Lotus and Water Lily Festival

 

Event Guide

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  Ranger-led tours

  Walks, talks and tours with a ranger.

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  Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

  Volunteer or enjoy events with the official Friends group for the park.

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  History of the Aquatic Gardens

  The aquatic gardens began in the 1880s when Walter Shaw planted water lilies in ponds he had dug along the Anacostia River.

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  Anacostia Park

  Explore your neighborhood national park in the heart of Washington, DC!

 

Social Media Connections

Social media is the place to come before, during, and after your visit to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. 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.

Like us on Facebook @kenilworthaquaticgardens
Follow us on Instagram @kenilworthnps
Follow us on Twitter @AnacostiaNPS

 

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 Park and 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.
2. Drive: FREE festival parking is located at Kenilworth Park (4047 Deane Ave. NE) on July 13 and 14. A FREE shuttle will take visitors from the Kenilworth Park parking lot to the festival from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Accessible shuttles are available. Parking is not available directly in front of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Accessible parking for visitors with disabilities is located on Anacostia Avenue between Polk St. and Ord St. NE near the park entrance.
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. You can also bike the Anacostia River Trail from Bladensburg, Md., to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.
   

What to Bring

Water stations will be provided for visitors to fill reusable water bottles.

Food will be on sale from a variety of vendors, but feel free to bring a picnic or snacks.

Picnic tables will be provided in the viewing area for performances. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Dogs on leash are allowed at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and owners are responsible for picking up waste.

What Not to Bring

No alcohol is allowed at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Park Safety

Visitors are highly encouraged to text LILYFEST to 888777 to receive the latest 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.

 

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 the last remaining tidal wetlands in the city. The gardens is home to an original species of Lotus and Water Lily plants that were cultivated over 100 years ago by Civil War veteran W.B. Shaw and sold all over the world. Today, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only national park that cultivates and displays aquatic plants for thousands of visitors to enjoy throughout the year.