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Friday, July 18th through Sunday, July 20th
10 am to 8 pm
The garden is an interconnected web of life. Whether for their medicinal and edible qualities, or for their beauty and cultural symbolism, people have admired lotuses and lilies for millennia. This year’s festival is a celebration of the connections between animals, plants, the environment and our community.
A man paints a lotus flower in front of a tidal pool
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk
Enjoy three days of fun!
Schedule of Events
Immerse yourself in three days of art, wellness, music, and cultural expression surrounded by the peak bloom of lotuses and water lilies.
Start the weekend with movement, mindfulness, and music in the gardens.
Program Key
(D) = Drop-In
Open to all, no registration required. Arrive early to secure a spot.
(R) = Register Day of
Free, limited-capacity sessions. Register in person at the Welcome Tent the day of the program. First-come, first-served; some classes fill quickly!
Morning Programs
10 am–11 am: Kids Yoga w/ Our Movement Yoga™
Join us for a fun outdoor yoga class designed just for kids! Blending mindful movement, breathwork, and playful exploration, this class helps children build body awareness, balance, and focus. Perfect for ages 8–12; no experience required!
This guided outdoor journaling session helps participants slow down, tune into their emotions, and gain clarity through nature-inspired reflection. We will go through a grounding and sensory awareness exercise, then do a journaling prompt with a reflection exercise.
5 pm–6:45 pm: Forest Bathing w/ Sage (R)
Participate in a Forest Bathing saunter guided by certified Nature and Forest Therapy instructor J. Sage Raindancer. Meander through the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden’s paths and ponds, providing a backdrop to prime your senses and observe nature differently. Explore and interact with the ponds with childlike curiosity and awe while taking the time to experience the therapeutic benefits of nature through forest bathing.
5 pm–6 pm: Lotus Garden Scavenger Hunt
6 pm– 6:45 pm: Guzheng Performance (Traditional Chinese Zither)
Set among blooming lotus blossoms and serene water lilies, this open-air jazz performance will feature an all-star jazz quintet and guest vocalist, blending soulful melodies and high-energy improvisation in celebration of one of DC’s most beloved summer traditions.
Celebrate global traditions and creativity inspired by nature.
Program Key
(D) = Drop-In
Open to all, no registration required. Arrive early to secure a spot.
(R) = Register Day of
Free, limited-capacity sessions. Register in person at the Welcome Tent the day of the program. First-come, first-served; some classes fill quickly!
Learn how to create jewelry using wire, gemstone beads, and tools that you can easily find in craft stores or online. The intention behind the workshop is to introduce fun and creative ways to relieve stress and support mental health through art. We use colorful gemstones and metal to form jewelry that participants are excited to wear and share!
10:00 am–11:15 am: Pause & Bloom: Movement & Journaling w/ Laine (D)
Begin with a brief intention-setting practice in the gardens before being guided into a restful Yoga Nidra meditation. Participants are invited to bring a journal for optional reflection after the practice, using simple writing prompts to capture what emerged during the session.
Afternoon & Evening Programs
11 am: Rhythms of Asia: Cultural Dance Showcase
Experience the vibrant traditions of Asia through dance! Local cultural groups will perform traditional dances from Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Sri Lanka, and Korea, celebrating the rich heritage and artistry of each culture.
12:15 pm: Kyungsoo Dan (Korean Traditional Arts)
This year, we’re honored to welcome Kyungsoo Dan, a traditional Korean Samulnori percussion quartet, to the festival. Traveling all the way from Korea, they will share dynamic performances of drumming, dance, and song, celebrating the rich rhythms and culture of Korean heritage.
1 pm–2 pm: Ethiopian Dance Performance
2 pm–3 pm: Fashion Show
See the incredible talents of fashion designers in the community.
3 pm–4 pm: Flamenco
4 pm–5 pm: Latin Dance Showcase
5 pm–6 pm: Sol Y Rumba – Live Latin Band
Established in 1993 by singer-songwriter Maria Isolina, Sol y Rumba stands as a beacon of Latin musical excellence in the heart of the D.C. metropolitan area. The ensemble comprises some of the region's most talented musicians, each boasting an impressive musical pedigree. Dancing along is encouraged!
6 pm–7:30 pm: Forest Bathing w/ Ashleigh (R)
This forest bathing experience is a guided nature immersion designed to help participants slow down, reconnect with their senses, and embrace the therapeutic benefits of the natural world. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, this program promotes relaxation, mental clarity, and overall well-being through mindful engagement with the forest environment. We will be doing a short walk suitable for all fitness levels.
A day for healing, harmony, and hands-on inspiration.
Morning Programs
10 am–12 pm: Plant Walk & Nature Journaling w/ Candise
In this WELLderness session, we will go on a plant walk through Kenilworth Gardens., learning how to identify the wild plants as well as discussing their history, mythology, culinary, medicinal, and practical uses. We’ll end the session by nature journaling with the option to share if we feel called.
10 am–12 pm: Acrylic Painting near the Lotus Pond
Afternoon & Evening Programs
11 am–12 pm All Levels Yoga w/ Heather
Come join Heather for a beginner friendly, all levels welcome yoga session in the park. The practice will include several aspects of yoga including: asana, meditation, breath work, sun salutations and more.
12 pm–1 pm: West African Drumming Performance
1 pm–3 pm: Acrylic Painting near the Lotus Pond
2 pm–2:45pm: Live Guitar Music with Calvin Thomas
5:45 pm–7 pm: Hips & Heart Yoga w/ Erika
Hips and Heart is a hatha vinyasa style focusing on opening up the heart and hip space for a more wholesome and responsive personal emotional practice. Participants will move through chest opening, back strengthening, hip loosening, and balancing postures to nourish and reinforce these areas where emotions are held and processed. By focusing on the hips and heart, participants are set up to release energy and ideas that stagnate them and refuel themselves with energy and understandings that empower them to respond to each moment. Participants will be encouraged to tap into the focused themes of release, tapping into inner power, and receiving joy.
View all events with the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
People taking pictures of the lotus flowers
Tim Ervin
What to Bring & Safety Tips
Visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of water, as the area around the ponds has limited shade and can get very hot in the summer. You’re welcome to bring a picnic or snacks; picnic tables are available in designated areas, though grills are not permitted in the park. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, and dogs on leash are allowed—please clean up after your pet.
To stay safe and comfortable, wear sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy walking shoes, and stay hydrated to prevent heat exhaustion. Avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle and park only in designated areas. If you see something concerning, contact U.S. Park Police at 202-610-7500.
Social Media
Follow us online and become a part of our social media community by tagging us in your photos, reacting to posts, and sharing what you love most about the Lotus and Water Lily Festival.
There are three easy ways to get to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE.
The park has a dedicated parking lot that fills up quickly on busy weekends. Please refrain from parking in the neighborhood or blocking driveways.
We recommend parking on the park side of Anacostia Avenue or there is additional parking parking for visitors with disabilities is located on Anacostia Avenue between Polk St. and Ord St. NE at the old Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Center campus and is a short walk from near the park entrance. There is plenty of additional parking at this location.
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.
You can also bike the Anacostia River Trail from Bladensburg, Md., to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.
Bike racks are available at the end of the spur trail that leads from the paved Anacostia River Trail into the gardens. Please leave your bike at the bike racks as biking on the paths around the ponds is not permitted.
Take the DC Metro to the Deanwood Station. Once you are at the station you will take the Polk St NE exit. Currently, the Douglas St. Pedestrian Bridge is under construction. The alternate route will be crossing Anacostia Freeway from Eastern Ave NE northeast of Polk St NE. The alternate route should take you about 15-20 minutes to walk.
