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Contact: Vince Vaise
Celebrate the Anacostia River at the 9th Annual Anacostia River Festival
WASHINGTON—The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the ninth annual Anacostia River Festival. The festival is Saturday, May 20 from 1-4 p.m. at Anacostia Park off Good Hope Road & Anacostia Drive SE. The 2023 Anacostia River Festival’s theme is “Breaking New Ground, 100 Years of Innovation.”
The Anacostia River Festival focuses on improving the health of the Anacostia River and the exciting experiences you can have in Anacostia Park and on the river. This FREE event held in Anacostia Park welcomes District residents and visitors alike to communities and parks east of the river. One of this year’s highlights will be a parade of vintage cars along Anacostia Drive at 1 p.m.!
What’s Happening:
At the stage:
The main festival grounds at Good Hope Road and Anacostia Drive will feature special live musical performances from the U.S. Navy Band, the Eastern High School Marching Band, The Experience Band, New Impressionz Band, Sirius Company featuring guest performer Scooby, Ms Kim Band as well as the finals of the Spoken Word poetry contest “Word to Go-Go.”
Ongoing activities in park: “Meet” Frederick Douglass! An actor portraying Douglass will talk to visitors and highlight how he enjoyed the Anacostia River in his day. Other activities include a ranger tent with crafts and history of the park. Play lawn games, hang out in a hammock, or sign up for a canoe trip.
Just outside of the park:
Explore the artists’ market! Good Hope Road will feature a variety of local businesses and artisans, WHUR, and food trucks!
Getting There:
For pedestrian safety, all the roads around the festival grounds will be closed during the festival. Good Hope Road from Martin Luther King Junior Avenue to Anacostia Drive will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anacostia Drive will be closed from South Capitol Street to the Anacostia Recreation Center from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here are the best ways to get to the festival:
Metro:
Take the Green Line to Anacostia Metro Station. Exit the station at the Parking Garage/Kiss and Ride exit. (Do not use the Howard Road exit). Upon exiting the station, follow the signage into the park. There will be staff to direct you.
Bike Access:
Capital Bikeshare service is available at Anacostia Metro Station, Good Hope Road SE across from the Anacostia Arts Center and at the Anacostia Park Recreation Center. Free bike valet available just inside the festival near Good Hope Road
Parking:
There is free parking available at the Anacostia Metro Parking Garage just off Howard Road and it's a short walk from there to the festival grounds (~ 5 walk depending on your pace).
There is also free parking at the Anacostia Skating Pavilion and there will be a free shuttle from the pavilion that will drop off near the Anacostia Recreation Center just outside the festival grounds. Please note that you will need to enter the park at Nicholson Street to reach the skating pavilion because all other entrances will be closed during the festival.
What to Bring:
Visitors are encouraged to bring water or fill their reusable water bottles at free filling stations. There will be food for sale at food trucks in the park along Good Hope Road, but feel free to bring a picnic or snacks. Blankets or lawn chairs are encouraged to watch stage performances. Dogs on leash are allowed in Anacostia Park and owners are responsible for picking up waste.
What Not to Bring:
No alcohol or firearms are allowed in Anacostia Park.
About the National Park Service:
The National Park Service cares for 423 national parks across the country and offers interesting history and outdoor fun for everyone. Visit us at www.nps.gov for more information.
Anacostia Park is a signature urban park that improves people’s lives and protects the quality and resiliency of the Anacostia River ecosystem. The park provides inspirational natural spaces easily accessible to area residents and visitors and offers a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities. To learn more about Anacostia Park, visit www.nps.gov/anac.
About the 11th Street Bridge Park:
The 11th Street Bridge Park, a project of Building Bridges Across the River, will be Washington, D.C.’s first elevated public park located on the piers of the old 11th Street Bridge spanning the Anacostia River: a new venue for healthy recreation; environmental education and the arts. Visit bridgepark.org for park renderings, upcoming events/tours and our equitable development strategies - our effort to ensure local residents can thrive in place.
About the National Cherry Blossom Festival:
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information and find us on Facebook (@CherryBlossomFestival), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest), and Instagram(@CherryBlossFest).
Last updated: May 18, 2023