Festivals in washington d c

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

When you think of Washington, DC, you probably think of government and monuments. But the abundance of museums, green spaces, and historical landmarks makes the nations capital an ideal vacation destination. Like many other big cities, Washington, DC plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year, each one celebrating something unique, and many of them free. Whether youre interested in music, food, world cultures, or something else entirely, one of Washington, DCs festivals is sure to draw you in.

Spring is marked in Washington, DC by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the blooms on the cherry trees surrounding the Tidal Basin. Held every year since 1912, when the trees were given as a gift to the United States by the city of Tokyo, the festival lasts two weeks, usually around the end of March and the beginning of April. Asian culture, especially Japanese culture, is the theme of many of the festivals events; there are lectures on Japanese art and design, sushi tastings, anime screenings, karaoke, and more. There are also activities for children and families, live music, fireworks, and of course, cherry blossom walking tours, where attendees can learn about the history of the trees. Beware, though, that with all of these springtime flowers comes an abundance of pollen, so allergy sufferers may want to knock back an antihistamine before venturing over.

As part of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Smithsonian holds its annual Kite Festival, usually on the first Sunday of April. There are competitions for both young and old kitemakers, as well as amateurs and professionals, but even if youve never flown a kite, its still a truly an exciting visual event. Those who dont consider themselves kite enthusiasts will assuredly be in awe of the sheer number of brightly-colored kites darting and diving over the National Mall.

The end of June brings the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, a celebration of the worlds different ethnicities and cultures. Held in the middle of the district on the National Mall, each years festival focuses on three different and distinct regions. Visitors can sample and learn to prepare regional cuisine, hear folktales from the highlighted areas, learn about specific rituals, and even participate in art, dance, and music events. Parts of the world that have been featured in past Folklife Festivals include the Baltic Nations, Scotland, the Mississippi Delta, Haiti, and even Brooklyn, which featured stick ball games and an egg cream counter.

There are other festivals in Washington, DC that honor the diversity of the worlds cultures and lifestyles. Unifest is the capitals African-American cultural festival, and it takes place at the beginning of June. It features a parade, live music and dance, carnival rides, and lots of great food. Similarly, the DC Caribbean Carnival, held at the end of June, celebrates the color and flavor of the islands. Attendees can hear steel drums, see a parade of magnificent , brightly colored floats, and taste Caribbean cuisine. Finally, Capital Pride is a ten-days of festivities centering on pride in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. Theres a parade, drag contests, films, HIV information booths, and panel discussions. The festival is open to everyone: male and female, gay and straight.

All festivals offer some kind of food for sale, even if its just hot dogs and pretzels, but two Washington, DC festivals in particular are perfect for those with more adventurous palates: Octobers Taste of DC and Marchs Washington, DC International Wine and Food Festival. Spanning several city blocks in the citys Northwest quadrant, the Taste features food from area restaurants. Attendees can try small samples of food theyre unfamiliar with, like fried conch fritters and buffalo burgers, or choose plates of old favorites, like chicken wings and funnel cakes. Its free to walk around and smell all the wonderful aromas. Food costs a few dollars, with the exact cost depending on the size of the plate and the price of the ingredients.

The International Wine and Food Festival is considerably more upscale than the Taste. For one thing, the legal drinking age of 21 means that its adults only. And for another, a pass to the two-day event is almost a hundred bucks. And while the event brings in many industry professionals, its also very much open to the public. Home gourmets, wine aficionados, and anyone who lives for good food will love the festivals Grand Tasting, where winemakers pour, celebrity chefs toss food around in saut pans, and attendees get to ingest it all.

The countrys biggest library, the Library of Congress, is located in Washington, DC, and every fall it holds the National Book Festival on the National Mall. Here, students of literature, book lovers, and anyone who holds the written word in high esteem have the opportunity to hear their favorite authors read, and parents can bring their children to get them excited about reading. Books are for sale, and attending authors are available to sign them and discuss their work.

The spirit of independent cinema is celebrated at Washington, DCs annual film festivals. The Washington, DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF), held in March, showcases both local talent and filmmakers from around the world. In addition to screenings, this festival offers seminars on the art of filmmaking and master classes with professionals in the field. Filmfest DC is held in April and screens features and documentaries from all around the world. The Georgetown Indy Film Festival actually takes place in Adams Morgan, the next neighborhood over from the popular college area. Its smaller than Filmfest DC and the DCIFF, but its a good venue to catch up and coming talent. Finally, film and Jewish heritage are the themes at the Washington Jewish Film Festival, which takes place in December.

Music fans in Washington, DC have an abundance of festivals from which to choose. Jazz enthusiasts can snap their fingers and tap their feet at the Capital Jazz Fest. Held every June just outside of the capital district at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, this festival brings in some of the most popular performers on the contemporary jazz scene. If singing the blues is your idea of great music, the DC Blues Society puts on a festival every August. The Capital Hill Chamber Music Festival presents performances of classical music every summer around the first week of August. And the Early Music Festival, which showcases compositions written before the 1750s, takes place every June.