23 Things You Have to Do in DC This Year, From a Dachshund Dash to a Snowball Fight

Yes, you can plan a trip to Washington DC that’s centered around the city’s museums and monuments, but chances are, you’ve probably done that already (middle school field trip memories, anyone?). And while the monuments and museums absolutely do deserve your attention, DC has so much more to offer beyond the boundaries of the National Mall. With a booming food scene, quirky events, and pop-up markets and festivals throughout the year, the city’s calendar is far more vibrant and exciting than you probably thought possible. Here are 23 events to plan your next trip to DC around.

2025 dates TBD 
Various locations 
There’s no denying the capital has moved far beyond its steakhouse reputation and now has one of the most exciting food scenes in the country. For a week each January, city restaurants offer menus at fixed, discounted prices, opening endless meal opportunities. As freelance food writer and cookbook author Nevin Martell sums it up, "DC Restaurant Week is always a treat because it gives me the opportunity to taste test spots on my hit list, as well as return to familiar favorites I haven't visited recently, all while keeping to a budget. These meals also offer me the chance to savor a date with my wife or catch up with old friends, making them an even more winning proposition."
Ready to go? Plan your dining journey here. 

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Various locations
Snow is somewhat rare in DC but when it does occur, it’s a big deal. Each winter snowstorm, a well-organized snowball fight, planned by the Washington DC Snowball Fight Association (yes, there is such a thing), descends upon the city. Former DC resident Erika Kauder still remembers the 2010 epic snowball fight that began the tradition: "The snowball fight for me is such an iconic DC event that was born out of a moment where the whole city came together and played like kids again during the snowstorm. I remember trudging down to Dupont with everyone else and having the time of my life during the most epic snowstorm I ever saw in DC. I'm a sucker for tradition and I'd say that this is one of those best kept DC traditions and rites of passage as a Washingtonian, and one that continues to unify the community over some plain old-fashioned fun."
Ready to go? Plan to join in here

2025 dates TBD 
The National Mall
There’s something extremely comforting about being in a warm greenhouse surrounded by flowers in the winter, and that’s what makes the United States Botanic Garden’s annual orchid show a perennial classic. For Daniella Byck, an editor at Washingtonian, the free festival is a highlight of the city’s calendar: "Starting in the dead of winter, the annual orchid exhibit at the US Botanic Garden is a welcome burst of sunny flora and a reminder that warmer days are on the horizon. It's not just the sheer number of orchids but the breathtaking variety on display. My favorites are those with whimsical petal shapes or unique patterning, and it's a fun game to find the most out-there flower."
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

2025 dates TBD 
The National Mall
DC is known as much for politics as it is for its cherry blossoms, and each spring the city erupts in a riot of pink and white blooms thanks to the thousands of trees planted around the Tidal Basin, National Mall, and throughout the city’s neighborhoods and parks. “There is nothing more enchanting than the National Cherry Blossom Festival,” says longtime DC resident Diana Bulger. “Each spring, our city blooms with pride as blossoms, celebrations and traditions magically transpire.”The festival is a chance to celebrate the blooming trees’ ethereal beauty and the welcome arrival of spring, DC’s most charming season.
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

April 19–20, 2025
RFK Campus
DC might have the reputation as a buttoned-up city, but April’s National Cannabis Festival always draws a crowd. As Caroline Phillips, the founder of the festival (which is nation's largest celebration of cannabis advocacy and culture), points out, the festival brings in people from all backgrounds: “I’m always delighted by the incredible diversity of activities and attendees at the festival and love seeing people old and young, from all backgrounds dancing by the main stage, taking part in workshops and contests, selecting munchies from more than 70 food trucks and restaurants, and more. There’s something for everyone, whether you're a cannabis enthusiast or just curious."
Ready to go? Purchase your tickets here

April 25–27, 2025
Georgetown
It’s hard not to love a weekend filled with French pastries, music, and whimsical stilt walkers and jugglers, just ask anyone who marks April by planning around the annual Georgetown French Market. For Sébastien Giannini, the Partner Chef of L’Avant-Garde, the market is the best weekend of the entire year. “We have been taking my daughter since she was six months old. I love that the sidewalks become ‘Un grand marché Français’ like I grew up with and that we always run into people we know. We start with a café and a croissant in the morning and end up having rosé with friends at a sidewalk café in the evening.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

