Members of the general public can take part in National Wreaths Across America Day, beginning at 8am. Volunteers may place wreaths at the base of a veteran’s headstone or columbarium niche to honor their legacy and remember their sacrifice.
Registration is not required. However, we recommend that visitors participating in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 13 register with WAA to ensure they receive the most up-to-date information about volunteering.
2024 HIGHLIGHTSHead down to The Wharf on December 6, 2025 starting at 5pm for the 33rd Annual Holiday Boat Parade & Party at The Wharf. Kick off the holidays with this iconic DC event as DC's Tommy McFly emcees the parade!
This free event features 60+ beautifully decorated boats parading along up the Washington Channel, as well as fun landside holiday activities including hot toddies, live music, ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, family photos with Santa, fireworks and so much more.
2024 HIGHLIGHTSOn November 1st from 3-7pm, The Wharf DC will transform into a vibrant display of Mexican heritage and tradition for its annual Día de los Muertos celebration. Visitors will experience a beautifully immersive event featuring traditional altar displays, live mariachi bands, face painting, and a candlelight procession along the waterfront.
The family-friendly afternoon will include free activities for the kids including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Don't forget to dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers!
Sailors from around the globe gather in beautiful downtown Annapolis every October for the Annapolis Sailboat Show.
This annual celebration of sailing features floating docks lined with sailboats from manufacturers around the world. Multihulls, monohulls, cruisers, racers, sailing dinghies and more. Show tents line the shore, stocked with the latest in nautical gear and accessories, electronics, communication equipment, sails, rigging, education, charter companies, clubs and more.
MORE EVENT INFODC Fashion Week is held twice a year, during February and September.
Fashion Industry Networking Party Sept. 26, The Emerging Designers Showcase Sept. 27, The 43rd International Couture Collections Showcase Sept. 28.
The 2025 Dulles Day Plane Pull is both an intense competition and a lively festival! While the plane pull is the main event, the festival features a variety of activities and entertainment, including food vendors, live music, and games for all ages.
Show Special Olympics Virginia athletes you're pulling for them!
Celebrating 25 years, the 2025 National Book Festival will be held in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.).
The event is free and open to the public.
Save the date in your calendar now.
Spread the joy of reading!
Otakon is an annual convention held in the summer months to celebrate Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom.
Get ready for the ultimate celebration!
2025 HIGHLIGHTSThe annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival returns next week, running from July 2 to 7 with a theme focused on youth from around the globe. There is a variety of free performances, workshops, demonstrations and other activities.
As always, the festival is on the National Mall in the area between 7th and 12th streets.
The festival is open from 11 am to 5:30 pm each day, with evening performances on the weekends.
Admission is free.
The oldest horse show in America, founded in 1853, returns to Upperville June 2-8, 2025.
This week-long international competition is a summer tradition worth experiencing.
Free parking and admission the entire week!
Saddle up for the 8th edition of The District Cup!
An unforgettable event from 11am-4pm at West Potomac Polo Park featuring three back-to-back polo matches.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS150 Years of Thrills!
On May 17, be part of history at Pimlico Race Course—home of the Preakness Stakes. Feel the thunder of 18 magnificent thoroughbreds as they thunder down the stretch, cheer alongside 100,000 passionate fans, and toast the moment with a signature Black‑Eyed Susan. From Maryland crab cakes to fashion on the infield, it’s more than a race—it’s a century‑and‑a‑half celebration.
LOOK BACK AT PREAKNESS 149The 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup races will be held at Great Meadow, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The legendary annual Virginia Gold Cup steeplechasing classic, now runs before a sellout crowd of over 60,000 people.
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons in Washington, DC thanks to cherry blossoms, mild weather, and outdoor festivals. Winter and summer offer fewer crowds but more extreme temperatures.
Popular stops include the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, the US Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Zoo, and waterfront neighborhoods like Georgetown and The Wharf.
Yes. Many museums, memorials, monuments, and festivals are free to attend. See our free things to do in DC guide for ideas.
