Washington D.C. Special Events

     In addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your visit. The nation's capital has almost as many festivals, celebrations and commemorations as it does politicians. Hardly a week goes by without some sort of event appearing on the agenda; here are the high points.

Black History Month Celebrations
Pennsylvania Ave. & 12th St.
Washington DC 20003 Phone: (202) 357-2700
Various Smithsonian museum exhibits and cultural programs celebrate African-American contributions to the quality of American life.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W St. S.E.
Washington DC 20020 USA Phone: (202) 426-5961
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Cedar Hill), 1411 W St. S.E., was the last home of the one-time slave, statesman and human rights activist, who died in 1895. Many of the house's 19th-century Victorian furnishings are original. The visitor center's interpretive exhibits and 17-minute film document Douglass' life.

The Nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Constitution Ave. & 7th St.
Washington DC 20001 Phone: (301) 498-9793

Smithsonian Kite Festival
Constitution Ave. & 7th St.
Washington DC 20001 Phone: (202) 357-3030
Kite-flying and kite-making demonstrations are the focus of this annual competition.

National Mall
The National Mall extends from the Capitol grounds to the Lincoln Memorial (M: Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Archives-Navy Memorial, Federal Center SW and Capitol South). Envisioned as a formal park in the L'Enfant Plan for the city of Washington, this is one of the nation's oldest federal parks. The rectangular area between the Capitol and the Washington Monument is a popular spot for strolling, picnicking or just relaxing on one of the many benches. This section is lined on both sides by stately American elm trees and 10 Smithsonian Institution museums. On the east side of the Capitol Reflecting Pool, at the foot of the Capitol grounds, is the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, a powerful sculptural group depicting the general on horseback, flanked by Union cavalry and artillery soldiers.

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Constitution Ave. & 7th St.
Washington DC 20001 Phone: (703) 522-0703
One of Washington's most colorful springtime moments is when more than 6,000 Japanese cherry trees bloom. A ball, a marathon, fireworks, and arts and crafts are featured along with a parade down Constitution Avenue.

White House Easter Egg Roll
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington DC 20502 Phone: (202) 456-7041
Children ages 8 and younger are invited onto the White House lawn the Monday following Easter Sunday for the Easter Egg Roll.

Georgetown House Tour
3240 O St NW
Washington DC 20007 Phone: (202) 338-2287
Visitors are invited to tour private homes and gardens in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods.

Memorial Day Ceremonies
21st St & Constitution Ave NW
Washington DC 20024 Phone: (202) 619-7222
Ceremonies are held at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the U.S. Navy Memorial.

Arlington National Cemetery
Directly across the Potomac River west of Washington (M: Arlington National Cemetery), Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864 on the confiscated estate of Robert E. Lee. It is an impressive sight, with seemingly endless rows of simple white headstones. Imposing stones and monuments mark the graves of many individuals and groups. Among those buried are the original owners of the estate, George Washington Parke Custis and his wife Mary Lee Fitzhugh Custis, in addition to Pierre-Charles L'Enfant, President William Howard Taft, Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Gen. John J. Pershing, Rear Adm. Robert E. Peary, three-time presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan, Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd, Lt. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief Justice Earl Warren, President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Gen. Omar Bradley, Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy and heavyweight champion boxer Joe Louis. Phone (703) 607-8000 for visitor information or (202) 554-5100 for Tourmobile information.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Constitution Ave. & Henry Bacon Dr. N.W.
Washington DC 20024 USA Phone: (202) 426-6841
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, near the Lincoln Memorial between the Reflecting Pool and Constitution Ave. (M: Smithsonian), honors the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam. Its polished black granite walls are inscribed with the names of the dead listed chronologically by date of casualty; the names of the missing also are listed. A life-size statue of three servicemen stands near the V-shaped walls; each one carries a dog tag in a different place. Wreath ceremonies take place on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The Memorial to Honor Women Who Served in Vietnam honors the more than 265,000 women who served during the Vietnam War with a statue depicting three servicewomen coming to the aid of a wounded soldier.

United States Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington DC 20004 USA Phone: (202) 737-2300
United States Navy Memorial is on Pennsylvania Ave. between 7th and 9th sts. N.W. (M: Archives-Navy Memorial). The base is a ground-level granite map of the world 100 feet in diameter, illustrating the enormity of Earth's ocean surface compared to land areas. Surrounded by fountains, pools, flag masts and 26 bronze relief sculptures depicting naval history, the map serves as an amphitheater for free outdoor summer concerts as well as traditional Navy ceremonies. The statue of "The Lone Sailor" is emblematic of the classic U.S. Navy bluejacket.

Independence Day Celebration
Constitution Ave. & 17th St.
Washington DC 20002 Phone: (202) 501-5000
Featured is a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence and a concert at Union Station. The National Independence Day Parade passes down Constitution Avenue at noon, and an evening concert of patriotic music is offered.

Washington Monument
15th St. & Constitution Ave. N.W.
Washington DC 20004 USA Phone: (202) 426-6841
Washington Monument stands near the center of the National Mall; the grounds extend from 14th to 17th sts. and from Constitution to Independence aves. N.W. (M: Smithsonian). The cornerstone for a monument to honor the first president was laid July 4, 1848, but was not completed until 1884, when a 3,300-pound marble capstone, topped with a 9-inch pyramid of cast aluminum, was set in place. The marble obelisk rises just over 555 feet from a knoll in the center of the grounds, surrounded by 50 American flags. An elevator runs to the observation room at the 500-foot level.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Independence Ave. & 12th St.
Washington DC 20504 Phone: (202) 275-1150
America's diverse folk heritage is celebrated on the National Mall with concerts, workshops, panel discussions, demonstrations and exhibits. Artisans, cooks, storytellers, musicians and workers in many occupations share their skills.

Adams Morgan Festival
18th St. NW & Belmont Rd. NW
Washington DC 20009 Phone: (202) 232-1978
This festival features food, crafts and music from Africa, Europe and Central America.

Washington International Horse Show
601 F St. NW
Washington DC 20004 Phone: (301) 987-9400

Marine Corps Marathon
Constitution & 17th St.
Washington DC 20002 Phone: (703) 784-2225
This marathon, nicknamed the Marathon of the Monuments, is an annual 26.2-mile run through Arlington, Georgetown and Washington, D.C.

Marine Corps War Memorial
N. Meade St. & 14th St. N.
Arlington, VA 22211 USA Phone: (703) 289-2500
Marine Corps War Memorial stands on a promontory at the n. end of the cemetery. The memorial is a 78-foot, 100-ton portrayal of Joseph Rosenthal's photograph of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. The figures were cast in bronze from a model created by Felix de Weldon. The Sunset Parade, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial Parade, is a color ceremony featuring the Marine Silent Drill Team, Color Guard and Drum and Bugle Corps.

National Christmas Tree Lighting/Pageant of Peace
15th St & Constitution
Washington DC 20030 Phone: (202) 208-1631
Enjoy a special holiday celebration with music, caroling and the lighting of the national Christmas tree by the president of the United States.