#1 Parade, Walk & Festival
The extensive festival, which commemorated the 103rd anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, spanned a number of events including an opening ceremony, a 10-block parade, a dance party, and other cultural celebrations. New in 2015 was the Greenscape Corridor Bike Tour, in which 100 riders biked to three landmark green spaces: Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall, and the U.S. National Arboretum. Next: March 20-April 17, 2016
#2 Parade, Walk & Festival
Each edition of the cultural festival, which takes place on the National Mall, highlights a different culture. This year’s event featured Peru and offered cooking and craft demonstrations, music and dance performances, moderated discussions, and ritual and celebratory processions. Next: June 29-July 4 and July 7-10, 2016
#3 Parade, Walk & Festival
Parade organizers select marching bands from across the country to perform at the Fourth of July parade, which marches past crowds lining Constitution Avenue. Diversified Events produces the parade, which is hosted by the National Park Service. Next: July 4, 2016
#4 Parade, Walk & Festival
The 40th edition of the celebration saw attendance increases to its main events—a parade, festival, and concert—as people supported the L.G.B.T. advocacy organization. The parade featured 200 entries including about 50 floats; the festival drew some 250,000 attendees; and Carly Rae Jepsen headlined the concert. Next: June 1-12, 2016
#5 Parade, Walk & Festival
The massive motorcycle ride honors veterans of American wars and brings attention to prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. The Ride for Freedom route takes participants from the Pentagon parking lots to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Next: May 29, 2016
#6 Parade, Walk & Festival
The 26th annual breast cancer fund-raising walk and run raised $1.4 million in 2015, drawing more than 14,000 participants, including 1,500 breast cancer survivors. The event also changed its name from “Global Race for the Cure” to reflect its commitment to the local community, which has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the United States. The race’s theme this year was “Race for Impact.” Next: May 7, 2016
#7 Parade, Walk & Festival (new to the list)
Formerly known as AIDS Walk Washington, the fund-raising event benefits and is produced by Whitman-Walker Health, a nonprofit organization that provides health care to those infected with or affected by H.I.V./AIDS. Now in its 29th year, the event set a fund-raising goal of $850,000 and will have a superheroes theme. Participants are encouraged to dress up. Next: October 24, 2015
#8 Parade, Walk & Festival
Washington City Paper presents the showcase of handmade arts and crafts from more than 170 vendors. The two-day event, now in its 12th year, took place in the Union Market parking lot. Next: Fall 2016
