Convenient Hotels near Washington DC Area Events
The Washington DC area event calendar is jam-packed with a variety of multi-cultural events, festivals and celebrations all year long. See for yourself why more travelers choose Holiday Inn Express Rockville – Bethesda North
| January February March April |
May June July August |
September October November December |
January
International Motorcycle Show
January 13 – 15 | Washington Convention Center Check out cutting edge sports bikes, dirt bikes, custom ATVs and more. Other interactive activities include stunt performances, a digital graffiti wall for designing your own bike and the world's largest custom bike competition.
Washington DC Restaurant Week
January 9 - 15 | Multiple locations
Try out more than 200 of Washington DC's top restaurants. Available cuisines include American, seafood and Pan-Asian, to name a few.
Maryland Polar Bear Plunge
January 28 | Sandy Point State Park
An annual charity event put on by the Maryland State Police. Brave souls take a dip in the wintery Chesapeake Bay to help support the Special Olympics.
February
DC Fashion Week
February 20 - 26 | Multiple locations
A celebration of Washington's thriving fashion community, check out any number of shows, charity functions and social events.
INTERSECTIONS Arts Festival
February 23 – March 11 | Atlas Performing Arts Center
Enjoy the best of Washington in visual arts, film screenings, literary readings and live performances featuring dance, drama and music. More than 30 artists and cultural institutions will be represented.
Washington DC Independent Film Festival
February 29 – March 4 | Multiple locations
This award-winning event features works spanning all media, including animation, documentaries, shorts and feature-length pieces. Many of these films will go on to the Academy Awards and numerous other festivals like Cannes and Sundance.
March
National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20 – April 27 | Multiple locations
This breathtaking event is a showcase of the 3,000 cherry trees gifted to the United States by Tokyo. Attend your choice of more than 200 cultural performances or any of 90 other events.
National Capital Boat Show
March 9 – 11 | Dulles Expo Center
One of the largest boat shows in the nation, browse a variety of ski boats, pontoons, jet boats and so much more. 16 dealers from all over the region will be represented and ready to, shall we say, wheel and deal.
National Shamrock Fest
March 24 | RFK Stadium
A lively street festival featuring food, drink, live music and an actual Irish village. The largest festival in the area, enjoy more than 50 live performances across seven stages.
April
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run
April 1 | Washington Monument Grounds
Try your hand at a 5k run/walk or really go for it with the full 10 mile run. This fun and healthy event coincides with the epic Washington National Cherry Blossom Festival.
White House Easter Egg Roll
April 9 | South Lawn of the White House
Join the 1st Family for games, story-telling and an authentic Easter Egg roll, as well as numerous sport court activities, cooking demos and more.
Yellow Balloon Fair
April 28 | Rockville Community Nursery School
Rockville's premier kid-friendly event, watch your tiny one light up with pony-rides, kid-centric games, bake sale, book sale and everyone's favorite, the moon bounce.
May
Summer Concert Series
Thursdays, May 3 – July 19 | Veterans Park
Experience a variety of free concerts every Thursday night, May through July in Bethesda. Musical genres span swing, funk, soul and many more.
Bethesda Fresh Farm Market
Saturdays, May 5 – October 27 | Norfolk Avenue
Enjoy the freshest in pasture-raised meats and eggs, artisan cheeses, fruits and more. Delight in the scent of fresh cut flowers as you peruse the wide variety of locally grown fare.
Hometown Holidays
May 26 – 28 | Rockville Town Center
Rockville's annual street festival commemorating Memorial Day, check out numerous entertainers across seven stages, children's activities and an environmental expo, just to name a few.
June
Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure
June 2 | Washington Monument
Celebrate health, fitness and cancer awareness at the internationally renowned Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Pink warriors unite in a show of support for cancer patients, survivors and their friends and family.
National Capital Barbeque Battle
June 23 – 24 | Pennsylvania Avenue
The best barbeque restaurants from DC and across the nation come together for this annual clash of the barbeque titans. Festival goers will also enjoy live performances, interactive exhibits and carnival-style fun.
DC Caribbean Carnival
June 23 – 24 | Howard Center
This eclectic parade and festival is a celebration of all things Caribbean. Colorful costumes, dancing and a lively "Tropical Arena" make this a one-of-a-kind DC event.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 27 – July 1 & July 4 – 8 | Smithsonian
Sponsored by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is all about celebrating cultures from across the globe. Enjoy multi-cultural music, food, live performances, story-telling and more.
