Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details
2022 Lotus and Water Lily Festival Opening Ceremony Video 
NPS / Kendra Barat The 2022 Festival
Full Calendar of EventsView all events for the festival 
Partner EventsView all events with the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Events and ThemesThe weekend of July 9 - Celebrating ArtEvents will include a photo exhibits, painting classes, ranger talks, music with The Jogo Project, and more! Photo Exhibit All Day Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens has hosted a photography competition inviting park visitors to submit their photos. Enjoy several photos from one of their competitions in year's past featuring blooms, wildlife and abstract captures.
Discover North America’s Native Lotus, Nelumbo lutea 9:00 to 11:00 am and 2:00 to 4:00 pm Rangers will give 10–15-minute rangers talks every half hour on the beautiful native lotus, Nelumbo lutea which is a “yellow lotus” found in the park. Location is at the ponds near the boardwalk. Directions will be provided near the park entrance.
Acrylic Painting Class 10 to Noon Instructor led art class where participants will paint flowers from the garden. Beginner’s welcome. All materials will be provided. Free. Class location will be determined by the instructor and the weather. Information on all classes and the sign-up sheets will be located at the front entrance that morning. Acrylic Painting Class 1:00 to 3:00 pm Instructor led art class where participants will paint flowers from the garden. Beginner’s welcome. All materials will be provided. Free. Limited to the first 35 participants. Class location will be determined by the instructor’s preference or weather. Information on all classes will be posted at the front entrance that morning. Mixed Media Art Class 3:00 to 5:00 pm Instructor will choose the mediums to explore in this art class to create art on a canvas. May include a mix of painting, drawing, collage work, etc to create individual works of art. Suitable for beginners. Class limited to 18 participants. Class location will be determined by the instructor’s preference or weather. Information on all classes will be posted at the front entrance that morning.
JoGo Project 5:30 to 7:30 pm JoGo Band Project is a Washington, DC band that fuses many styles of music together with jazz harmonies and a driving Go-Go beat at it’s core. The JoGo Band was featured on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” and the won a Whammie in 2019 for “Best Go-Go Song” for their original “Dear Draylen.” JoGo Project has performed multiple times at the garden and are a visitor favorite. Discover North America’s Native Lotus, Nelumbo lutea 9:00 to 10:00 am and 2:00 to 3:00 pm Rangers will give 10–15-minute rangers talks every half hour on the beautiful native lotus, Nelumbo lutea which is a “yellow lotus” found in the park. Location is at the ponds near the boardwalk. Directions will be provided near the park entrance
Watercolor Painting Class 10 to Noon Instructor led are class where participants will learn watercolor painting techniques to paint a picture of water lilies from the garden. Beginner’s welcome. All materials will be provided. Free. Limited to the first 18 participants. Class location will be determined by the instructor’s preference or weather. Information on all classes will be posted at the front entrance that morning.
Watercolor Painting Class 1:00 to 3:00 pm Instructor led are class where participants will learn watercolor painting techniques to paint a picture of water lilies from the garden. Beginner’s welcome. All materials will be provided. Free. Limited to the first 18 participants. Class location will be determined by the instructor’s preference or weather. Information on all classes will be posted at the front entrance that morning. Drop In Lotus Making Station 11:00 to 1:00 pm Drop by the picnic area to create your own paper lotus. All materials are provided. FREE. Drumming with Instructor Katy Gaughn 11:00 am Learn drumming techniques and play along with the group on a variety of different drums and percussion instruments which are provided. No experience necessary. Located in the picnic area. The weekend of July 16 - Teaching Healthy Parks, Healthy People Events include a community 5k walk along the Anacostia River Trail, yoga classes, dance performance and ranger-led tours.
Water Lily 5K: a community 5K Walk 9:00am – 1:00 pm Walking is a great way to see the park and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This 5K isn’t a “race” to see how fast you can finish but it is a friendly competition to see which community gets the most people to participate. Start your walk at either the entrance of Keniworth Aquatic Gardens or Kenilworth Park to sign in, get your walk number and the route. There will be activities along the way and water stations where you can take breaks and cool off. Walk route includes the gardens, and a walk along the beautiful Anacostia River Trail. Start your walk by Noon so you can finish by 1:00 pm
Canoeing 9:00 am Paddle the Anacostia River with the Anacostia Watershed Society by canoe to experience how the character of the river varies remarkably. Upstream you’ll find forests, wetlands, and wildlife that seem amazingly removed from the city; downstream are hubs of riverfront recreation, with community parks, restaurants, and sporting events. Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance as space is limited.
