News Release

Plan Your Visit to the 2019 Lotus and Water Lily Festival

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only national park that cultivates and displays aquatic plants for thousands of visitors to enjoy throughout the year. (NPS Photo)

News Release Date: July 10, 2019

Contact: Katie Liming, 202-619-7156

Join the National Park Service for the 2019 Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This two-day festival highlights the annual blooming of lotus and water lily flowers and features music and dance performances, arts and crafts, ranger-led tours and more. Join us on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit go.nps.gov/lotus for the weekend schedule and more information on this year’s celebration. #LotusLilyFest2019

2019 Lotus and Water Lily Festival

Saturday, July 13
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Kick-off this weekend’s celebration with music and dance performances, an international fashion show, live animal demonstrations, painting classes, storytelling and more. 

Sunday July 14
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Start your day with yoga in the garden! Today’s festivities continue with ranger-led garden tours, opportunities to see reptiles up-close, a water gardening workshop and more performances.

Three ways to get to the Lotus and Water Lily Festival 
There are three easy ways to get to the Lotus and Water Lily Festival this year! Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE. Please note that parking directly in front of the park will not be available on July 13 and 14.

1. Metro: Deanwood Metro Station is about a 10-minute walk from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Take a walk or hop on the FREE festival shuttle, which will run from the Deanwood Metro Station to the park from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 13 and 14. Accessible shuttles are available from the Deanwood Metro Station.

2. Drive: FREE festival parking is located at Kenilworth Park (4047 Deane Ave. NE) on July 13 and 14. A FREE shuttle will circulate between the parking lot at Kenilworth Park and the festival area from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Accessible shuttles are available from Kenilworth Park. Parking is not available directly in front of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. 

3. Bike: Enjoy a 20-minute bike ride along the scenic Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, starting from the Anacostia Skating Pavilion (1500 Anacostia Drive SE) to the festival site. Plenty of bike racks will be available at the gardens.

What to bring to the festival
Bring a reusable water bottle and look for water refilling stations throughout the park. Food will be for sale on-site, or feel free to bring a picnic lunch or snacks. Some chairs will be provided in the viewing area for performances. You are welcome to bring chairs and picnic blankets.

What not to bring
No alcohol is allowed in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Please refrain from bringing large objects like tents or tables.

Public safety 
Visitors are highly encouraged to text LILYFEST to 888777 to receive the latest safety updates about the Lotus and Water Lily Festival and emergency alerts. The service is free, but carrier message rates may apply.

If driving to the festival, don’t leave valuables in your car, and park only in the designated parking areas mentioned above.

If you see something say something! Call U.S. Park Police at 202-617-7500.

Can’t make it to the festival? 
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is open year-round and offers opportunities for all ages and interests. It’s a great destination for birding, wildlife viewing, photography, picnics, volunteering and school groups. Ranger-led tours are offered daily. For more information visit go.nps.gov/lotus.

About the festival 
The annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival is presented by the National Park Service at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, a one-of-a-kind destination within Anacostia Park. The aquatic gardens remain a hidden gem in Washington, D.C., and are one of the last remaining tidal wetlands in the city. The gardens are home to original species of lotus and water lily plants that were cultivated more than 100 years ago and sold all over the world by Civil War veteran W.B. Shaw. Today, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only national park that cultivates and displays aquatic plants for thousands of visitors to enjoy throughout the year.