July Festivals and Events in the DC Area

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

Hip Hop Theatre Festival
July 7-12, 2008. Enjoy a variety of performances of both new and established hip hop music by national and international artists.

Alexandria Birthday and Independence Day Fireworks
July 12, 2008, Oronoco Bay Park. The annual event includes children’s activities, a concert performed by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake and a fireworks extravaganza.

White House Summer Garden Tour
July 12, 2008, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the White House grounds and explore the beautiful gardens. Free tickets are required.

Screen on the Green
Mondays, July 14-August 11, 2008. See free outdoor movies on a gigantic screen on the National Mall.

Occoquan River Festival
July 27, 2008, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Occoquan Regional Park and surrounding attractions in Occoquan, Virginia. The first annual event will include a Taste of Occoquan, live music, family fun walk and other events focusing on the 400th anniversary of John Smith’s initial journey on the Occoquan River with a re-enactment of his landing and culminating with a parade of lights along the river.

Loundoun County Fair
July 28 – August 2, 2008. Family fun includes a carnival, rodeo-bull riding, dairy show, goat show, horseback demonstrations, magic acts, pet shows, floral exhibits, obstacle courses, tug-of-war, live musical entertainment and more.

July Festivals and Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Latin Rhythms Festival
Live music, wine tasting, food sampling at Kokopelli Winery & Bistro. Downtown Chandler.  July 18 – 20

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Free Concerts
July 6, 13 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Scottsdale. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a variety of music. Train and carousel rides are available throughout all concerts for a small charge.

Monsoon Madness
July 12 in Queen Creek. Inflatable bounce-houses, water slides, dunk tank, the Queen Creek Mud Pit, and more. 

Starry Safari Friday Nights at the Phoenix Zoo
Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent.

Summer Concert
July 12, 19, 26 All concerts are free and start at 7 p.m. Held at Kierland Commons Plaza.

Summer Splash Festival
July 19 Family-friendly day of water-related activities, with water slides, dunk tanks and cyber maze water tag. Aqua-Tots will be on hand to give free tot swimming lessons. There will also be arcade games, food and entertainment. Free admission. Historic Downtown Chandler.

June Festivals and Events in the DC Area

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of May, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

Alexandria Waterfront Festival
June 14 & 15, 2008. Oronoco Bay State Park in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The event includes historic tall ship tours, live entertainment, arts & crafts exhibits and a children’s sea hunt adventure.

Reston Town Center Taste of the Town
June 14, 2008, noon-10:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of food from the region’s finest eateries, live music, activities and games. Admission and parking are free. Tastings start at $1.

National Capital Barbeque Battle
June 21 & 22, 2008. If you love barbecue you’ll love the food samples, cooking demonstrations, interactive displays and children’s activities at this sizzling summer festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 9th & 14th Sts.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 25-29 and July 2-6, 2008. Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. The Festival includes daily and evening music and dance performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. This is one of Washington, DC’s most popular summer devents.

DC Caribbean Carnival
June 28-29, 2008. Enjoy the colorful parade and festival with live performances from local and international artists, food, crafts and entertainment.

Montgomery County Heritage Days
June 28-29, 2008, 12-4 p.m. More than 30 historic sites in Montgomery County, Maryland showcase the county’s rich history with free music, dance, food, and children’s activities.

June Festival and Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of June, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Big Boys and Their Toys
Classic cars, collector cars, RV and off-road, boats and sports cars, and lots of other toys at the Phoenix Convention Center.   June 14, 15, 16 .

Firebird International Raceway Summer Spectacular
Robosaurus makes his only Arizona Appearance. Jet Cars, Funny Cars, fireworks. 
June 21.

Grand Canyon State Games
Olympic-style competition in judo, weight training, baton twirling, table tennis and more. 
June 19-22.