Smartphonography with Jordana 11:15 am Explore the park with your family on a scavenger hunt! In this ArtReach GW WELLderness workshop, you’ll learn photography techniques all while exploring plants and wildlife at the park. Bring your phone! Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance as space is limited. Board Walk Talks 3:00 to 5:00 pm Join a ranger for short talks on the boardwalk to learn about the park’s surrounding tidal freshwater marshes. Talks are 15 minutes and start every half hour between 3 and 5 pm.
Cherry Blossom String Quartet 5:30 to 7:30 pm Founded in 1992 by four students from George Washington University, this group continues to be comprised of students from GWU and other local universities and they perform regularly throughout the DMV. Their repertoire includes a variety of classical music and contemporary hits. In 2020 they were featured in a video for National Public Land’s Day that was set at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and we are excited to have them back to perform for a live audience. [find video link]
Yoga with Audrey Roxas 7:00 to 8:00 pm Audrey’s yoga classes are focused on building strength and stability (aiming for form versus depth),but offers plenty of room for students to work on expanding their own practice. Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance or join on site. Board Walk Talks 10:00am to Noon and 1:00pm to 3:00 pm Join a ranger for short talks on the boardwalk to learn about the park’s surrounding tidal freshwater marshes. Talks are 15 minutes and start every half hour between 3 and 5 pm.
Morning Yoga in the Garden with Adrienne Shaw 10:00am - 11:00am Adrienne always has fun while teaching yoga. She says, “I believe in inclusivity and teach in a way that’s inviting for all participants. The flow of my class depends largely on who is present. I teach you how to move and breathe, one step and breathe at a time.” Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance or join on site. Indian Dance Performance 1:00 pm Students from the Natananjali School of Dance were featured in the 2016 ceremony to unveil a U.S. Postage Stamp featuring the Aquatic Gardens and have been performing at the Lotus & Water Lily Festival annually since that time and are a favorite at the festival. Students from the Natananjali School of dance practice bharatanatyam, a popular form of classical dance from the southern part of India. The weekend of July 23 - Exploring Nature & Environment Events include live animal shows, ranger talks, Mariachi, a book talk, and more!
The Shaw Water Gardens 9:00 to 11:00 am Join a ranger behind the visitor center to hear 10 to 15 minute talks on the history of the park when it was the Shaw Water Gardens. See the display pools featuring a variety of water lilies. Talks begin on the half hour.
Wild World of Animals 11:00 am An annual festival favorite, this program features live animals from different classes of animals such as insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. This is a rare opportunity to see live critters up close while learning about them and their adaptations. In the past this show has featured Madagascar Hissing Cochroaches, hawks, snakes, a skunk, monkeys and young wild cats. Come see what they’ll bring for this year’s festival. Erik’s Reptile Adventures 1:00 pm Presenter Erik Callender loves reptiles and amphibians, and he has an amazing assortment of critters that he brings to his shows to help explain why we need to protect habitats to help protect amphibians and reptiles across the world. This program is a family favorite and has been featured many times at the festival. Beaver Basics 2:00 – 4:00 pm Join a ranger for a short 10 to 15 minute talk on beavers. We’ll show visitors the active beaver lodge in the garden, and will feature some “show and tell” items like a beaver pelt and skull. Meet at the visitor center for a short walk to the lodge. Talks begin on the half hour. Mariachi Aguila Internacional DC 5:30 to 7:30 pm Bring a picnic and come enjoy an evening of traditional Mexican music by one of DC’s premiere mariachi bands. Board Walk Talks 9:00 - 11:00am Join a ranger for short talks on the boardwalk to learn about the park’s surrounding tidal freshwater marshes. Talks are 15 minutes and start every half hour between 9 and 11am.
Garden Tour in Spanish 10:00 am Join Jorge Borgantes from the Anacostia Watershed Society for a tour of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Spanish to learn about the freshwater marsh habitats around the garden and the park’s beautiful lotus’ and water lilies. Tour size 20 people. Dance Class: Su Majestad - La Cumbia (Your Majesty - La Cumbia) 12:00 pm Book Talk with Florence Williams, author of “The Nature Fix, Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative” 1:00 pm On some level many people know that nature has the power to help them de-stress, improve health… without really knowing how or why. Author Florence Williams dives into the science behind nature’s ability to improve our moods, make us healthier, happier and more creative. Using new research, Williams uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships. As our modern lives shift dramatically indoors, these ideas—and the answers they yield—are more urgent than ever. Copies of the book will be available in the park’s bookstore. Beaver Basics 2:00 – 4:00 pm Join a ranger for a short 10-to-15-minute talk on beavers. We’ll show visitors the active beaver lodge in the garden and will feature some “show and tell” items like a beaver pelt and skull. Meet at the visitor center for a short walk to the lodge. Talks begin on the half hour. The weekend of July 30 - Celebrating Community Events include ranger talks, increased community organization tabling, a fashion show, cultural dance presentations, yoga classes and more!
