|
Special Events in Washington DC
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.
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.
May
Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Held in early May
Venues throughout Washington, DC
202-727-3120
Admission Free
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.
July
Army Blues Jazz Ensemble
Held on July 4
Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC.
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.
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.
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.
|
|
