Washington DC is one of the most exciting cities in the country. There’s always something to do, something to see, and something to eat. Every day there are tours and attractions that are worth the visit. But every once in a while, there is something bigger than the everyday activity that everyone should see. These 10 unique festivals in Washington DC are something everyone should experience once.
- Passport DC
Flickr/Ted Eytan Passport DC is a month-long festival that features DC’s international diplomatic community. Embassies open their doors to visitors and host different cultural events throughout the year.
- H Street Festival
Facebook/H Street Festival DC’s biggest neighborhood festival, H Street Festival is a huge block party celebrating the culture and history of Washington DC with live music, food, and crafts.
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Flickr/S Pakhrin For two weeks every summer, the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage hosts the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This free festival features community-based cultural presentations including concerts, performances, crafts, storytelling, food, and much more.
- Truckeroo
Flickr/danspix The DC food truck culture is hot right now and you can celebrate it at the Bullpen outside of Nationals Park. Truckeroo features food trucks, live music, and beers.
- DC Jazz Festival
Facebook/DC Jazz Festival Jazz has a rich history in the city and every year the DC Jazz Festival celebrates that history and musical styles. Featuring jazz legends and emerging artists, the DC Jazz Festival provides entertaining performances.
- Capital Fringe Festival
Flickr/Joe Loong The Capital Fringe Festival fills Washington DC with theatre, dance, music, visual arts and everything creative. You’ll find off-beat artistry from every walk of life.
- March on Washington Film Festival
Flickr/March on Washington Film Festival The March on Washington Film Festival increase awareness of events and heroes of the Civil Rights Era. The festival uses film, music and arts to share the stories of these unsung heroes.
- Brew at the Zoo
Courtesy of Wikimedia /Quadell Drink beer and save wildlife at the National Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo festival. Unlimited beer tastings from more than 70 breweries, animal encounters, and games all take place.
- National Capital Barbecue Battle
Flickr/Jeff Kubina Brewmasters from all over the country come to DC for the National Capital Barbecue Battle that features BBQ competitions, cooking demonstrations, food samples, and entertainment.
- National Book Festival
Flickr/Angela N. Book lovers unite at the National Book Festival every summer in Washington DC. Authors, illustrators, and poets come to DC to present lectures, hosting readings, hold interviews and book signings.
If you want even more of the unique DC sights, don’t miss these 16 things everyone must do in DC before they die!
Flickr/Ted Eytan
Passport DC is a month-long festival that features DC’s international diplomatic community. Embassies open their doors to visitors and host different cultural events throughout the year.
Facebook/H Street Festival
DC’s biggest neighborhood festival, H Street Festival is a huge block party celebrating the culture and history of Washington DC with live music, food, and crafts.
Flickr/S Pakhrin
For two weeks every summer, the Smithsonian Institution Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage hosts the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This free festival features community-based cultural presentations including concerts, performances, crafts, storytelling, food, and much more.
Flickr/danspix
The DC food truck culture is hot right now and you can celebrate it at the Bullpen outside of Nationals Park. Truckeroo features food trucks, live music, and beers.
Facebook/DC Jazz Festival
Jazz has a rich history in the city and every year the DC Jazz Festival celebrates that history and musical styles. Featuring jazz legends and emerging artists, the DC Jazz Festival provides entertaining performances.
Flickr/Joe Loong
The Capital Fringe Festival fills Washington DC with theatre, dance, music, visual arts and everything creative. You’ll find off-beat artistry from every walk of life.
Flickr/March on Washington Film Festival
The March on Washington Film Festival increase awareness of events and heroes of the Civil Rights Era. The festival uses film, music and arts to share the stories of these unsung heroes.
Courtesy of Wikimedia /Quadell
Drink beer and save wildlife at the National Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo festival. Unlimited beer tastings from more than 70 breweries, animal encounters, and games all take place.
Flickr/Jeff Kubina
Brewmasters from all over the country come to DC for the National Capital Barbecue Battle that features BBQ competitions, cooking demonstrations, food samples, and entertainment.
Flickr/Angela N.
Book lovers unite at the National Book Festival every summer in Washington DC. Authors, illustrators, and poets come to DC to present lectures, hosting readings, hold interviews and book signings.
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