Washington, DC

Wishing for spring and thinking about all of the fun things to do in Washington, DC? The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be here before you know it. The annual festival welcomes the spring season and begins at the end of March drawing crowds from around the country to see the beautiful blossoms in the nation's capital. Here are some resources to help you make some plans for the Washington, DC area's favorite season of the year:

• Top 10 Spring Events in Washington, DC
• Spring Family Fun in DC
• March Festivals and Events in Washington, DC
• April Festivals and Events in Washington, DC

Photo © Bob Nichols

DAYGLOW, the premiere music and paint party, returns to the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds in Washington DC on Saturday, April 14, 2012 with an all new show: L!FE IN COLOR. This year, DAYGLOW will feature a brand new laser show, cirque-style live acts, its world-famous "Paint Blast," new DAYGLOW paint cannons that shoot over 100 feet into the crowd and the latest house and techno music by some of the world's hottest DJs. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and TicketsNow.com. Attendees must be 18 and older. The event takes place rain or shine.

Photo © Dayglow

See a guide to the top events going on this weekend in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia.

• Valentines Day Events in Washington DC - Throughout the weekend, find dining specials and romantic events to celebrate Valentines Day.
  
  
• Washington, DC International Wine Festival - February 11-12, 2012. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The festival will include many new highlights including a Food Pavilion partnering sponsors with local chefs, trendy events at local restaurants, a restaurant partners program as well as a fun celebrity chef demonstration stage.
  
  
• Grand Opening Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership - February 12 and 20, 2012. The new facility honoring Abraham Lincoln celebrates its opening with open houses and special programming including tours, author discussions, live performances and music.
  
  
• Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration - February 11, 2012, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W St. SE Washington, DC. Celebrate Frederick Douglass' Birthday and his contribution to the Women's Rights Movement with music, presentations, children's activities, live Douglass speeches, and house tours.
  
  
• Cupid's Undie Run - February 11, 2012. Run around the U.S. Capitol Building in your Valentine's themed undies to raise money for the Children's Tumor Foundation.
  
  
• Abraham Lincoln Birthday Observance - February 12, 2012 at noon. Lincoln Memorial, 23rd & Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC. Honor Abraham Lincoln at a Presidential wreath laying ceremony and a dramatic reading of the "Gettysburg Address."
  
  
• Strathmore Discover Ellington Festival Through February 20, 2012. Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. Enjoy live musical performances, demonstrations and lectures and learn more about Washington's iconic jazz musician.
  
  
• Bethesda's Play in a Day - February 11, 2012. Six professional Washington, DC area theatre companies will write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays based on similar themes in only 24 hours.
  
  
• Black History Month - Throughout the month of February, remember the contributions of African Americans in the United States with numerous events and cultural programs.

More Upcoming Washington, DC Events

February Festivals and Events in the DC Area

Presidents' Day Weekend in Washington DC

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The Gaylord National Resort's newest DreamWorks Experience package: Family Fun Night with Shrek & Friends features an immersive experience with Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots including dancing, movies, scavenger hunts, crafts, and special treats. Rates for February 25, 2012 start from $99 per person based on double occupancy plus tax with kids staying free. Rates for March 10, 2012 start at $125 per person based on double occupancy plus tax with kids staying free.

Set along the Potomac River, in National Harbor, the Gaylord has wonderful views and is an interesting place to explore. It is the largest-combined hotel and convention center on the East Coast, offering 2,000 guest rooms, including 110 lavish suites; 470,000 square-foot convention center; acclaimed restaurants; Relâche™ Spa; Pose Ultra Lounge; and a soaring 19-story, glass atrium. Read more about the Gaylord National Resort.

© 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.

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The National Children's Museum has announced that, it will open "A Place for Being Me", a transitional space at National Harbor in the spring of 2013. Using a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, the 75,000 square feet of transitional space will offer programs for families ahead of the museum opening schedule. Over the past year The National Children's Museum has served over 300,000 kids through its Launch Zone and community outreach activities including its Museum Without Walls programs. "A Place for Being Me" will provide a rich indoor experience focusing on play, civic engagement, the environment, the arts, health and well being, and global citizenship. A creative outdoor space will include a toddler zone; "challenge mountain" adventure; water play zone; fantasy garden; and a variety of other activities where children can explore, create, and discover the wonders of the natural world. Opening this new space will create 200 construction jobs followed by up to 65 permanent staff positions. Opening "A Place for Being Me" will also provide additional resources and help stimulate fundraising for the new museum.

