Washington, D.C. Events
Events in the Washington, D.C. area generally focus on people, dates and places in American history, the wine,
cuisine and cultural traditions of the Appalachian Mountain and Shenandoah Valley regions, and topics
relating to the country’s role as capital of the free world. In addition, Washington, D.C.’s many distinct
neighborhoods, each with its own local history and ethnic mix, hosts a number of additional special festivals
and exhibitions throughout the year. Our calendar of events is by no means an exhaustive list of all that is
going on in the greater Washington, D.C. area. In addition to the annual events of significant interest
listed below, there are many one-time events happening all of the time too numerous to attempt listing. We
have not included a lot of specific time and date information, as these details are subject to change. We
hope that our descriptions provide enough information for your concierge to recognize the event and provide
you with precise times and directions.
Always call the phone numbers provided, as
special circumstances may affect schedules, for the most up to date information.
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JAN | FEB | MAR | APR
| MAY | JUN | | JUL
| AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV
| DEC |
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January
Holidays at Mount Vernon
During the Christmas holidays and through the first week in January, you can enjoy homemade cider by the fireplace, have some of Martha Washington’s cake recipe and take a tour of George Washington’s home.
Call (703) 780-2000 for more information.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
On the first Monday after January 15 (Dr. King’s birthday), exhibitions, public readings and musical performances are presented at a variety of venues throughout the city.
Call (202) 727-1111 for more information.
Chinese New Year
The best time to visit Chinatown is in mid-January, when the new year is celebrated with food, exotic dancers and fireworks, around the neighborhood near the corner of 6th and H Streets.
Call (202) 638-1041 for more information.
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February
Boat Show
The Washington Convention Center hosts the area’s annual exposition of boats, yachts and accessories, in mid-February.
Call (703) 823-7960 for more information.
Home Show
Interior designers, architects and vendors for everything relating to the home have their annual exposition at the Washington Convention Center in mid-February.
Call (301) 261-2180 for more information.
George Washington’s Birthday
In mid-February, Mount Vernon hosts the Army Fife & Drum Corps, during the week before Washington’s birthday. On Washington’s birthday, admission to Mount Vernon is free.
Call (703) 780-2000 for more information.
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March
Home and Garden Show
In mid-March, both floors of the Washington Convention Center are dedicated to this annual exposition of interior and exterior design vendors and professionals.
Call (703) 823-7960 for more information.
RoseBall
The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts a black-tie event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, with live entertainment and catered by the best chefs in Washington, to benefit research in cystic fibrosis.
Call (301) 657-8444 for more information.
Valley Art Guild Display
Local artists display and sell some of their oils, watercolors and drawings, in the dining room of the Skyland Resort at the Shenandoah National Park, towards the end of March.
Call (800) 778-2851 for more information.
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April
Cherry Blossom Festival
The three thousand cherry trees throughout Washington were a gift from Tokyo, and a variety of festivities are held in different venues during the first week of April.
Call (301) 990-0270 for more information.
Potomac River Cruise
Beginning April 1, cruises on the Potomac are offered where you can learn about the river’s history and see Mount Vernon from the water.
Call (800) 429-1520 for more information.
Wines of Virginia
The Skyland Resort at the Shenandoah National Park hosts a tasting catered by Virginia wineries, which includes an assortment of cheeses, with a free hand-made wine glass included in the price of admission.
Call (800) 999-4714 for more information.
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May
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
In mid-May, the Reston Town Center hosts an outdoor exhibition of paintings, sculpture, drawings and jewelry by local artists.
Call (703) 471-9242 for more information.
Night Skies
Telescopes will be provided in this program led by astronomers, where you can view the night sky without interference from city lights, in the Big Meadows area in mid-May.
Call (800) 999-4714 for more information.
Wine Festival
Mount Vernon offers tours of George Washington’s wine cellar, and hosts a tasting of Virginia’s best wines, accompanied by live jazz, in mid-May.
Call (202) 432-SEAT for more information.
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June
Quilting Display and Demonstrations
In mid-June, the Skyland Resort at the Shenandoah Valley National Park hosts local quilting groups who exhibit finished quilts for sale, and demonstrate how quilts are made.
Call (800) 778-2851 for more information.
Celtic Festival
The Morven Park International Equestrian Center hosts a celebration of British culture in mid-June, with historic reenactments, Scottish games, live music, dancing and a pub tent.
