Discover far more than politics in Washington D.C this year
![Storm rising over United States Capitol Building, Washington DC](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
There’s more than politics going on in the Capital of the United States in 2024 with a range of quirky bars, Michelin-starred dining and a calendar of exhilarating events that keep the city buzzing all year long.
In 2024, experience the city in full bloom during the iconic cherry blossom season, take a sneak peek behind the scenes at one of the city’s 175+ embassies, feel the beat of smooth jazz across the city or discover more about America’s luminaries and intriguing history at one of the city’s 74 museums, most of which are free.
SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
National Cherry Blossom Festival – 20 March to 14 April 2024
It’s a sea of pink during the annual festival that celebrates the blossoming of over 3,000 cherry trees gifted from Japan in 1912. Don’t miss a photo opportunity of the city in bloom from the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument or Lincoln Memorial in the background and take advantage of ‘Cherry Picks’ with special menus offered by city restaurants. Passport DC – 1 to 31 May 2024 A month-long journey in May during Global Diversity Awareness month, to showcase Washington, DC’s thriving international diplomatic community with more than 175 embassies. Enjoy embassy open houses and tours for a behind the scenes experience, get hands-on in workshops, enjoy street festivals, performances, exhibitions and more. Capital Pride – 31 May to 9 June 2024 Washington, DC has long been central to LGBTQ+ arts, culture, intelligentsia, and civil rights, as home to one of the first gay rights organisations in the world. Celebrate its annual pride event, with ten days full of vibrant colour and festivity including the iconic parade, and a full schedule of music, film, and theatrical performances. Washington, DC will host WorldPride in 2025. Independence Day – 4 July 2024Washington, DC goes off with a bang for this annual all-American celebration. Sing along with music icons at the free ‘A Capitol Fourth’ concert at Capitol Hill, followed by a dazzling fireworks display against the skyline of only-in-DC monuments and memorials.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/7a357991-7cb6-42b8-3c44-90d86e27adba-scaled.jpg)
Independence day. (Supplied)
DC JazzFest – 20th Anniversary – September 2024
Celebrating 20 years in 2024, experience this distinctly American musical genre in the birthplace of Duke Ellington – one of the greatest jazz composers of his time. The festival is held over two nights on the city’s waterfront at the newly completed The Wharf precinct, featuring musicians from all over the world.HISTORY & CULTURE
National Book Festival – 24 August 2024
Each year, the Library of Congress hosts the National Book Festival, a literary event that brings together best-selling authors, poets and illustrators for author talks, panel discussions, book signings and other interactive activities. Over its 20-year history, the festival has become one of the most prominent literary events in America. Smithsonian Folklife Festival – Indigenous Voices of the Americas – 26 to 30 June and 3 to 7 July 2024 A free family-friendly event on the National Mall, involving Indigenous artists and makers, chefs, musicians, dancers, athletes, and storytellers, with demonstrations of ancestral tradition and modern approaches to cultural expression. Join the celebration of stories, songs, and dance. Experience ancestral foods and learn how Indigenous voices are reclaiming their languages through spoken-word and hip-hop. Hirshhorn Museum – 50th Anniversary – 2024 During its 50th anniversary year, the modern art museum is undergoing a renovation of its Sculpture Garden and opening a landmark exhibit that showcases Black feminism through bronze sculpture. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian – 20th Anniversary – 2024 The first national museum dedicated exclusively to Native Americans will celebrate with special exhibitions and events, some of which will be centred around the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Smithsonian National Museum of American History – 60th Anniversary – 2024 Celebrating 60 years in 2024 and with a world class collection of over 1.7 million objects, the museum is dedicated to showcasing the complex history of the United States. It includes dedicated kids interactive exhibition spaces, including Spark!Lab for kids 6-12 years, and Wegmans Wonderplace for younger kids aged 0-6 years.New Museum Openings & News
Go-Go Museum & Cafe – opening February 2024
Digital and interactive exhibits showcase go-go music and culture, a genre of funk, R&B, hip-hop and Afro-Latin rhythms with its roots traced back to West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. These cultural roots will also be reflected in the style of dishes on the museum cafe’s menu.
Folger Shakespeare Library – unveils new expansion June 2024
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/13687853-ff13-4f08-b93c-1a77e7ef141c.png)
Folger Shakespeare Library. (Render – Supplied)
Housing the world’s biggest Shakespeare collection and historic theatre, the major renovation is an expansion of public spaces including two exhibition halls and an accessible outdoor pavilion and garden filled with both native plants and botanica mentioned by Shakespeare.
National Museum of American Diplomacy – 2024
The museum will tell the story of the history, practice and challenges of American diplomacy. The four halls will support interactive decision-based games, media, exhibits and live programming. Housed artefacts including a bugged brick from the U.S. embassy in Moscow and the first base from the 2016 U.S. vs Cuba baseball game.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
america Folger Shakespeare Library Washington D.CLatest News
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?