Discover far more than politics in Washington D.C this year
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.
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
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
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures
APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit
Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa
Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!