Call (703) 330-3173 for more information.
Martha Washington’s Birthday
Mount Vernon offers free admission to anyone born on June 13, or named Martha, and offers program on the history of her era.
Call (703) 780-2000 for more information.
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July
Fourth of July National Celebration
Whether cruising on the Potomac, or on the grounds around the Washington Monument, you can see the best fireworks display in the country, beginning at 9 PM.
Call (202) 619-7222 for more information.
Appalachian Folk Dancing and Clogging
The Skyland Resort at the Shenandoah Valley National Park hosts local experts who demonstrate the traditional dancing of the region, every Tuesday at 7:30 PM, during the month of July.
Call (800) 778-2851 for more information.
Antique Celebration
The Skyland Resort at the Shenandoah Valley National Park hosts live music, expert dancers of the Charleston and a barbershop quarter to accompany this regional antique show and tribute to the 1920s and 1930s, in mid-July.
Call (800) 778-2851 for more information.
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August
Montgomery County Fair
Local livestock and farm produce are exhibited at the Gaithersburg, MD fairgounds, in mid-August.
Call (301) 926-3100 for more information.
Georgia Avenue Day
African and Caribbean culture is celebrated with food and live music, amusements and a parade, in the neighborhood around Georgia and Eastern Avenues NW, in mid-August.
Call (202) 723-5166 for more information.
Volksmarch
The full 500 acres of forested trails around Mount Vernon are opened to the public for hiking, during the month of August.
Call (703) 780-2000 for more information.
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September
Apple Butter Festival
Learn how apples are processed for a variety of different products, and pick up locally produced items at the country store, during the month of September in Shenandoah National Park.
Call (800) 778-2851 for more information.
18th Century Fair
Local artists and craftsmen wearing period dress display and sell their wares at this Colonial village created at Mount Vernon, along with magicians, fire-eaters, live music of the period and cruises on the Potomac, in mid-September.
Call (202) 432-SEAT for more information.
Wreath Making Workshop
The Shenandoah National Park sponsors workshops in how to make the region’s traditional holiday wreaths, using the beautiful Autumn leaves of the season, in mid-September.
Call (800) 999-4714 for more information.
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October
Mount Vernon Slave Life Tour
George Washington’s slave quarters are featured on this walking tour which teaches a lot about the history of Colonial life, during the month of October.
Call (800) 429-1520 for more information.
Washington’s Gristmill
The original distillery at Mount Vernon is featured on this informative tour where you can sample authentic Colonial cooking, real cider and cookies made from the original recipes, during the second week of October.
Call (703) 799-8604 for more information.
Family Day at Mount Vernon
The fall harvest is celebrated on the estate’s Pioneer Farmer Site in mid-October, where you can enjoy a harvest bake sale and demonstration of the horse-driven wheat processor invented by George Washington, while the kids pick up a free pumpkin and walk through a maze of straw bales.
Call (202) 432-SEAT for more information.
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November
Sugarloaf’s Autumn Crafts Festival
In mid-November, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, MD hosts an annual competition of local craftsmen, along with an exhibition and sale.
Call (301) 990-1400 for more information.
Costume Ball
Early in November, the Skyland Resort at Shenandoah National Park hosts a Prohibition-era themed dinner party, where beaded flapper dresses and other period costumes are encouraged, and where you can learn how to dance the Charleston, accompanied by authentic live music of the 20s and 30s.
Call (800) 999-4714 for more information.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
During the last week of November, tour guides in period costumes serve hot cider and cookies made from Colonial recipes, and open the seldom available third floor of the mansion.
Call (202) 432-SEAT for more information.
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December
Baroque Festival
During the week before Christmas, Handel’s Messiah is traditionally performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall by the Cathedral Choral Society.
Call (202) 467-4600 for more information.
Annual Panda Gala
The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel hosts a Black & White Gala sponsored by the National Zoo, during the first week in December, to raise money for the Giant Panda Project, panda research, maintenance of the panda exhibit and other Zoo programs.
Call (202) 673-4682 for more information.
Breakfast with Santa
As an annual fundraiser, the National Aquarium in Baltimore hosts a morning meeting with Santa, who will hear your wishes after everyone has enjoyed breakfast.
Call (410) 727-FISH for more information.
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