WASHINGTON-The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the eighth annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival is Sunday, April 10th from 1-4 pm at Anacostia Park off Good Hope Road & Anacostia Drive SE. The 2022 Anacostia River Festival’s theme is “Celebrating Anacostia and Anacostia Park through music."
Held just steps away from the future 11th Street Bridge Park, this FREE event encourages District residents and visitors alike to experience arts, culture, communities and parks east of the river. The Anacostia River Festival focuses on the improving health of the Anacostia River and the exciting experiences you can have in Anacostia Park and on the river.
Anacostia River Festival
When: Sunday, April 10, 2022; 1 to 4 pm
Where: Anacostia Park (Good Hope Road and Anacostia Drive SE)
Who: FREE and open to the public
For more information: bridgepark.org/ARF
What’s Happening:
In the Park and On the River
In the morning, festival goers will enjoy canoeing and fishing lessons near the Anacostia Skating Pavilion. Beginning at 1 pm activities transition to the main festival grounds at Good Hope Road and Anacostia Drive where the festival will feature special live musical performances from the U.S. Navy Band, the Eastern High School Marching Band, The Experience Band, TOB, Black Alley, and Sirius and Company as well as the finals of the poetry contest “Word to Go-Go." In addition, festival visitors can play lawn games, check out the community partner area, get free health screenings and free COVID vaccinations. River activities require pre-registration, sign up at bridgepark.org/arf.
On Good Hope Road
Enjoy delicious food for sale from a variety of local food trucks.
In Historic Anacostia
The Anacostia Arts Business Improvement District will host hands-on art and flower activities next the Big Chair on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
Getting There:
Metro:
Exit at the Anacostia Metro Station on the green line. There will be a free shuttle from the Anacostia Metro Station near the Howard Road exit on the Cherry Blossom themed circulator bus that will drop visitors off at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and Good Hope Road SE just outside the festival.
Bike Access:
Capital Bikeshare service is available at Anacostia Metro Station, Good Hope Road SE across from the Anacostia Arts Center and at the Anacostia Park Recreation Center. Free bike valet available just inside the festival near Good Hope Road SE.
Parking:
Free parking is available at the Anacostia Metro Station lot. Please note that paid parking lots are available in the Anacostia and Navy Yard neighborhoods.
What to Bring:
Visitors are encouraged to bring water or fill their reusable water bottles at free filling stations. There will be food for sale at food trucks in the park along Good Hope Road and at restaurants in historic Anacostia, but feel free to bring a picnic or snacks. Blankets or lawn chairs are encouraged to watch stage performances. Dogs on leash are allowed in Anacostia Park and owners are responsible for picking up waste.
What Not to Bring:
No alcohol or firearms are allowed in Anacostia Park.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
