1. National Cherry Blossom Festival
#1 Parade, Walk & Festival
D.C.'s iconic festival expanded to a new neighborhood in 2018: This was the inaugural year of Petalpalooza, a signature event at gleaming new waterfront development the Wharf. Tens of thousands listened to local bands at Petalpalooza's three outdoor music venues along the piers, with fireworks over the harbor to end the show. The festival began with the 800-guest annual Pink Tie Party fund-raiser at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Other standout events during the festival included the Blossom Kite Festival, which attracted more than 40,000 people, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC, which drew some 120,000 spectators and more than one million national TV viewers. The opening ceremony boasted 20,000 live stream viewers, while the #cherryblossomdc hashtag was posted more than 27,000 times. Next: March 20-April 14, 2019
D.C.'s iconic festival expanded to a new neighborhood in 2018: This was the inaugural year of Petalpalooza, a signature event at gleaming new waterfront development the Wharf. Tens of thousands listened to local bands at Petalpalooza's three outdoor music venues along the piers, with fireworks over the harbor to end the show. The festival began with the 800-guest annual Pink Tie Party fund-raiser at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Other standout events during the festival included the Blossom Kite Festival, which attracted more than 40,000 people, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC, which drew some 120,000 spectators and more than one million national TV viewers. The opening ceremony boasted 20,000 live stream viewers, while the #cherryblossomdc hashtag was posted more than 27,000 times. Next: March 20-April 14, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival
2. Smithsonian Folklife Festival
#2 Parade, Walk & Festival
In what must be a first for the National Mall, a group from Catalonia built a 400-human tower as part of the 52nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This popular summer event focused on two core programs titled “Armenia: Creating Home” and “Catalonia: Tradition and Creativity from the Mediterranean.” Several hundred participants from those regions shared the stories behind their artisan craft and local food and wine production, along with artists from around the D.C. region. In 2018, about 700,000 people attended over the 10 days of the festival, which is co-sponsored by the National Park Service. In 2019, the Folklife Festival will center on the “social power of music," spotlighting communities from Benin, Brazil, D.C., the U.S. Gulf Coast, and more. Next: June 26-30, 2019 and July 3-7, 2019
In what must be a first for the National Mall, a group from Catalonia built a 400-human tower as part of the 52nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This popular summer event focused on two core programs titled “Armenia: Creating Home” and “Catalonia: Tradition and Creativity from the Mediterranean.” Several hundred participants from those regions shared the stories behind their artisan craft and local food and wine production, along with artists from around the D.C. region. In 2018, about 700,000 people attended over the 10 days of the festival, which is co-sponsored by the National Park Service. In 2019, the Folklife Festival will center on the “social power of music," spotlighting communities from Benin, Brazil, D.C., the U.S. Gulf Coast, and more. Next: June 26-30, 2019 and July 3-7, 2019
Photo: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
3. Capital Pride
#3 Parade, Walk & Festival (up from #4)
The Capital Pride Alliance event honoring the L.G.B.T.Q. community includes a packed schedule of events every year with a huge turnout: in 2018, more than 600,000 guests attended the pride parade, festival, and concert alone. This year's concert headliners included Alessia Cara, Troye Sivan, Keri Hilson, Kim Petras, and Max. The turnout included more than 200 parade contingents and the Pride Festival included three stages of national and local talent with 300 exhibitors such as local community groups and businesses, food vendors, and other organizations. Next: May 31-June 9, 2019
The Capital Pride Alliance event honoring the L.G.B.T.Q. community includes a packed schedule of events every year with a huge turnout: in 2018, more than 600,000 guests attended the pride parade, festival, and concert alone. This year's concert headliners included Alessia Cara, Troye Sivan, Keri Hilson, Kim Petras, and Max. The turnout included more than 200 parade contingents and the Pride Festival included three stages of national and local talent with 300 exhibitors such as local community groups and businesses, food vendors, and other organizations. Next: May 31-June 9, 2019
Photo:Â Ted Eytan
4. National Independence Day Parade
#4 Parade, Walk & Festival
Every Fourth of July, this patriotic parade travels on Constitution Avenue along the National Mall from 7th to 17th streets. Marching bands from across the country chosen by the Parade National Selection Committee participate each year in the event, which annually draws hundreds of thousands of people to see the parade floats and enjoy the music. The event is hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events, with Music Celebrations International selecting arrangements. The parade is uploaded to YouTube and Facebook. Next: July 4, 2019
