Temperatures are set to cool to the high eighties this weekend –just in time for the 2024 Lotus and Water Lily Festival, happening from July 19 to July 21 at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The ponds are set to burst into clouds of pink with towering lotuses and acres of vibrant water lilies. the National Park Service for three days of art, history, food and entertainment.
The Lotus and Lily Festival is an annual event that highlights the connections between culture and aquatic plants.
There will be cultural performances, art classes and a program dwelving into the history of the Aquatic Gardens. This year, NPS will focus on the different ways artists work with plantss, including how the flowers of the Aquatic Gardens inspire creativity across the globe through art, music, dance and more.
It’s a festival where nature and culture collide –and you can meet them there!
Highlights:
Friday, July 19
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Art classes, nature activities including learning about plants and insects, storytelling and a program all about live birds of prey.
- 5 to 8 p.m.
- Zumba, foraging walk, art classes, a scavenger hunt and live entertainment. A good time to bring a picnic.
Saturday, July 20
- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Yoga classes; take a bike ride, make a paper lotus, a ranger talk, or learn about local organizations in the exhibit area.
- Starting at 10 a.m.
- Stage performances with Asian programming that includes cultural dances from Thailand, Korean and India. Sambarta Rashit returns to the festival this year with Anirudh Alva Changakoti performing classical Indian music. In the afternoon, programming shifts to Latin music with “Mariachi Los Amigos”, Latin dance by “Corazon Latino” and Miguelito performing flamenco music with dancers. The day ends with a performance from the DC Strings’ Hip Hop Symphony.
Sunday, July 21
- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Start your day with yoga, paint your own lotus or lilies in a painting class, a ranger talk, go on a walk to discover what’s in the garden or learn about local organizations in the exhibit area.
- Starting at 10 a.m.
- Stage performances begin with the local family band “King Bullfrog.” Local DC falconer, Rodney Stott, appears with his raptors. Dance to Bachata or African beats, then practice your moves as the “Sol Y Rumba” band performs Bachata and other Latin music. Have your camera ready for the festival’s annual fashion show. Close out the festival with R&B and funk music from “The Tribe Band”.
Food trucks will be on site so you can buy and sample cuisine from different cultures connected to lotus and water lilies on site.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Visit go.nps.gov/lotus for the full schedule and more information on this year’s celebrations and what’s up at the Gardens year-round.