2025 dates TBD 
Various locations 
Passport DC, when embassies throughout the city open their doors to visitors for free programming, music, and food, is a favorite cultural event of the spring calendar. Take the advice of Kaeli Conforti, a DC-based travel writer and “Don’t let the long lines intimidate you. Just pick two or three that are close together on the map and see where the day takes you. My friends and I went to the Italian, Danish, and Irish embassies last year. We gorged ourselves on coffee, pizza, and gelato at the Italian embassy, went next door for a tour of the Danish embassy (the Danish Ambassador even dropped by to say hello!), and caught an Irish Step Dancing show and had some Guinness samples at the Irish embassy around the corner.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

2025 dates TBD 
Various locations 
"DCPride, also known as Capital Pride, is a special celebration that uplifts people of all genders, sexualities, and ages, honoring LGBTQ+ history and the evolution of LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC," notes Thomas Delasko, general manager of the restaurant Via Sophia, which raises funds for the Capital Pride Alliance each year. While the city celebrates its pride throughout the month (and year!) the parade, and giant block party, are not to be missed. Washington DC will also be the host to World Pride in 2025. 
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

2025 dates TBD 
The National Mall
Arguably the greatest of the Smithsonian’s programs is the Folklife Festival, which is held each summer on the National Mall. As local mover and shaker Carla Sanchez points out, the festival “shows how DC is such a diverse city and is always finding ways to bring the community together through food and culture. This year’s theme was ‘Indigenous Voice of the Americas’ and as an indigenous person myself, I felt proud to see many people from all over the DC area learning and enjoying the craft of all the exhibitors that came from different parts of the world, including Bolivia where I’m from!”
Ready to go? Plan you visit here

June 12–15, 2025 
Various locations
"If you're a documentary film buff, then June is a great month to be in Washington,” says local Michael Corcoran. “The DC/DOX film festival is held every June and features an extensive lineup of internationally recognized docs as well as films with a local focus. This year, I really appreciated the Ukrainian docs that explored the hardship of Russia's invasion of Ukraine because they gave me a new view of the war. But no matter your interest, there's always something for everyone."
Ready to go? Purchase your tickets here

July 4, 2025
Capitol Hill
Nowhere does Fourth of July quite like Washington DC and to partake in the full patriotic experience, head to the Capitol Lawn for the Capitol Fourth concert. The live taped event always stars the National Symphony Orchestra and celebrity guests and concludes with a stunning fireworks display over the Washington Monument. For Jessica Warren, an oboist who performs with the National Symphony Orchestra, “A Capitol Fourth feels like a gift I get to give to the city each year – a free concert (with free Metro and buses on July 4 too!) celebrating generations of American music and culture. I’m always blown away by the guest artists, and of course the fireworks, and if you’re lucky you’ll appear on the PBS broadcast.”
Ready to go? Reserve your lawn seats here

July 21–27, 2025 
William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center
Since 1969, DC has been drawing tennis greats to the city for Citi DC Open tournament. “Fans have watched close-ups of most of the greatest players in the game's history competing for the coveted title in a very intimate venue in the heart of the city, Rock Creek Park,” says Mark Ein, the chairman of the tournament. He notes that in recent years “the event has been elevated into one of only ten men's and women's combined tournaments in the world with a transformed fan experience that is a celebration of the best of the DC culinary scene featuring five Michelin star chefs and many of DC's other most popular restaurants. As a result, the event has grown massively, selling out every ticket for the last several years.”
Ready to go? Purchase your tickets here

August 24, 2024
Mount Vernon Square
Thanks to the Library of Congress, the wind down of summer is always softened by the National Book Festival. Held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the all-day event draws some of the biggest names in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Entirely free, the National Book Festival always provides a rare opportunity to spend an hour (or a whole day) hearing from some of your favorite writers (and meeting them too!) and getting inspired for your next read.

August 28–September 1, 2024
The Wharf
DC history is synonymous with jazz history which makes the annual August Jazz Fest so special. “Personally, I love DC Jazz fest because it has so many ties historically to DC," says Washingtonian Holly Barzyk. “Some of the greatest artists of the craft came from the area; and a lot of the musicians grew up in the city and very close to the wharf where some of the festivities happen.The organizers bring in musicians from all over the country as well as highlight musicians in the city, and it’s always amazing to meet fans from all over the country. Before Covid, there were a lot more places to listen to live music, and specifically live jazz, so I’m always excited when this event happens each year”
Ready to go? Purchase tickets here

September 7, 2024 
Various locations
It’s not every day that you get to bike through DC’s iconic sites in a car-free setting, but each September a car-free route is planned for thousands of bikers to cruise around the city. For many it’s an event worth planning around, and one that gets all ages involved. “I love bringing my young son to support people biking, and to have fun in the city without cars!” says Virginia resident Priscilla Askenas who attends each year.
Ready to go? Sign up for ride here

