St. Patrick's Day Parade
Date: Every March
Time: TBD
Location: Usually along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets
More Info: DCStPatsParade.com
The Skinny: Whether you're Irish or not, the District's St. Patrick's Day
Parade welcomes all. Break out your green gear and head to Constitution Avenue
to take part. They join the crowd at one of the many local Irish pubs to
continue the party.
National Marathon
Date: Usually late March
Time: Usually 7 a.m.
Location: Throughout the District; usually starts near RFK Stadium
More Info: NationalMarathon.com
The Skinny: The National Marathon takes runners through the heart of Washington, D.C. While relatively new on the marathon scene, the race is growing every year and is attracting more experienced runners.
White House Easter Egg Roll
Date: Usually on Easter Monday
Time: TBD, but usually 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: White House's South Lawn
More Info: WhiteHouse.gov or 202-456-7041
The Skinny: Bunnies and eggs and politicians ... oh my! The Easter Egg
Roll is a tradition that started way back in 1872. Back then it was held near
the Capitol, but today the fun takes place on the White House South Lawn.
People start lining up for tickets to the event days in advance, so tickets
sometimes are hard to come by. However, some tickets are also available the day
of the event. There is a maximum of five tickets issued per person, only two
adults allowed per group and at least one child per group has to be 7 years of
age or younger.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: Varies, but usually late March to mid-April
Time: Events scheduled throughout days
Location: Numerous, but mainly around Tidal Basin
More Info: NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org
The Skinny: The two-week festival celebrates the blossoming of cherry
trees given to the United States from Japan back in 1912. The trees grow in
three National Park Services locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac
Park, in East Potomac Park (Haines Point), and on the Washington Monument
grounds. A parade is held every year, as well. Don't forget your camera, as
this is one of the most photogenic events you'll ever find in the District.
An insider's tip: Also check out the blossoms in Kensington, Md. Some say
they're just as good, and the grounds aren't as crowded.
Smithsonian Kite Festival
Date: Usually late March or early April
Time: Morning
Location: National Mall
More Info: KiteFestival.org or 202-633-3030
The Skinny: Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ... a
kite! The Smithsonian Kite Festival, founded in 1967, brings together kite
enthusiasts from across the country (and the world) who show off their flying
devices near D.C.'s famous landmarks and monuments. The event usually occurs at
the same time as the Cherry Blossom Festival so more people get a chance to see
it.
This is yet another event to bring the camera to, as the sight of hundreds of
kites in the air over the District is something to behold. Awards are given for
most artistic, humorous and patriotic, so imaginations run wild, adding to the
excitement.
Smithsonian Craft Show
Date: Mid- to late April
Time: Varies
Location: National Museum Building (401 F St. NW)
More Info: SmithsonianCraftShow.org
The Skinny: The Smithsonian Craft Show is an annual event held to raise money for charities.
The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women's Committee to benefit educational,
outreach and research projects within the Smithsonian Institution.
Exhibitors from across the country show off and sell their works in 12
categories: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry,
leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood.
An insider's tip: Unlike many other Smithsonian events, the craft show has an
admission fee. It's for a good cause, though, so check it out.
Filmfest DC -- Washington International Film Festival
Date: Usually late April
Time: Vary per film
Location: Various
More Info: FilmFestDC.org
The Skinny: There's no need to travel to Cannes, France, to see some of the world's best new movies. Each year some of the top short films, documentaries, features and specials are shown in movie theaters across the District.
The festival has been the first place to many films, including La Vie en Rose, The Buena Vista Social Club and, ahem, Napoleon Dynamite. So go make yourself a dang quesadilla and check out the films!
