Smithsonian Folklife Festival
About this event
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is a cultural festival in Washington, District of Columbia, at National Mall. A free Smithsonian celebration of living cultural heritage, with music, craft, food, and demonstrations. The 2026 program uses a nationwide Festival of Festivals model rather than a single National Mall summer run.
Annual, around late June into early July
Location & directions
National Mall, Washington, DC 20560
Frequently asked questions
Where is Smithsonian Folklife Festival held?
Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held in Washington, District of Columbia, at National Mall, Washington, DC 20560.
What is Smithsonian Folklife Festival?
A free Smithsonian celebration of living cultural heritage, with music, craft, food, and demonstrations.
More cultural fairs in District of Columbia
See all 12 →
RecurringNational Book Festival
The Library of Congress's annual celebration of books and reading, with hundreds of authors, poets, and illustrators across all genres.
RecurringDC JazzFest
A citywide jazz festival presenting national and local artists at venues across Washington, anchored by performances at The Wharf.
RecurringAdams Morgan Day
The District's longest-running neighborhood festival, celebrating the diverse Adams Morgan community with music, food, and crafts.
RecurringH Street Festival
One of DC's largest single-day street festivals, with more than a dozen blocks of music, art, dance, and food along the H Street corridor.
RecurringFiesta DC
Billed as the nation's largest Latino festival, with the Parade of Nations and a two-day street festival celebrating Latin American culture, music, dance, and food along Pennsylvania Avenue.
RecurringTaste of Georgetown
A marquee Georgetown food festival where top neighborhood restaurants serve signature dishes at tasting stations along the historic streets of Washington's oldest quarter.
Other fairs & festivals near Washington
Explore Washington →
4.2(609)HHM Friday Mini Markt
A craft fair in Washington.
4.5(6619)HHM Fall Mini Markt
A craft fair in Washington.
RecurringDC Wine Fest
A two-day wine festival at Dock 5 in the Union Market District with unlimited tastings from national and international wineries, seasonal bites, and live music across timed sessions.
Are you the organizer, or spot something out of date? Help keep this listing accurate.