Community Events

Celebrate Mount Pleasant Festival

3100-3200 blocks of Mt. Pleasant Street NW (between Irving Street and Park Road)
Washington, D.C., 20010
202-588-5272

An annual celebration of city living and urban diversity. Local craft artists, music, artistic performances, food, children's activities and amusements. Neighborhood tours. Family friendly, alcohol-free, and free addission. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The mailing address for the event is Box 43018, Washington, D.C. 20010-9018.

Adams Morgan Day
Sept. 11, 2005

18th Street between Columbia Road and Florida Avenue; also Unity Park, Euclid Street and Columbia Ro
Washington, D.C.,
202-232-1978 Fax: 202-232-1978

Entertainers, food vendors, artisans and others join the Adams Morgan neighborhood for a festival with three stages and children's activities. Hours: Noon-6 p.m. The mailing address for this event is PO Box 21564, Washington 20009.

Arts on Foot
September 17, 2005

F Street NW between 7th and 9th streets, and 8th Street NW just south of F Street.
Washington, D.C.,
202-482-7271

Arts on Foot is a free arts festival of art, music, theater, dance. Area restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums,and a host of visual artists participate in this annual celebration of the arts in Penn Quarter’s growing Seventh Street arts district and the surrounding downtown area.

Chevy Chase D.C. Day
Sept. 10, 2005

Connecticut Avenue between Livingston Street and Chevy Chase Circle NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-686-1089

Sponsored by the Chevy Chase Citizens Association, the event includes sidewalk sales, food and entertainment.

Historic Anacostia Walking Tours
June through October 2005

Frederick Douglass Home
1411 W St. SE
Washington, D.C.,
202-889-5090, Ext. 17 Fax: 202-889-5089

A monthly walking tour highlights historical sites in Anacostia. The mailing address for this event is 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020.

Brookland Day
September 2005

12th Street between Monroe and Otis streets NE
Washington, DC,
202-529-7953 Fax: 202-529-0084

Learn about Brookland's history through displays and workshops. Live bands, booths by local merchants. Mailing address for this event is PO Box 4475, Old Brookland Station, Washington, DC 20017

April

African American Family Celebration
April 17, 2006

National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20008
202-673-4821

The annual Easter Monday jubilee, with an Easter egg hunt, gospel music, storytellers and food vendors. Free.

Anacostia Cherry Blossom Festival
April 2006

1200 block of Good Hope Road SE
Washington, D.C.,
202-889-5090, Ext. 17 Fax: 202-889-5089

A day of festivities in association with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Activities include a rowing race, food and craft vendors, music and children's activities. The mailing address for this event is 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020.

Bird Fest 2005
April 30-May 1, 2005

National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20008
202-673-4821

This festival marks the annual International Migratory Bird Day with interactive exhibits, family activities and live bird presentations.

Cherry Blossom Parade
April 8, 2006

Constitution Avenue NW, from Seventh Street to 17th Street
Washington, D.C., 20005
202-547-1500 202-661-7584

Floats, balloons, marching bands and other entertainers are all part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

Jam on U - Jazz Appreciation Month
April 2006

14th and U streets NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-550-0769 Fax: 202-667-0124

Hundreds of performances are given at 15-20 venues in the commercial district of 14th and U streets NW. The mailing address for this event is 1816 12th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.

Shakespeare's Birthday
April 24, 2005

Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol St. SE
Washington, D.C., 20003
202-544-7077

The Folger Shakespeare Library celebrates Shakespeare's birthday with an open house featuring music, theater tours, children's activities, staged readings and food vendors. Free and open to the public.

White House Easter Egg Roll
April 17, 2006

South Lawn of the White House and the Ellipse
Washington, D.C., 20004
202-208-1631 202-456-7041

This annual spring event, started in 1878, requires tickets, which are free and distributed to the public about two days before the event. Tickets are timed for entry and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than five tickets will be issued per person.

August

Capitol Hill Community Festival
August 2005

15th Street NE, from North Capitol Street to North Carolina Avenue
Washington, D.C.,
202-543-4216

This outdoor street festival features pony rides, a moon bounce, live music, costumed entertainers and food vendors. The mailing address for this event is 123 15th St. NE, Washington 20002.

Dog Days of August
Aug. 6 and 7, 2005

14th and U streets NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-550-0769 Fax: 202-667-0124

About 100 businesses in the 14th and U commercial district participate in sidewalk sales, a dog show and other special events. The mailing address for this event is 1816 12th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.

December

Anacostia Holiday Tour of Historic Homes
Dec. 18, 2005

Saint Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2001 14th St. SE
Washington, D.C.,
202-889-5090, Ext. 17 Fax: 202-889-5089

Tour historic homes in Anacostia, starting at St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church, with members of Main Street Anacostia Inc. Hours: 1-5 p.m. Admission: $15. The mailing address for this event is 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020.

Kennedy Center Holiday Festival
Dec. 1-31, 2005

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20566
202-467-4600 TDD: 202-416-8524

The Kennedy Center celebrates the holidays with free performances and ticketed concerts throughout December.

Winter Wanderland
14th and U streets NW
December 2005

14th and U streets NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-550-0769 Fax: 202-667-0124

A tree-lighting ceremony at the Reeves Municipal Center is a highlight of a month of special events and sales by local merchants organized by the 14th and U Main Street Initiative. The mailing address for this event is 1816 12th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.

July

A Capitol Fourth
July 4, 2005

West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.,
202-619-7222

Independence Day is commemorated with an evening concert at the U.S. Capitol featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and other entertainment, followed by fireworks over the Washington Monument grounds.

Palisades Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2005

Palisades Recreation Center
5200 Sherier Pl. NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-363-7441 Fax: 202-363-7441

Community parade features children riding decorated bicycles. The mailing address for this event is PO Box 40603, Washington, D.C. 20016.

Shepherd Park Citizens Association Annual Picnic
July 10, 2005

Lowell Elementary School
1640 Kalmia Rd. NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-585-8852

This community picnic features food vendors, face painting, music and clowns. The mailing address for this event is 7600 Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 404, Washington, D.C. 20012.

June

Capital Pride Parade/Festival
June 11-12, 2005

Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between Third and Seventh streets
Washington, D.C.,
202-797-3510

A parade June 11 in the Dupont Circle area and a street festival June 12 along Pennsylvania Avenue NW highlight the week-long Capital Pride Festival, a celebration of the area's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents.

Casa del Pueblo Street Festival
June 21-25, 2005

14th Street and Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC, 20009
202-332-3422 Fax: 202-667-7783

Streets are blocked to traffic for the annual festival. The mailing address for the event is 1459 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Glover Park Day
June 4, 2005

Guy Mason Recreation Center
3600 Calvert St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20007
202-338-7608

The Glover Park Citizens Association organizes an annual festival with live music, crafts, face painting, raffles, a moon bounce and food from local restaurants. The mailing address for this event is PO Box 32268, Washington, D.C. 20007.

National Capital Barbecue Battle
June 25-26, 2005

Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Between Ninth and 14th streets
Washington, D.C.,
301-860-0630

Teams from across the country compete to represent the United States in the World Barbecue Championship. The event includes entertainment on multiple stages, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, children's activities and food vendors. Tickets: $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12, children 5 and under are free. Tickets are available at the gates.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 23-27 and June 30-July 4, 2005

National Mall
Washington, D.C.,
202-633-1000 TDD: 202-357-1729

"Oman: Desert, Oases and Sea," "Forest Service, Culture and Community," "Nuestra Musica: Music in Latino Culture" and "Food Culture USA" are the themes of the Smithsonian Institution's 39th annual celebration of folk culture with exhibits, daytime and evening concerts, crafts demonstrations, talks and food vendors. Free. Hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily.

March

National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 25-April 10, 2006

Washington, D.C., 20005
202-661-7584 Fax: 202-661-7599

The blooming cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin are the centerpiece of this annual festival of music, sports events and other activities. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is along Constitution Avenue NW between Seventh and 17th streets NW, and the related Sakura Matsui Street Festival is held on Pennsylvania Avenue at 12th Street NW.

Smithsonian Kite Festival
(usually coincides with the opening of the national Cherry Blossom Festiv

The National Mall between Fourth and Seventh streets NW
Washington, D.C., 20013
202-633-1000 202-357-3030

The Smithsonian Institution sponsors this annual festival, which has competitions in design, performance and other categories.

May

Capitol Hill Restoration Society House Tour
May 7-8, 2005

Capitol Hill neighborhood
Washington, D.C.,
202-543-0425

A self-guided tour of several homes within the Capitol Hill Historic District. A shuttle bus will run in a loop, stopping at each house. The mailing address for the tour is PO Box 15264, Washington, D.C. 20003. Admission is $25.

Cathedral Flower Mart
May 6-7, 2005

Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW
Washington, D.C., 20016
202-537-3185

The All Hallows Guild sponsors this free annual event featuring tours, crafts, vendors, entertainment, horticulture and landscaping exhibits.

D.C. Chili Championship
May 14, 2005

Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW
Washington, D.C.,
202-244-7900

The area's leading chili chefs compete for a place in the International Chili Society's world championship, with music on multiple stages and other foods and refreshments, in this annual benefit for the National Kidney Foundation.

Lafayette Fair
May 14, 2005

Lafayette Elementary School
5701 Broad Branch Rd. NW
Washington, D.C., 20015
202-249-8031

The community fair offers rides, carnival games, an international food fair, a bake sale, a DJ, a raffle and a sale of gently used books, CDs and DVDs. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The mailing address for this event is the school's address.

