From Rachel Cooper,
Your Guide to Washington, DC.
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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 web site or call to confirm information. Please note that most of these events are held each year and the dates are updated as available.

Artomatic
May 9-June 15, 2008. The one-of-a-kind art extravaganza features regional artists and performances including paintings, sculpture, photography, music, theater, poetry, dance and workshops.

Free Summer Concerts
Find concert schedules for free family entertainment throughout the month in various destinations around Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Vintage Virginia Wine Festival
May 31-June 1, 2008. Bull Run Park, Centreville, Virginia. Enjoy samples by more than 50 wineries including over 250 award-winning Virginia wines, educational seminars on food pairing, fine art exhibits, children’s activities, food and live entertainment.

Washington Folk Festival
May 31 - June 1, 2008. Glen Echo Park. A festival of music, dance, storytelling and crafts. Hours are Saturday 12-10 pm and Sunday 12-6 pm.

Yacht Show at National Harbor
June 5-8, 2008. The show will feature new, brokerage and charter yachts at the new $2 billion waterfront development along the Potomac in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Celebrate Fairfax! Festival
June 6-8, 2008. Northern Virginia’s largest annual community-wide celebration features live music, children’s activities, a community market place, a laser show and fireworks.

Imagination Bethesda
June 7, 2008, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A children's steet festival featuring costume characters, face painters, dance troupes, theatre performances and a variety of hands-on arts activities.

Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk
June 7-8, 2008. Visit eight museums near Dupont Circle featuring free admission and special activities for all ages.

Tour de Cure Bicycling Event for the American Diabetes Association
June 8, 2008. Help raise funds and awareness about diabetes by participating in this annual event. All experience levels welcome.

DanceAfrica
June 7-8, 2008. Dance Place in Washington, DC celebrates its annual festival of African dance and music.

Bethesda Art Walk
June 13, 2008, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy a free guided tour including 11 Bethesda, Maryland art galleries and studios that feature painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry and mixed media.

Capital Pride
June 14-15, 2008. A street festival and parade celebrate pride in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities in Washington, DC.

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.

Father's Day
June 15, 2008. Looking for a special way to spend Father’s Day this year? Here are some ideas of ways to spend some family time with Dad on Father’s Day in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Silverdocs Film Festival
June 16-23, 2008. Film festival showing 100 free films, and special programs at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Soap Box Derby
June 21, 2008. Washington, DC area youth ages 8 to 17 will be racing gravity powered cars down Constitution Ave. on Capitol Hill.

National Capital Barbecue 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.

Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest
June 21-22, 2008. Morven Park, Leesburg, VA. Enjoy a beer festival with food, live entertainment and children's activities.

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 events.

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.

More Washington, DC Area Event Calendars

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