In 2025, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., July 2–7, with the program Looking Forward: Youth and the Future of Culture.
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 is available online and in the Festival’s Information Booths. Please note that events, descriptions, and accessibility services are still being added.
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. The closest Metro stations are typically Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza, and National Archives. 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 Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Services for Visitors with Disabilities
We strive to make the Folklife Festival an accessible and inclusive environment for visitors of all abilities. For a complete list of services, see the Accessibility page.
First Aid
A First Aid station is located on the Festival grounds.
Health and Safety Measures
The Smithsonian’s current health and safety measures are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local governments. These measures may be modified in response to changing CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. We encourage visitors to regularly check si.edu for the latest guidelines.
The Festival is a mask-friendly environment. While not required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing them during their visit are invited to do so.
Visitors are also encouraged to wash and sanitize hands frequently during their visit. Hand-sanitizing stations are available throughout the Festival grounds.
We ask all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home.
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. 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.
