National Geographic Traveller (UK)
A guide to the city’s best events
There’s never a bad time to explore the US capital, but ensure your visit coincides with one of these eclectic events to get a true taste of DC. Words: Connor McGovern
Home to the corridors of power and a pantheon of white-marble monuments, the US capital packs some serious cultural punch, but that’s only half of the story. Take a closer look and one of the country’s most diverse cities reveals cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, which are home to vibrant arts, food and music scenes.
Just as eclectic is the city’s calendar of events. Washington, DC is a destination for all seasons, but a visit during one of its lively celebrations is a brilliant way to discover its personality. Whether it’s to learn more about Indigenous American heritage, get a flavour of local jazz or experience the beauty of cherry blossom season, there’s a reason to visit all year long. Here are five unmissable dates for your diary this year.
1 NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL 20 MARCH TO 14 APRIL
The most-anticipated annual event in the city’s calendar, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the donation of 3,000 cherry trees from the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912. Strolling along blossom-strewn avenues is an experience in itself, but there’s a raft of events to enjoy, too. Ornate, Edo-style Japanese kites are just one of the displays of the Blossom Kite Festival (30 March), while Petalpalooza (6 April) is a day of familyfriendly entertainment by the Anacostia River, finishing with a fireworks display. The Sakura Matsuri Street Festival (13-14 April), meanwhile, is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the US, with everything from martial arts to taiko drumming.
2 PASSPORT DC 1 TO 31 MAY
Embassies throw open their doors for the Around the World Embassy Tour (6 May), where visitors can be hands-on with a variety of international cultures — from meeting alpacas at the Peruvian Embassy to karate lessons with the Japan Information and Culture Center. There’s also EU Open House (11 May), a day full of tastings and live demonstrations celebrating European cultures.
Also not to be missed is Fiesta Asia! (20 May), where over a thousand exhibitors and performers representing 20 cultures gather for one of the country’s biggest Asian heritage festivals. Running between 3rd and 6th Streets, the block will be abuzz with music, martial arts, a shopping bazaar, craft stalls and vendors serving Pan-Asian fare.
3 CAPITAL PRIDE 31 MAY TO 9 JUNE
More than half a million members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community will fill the streets this summer when Capital Pride returns to DC. Among the highlights are the Pride Block Party (8 June), during which 17th Street will be transformed by a raft of food trucks and vendors, and the Pride Parade, which will set off from 3pm on the same day in a colourful celebration of love, diversity and inclusion.
The free Pride Festival, meanwhile, will close this year’s Pride on 9 June with a party on Pennsylvania Avenue. The full programme is still under wraps, but expect a whole day of advocacy, live music and entertainment across three stages, with plenty of food and drink to keep the party going. All eyes will be on DC in 2025, too, when the city will have the honour of hosting World Pride (23 May to 8 June).
4 DC JAZZFEST 1 AUGUST TO 31 SEPTEMBER
DC JazzFest sees venues across the city come alive with foot-tapping rhythms and blues tunes. As well as promoting plenty of homegrown talent, the festival draws big names from the jazz world, too — Grammy Award winners Gregory Porter and Kenny Garrett topped the bill in 2023, while this year’s artists-in-residence include legendary bassist Ron Carter.
A programme of concerts, interviews and events will offer an eclectic taste of the genre, while the festival’s headline event — the two-day JazzFest at The Wharf — kicks off on Labor Day weekend (31 August to 1 September). With its boutique shops and restaurants, this lively stretch along the Potomac River is a great spot for live music with the DC skyline as a backdrop.
5 RESTAURANT WEEK SUMMER & WINTER
As well as serving up some local classics — don’t leave without trying a chilli half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl, a DC institution since 1958 — Washington’s food scene is just as cosmopolitan as its people. Highlights include spicy Ethiopian chicken doro and pupusa, a dish that originated in El Salvador featuring flatbread stuffed with cheese and refried beans.
Held twice a year in summer and winter, Restaurant Week is the best time to tuck in: over 150 restaurants across the metropolitan area participate in the seven-day event, offering discounts for diners. Keep an eye out for restaurants offering wine and cocktail pairings, or splash out in one of 24 Michelin-starred restaurants to experience special menus.