During the month of June, the streets of Washington, D.C., hosts a myriad of festivals and parades. As the capital of the United States, Washington serves as a cultural hub for the nation's citizens. Out-of-towners should be able to find hotel accommodations in almost every neighborhood in D.C. This city's temperatures are moderate to warm during June.
The D.C. Jazz Festival (dcjazzfest.org) was founded in 2005 as the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival and features performances from over 100 jazz musician. The festival in 2011 runs for 13 days in early to mid-June, although this event traditionally was in the fall. The D.C. Jazz Festival occurs in venues throughout the city, including the Kennedy Center. Children-oriented programs include music education classes and student concerts.
One of the largest gay and lesbian festivals in the United States, Capital Pride (capitalpride.org), occurs in Washington on a weekend in mid-June. This festival was founded in 1975 as Gay Pride Day. On a Saturday afternoon, the Capital Pride parade marches down the streets of northwest Washington, D.C. and Dupont Circle. The Capital Pride Festival, which features food vendors and contests, is held on Sunday afternoon in front of the Capital Building on Pennsylvania Avenue.
On the first weekend of June, the 10 museums in the Dupont Kalorama Museum Consortium (capitalpride.org) allows visitors to tour their exhibit for free. Museums in this consortium include the Woodrow Wilson House, Textile Museum and National Museum of American Jewish Military History. Not all museums are open on both days. Shuttles provide transportation between museums. The first year of this event was 1983.
The Capital City's Caribbean Carnival (dccaribbeancarnival) event happens on the last full weekend of June. This festival's location is on Georgia Avenue, Missouri Avenue and Barry Place; these streets are in the Petworth and Manor Park neighborhoods. D.C.'s Caribbean Carnival features approximately 25 Caribbean-influenced musicians and street vendors. The D.C. Caribbean Carnival Parade starts at the intersection of Georgia and Missouri Avenues. The final stopping point is Howard University.
D.C.'s Kid's Restaurant Week occurs during the third or fourth week in June. This week-long event offers discounts for children on prix-fixe menu items at expensive D.C. restaurants. Among these restaurants are Firefly, The Hay-Adams Hotel Restaurant and Darlington House. As of March 2011, discounts at these restaurants are only available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurants accept reservations during this period, except on weekend nights.
