SOURCE: DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
High Visitation Expected at Lotus and Lily Festival – Public Transportation Strongly Advised
High visitation is expected at Lotus and Lily Festival event. Use of public transportation is highly advised. On 7/15/2017 a free shuttle will be provided from MINNESOTA AVE METRO STATION to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
Celebrate global culture in the wild wetlands of Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens at the week long 2017 Lotus and Water Lily Festival! Join us at the only national park dedicated to growing aquatic plants for fun FREE activities for the whole family.
Saturday July 15: Festival Kickoff 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
See a spectacular display of lotus and water lilies in full bloom! Enjoy gardening workshops & traditional Latin, Asian & African dancing performances! Hands-on activities including face painting, lotus tea tasting, and painting demonstrations! Visit educational and cultural exhibitors and much more! The list of stage performances are listed in the program at the bottom of the page. Scroll down for July 15 event details.
Sunday July 16 to Saturday July 22: Garden Walk
Join us on a ranger led stroll through the gardens to enjoy the beautiful water lilies and sacred lotuses. All ages welcome. Walks will be held on Sunday July 16 and Saturday July 22 at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and Monday – Friday at 10:00 a.m. The program begins from the Visitor Center.
Tuesday July 18: Kids Day Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy this special day for kids during the festival with a reptile program, pond discovery, lotus crafts and more.
Thursday July 20: Paddle Night 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Explore the Anacostia River and the marshes at the gardens by canoe with the Anacostia Watershed Society. Register and find out more event details here.
Friday July 21: Park After Dark 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Experience the park in the evening by joining rangers for a tour of the ponds to see the night blooming Victoria Lilies and other things that come out at night.
Saturday July 22: Music in the Gardens 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Bring a picnic to enjoy music in the park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the jazz and R&B sounds of the band, Nucleus. See the rare night blooming lilies afterward!
What to Bring
On the day of the festival kickoff, water bottle filling stations will be provided, but visitors should bring a reusable water bottle. Food will be available for sale from a variety of vendors, but feel free to bring a picnic lunch or snacks. Some chairs will be provided in the viewing area for performances, and picnic blankets are welcome. Dogs on leash are allowed in Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and owners are responsible for picking up waste.
What Not to Bring
No alcohol is allowed in Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Please refrain from bringing large objects like tents or tables.
Public Safety
Visitors are highly encouraged to text LILYFEST to 888777 to receive the latest updates about the Louts and Water Lily Festival and emergency alerts. Nixle service is free but carrier message rates may apply.
If driving to the festival, don’t leave any visible valuables in your car and park in the designated parking areas mentioned in the “getting there” section. When using the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, be aware of your surroundings.
If you see something say something! Call U.S. Park Police at 202-617-7500.
Getting There
On Sat July 15 a free shuttle service will run between free parking at Kenilworth Park on Deane Ave NE., the Minnesota Ave Metro Station, and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens until 5 p.m. This metro is located on the orange line and the shuttle is free. High visitation is expected at this event, use of public transportation is strongly reccomended.
Accessible parking is available at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is another great option for accessing the weeklong festival. Bike, run or hike along the trail from Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Bladensburg, Maryland or from the skating pavilion in Anacostia Park to get to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.
https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/lotus-and-water-lily-festival.htm
