Spring Calendar

Washington has been the national epicenter of spring ever since the planting of the original 3,000 cherry trees gifted to the city by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki, so you probably already have the National Cherry Blossom Festival on your spring calendar. Less-well-known is the Flower Mart that has adorned the grounds of the National Cathedral on the first Friday and Saturday of May for every year since 1939.

The cherry blossoms in front of the Arlington County Library are just as grand as the ones along the Tidal Basin (and with fewer crowds)
The cherry blossoms in front of the Arlington County Library are just as grand as the ones along the Tidal Basin (and with fewer crowds)

For culture buffs, the annual embassy tour is a can’t miss event spread over the first two weekends in May. First is the Around the World Embassy Tour, where you can wander down Embassy row sampling cocktails and music from around the world. The following weekend is the EU Open House, where the European Embassies host free performances and sell food and wares from their home countries.

Spring also marks the return of the First Sunday Arts Festival, a themed art day on the streets of Annapolis that runs the first Sunday of every throughout the spring and into our Summer Calendar.

The Best Ways to Celebrate Spring in DC:

Weird DC

Weird DC
Washington D.C.

Explore the C&O Canal and Potomac Heritage Trail

Explore the C&O Canal and Potomac Heritage Trail

Best of Baltimore: 3 Days in Charm City

Best of Baltimore: 3 Days in Charm City
Baltimore

The Top 5 Public Lakes Near Washington, DC

The Top 5 Public Lakes Near Washington, DC

The 5 Best Zoos Near Washington, DC

The 5 Best Zoos Near Washington, DC

The Best Birding Near DC

The Best Birding Near DC

Take your sweet time at Frying Pan Park

Take your sweet time at Frying Pan Park
Frying Pan Farm Park - Parking Lot

The 7 Best WMAs Near DC

The 7 Best WMAs Near DC

Meander through the Oatlands Plantation and Gardens

Meander through the Oatlands Plantation and Gardens
Oatlands Plantation Lane

Hike the Gathland State Park trails

Hike the Gathland State Park trails
Gathland State Park

The Whitehouse Overlook in Sky Meadows State Park offers the quintessential Virginia view.

Hike Sky Meadows State Park
Sky Meadows State Park

3 hours at Raven Rocks Trailhead on the Virginia State Line

3 hours at Raven Rocks Trailhead on the Virginia State Line
Raven Rocks Trailhead

DC gardens, nature centers, and easy walks

DC gardens, nature centers, and easy walks

Best kid-friendly hikes in DC

Best kid-friendly hikes in DC

the boss trail

10 Badass Mountain Biking Trails near Washington, DC

9 Spots to Golf and Putt near DC

9 Spots to Golf and Putt near DC

Stroll Mount Vernon

Stroll Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Hwy

Discover art & history in Occoquan

Discover art & history in Occoquan
Occoquan Historic District

The Ultimate Guide to the Smithsonian & National Mall

The Ultimate Guide to the Smithsonian & National Mall
600 Independence Ave SW

Wander Mawavi (Prince William Forest Park), the largest National Park in the DMV

Wander Mawavi (Prince William Forest Park), the largest National Park in the DMV
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center

Visit the Holy Land, in Brookland

Visit the Holy Land, in Brookland
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Get lost in Meadowlark Gardens

Get lost in Meadowlark Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens & Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights