The 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., June 26–July 1, with the program Indigenous Voices of the Americas: Celebrating the National Museum of the American Indian.
Since 1967, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has welcomed participants and visitors from across the United States and around the world to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Our events are always free of charge.
Before Your Visit
Planning a visit to the Festival? The Visit | Smithsonian page can help you plan your trip—from where to stay to what’s happening at the museums. For general Smithsonian visitor information, call 202.633.1000.
A schedule of daily events will be available online in late spring.
Summers in D.C. are hot and humid. We recommend coming prepared with lightweight clothing, hat, sunscreen, and a full water bottle.
Getting Here
Parking around the National Mall is extremely limited, so we advise visitors to use public transit or other modes of transportation. In 2024, the Festival grounds will be located between Third and Sevenths streets and inside the National Museum of the American Indian. The closest Metro station is Federal Center. The Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza, and National Archives stations are within a mile. For assistance planning the best Metro routes, visitors can reference goDCgo.com.
Festival Hours
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with evening concerts some nights at 6 p.m.
Services for Visitors with Disabilities
We strive to make the Folklife Festival an accessible and inclusive environment for visitors of all abilities. All digital events are presented with real-time captioning and American Sign Language interpretation. For a complete list of services, see the Accessibility page.
First Aid
A First Aid station will be located on the Festival grounds.
Thunderstorms
In case of a severe rainstorm, visitors should go inside a museum during visiting hours. Summer rainstorms are usually brief, and often the Festival resumes operations within an hour or two. In the event of a thunderstorm, the Festival must close. Do not remain under a tent or a tree!
Restrooms
There are outdoor facilities for members of the public, including visitors with disabilities, located near each of the program areas on the Mall. Additional restroom facilities are available in the museum buildings during visiting hours.
Lost and Found/Lost People
Lost items or family members should be brought to or picked up from the Volunteer Tent.