Every Fourth of July, this patriotic parade travels on Constitution Avenue along the National Mall from 7th to 17th streets. Marching bands from across the country chosen by the Parade National Selection Committee participate each year in the event, which annually draws hundreds of thousands of people to see the parade floats and enjoy the music. The event is hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events, with Music Celebrations International selecting arrangements. The parade is uploaded to YouTube and Facebook. Next: July 4, 2019
Photo:Â Ron Engle
5. Rolling Thunder
#5 Parade, Walk & Festival
Each Memorial Day weekend in Washington, thousands of motorcycle riders roar into town as a demonstration to bring awareness and accountability for the military’s POWs and MIAs. The 31st annual event in 2018 drew about 500,000 bikers for the Rolling Thunder ride to the National Mall, according to news reports. The annual event schedule includes a “Blessing of the Bikes” at the National Cathedral, a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and musical tributes to veterans. Next: May 24-27, 2019
Each Memorial Day weekend in Washington, thousands of motorcycle riders roar into town as a demonstration to bring awareness and accountability for the military’s POWs and MIAs. The 31st annual event in 2018 drew about 500,000 bikers for the Rolling Thunder ride to the National Mall, according to news reports. The annual event schedule includes a “Blessing of the Bikes” at the National Cathedral, a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and musical tributes to veterans. Next: May 24-27, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Rolling Thunder
6. Chinese New Year Parade and Festival
#6 Parade, Walk & Festival (up from #7)
D.C.'s Chinatown neighborhood celebrated the Year of the Pig in February, with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association’s annual Chinese New Year’s parade. The association is the umbrella organization representing 30 Chinese-American organizations throughout the greater Washington area. This year proved to be a record-breaking year for the event with more than 40,000 spectators, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department's estimate, and also a record number of parade groups and marchers. A diverse group of marchers included traditional Chinese lions and dragons along with groups like the United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, drummers from the all female percussion band Batalá Washington, hip-hop dancers, Taiwanese Youth Drummers, the Whitman High School Drumline, and the El Salvadorian band Bando El Pulgarcito. Next: February 10, 2019
D.C.'s Chinatown neighborhood celebrated the Year of the Pig in February, with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association’s annual Chinese New Year’s parade. The association is the umbrella organization representing 30 Chinese-American organizations throughout the greater Washington area. This year proved to be a record-breaking year for the event with more than 40,000 spectators, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department's estimate, and also a record number of parade groups and marchers. A diverse group of marchers included traditional Chinese lions and dragons along with groups like the United States Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, drummers from the all female percussion band Batalá Washington, hip-hop dancers, Taiwanese Youth Drummers, the Whitman High School Drumline, and the El Salvadorian band Bando El Pulgarcito. Next: February 10, 2019
Photo: Edward Der Photography
7. Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair
#7 Parade, Walk & Festival (up from #10)
This beloved marketplace of handmade goods from independent artisans marked its 15th edition with the most vendors in its history at 250 booths. Hosted by the Washington City Paper, the fair moved from Nationals Park to tents at Lot A at the Capitol Riverfront in southeast D.C. this year. The crowds were a bit smaller due to inclement weather, with an estimated 8,000 attendees over two days. Major sponsors for this year’s show included D.C. United, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery, Hubert’s Lemonade, Essentia Water, Alliance Francaise de Washington, and Getaround. Next: Fall 2019
This beloved marketplace of handmade goods from independent artisans marked its 15th edition with the most vendors in its history at 250 booths. Hosted by the Washington City Paper, the fair moved from Nationals Park to tents at Lot A at the Capitol Riverfront in southeast D.C. this year. The crowds were a bit smaller due to inclement weather, with an estimated 8,000 attendees over two days. Major sponsors for this year’s show included D.C. United, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery, Hubert’s Lemonade, Essentia Water, Alliance Francaise de Washington, and Getaround. Next: Fall 2019