September 19–20, 2024 
The Wharf
The Atlantic Festival offers you the chance to hear some of the leading thinkers from fields ranging from the arts to politics. “We gather to hear today's greatest minds illuminate and debate today's biggest questions,” says Candace Montgomery, executive vice president of AtlanticLIVE. “The two days are packed full, from morning to night, with in-depth interviews, book talks, exclusive screenings, happy hours, and much more. All perspectives are welcome as we unpack this critical moment in politics, culture, innovation, business and everything in between.”
Ready to go? Purchase your ticket here

October 4, 2024
The Wharf
Does it get any cuter (or more ridiculous) that dachshunds competing in a race? This beloved event is all in good fun and draws dog-owners and admirers alike. As Faith Zuniga, who has participated in the annual event with her dachshund, Beanie, says “the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash is such a wonderful celebration of the many dachshunds living in the DC area. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to meet new and old doggie friends and for all the participants to have a fun celebration of fall.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

All month long 
Capitol Hill + Union Market
Washington DC goes all out for Halloween, and the fun is not limited to just October 31. Throughout the month of October, two of the city’s great movie theaters play the master of suspense’s works on the big screen. You can catch films at Capitol Hill’s Miracle Theater (which is, very coolly, the oldest theater in DC), or the sleek Angelika Pop-Up at Union Station.
Ready to go? Purchase your tickets here and here

November 24–December 30, 2024
Woodley Park
The unexpected dazzle of the National Zoo during the holidays is always a delight. The wildly popular event, adored and repeatedly attended by all ages, “has always been about more than seeing the park lit up,” points out long time DC resident Adrian Manguica. “Of course that’s special, but I enjoy seeing the whole city come out for it. Families walking through the cold air, kids laughing, the promise of the holiday season hanging over everything. It’s one of those beloved traditions that are unique to a specific place and time; it’s DC’s lights festival—of course I have to go every year!”
Ready to go? Purchase your tickets here

November 28, 2024–January 5, 2025
The National Mall
Holidays and model trains just seem to go together and the annual display at the National Botanic Garden regularly gives the Polar Express a run for its money. The event is a perennial favorite for young families (and those young at heart), and for former DC resident Ashley DeGroff Zink, it remains a must-visit even after moving out of the city. “We love taking our boys to see the holiday train display at the National Botanic Garden every year. It’s always different, and the fact that it’s free means that you don’t have to plan a visit month in advance. It might be hard to convince your kids to visit the botanical garden at other times of the year, but the trains are a great excuse to fit in a quick spin of the other exhibits too.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

Dates TBD
Penn Quarter
The Downtown Holiday Market pops up early in the season which allows you to both jump start your shopping and get in the festive spirit. The long-standing market is beloved by both locals and tourists, and Maryland resident Sally Hudson Dill aptly says, “There are always interesting local crafts for some last-minute Christmas gift inspiration and a variety of delicious foods. And even better, it's tucked right next to the National Portrait Gallery, so you can pop in and visit an exhibit while you're there or even just warm up with a cup of coffee in their atrium.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

Dates TBD
The National Mall
Ice skating is a holiday must, but how about skating next to great art? The National Gallery’s seasonal ice rink is a truly magical place. As DC resident Kathryn Malhotra says, “Skating on the mall during winter at the National Gallery feels like one of those true city treats!” You can find yourself there on a quiet evening amongst the trees and big museums and it feels magical. It continues to be a hidden gem during winter months and a nice holiday tradition with friends, especially with a warm hot chocolate after.”
Ready to go? Book your skate time here

December 7, 2024 
Alexandria
How else is a waterfront city to celebrate the holidays than with a boat parade? The quirky traditional is such a fun one to partake in. For local Barbara Noe Kennedy, the event is not to be missed. “My husbandand I have attended the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in Alexandria the past few years, and it's a fantasticway to kick off the holiday season. The boats are decked out in festive lights and trimmings (and booming Christmas carols), and it's fun to join the crowd in cheering on our favorites. Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, dancing Christmas trees, and more (including a Jewish-themed, dreidel-adorned boat now and again) decorate huge yachts,sailboats, and rowing sculls(seriously!). I always keep an eye out for the boat that focuses on the global message ‘Coexist.,’ though I yell the loudest for the underdog Santas occupying tiny dinghies.”
Ready to go? Plan your visit here

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