Page 41 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

W ASHINGT ON , DC THROUGH THE Y EAR  39

Average Days of Sunshine Sunshine Chart
The amount of sunshine in
Days Days
25 25 Washington does not vary
greatly – even in winter
20 20 half the days will enjoy
blue skies. In summer the
15 15 sunshine is at its most
persistent, although it is
10 10 best to be prepared for
the occasional rainstorm.
5 5
The chart gives the num-
0 0 ber of days per month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec with little or no cloud.

Summer and dance. Events are held in
the French Embassy and selected
In June, July, and August, cafés and restaurants.
visitors come to Washington, Mary McLeod Bethune
DC from far and wide. The Celebration (Jul 10), Bethune
streets and parks are packed Statue, Lincoln Park, E Capitol
with people enjoying the St, SE, between 11th St &
sunshine. Many attractions 13th St. Tel (202) 673-2402.
become overcrowded, so it Memorial wreath-laying,
is important to call ahead gospel music, and speeches.
and make reservations at Capital Fringe Festival (Jul),
this time of year. venues all over the city.
Throughout the summer, Modeled on Edinburgh’s
there are many places to Fringe festival, the focus is on
catch an outdoor movie Fireworks over Washington, DC on the theater, dance, puppetry, and
screening – whether on Fourth of July the spoken word. Film and
lawns, in parks, or near visual arts also feature.
bandshells. Contact www. This five-day jazz festival
dcoutdoorfilms.com for attracts the best musicians August
more information. from all over the country. Shakespeare Free for All
The summer months can (mid-Aug), Sidney Harmon
also be extremely hot and July Hall, 610 F St, NW. www.
humid; even so, parades Independence Day (Jul 4), shakespearetheatre.org.
and outdoor fairs are usually Constitution Ave & US Capitol, This event sees nightly
very popular. Independence other areas. Concert on west performances of the
Day on July 4 is particularly front of the Capitol. A parade Bard’s classic plays by
exciting, with a parade during along Constitution Avenue, the Shakespeare Theater
the day and fireworks at night. with fireworks from the base Company, free of charge.
of the Washington Monument. Arlington County Fair (mid-
June Other areas such as Old Town Aug), Thomas Jefferson Center,
Smithsonian Festival of Alexandria and Mount Vernon Arlington, VA. Tel (703) 829-
American Folklife (late Jun– have parades and fireworks. 7471. www.arlingtoncountyfair.
early Jul), The Mall. Tel (202) Bastille Day (Jul 14). A cele- us. Food, crafts, music, and
633-6440. A huge celebration bration involving food, music, fairground rides.
of folk culture, including music,
dance, games, and food.
Capitol Pride (mid-Jun),
Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Street
festival and parade celebrating
the gay communities of DC.
DC Caribbean Carnival (last
Sat in Jun), Georgia Ave, NW.
A colorful parade of more
than 3,000 masqueraders,
plus food, dance, and music.
DC Jazz Festival (end Jun),
venues all over the city.
www.dcjazzfest.org. Performers at the Capital Fringe Festival

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