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April 2013 Festivals and Events in the Washington, DC Area

By , About.com Guide

The Washington, DC area and its surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia host lots of annual festivals and special events. All dates, prices, and activities mentioned are subject to change, so please check the official website or call to confirm information. Please note that most of these events are held each year and the dates are updated as available.

More Washington, DC Area Event Calendars

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National Cherry Blossom Festival
Through April 14, 2013. See the blossoming of thousands of cherry trees on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The capital welcomes spring with this annual tradition begun by the gift of 600 trees to the United States from Japan in 1912. Don't miss the centennial celebration including the parade, kite festival, concerts, fireworks and cultural events.

White House Easter Egg Roll
April 1, 2013, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bring the kids to hunt for Easter Eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny on the White House lawn. See also Easter Egg Hunts in Maryland and Virginia.

African American Family Celebration at the National Zoo
April 1, 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this year's multicultural tradition, the Zoo will offer an Easter egg roll/hunt, crafts, live entertainment, a food bazaar, and more family-friendly fun. Talk with Smithsonian scientists, who will share their work with such African animals as the kori bustard, cheetah, gorilla, and gaboon viper.

Earth Month Festival at Union Station
April 1-30, 2013. The month-long event features interactive, eco-friendly experiences to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainability.

Francophonie Cultural Festival
Through April 13, 2013, Various locations around Washington DC. Explore the diversity of the French-speaking world through concerts, theatrical performances, films, culinary tastings, literary salons, children’s workshops, and more.

Washington Nationals Baseball
Nationals Park. Opening Day is April 1, 2013. The Nationals 2013 schedule includes 81 home dates. The major league baseball team plays through September.

Washington Capitals
The NHL Hockey team plays at the Verizon Center through April. Find information on tickets, schedules and more.

Passover in Washington, DC
Through April 2, 2013. Find resources for planning and celebrating the Jewish holiday in the Washington DC area, including kosher markets, restaurants, synagogues and more.

International Pillow Fight Day
April 6, 2013. National Mall. Massive pillow fights breakout in cities around the world.

Frederick County Bell and History Day
April 6-7, 2013. Across the Maryland county, participating museums and historic sites offer free admission along with special events, tours, music, living history programs, and various bell-themed activities.

Immigration Reform Rally
April 10, 2013. A variety of organizations will come together on Capitol Hill to persuade Congress to pass new immigration reform policies.

Filmfest DC
April 11-21, 2013. See a wide range of extraordinary new films from around the world at a variety of Washington, DC locations.

Sugarloaf Craft Festival
April 12-14, 2013. Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Gaithersburg, MD. Enjoy a wide selection of contemporary crafts and fine art at this popular festival.

Thomas Jefferson Birthday
April 13, 2013, 11 a.m. Visit the Jefferson Memorial and attend the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the birthday of our third president. The event will feature a military color guard, patriotic wreath tributes and the sounding of "Taps".

Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
April 13, 2013, 10 a.m. See wonderful entertainment for the whole family including decorated floats, gigantic colorful helium balloons, marching bands, clowns, horses, antique cars, military and celebrity performances, and more.

Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
April 13, 2013, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The huge Japanese street party includes live entertainment, food, arts, games and a Ginza Marketplace.

White House Spring Garden Tours
April 13-14, 2013. Visit the White House grounds and explore the beautiful gardens. Tickets are required.

DC Design House Tours
April 14-May 12, 2013. Washington, DC's premiere residential design showcase features a home renovated by the region's top interior designers. Tours are available and raise funds for Children’s National Medical Center.

DC Emancipation Day
April 16, 2013. The anniversary of the Emancipation Act, when Lincoln granted freedom to 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia is celebrated with educational and cultural events throughout the city.

Bay Bridge Boat Show
April 18-21, 2013. Kent Island, Maryland. The show kicks off the boating season each spring with a display of hundreds of new and late model brokerage boats and boat equipment displays.

Bethesda Literary Festival
April 19-21, 2013. Dozens of authors and writers conduct readings, talks and other activities at galleries, bookstores and other sites in downtown Bethesda.

Earth Day
Throughout the month of April, celebrate Earth Day with special activities that make caring for the planet fun for all ages. Find activities in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

MS Walk - National MS Society, National Capital Chapter
April 20, 2013. This walk, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, is a fun, family oriented event, taking place in six different neighborhoods in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. You can participate in Washington, DC, Manassas, Reston, Potomac, Oxon Hill, or Bowie. Learn about more upcoming charity walks in the Washington, DC area.

Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
April 20-21, 2013. Historic Leesburg, Virginia. The family friendly event displays landscape designs, gardening supplies, outdoor living items, plants, flowers, herbs and much more!

Virginia Historic Garden Week
April 20-27, 2013. A garden-lovers paradise! This annual event features tours of the gardens at Virginia’s most prestigious private homes and public attractions. See lush gardens, stunning architecture, and historic furnishings.

National Park Week
April 22-26, 2013. The National Park Service encourages everyone to enjoy the natural wonders found in parks across the country. Special activities will take place around the region.

Smithsonian Craft Show
April 24-28, 2013. This is your chance to buy unique crafts from the most prestigious exhibition of contemporary American arts in the nation.

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
April 26 – May 5, 2013, Winchester, VA. The annual celebration of spring showcases the blooming apple trees in the Shenandoah Valley with more than 45 events including the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, the Grand Feature Parade, band competitions, dances, a carnival, a 10K run, Firefighters events and more.

Loudoun Bed & Breakfast Open House and Self-Guided Tours
April 28, 2013, 1–5 p.m. Explore the scenic roads of Loudoun County, Virginia and visit a variety of charming and historic B&Bs and event venues. Local wineries, restaurants, and caterers provide tastings at the various destinations.

DC Yoga Week
April 29-May 5, 2013. Try a free or $5 yoga class this week at one of DC's yoga studios.

More Washington, DC Area Event Calendars

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

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