Photo: ShootJoeC/Joe Cereghino
8. St. Patrick's Parade of Washington, D.C.
#8 Parade, Walk & Festival
On St. Patrick's Day, traditional bagpipers, Irish dancers, military processions, marching bands, and ornate floats parade through downtown Washington. The 48th annual parade enlisted NBC4 reporter Pat Collins as the grand marshall. The event was held in partnership with the National Park Service and sponsored by Guinness. Donors included the Dupont Circle Hotel, Aer Lingus, MIX 107.3, and WMAL 105.9 FM. Next: March 10, 2019
On St. Patrick's Day, traditional bagpipers, Irish dancers, military processions, marching bands, and ornate floats parade through downtown Washington. The 48th annual parade enlisted NBC4 reporter Pat Collins as the grand marshall. The event was held in partnership with the National Park Service and sponsored by Guinness. Donors included the Dupont Circle Hotel, Aer Lingus, MIX 107.3, and WMAL 105.9 FM. Next: March 10, 2019
Photo:Â Wayne Miller
9. Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C., Race for the Cure
#9 Parade, Walk & Festival
The annual race draws runners and walkers to raise money for breast cancer research and support programs, bringing a wave of pink T-shirts to downtown D.C. Last year, organizers changed the event date to September from Mother's Day weekend and moved the course from the National Mall to Freedom Plaza. Those changes held steady in 2018, bringing together 6,000 participants and raising more than an estimated $700,000. Top local sponsors included the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, American Society of Clinical Oncology, WTOP, 97.1 WASH-FM, ABC7, News Channel 8, and CityPeek. Next year’s event will be rebranded from the Race for the Cure to a new event experience called the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk. Next: September 7, 2019
The annual race draws runners and walkers to raise money for breast cancer research and support programs, bringing a wave of pink T-shirts to downtown D.C. Last year, organizers changed the event date to September from Mother's Day weekend and moved the course from the National Mall to Freedom Plaza. Those changes held steady in 2018, bringing together 6,000 participants and raising more than an estimated $700,000. Top local sponsors included the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, American Society of Clinical Oncology, WTOP, 97.1 WASH-FM, ABC7, News Channel 8, and CityPeek. Next year’s event will be rebranded from the Race for the Cure to a new event experience called the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk. Next: September 7, 2019
Photo:Â J-Lynn Photography
10. Walk & 5K to End H.I.V.
#10 Parade, Walk & Festival
The signature fund-raiser for Whitman-Walker Health boasted about 3,200 registrants and brought in about $610,000 during the October 2017 race, which was led by grand marshall Jim Obergefell, whose case before the Supreme Court secured marriage equality for all Americans in 2015. Due to inclement weather on the race day this year, Whitman-Walker Health rescheduled its 2018 event from October to December 1, which is World AIDS Day. That gives the health organization even more time to hit the event's $850,000 fund-raising goal. Next: December 1, 2018
The signature fund-raiser for Whitman-Walker Health boasted about 3,200 registrants and brought in about $610,000 during the October 2017 race, which was led by grand marshall Jim Obergefell, whose case before the Supreme Court secured marriage equality for all Americans in 2015. Due to inclement weather on the race day this year, Whitman-Walker Health rescheduled its 2018 event from October to December 1, which is World AIDS Day. That gives the health organization even more time to hit the event's $850,000 fund-raising goal. Next: December 1, 2018
Photo:Â Edward Le Poulin
11. Virginia Scottish Games and Festival
#11 Parade, Walk & Festival
This festival devoted to all things Scottish began in 1974, and the 2018 event brought more than 10,000 attendees to scenic Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. The two-day festival includes highland dancing, bagpipes, a fiddling competition, an antique British car show, whiskey tasting, and a sheep-herding demonstration among other attractions. Visitors could also browse through sale items like soaps and candles made on-site, kilts, jewelry, toys, knives, hats, Scottish pottery, and candy. Next: August 31-September 1, 2019
This festival devoted to all things Scottish began in 1974, and the 2018 event brought more than 10,000 attendees to scenic Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. The two-day festival includes highland dancing, bagpipes, a fiddling competition, an antique British car show, whiskey tasting, and a sheep-herding demonstration among other attractions. Visitors could also browse through sale items like soaps and candles made on-site, kilts, jewelry, toys, knives, hats, Scottish pottery, and candy. Next: August 31-September 1, 2019
Photo: Virginia Scottish Games Staff Photography  Virginia Scottish Games Staff Photography