July
Uncle Sam Jam
July 2 | National Harbor Plaza Stage & Waterfront
"United We Stand, United We Jam!" is the motto of this raucous festival, widely known as the most rockin' birthday party ever. Get your Independence Day weekend off to a rowdy start with tons of live musical acts.
Independence Day Celebration
July 4 | Montgomery College
Join Rockville natives in celebrating the birthday of our great nation. Check out several live musical performances culminating in an awe-inspiring fireworks display.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic
July 28 – August 5 | William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center
Benefitting the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, the Leggs Mason Tennis Classic has been part of numerous innovations in professional tennis, including blue courts and instant replay and video boards.
August
Dance DC Festival
Dates TBA | Multiple destinations
Get your groove on at the annual Dance DC Festival, hosted by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Free to the public, multiple events include many demonstrations celebrating all styles of dance.
National Harbor Dragon Boat Races
August 25 | National Harbor Waterfront
A staple in Chinese culture, the DC Dragon Boat races are fun and informative for the whole family. All skill levels and ages 12 and up are encouraged to participate in this Chinese tradition dating back more than 2,000 years.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
August 25 – October 21 | Crownsville, Maryland
Relive 16th century England at the boisterous Maryland Renaissance Festival. Medieval activities include jousting, fire-eating, 130 craft shops and 42 food vendors.
September
Adams Morgan Day Festival
September 9 | Adams Morgan
Take part in a lively festival featuring eclectic music and ethnic fare from across the globe. Sidewalk cafes, vendors, cultural demos and dancers unite in this celebration of diversity.
Virginia Scottish Games
September 1 | Great Meadow
In celebration of Alexandria's rich Scottish heritage, check out the highland athletic competition featuring top-ranked North American athletes. Guests will also enjoy piping and drumming, highland dancing, fiddling competitions and more.
National Book Festival
September 22 – 23 | National Mall
Sponsored each year by the Library of Congress, join thousands of book enthusiasts for a variety of family-friendly, interactive exhibits promoting lifelong literacy. Meet your favorite authors, poets and illustrators.
Das Best Oktoberfest
September 24 – 25 | National Harbor
For DC's largest Oktoberfest party, check out Das Best Oktoberfest. Revelers can partake in more than 100 tasty brews and the event is completely covered so, rain or shine, the party rolls on.
October
DC Blues Festival
Dates TBA | Carter Barron Amphitheater
Join blues lovers from across DC for the free and much anticipated DC Blues Festival. Hosted at Carter Barron Amphitheater, enjoy the musical stylings of top blues artists both locally and nation-wide.
Rockville Antique & Classic Car Show
October 15 | National Mall
Classic car lovers unite to gaze lovingly at more than 400 antique and classic cars. One of Rockville's most beloved annual events, 22 car clubs including Ferrari and Packard will be present.
Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Days
October 22 – 23 | Mount Vernon Estate
Bring the whole family for a full weekend of activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16 sided barn and a straw bale maze. You'll also be able to participate in numerous early American games, music performances and demonstrations.
November
FotoWeek DC
November 5 – 12 | Multiple locations
A week-long celebration of DC photography, enjoy a variety of photo contests, juried exhibitions, lectures, workshops and much more. Much of this event is absolutely cost free.
Veterans Day Ceremony
November 11 | Veterans Park
The Bethesda Urban Partnership and Bethesda Kiwanis come together to commemorate and honor all US Veterans. Veterans Park stands in memorial to WWI, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War vets and hosts many events year-round.
Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger
November 24 | Freedom Plaza
Start Thanksgiving Day off with the Turkey Trot 5k and feel less guilty about that second piece of pie later. All proceeds benefit the hungry and homeless in and around the Washington DC area.
December
Bethesda's Winter Wonderland
December 2 – 3 | Imagination Station
Come celebrate the holiday season with the Bethesda community. Enjoy a variety of live performances, ice sculpting and maybe even a special visit from Santa.
Washington Craft Show
December 2 – 4 | Washington Convention Center
Discover an array of unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts at the Washington Craft Show. A leading event for contemporary craft, some of these artisans' wares appear in the Renwick Gallery and Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
National Christmas Tree & the Pageant of Peace
December 1 | The Ellipse near the White House
Bask in the dazzling beauty and pageantry of the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The glittering path to the National Christmas Tree is flanked by 51 smaller trees, commemorating each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.