There is no better place to experience the true feeling of Memorial Day than in our nation’s capital. Washington D.C.is the perfect city to spend your Memorial Day Weekend and get your summer started with exciting yet educational events taking place around the city. Here are some events for Memorial Day in Washington DC to look out for this year:
Memorial Day in Washington DC – National Memorial Day Parade
You can find a variety of Memorial Day parades happening around the country in most cities. Instead of participating in these small events, come experience in the largest parade for Memorial Day in Washington DC The National Memorial Day Parade is a televised parade featuring marching bands, live performers, floats, and veterans as they march down Constitution Avenue. This is the perfect way to celebrate our nation’s veterans in the country’s biggest parade. This year’s parade is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 27th. The earlier you arrive, the better views you will be able to get!
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally
Each year over 900,000 motorcyclists descend upon Washington D.C.for their annual Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally. This unique parade honors the POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam War. The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally starts off at the Pentagon and makes its way to the West Potomac Park. This year’s event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 26th just in time for Memorial Day.
National Memorial Day Concert
Another exciting way to honor our service members is by attending the National Memorial Day Concert. This free event is filmed lived for PBS in Washington D.C.and will be hosted by actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna. Additional celebrities will be on hand to demonstrate their talents as well. Enjoy the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 26that 8:00pm located on the West Lawn of the US Capitol.
Visit the National Mall Memorials
You do not have to partake in these vast events to honor our nation’s armed services. Anyone visiting Washington D.C.is encouraged to visit the National Mall, where several historic landmarks can be found, including the National World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Your Historical Getaway to Washington DC
Memorial Day in Washington DC allows us to honor and remember our fallen veterans with these exciting events. Make the most of your historical getaway with our exclusive vacation rentals found in the prestigious neighborhoods in the city. You will experience amenities and comfort found nowhere else in Washington D.C. Reserve your next stay online today or give us a call to help you find the right rental. Read more about Memorial Day in Washington DC!
There is no more famous rite of spring than the annual blooming of the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. This year more than 700,000 visitors will descend on the nation’s capital to witness the vibrant blossoms as they herald the coming of spring and kick off the month-long National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 17-April 15).
Welcome Party
The festival kicks off with the Pink Tie Party on March 15, followed by the opening of the Tidal Basin Welcome Area and Performance Stage on March 17. The stage is home to visitor services, food booths, and souvenir stands, in addition to hosting free daily concerts and performances. It is the central hub for witnessing the blossoms and for experiencing the numerous family activities and cultural events associated with the festival, which commemorates the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.
A Gift of a Flower
Symbolizing rebirth and renewal, the world-famous cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin were gifted to the District by the nation of Japan in 1912. While over 3,000 trees of 12 different cultivars were planted that spring, today two types of blossom predominate: the Yoshino (~70%), with their singular, tufted white blossoms, and the Kwanzan (12.6%), which produces paired pink blossoms a few weeks later. This year the peak bloom – defined as when 70% of the Basin’s trees are in full bloom – is predicted for March 27-31 (as of March 12), putting it on track for the heart of the celebration. Regardless of when the brunt of the blossoms join the festival, the month-long celebration of Japanese culture, the two country’s friendship, community spirit, and, of course, cherry trees promises to be another in a long line of festivals dating back to the inaugural one in 1927.
Cherry Blossom Festival Events
Beginning with the traditional opening of the main stage and the Opening Ceremony of the Cherry Blossom Festival on March 25, these four weekends boast a wealth of fun, primarily free, family-friendly events for old and young alike. Cruise operators feature tours of the blossom-lined shores, gardens showcase their own beautiful flowers and vegetation with guided and self-guided tours, and galleries showcase the beauty of the flowers and the art they inspire in numerous mediums. For a full listing, be sure to visit the festival’s event page.
Surefire popular events include the Sakura Taiko Fest (March 25), the Cherry Blossom Food Crawl (March 31), and the Blossom Kite Festival (March 31) which features stunt kite performances, competitions, and kite building for all ages.
The crown jewel of the festival is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 14, from 10am to noon. Held on Constitution Avenue, the parade is 10 blocks of elaborate floats, majestic and colorful helium balloons, celebrity entertainers, and a visual spectacle of pageantry and performers. After the parade, be sure to stop by the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival in downtown, the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the country. Over 80 contributors put on more than 30 hours of programs, demonstrations, and activities featuring the art, culture, and food of Japan.
While we may not know exactly when the peak bloom will hit this spring, you can be certain you will have the perfect accommodations to explore D.C., the cherry blossoms, and all the wonderful events of the festival when you book your exclusive vacation rental through LUXbnb. We look forward to your visit! Click here to contact us! Read more about the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC!
As the cherry blossoms bloom and signal the official coming of spring (keep your fingers crossed!) a whole other side of the District comes to life. With warmer weather comes the opening of the area’s waterfronts and both of the city’s rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia. With a bevy of new entertainment venues along the riverfront, you’ll find no shortage of adventure this spring. Check these awesome Washington DC activities that can be done in the waterfront part of the city!
Hit the Water
Nothing beats a day on the water. If you prefer providing your own horsepower, you won’t want to miss the Key Bridge Boathouse. Located in Georgetown on the banks of the Potomac, here you can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards and go wild on the river. Incredible views of iconic buildings and monuments, from the Kennedy Center to the Washington Monument or only rivaled by a visit to beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Island. Looking for something more laid back? The paddleboats at Tidal Basin Paddle Boats offer picturesque views of the National Mall. This is one of the best Washington DC activities!
River Tours
Of course, you can always let someone else do the work while you enjoy the sights. Hop aboard a DC Duck at Union Station and enjoy a guided tour of the city’s monuments and historical sights, then watch in amazement as your amphibious craft barrels right into the welcoming arms of the river for the final portion of an amazing 90-minute tour unlike any other. For a fancier or more romantic experience, numerous operators provide lunch, dinner, and themed river cruises, perfect for any occasion and an excellent way to see the beautiful cityscape, quaint colonial neighborhoods, and the beautiful architecture of our nation’s iconic monuments.
The Great Outdoors and Other Washington DC Activities
There are so many amazing Washington DC activities! The newest waterfront attraction is The Wharf, which offers a diverse selection of high-end restaurants and cozy cafés perfect for people watching, four charming piers with great scenic views, and two great music venues (The Anthem and Pearl Street Warehouse). This is an excellent spot to grab a drink, a meal, or spend an entire evening. If you are traveling with children, they’ll love The Yards Park with its themed outdoor “rooms,” fountain play areas, excellent playgrounds, and paddleboat rentals.
The coming of spring means there is just that much more to do in the District. From jogging the scenic riverside trails to exploring the numerous riverwalks and the historic waterfront in Georgetown, you’ll find plenty to do down at the river (either one). Fortunately, all of Luxbnb’s vacation rentals are conveniently located close to one or more of these attractions, as well as being in easy reach of all the rest via the Metro. Click here to learn more about us! Explore the top 10 things to do in Washington DC!