The Festival is located between 12th and 14th streets on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Festival venues and activities are located in shaded grassy areas that are accessible via concrete sidewalks and/or packed gravel walkways. There are a limited number of accessible parking spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis on both Madison and Jefferson drives. These streets also provide the best options for drop-off and pick-up nearest the Festival. The Smithsonian Accessibility Map outlines accessibility features throughout the Smithsonian campus.

The Accessibility tent is located north of the Smithsonian Metro (National Mall) entrance across from the Festival Information kiosk and the Ralph Rinzler Main Stage. 

Accessible seating is available at all performance venues and concessions dining areas. A limited number of manual wheelchairs (18” and 20”) are available for loan each day at the Accessibility tent. A photo ID is required to borrow accessibility equipment (IDs will be stored securely until equipment is returned). Please note that if you regularly use a mobility device, particularly when traveling longer distances, we recommend that you bring it with you to the Festival.

There are accessible portable toilets located throughout the Festival grounds (all toilets are gender neutral). Companion care/family restrooms are located nearby in the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center, National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History.  

A private lactation room is located on the second floor of the National Museum of American History.  

Service animals are welcome, and a water station for service animals is available at the Accessibility tent.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and live, real-time captioning (CART) is available for select performances and presentations. Additional ASL interpreting services may be requested and are provided as available. Service schedules are available in the Accessibility tent.

All livestreamed programs will include ASL interpretation and live, real-time captioning (CART).

Assistive Listening is available at most presentation venues. Receivers are available to check out at the Accessibility tent and can be tuned to the designated channel at each venue. A photo ID is required to borrow accessibility equipment (IDs will be stored securely until equipment is returned).

Live Audio Description is available for select events, and audio-described/touch tours of the Festival are available. Service schedules are available in the Accessibility tent.

Audio Description will be transmitted via LiveVoice. We recommend that visitors download the LiveVoice app for free from Google Play or the App Store prior to arriving at the Festival. Specific event access codes will be available at the Accessibility tent.

Sighted-guide services may be requested at the Accessibility tent and are provided as available.

Additionally, the Festival is a location for the Aira Access mobile information and verbal description service. Visitors can download the free Aira app on their smartphone and use the app to speak to an Aira agent using minutes provided courtesy of the Smithsonian (messaging and data rates may apply).

Large-print and Braille brochures are available at the Accessibility tent. Large-print and Braille menus are available at concession stands.

Copies of the Festival Sensory Guide and Map—indicating high- and low-sensory areas of engagement—are available at the Accessibility tent.

On Saturday, July 8, the Festival hosts “Morning on the Mall” for individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other cognitive disabilities who may benefit from a more quiet, relaxed, and supported environment. For more information, please call 202.633.2921 or email access@si.edu.

Food allergen and dietary information for Festival concessions is available at the Accessibility tent and each concession stand.