General Information

The Festival is held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums. There is no admission charge. Visitors should dress for hot and humid weather. Parking around the Mall is extremely limited, so visitors are advised to use Metrorail. The Smithsonian station (Mall exit) is at the Festival site. Federal Triangle and National Archives stations are close by. For general Smithsonian visitor information, call 202.633.1000 (voice) or 202.357.1729 (TTY).

Getting Here

Planning a visit to the Festival? goSmithsonian  can help you plan your trip—from where to stay to what's happening at the Smithsonian. Visit www.gosmithsonian.com/lodging  for more information.

Festival Hours

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with special events taking place most evenings.

Services for Visitors with Disabilities

American Sign Language Interpreters and CART (Communication Access Real Time) transcription services will be available at selected stages. The dates and times of these events can be found on the Festival website and in a consolidated schedule at the Volunteer tent or information booths. Audio loops and receivers will be available at all stages, and service animals are welcomed with water stations throughout the Festival.

A number of other accessibility resources are available daily at the information booths and the Volunteer tent, which is located in the Festival Services area next to the Smithsonian Metro station. Audio versions of the Festival guide and large print copies of the schedule and food concession menus are available at both locations. Visit the Volunteer tent to request additional ASL interpreter services or borrow a wheelchair for the day.

To request any other access services not mentioned above, please call (202) 633-2921 (voice) or (202) 633-4353 (TTY), or email access@si.edu.

Once on the Mall, for information about other special services for visitors with disabilities, visit any information kiosk or the Volunteer tent.

First Aid

A first aid station is located near the Smithsonian Metro stop on the Mall at Jefferson Drive and 12th Street.

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 and Telephones

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. Public telephones are available inside the American History and Natural History museums.

Lost and Found/Lost People

Lost items or family members should be brought to or picked up from the Volunteer tent located near the Smithsonian Metro stop on the Mall at Jefferson Drive and 12th Street.