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Washington, D.C. ANNUAL EVENTS Author: Barbara Hayo www.TrustedTours.com |
February
- Chinese New Year Parade � Ring in the Chinese New Year with fun, food and parade in Washington D.C.�s Chinatown. Traditional firecrackers, drums and colorful dragon dancers will delight visitors. Celebrations concentrate on H Street NW, between 5th and 8th streets. Depending on the moon, the Chinese New Year may be celebrated in January.
March
-
National
Cherry Blossom Festival - an annual celebration in Washington, D.C.,
commemorating the March 27, 1912, gift to the city of 3,000 Japanese cherry
trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo. Mayor Ozaki donated the trees in an
effort to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan
and also celebrate the continued close relationship between the two peoples.
The famous trees signal the coming of spring with an explosion of life and
color surrounding the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale
pink and white. The two-week festival is kicked off with an opening ceremony,
followed by a dizzying array of activities and cultural events. Every day
there is a sushi/sake celebration, classes about cherry blossoms, a bike tour
of the Tidal Basin. Art exhibits figure heavily during this time, such as
photography (both local and Asian), sculpture, animation, and various cultural
performances throughout Washington, D.C. Japanese comedy, kimono fashion
shows, art exhibits, dance, singing, martial arts, merchant-sponsored events,
and much more can be seen during this time. - St. Patrick�s Day Parade � Celebrate Irish history and it�s importance in the United States. The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington, D.C. was held in 1971 and traveled along Massachusetts Avenue from Dupont Circle to the statue of Robert Emmet. Since then, this annual affair has grown from what was little more than a leisurely stroll by a few hundred participants to what is now being called "The Nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade."
- Smithsonian Kite Festival - Founded by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber (1899-1992), the festival, one of the kite world's premier events, features kite fliers from across the U.S. and the world. Traditionally a part of the festivities at cherry blossom time in the Nation's Capital, the Smithsonian's colorful Kite Festival is one of the most popular annual events held on the National Mall.
April
- Earth Day Celebration - Earth Day is an annual observance held to increase public awareness of the environment. International musicians are featured in concert to celebrate global awareness.
- White House Easter Egg Roll - President Hayes was the first to host the Easter Egg Roll for children on the White House lawn. The original site was on the grounds of the United States Capitol. Congress ended the tradition after a particularly active Easter Egg Roll in 1876. At the request of several children, President Hayes brought the event to the White House in 1878. The tradition continues today in the same spirit with the invitation to all families.
May
- Arlington Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony � Honor those who fought and died for the freedom of America. Wreaths are placed at the John F. Kennedy grave and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Keynote speakers, often the President of the United States, follows with a memorial service at the Memorial Amphitheatre.
- National Memorial Day Parade - The National Memorial Day Parade is an annual event in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the American Veterans Center in association with America Supports You and the White House Commission on Remembrance and with the support of more than 40 veterans and military organizations. The event honors all those who have served our country in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and seeks to educate American's about the sacrifices made by those who served to secure the liberties we enjoy today.
July
-
Fourth
of July Celebration - America's Independence Day Parade takes place late
morning on July 4th, right on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street
before a street audience of over 300,000 spectators. The Parade consists of
invited bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIP's and is a
patriotic, flag waving, red white and blue celebration of America's birthday.
Evening events include music, food, picnicking and of course, the famous
fireworks show. Viewing of fireworks is best from the Washington Mall.
September
- National Black Family Reunion - The Black Family Reunion Celebration is a two-day cultural event that is recognized as the largest, most significant family event in the nation, attracting more than 500,000 people each year! The 3-day festival celebrates the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African American family.
- Kennedy Center Open House - This annual, daylong indoor and outdoor
event celebrates the Kennedy Center's birthday with more than 30 free
performances of music, dance, and theater, plus many other events and
activities for the whole family.
National Frisbee Championships
December
- National Christmas Tree Lighting - The National Christmas Tree is a
40-foot Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse
in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 1978. The lighting of the tree by the
President of the United States is the central event in the annual Christmas
Pageant of Peace. The annual Christmas Pageant of Peace takes place each year
from early December through January 1, on the Ellipse south of the White House
grounds.
Trust us, we've been there!
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