Board Walk Talks 9:00 to 11:00 am Join a ranger for short talks on the boardwalk to learn about the park’s surrounding tidal freshwater marshes. Talks are 15 minutes and start every half hour between 3 and 5 pm. Bele Bele Rhythm Collective 2:00 pm Founded in 2008, the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective is an intergenerational group of women from DC and surrounding areas who have come together to form a "sisterhood of the drum." Led by "Drumlady" Kristen Arant, the BBRC performs tightly sewn compositions of polyrhythms on West African dun-un and djembe drums, complete with exciting breaks, contagious songs, and dancing. Bring your own drum and join the performance from your seat to celebrate unity and diversity, and to spread the joy and healing power of West African drumming. Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance or join on site. The Shaw Water Gardens 3:00 – 5:00 pm Join a ranger behind the visitor center to hear 10-to-15-minute talks on the history of the park when it was the Shaw Water Gardens. See the display pools featuring a variety of water lilies. Talks begin on the half hour.
East of the River Steel Band 5:30 to 7:30 pm Lotus or Water Lily? 9:00 – 11:00 am Join a ranger for a short talk 10-to-15-minute talk in the garden so you can learn first-hand the difference between lotus’ and water lilies. Meet in front of the visitor center. Programs on the half hour.
Tai Chi with Coach Darrell Fogan 9:00 am Taught by Coach Fogan, owner of Metro Wellness Institute Inc. in D.C., Tai Chi is a meditative martial art which provides health benefits and can assist in overcoming medical challenges.Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance or join on site. 10:00 am Adrienne always has fun while teaching yoga. She says, “I believe in inclusivity and teach in a way that’s inviting for all participants. The flow of my class depends largely on who is present. I teach you how to move and breathe, one step and breathe at a time.” Register for this WELLderness session powered by Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in advance or join on site. Bollywood Dancing 12:00 pm Carolina has been teaching global dance including Bollywood for over 20 years. Her company works to educate and inspire creativity and cultural exploration through dance performance and education. She will provide an exciting dance performance and will end with an invitation for the audience to learn some Bollywood dance moves. During this 20-minute performance, our audience will enjoy popular Bollywood and Bhangra songs. Flamenco Music and Dancing 12:30 pm Miguelito is a local flamenco guitarist who’s been actively performing in the DC area for over 30 years and had performed for various embassies and other institutions. Along with his dancers (bailaora), they will be bringing us a taste of Spanish (Andalusia) with Moorish inspired guitar playing and use of other instruments such as tamborines, bells and wooden castanets. They have an extensive repertoire of music and dance that they perform. International Fashion Show 1:00 pm Dance Party with DJ Kweks 1:45 pm Kweks is a world renowned international and afro beats DJ hailing from Ghana in West Africa. He has built a name for himself through bringing diverse diaspora groups together through music including hip-hop, reggae and more. He’s performed all over the world including for BET, the World Bank, the African Union and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for past Lotus and Water Lily festivals. Kweks will play music for the dance party and during the international fashion show. Experience Band 2:15 pm Close out the Lotus and Water Lily Festival with the wonderful music of the Experience Band! Enjoy some good funk, pop, r&b, jazz, go-go, and sometimes rock music with the Experience Band of DC which were founded in 2017.The band has performed with grammy-nominated artists such as DC's own Raheem Davaughn, Lala Hathaway at the Warner Theatre in DC.They enjoy bringing all types of musicall types of people together to promote love and unity. Beaver Basics 2:00 – 3:00 pm Join a ranger for a short 10-to-15-minute talk on beavers. We’ll show visitors the active beaver lodge in the garden and will feature some “show and tell” items like a beaver pelt and skull. Meet at the visitor center for a short walk to the lodge. Talks begin on the half hour. DirectionsThere are three easy ways to get to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE.
Tim Ervin What to BringPlease bring water! Bottled water is sold in the Visitor's Center. The area around the ponds does not have much shade and it can be very hot during the summer so make sure you carry water with you to stay hydrated as you walk around the park. You can bring a picnic or snacks to the park. Picnic tables are available in the picnic and a few other locations. There are no grills in the picnic area and visitors are not permitted to bring grills to the park. On some weekends in July, there will be food trucks in the park for the convenience of park visitor since there are no places nearby to purchase food and beverages. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Dogs on leash are allowed at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and owners are responsible for picking up waste. SafetyBe prepared! July is a hot month in Washington, DC, so having a hat, staying hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion and wearing sunscreen are recommended. It is also a good idea to wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. Explore More
|
Last updated: July 30, 2022