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

The Opening Ceremony of the Festival will take place on the at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 24. Thereafter, Festival hours will be 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with special evening events.

Services Visitors with Disabilities

Large-print and CD versions of the daily schedule and a CD version of the program book are available at the Festival Information kiosks and the Volunteer tent. The program book is available in other formats upon request. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan at the Volunteer tent. Audio loops are installed at the music stages. Service animals are welcome. American Sign Language interpreters are available on-site and can be requested at the Volunteer tent; the Festival schedule indicates which performances and presentations are interpreted.

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 on-site—opposite and 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.