National Symphony Orchestra
National Memorial Day Concert
May 29, 2005

West Lawn of U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.,
202-619-7222

The National Symphony Orchestra and guest performers celebrate Memorial Day with a free concert at 8 p.m. Public dress rehearsal is May 28.

Navy Band Memorial Day Concert
May 30, 2005

U.S. Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-433-2525

The U.S. Navy Band celebrates Memorial Day with a free concert.

Shakespeare Theatre "Free for All"
May 26-June 5, 2005

Carter Barron Amphitheatre
16th and Kennedy streets NW
Washington, D.C., 20011
202-547-1122

The Shakespeare Theatre revives its 2003 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at this 16th annual outdoor theater festival. Free tickets are distributed each day for that evening's performance.

Taste of D.C.
May 28-30, 2005

Pennsylvania Avenue between Seventh and 14th streets NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-789-7002

Dozens of area restaurants serve their specialties, and national and regional stars entertain on multiple stages at this annual Memorial Day weekend outdoor festival. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Free admission. Food and drink tickets may be purchased at any of seven food and drink trailers at the festival.

November

Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 11, 2005

The Mall
Washington, D.C.,
202-393-0090

An annual Veterans Day observance is held at 1 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Veterans Day Wreath Laying
Nov. 11, 2005

U.S. Navy Memorial
Seventh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-619-7222 Events hotline: 202-737-2300, Ext. 768

The annual ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Veterans Day Annual Event
November 11

Vietnam Women's Memorial
Potomac Park
Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive NW
Washington, D.C.,
866-822-8963

Annual events are held Veterans Day at the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

October

Deanwood Parade
Oct. 1, 2005

Ronald H. Brown Middle School,
49th and Meade streets NE
Washington, D.C., 20019
202-635-3541

Sons and Daughters of Deanwood and the Deanwood Citizens Association organize this annual neighborhood parade on the first Saturday in October. The parade ends with a picnic and fair. Contact Sons and Daughters of Deanwood for more information, including location.

LeDroit Park Community Day
Oct. 8, 2005

Anna J. Cooper Circle NW
Third and T streets
Washington, D.C.,

The history of the neighborhood is illustrated with historical displays, jazz performances, street vendors and free food. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The mailing address for this event is PO Box 135, Washington, D.C. 20044.

Marine Corps Marathon
Oct. 30, 2005

Assembles at Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington
Washington, D.C.,
800-786-8762

Thousands of runners will join the marathon, starting at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington around 8:30 a.m. and following a course into the District, along the Mall and back to the starting point. Race participation is limited to 30,000.

Sons and Daughters of Deanwood Homecoming Picnic and Parade
Oct. 1, 2005

Ronald H. Brown Middle School
4800 Meade St. NE
Washington, D.C., 20019
202-635-3541

A parade through Deanwood starts this annual event, culminating in a picnic. The mailing address is 3001 Bladensburg Rd. NE, Apt. 702, Washington, D.C. 20018.

September

Barracks Row Fest
Sept. 24, 2005

500-700 blocks of Eighth Street SE
Washington, D.C.,
202-544-3188 Fax: 202-544-3131

Three blocks of Eighth Street SE are closed to traffic for a street festival featuring art sales, children's activities, a pet show, a bicycle demonstration and military, country and hip-hop bands on a music stage. The mailing address for this event is 733 1/2 Eighth St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003.

Black Family Reunion
Sept. 10-11, 2005

National Mall
Washington, D.C.,
202-737-0120

This annual cultural celebration of the black family, with live entertainment, exhibitions, an arts and crafts marketplace and food vendors, is sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women.

Kennedy Center Open House
Sept. 10, 2005

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20566
202-467-4600 TDD: 202-416-8524

This annual event celebrates the arts with free concerts and other performances on multiple indoor and outdoor stages. Hours: noon-6 p.m.

Manor Park Street Festival
September 2005

200 block of Peabody Street NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-723-6063

The Manor Park Citizens Association hosts an annual outdoor community picnic with food and children's games.

National Symphony Orchestra
Labor Day Concert
Sept. 4, 2005

West Lawn of U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.,
202-619-7222

The National Symphony Orchestra marks the end of summer with a free concert.

Rock Creek Park Day
Sept. 24, 2005

Rock Creek Park Nature Center
Glover and Military roads NW
Washington, D.C.,
202-895-6070 202-619-7222

Entertainment, ranger-guided walks and other activities mark Rock Creek Park's 113th birthday.

National Cathedral Open House
Sept. 24, 2005

Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues NW
Washington, D.C., 20016
202-537-3129

Guided tours, tower climbs and entertainment are part of this annual event.

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