War camp life, featuring an artillery drill

Washington Events in December - Washington

• National Christmas Tree Lighting - early December, the president starts the holiday season by switching on the lights on Washington's giant Christmas tree at the Ellipse, in the Federal Triangle area of Washington DC. Advance tickets are required
• Lighting of the Menorah - mid-December, a huge menorah (the nine-branched candelabra that signifies the Jewish holiday Hanukkah) is lit for all eight nights of the holiday
• White House Christmas Candlelight Tours - late December, on these free evening tours of Washington DC's White Hour, visitors get to see the White House Christmas decorations and it is advisable to arrive early to avoid the queues
• New Year's Eve Celebrations - December 31st, general festivities throughout Washington DC, culminating in fireworks at midnight

 
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