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As part of a nationwide initiative to help people jumpstart healthier and happier lives, spas across the country are offering discounts during Wellness Week on March 19-25, 2012. Spa and wellness businesses across the country will offer half-price or flat-rate $50 deals on spa treatments, private trainings, and more. Confirmed spas participating in the Washington, DC area include:

• Serenity Zone Medspa (Olney, DC)
• The Spa Room (Washington, D.C.)
• The Spa at Mandarin Oriental (Washington, D.C.)
• CFMA Medispa (Chevy Chase, MD)
• Renu Med Spa & Facial Plastic Surgery (Chevy Chase, MD)
• Angel's Touch Skincare and Wellness (Greenbelt, MD)
• Blu Water Day Spa (Kensington, MD)
• Whole Health Wellness and Medspa (Alexandria, VA)
• Imani Wellness, LLC (Arlington, VA)
• Serendipity Wellness Studio (Burke,VA)
• Comfort & Joy Wellness Spa (Fairfax, VA)
• Radiant Sun Therapies (Reston, VA)
• Crystal Spa 2110 (Vienna, VA)
• Parma Spa (Vienna, VA)

From today through February 22nd, you can sign up for an exclusive opportunity to book Wellness Week deals a full week before booking opens up to the general public on February 29th. For more information, visit www.wellnessweek2012.com

Photo courtesy of SpaFinder, Inc.

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In honor of the 100-year anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a special kimono exhibit and fundraiser will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington DC. The collection features beautiful and finely woven kimono and showcases techniques and the evolution of kimono-making over the past 100 years. All kimono are from the personal collection of MacLardy, Arise Gallery, and several collectors. The exhibit will run from February 15 through April 30, 2012. Hours vary by day, please call 301-806-0337 before your visit. Coinciding with the exhibit, a 3-day fundraiser will take place in the Corcoran Room of the hotel on April 4 (5:00-8:00pm), and April 5 & 6 (12-8:00pm). Beautiful kimono will be on sale, as well as accessories, jewelry, and a variety of Japanese items including yukata robes, obi socks, and obi and getta shoes. The collection includes kimono starting at $10, attractive to quilters and sewers, to kimono from $245 to $1,000 for lovers of fashion and traditional Japanese wear. Proceeds benefit the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a 501-not-for-profit organization, and The Japan-America Society of Washington DC. To preview the offerings, visit arisedc.net.

Photo: A 1930's red-orange silk kimono from the collection of Japan's Baron Kurusu. The piece was specially commissioned for the Baron's daughter. A profusion of chrysanthemum flowers and persimmons in a wide array of colors, along with intricate gold threadwork, make it a very regal piece. Photography by Evan White, Touch-up by D. Taylor

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10 Things to Know About the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

Donald Trump has won the bid to redevelop the Old Post Office Pavilion. He plans to convert the historic building on Pennsylvania Avenue into a 250-room luxury hotel with restaurants, a spa and conference facilities. The building has a prime location in Washington DC and currently houses a food court and retail space that is underutilized. The Old Post Office Building has a 315-foot clock tower with sweeping 360 degree views of the city. Construction will begin in 2014 with a projected opening date in 2016.

The capital region has a wonderful variety of local foods that are tasty and healthy. With the Chesapeake Bay at our doorstep, we are lucky to have such a bounty of crabs, oysters, clams and many species of fish. With hundreds of farms in the area, fruits and vegetables are easily delivered to local stores, farmers markets and restaurants. The region also produces some other specialty foods. Do you know what they are? See a guide to Maryland Foods and Virginia Foods.

The Washington, DC area has some wonderful romantic places and special events for Valentines Day. See a Valentine's Day Guide for the Washington, DC Area including the region's most romantic restaurants, luxury hotels, getaway destinations, special events and more.

Looking for a wonderful Valentine's Day gift? Here are a few suggestions:

• Best Chocolate in Washington, DC - Find the best chocolate, truffles, fudge and brownies in the Washington, DC area.
  
• Flowers - Order flower arrangements and gift baskets online
  
• Gourmet Food - Send a gift of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines, high-end kitchenware and gifts.
  
• Spa gift certificates - Arrange for a massage, facial, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, skin treatments and much more.
  
• Jewelry - Make your loved one happy with a new piece of jewelry - Find gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires at a local jewelry store.