Jazz in the Garden
Friday evenings starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy listening to a variety of jazz styles under starry skies on the Garden’s beautiful Ullman Terrace. Gourmet picnic dinners, bar, wine tasting for an additional charge. Desert Botanical Gardens. Tickets must be purchased. Ticket price includes admission to the garden.
Every Friday evening in June .

Miss Arizona Pageant
During the last week of June you can see some of the brightest and most talented young ladies in the state compete for the Miss Arizona crown. The winner will get to represent Arizona at the Miss America Pageant. June 19 – 21.

Starry Safari Friday Nights at the Phoenix Zoo
Select zoo trails will be open as will gift shop and snack bar. Animal encounters, water play activities, carousel rides and more. Bikes and boats available to rent. Every Friday night in June .

May Festivals & Events in DC

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of May, for a full list and detailed information, visit dc.about.com.

National Cathedral Flower Mart
May 2-3, 2008, 10 am-5 pm. Enjoy the grounds of the cathedral, floral displays, children’s activities and musical entertainment. Free admission.

Passport DC – Open Houses at Washington, DC Embassies
May 3-17, 2008. A new event, sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, features a wide range of performances, talks, and exhibits at DC’s foreign embassies.

Cinco de Mayo Festival
May 4, 2008, noon-6 pm. The annual Latino celebration features live music and family entertainment on the National Mall.

Spring Garden Party at Mount Vernon
May 10-11, 2008. Just in time for Mothers Day, enjoy a festive Spring Garden Party at Mount Vernon with free wagon rides through Washington’s fruit garden and nursery.

Food & Wine Festival at National Harbor
May 16-18, 2008. The upscale, waterfront festival is part of National Harbor’s grand opening. Enjoy food and wine pairing, artisanal and organic products, lectures on culinary and wine trends and more.

Taste of Arlington
May 18, 2008, noon-5 pm. Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. Enjoy a lively street festival, complete with local entertainment, children’s activities and, of course, lots of food!

Grand Opening of National Museum of Crime & Punishment
May 23, 2008. The new Washington, DC museum opens its doors! Through interactive exhibits visitors will explore the history of crime, law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime.

Rockville’s Hometown Holidays
May 24-26, 2008. Rockville, Maryland hosts a three-day street festival in celebration of Memorial Day with live music, children’s entertainment, a parade and more.

 

May Festivals & Events in the Phoenix Area

The Phoenix area and its surrounding communities host lots of annual festival and special events.  Here are just a few during the month of May, for a full list and detailed information, visit phoenix.about.com.

Arizona Special Olympics Summer Games
2,000 athletes compete in track and field, powerlifting, gymnastics, softball skills, tennis and other events at the ASU Band Practice Field.  May 1 – 3

Chandler Spring Starlight Concert
Free concerts at the amphitheater at Tumbleweed Park. Pack a picnic dinner, bring a blanket, sit out under the stars and listen to a different type of music each week.

Flashlight Tours 
Nights in the desert are anything but dull. Nighthawks fly, night-blooming flowers open, toads sing and owls watch as you roam the trails of the Desert Botanical Garden, never knowing what will be around each corner. Wear walking shoes, and bring a flashlight. 7 p.m. Flashlight tours are free with admission, but require reservations. Call 480-941-3510.  Every Thursday and Saturday in May .

Greek Food Festival
Presented by St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church this Festival at Tempe Town Lake features food, fun and games for the whole family!  For info call 480-899-3330 or visit www.atasteofgreeceaz.com.  May 2, 3 and 4.

Moonlight Movies
The City of Phoenix shows free movies at Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix.  Moonlight Movies start at sunset and are free to the public. Call 602-495-0739 for more information.  May 17

Queen Creek Peach Festival
Enjoy peach picking, recipes, sampling, and entertainment at Schnepf Farms.   May 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25

That Thursday Thing!
Each event night has a theme, food and beverage, and extended shopping hours at 90 antique and specialty shops. Admission and parking are free. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in Historic Downtown Glendale. 
May 15