While Washington hosts many interesting cultural events and festivals throughout the year, one highlight is the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates spring and the gift of 3000 cherry blossom trees, given by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. This annual event is one of the city’s largest and features cultural performances, food and music.

Spring also brings the White House Easter Egg Roll, where children are invited onto the First Family’s South Lawn on the hunt for eggs. While this is a free event, tickets need to be booked in advance.

Other events of note are May’s Memorial Day Parade, which culminates in a free concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol, June’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival and DC Jazz Festival and July’s Independence Day Festivities and fireworks and the Capital Fringe Festival, which features hundreds of theatre, dance, music and poetry performances.

Washington’s Christmas celebrations are also a key part of the city’s calendar, with early December seeing the First Family hosting the National Christmas Tree Lighting.