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Festivals in Washington, DC
Ethnic Festival
May 2–30 ... more Culture lovers explore a wide range of Asian sights, sounds, and flavors at the annual Fiesta Asia. Held throughout the month of May, the 2013 Fiesta Asia takes place at a wide range
Throughout the city
May 1–31 ... more Throughout the month of May, people from all over the DC area travel the world without every leaving the city at the annual PassportDC. Held through May, the 2013 PassportDC takes
Throughout the city
May 23–26 Baltimore Soundstage (Baltimore, MD) ... more Metalheads gear up for a packed lineup of headbangers and death metal gods at the annual Maryland Deathfest. Held at Sonar and the Baltimore Soundstage in Baltimore, Maryland, the
124 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Fair / Carnival
May 25–27 ... more The ViVa! Vienna! Festival is a family-friendly event located in the heart of historic Vienna, VA, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Celebrating the unity and strength of the Vienna
Throughout the cityParade / Festival
May 27 City Hall (Falls Church, VA) ... more Memorial Day unofficially marks the start of the summer season in America. Furthermore, it recognizes and celebrates the contributions of countless men and women who have selflessly
300 Park Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
Holiday Event / Parade
May 27 ... more Come Memorial Day, there’s no better place to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday than America’s capital. Every year in Washington, D.C., nearly 250,000 people
Throughout the city
May 27 Waterfront Park (Alexandria, VA) ... more In America, Memorial Day is a day when citizens remember brave Americans who have fought for their nation, fallen in battle, or passed away as an honorable veteran. Every May in
1 Prince StreetAlexandria, VA 22314
Street Fair / Fair / Carnival
May 30–Jun 2 Downtown Herndon (Herndon, VA) ... more Once a year, hordes of people in the Washington, D.C., area head to The Town of Herndon for the exciting Herndon Festival. The Herndon Festival traditionally takes place for four
Arts Festival / Wine Festival
Jun 2 Federal Hill (Baltimore, MD) Live music on two stages all day, arts & crafts, food & drink, Boordy Wine Garden, Artist Alley, and expanded Kids' Kross Street!
42 E. Cross StreetBaltimore, MD 21230
Jun 5–16 ... more America’s capital is home to some of the most beautiful patriotic monuments in the entire country. Come June, Washington, D.C., also houses some of the most melodic music in
Throughout the city
Jun 7–9 Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia, MD) ... more The Capital Jazz Fest has grown exponentially since its initial opening in 1993. This annual weekend-long event typically takes place in June at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
Jun 8–9 Sun Park (Baltimore, MD) ... more In America, there are few better EDM celebrations than the two-day Moonrise Festival held in Baltimore every June. Moonrise Festival 2013 is jam-packed with thousands of enthusiastic
Baltimore, MD 21230Annual Festivals in DC
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WMZQ Fest
Concert / Music Festival
Every year in May/June
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Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival
Music Festival
Every year in May | Next: May 27, 2013 1:00 pmAdd to Calendar
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Maryland Deathfest
Music Festival
Every year in May | Next: May 23–26, 2013Add to Calendar
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Taste of Arlington
Food & Drink Event
Every year in May
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Naptown BarBAYq
Music Festival
Every year in May
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DC Dragon Boat Festival
Sports / Festival / Rowing
Every year in May
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Fiesta Asia
Ethnic Festival
Every year in May | Next: May 2–30, 2013Add to Calendar
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Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival
Movies / Film Festival
Every summer | Next: May 17–Aug 30, 2013Add to Calendar
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DC101's Chili Cook-Off
Music Festival
Every year in May
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Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Arts Festival
Every year in May
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FORWARD
Arts Festival
Every year in April/May
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Sweetlife Food and Music Festival
Music Festival
Every year in April or May
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Maryland Film Festival
Film Festival / Screening
Every year in May
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ViVa! Vienna! Festival
Fair / Carnival
Every Memorial Day weekend | Next: May 25–27, 2013Add to Calendar
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Transmodern Festival
Arts Festival
Every year in May
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Maryland Craft Beer Festival
Beer Festival
Every year in May
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Main Street Festival
Festival / Parade
Every year in May
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M3 Rock Festival
Music Festival
Every Year in May
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DC Queer Theatre Festival
Movies / Screening
Every year in May | Next: May 30–Jun 1, 2013Add to Calendar
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Loudoun Bluegrass Festival
Music Festival
Every year in May
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National Cinco de Mayo Festival
Festival / Special Event
Every year in May
DC Festivals Overview
The District is best known as the heart of politics in this country, but its residents will be quick to point out that there are a ton of (mostly) non-political Washington, DC festivals.
2012 marked the 100th Anniversary of DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival, and every year in March the city celebrates the arrival of spring by heralding the roughly 3,000 cherry trees that Tokyo gave the nation’s capital, with city-wide events featuring hundreds of cultural performances, music, and food fairs.
Adams Morgan Day in September celebrates the Adams Morgan neighborhood with several bands, international cuisine, and lots of drinking and dancing, while the H Street Festival (also in September) highlights the ongoing development of this burgeoning part of town with more music, crafts, food, and great specials at the new bars that keep popping up along the H Street Corridor.
It goes without saying that Washington, DC is the place to be on July 4th, when thousands upon thousands gather along the National Mall to celebrate the country’s independence with a massive parade and then proceed to celebrate further long into the night. The National Mall is also a great place to be for music festivals and film festivals that come to DC every year, though music lovers would be wise to check out the DC Jazz Festival in June, which features more than 100 jazz performances at concert venues and clubs throughout the city.
No matter what you’re into – or where your politics lie – festivals in DC offer enough variety and fun to satisfy the donkeys, the elephants, and everyone in-between.
Videos of Washington, DC Festivals
Popular Washington, DC Neighborhoods
Recent Articles
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Red, White, and Brewski: Best American Spring and Summer Beer Fests
Perfecting the art of drinking responsibly is a noble goal. After all, the older you get, the less socially acceptable it is to play 10 games of beer pong after a record-breaking keg stand. While ... read full article
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Rock Out Under the Stars
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America’s Best Memorial Day Bashes
Upcoming concerts in Washington, DC
May 21 Ludovico Einaudi
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May21Ludovico Einaudi
@Warner Theatre
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May22Toots and the Maytals
@The Hamilton
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May23Maryland Deathfest 2013
@Baltimore Soundstage (Baltimore, MD)
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May24Mega Glow Featuring Knife Party
@Echostage
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May25Kenny Chesney: No Shoes Nation Tour
@FedEx Field (Landover, MD)