National Capital Parks-East

The National Park Service will close the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site on September 9, 2026, to complete a rehabilitation project. The House is expected to reopen to visitors in early 2027, after rehabilitation of the home’s exterior and interior and cleaning of its historic artifacts.

The National Park Service is excited to welcome visitors to celebrate National Park Week from Saturday, August 22 through Sunday, August 30, as dozens of sites across the region mark the 2026 theme, “Celebrate America’s Story,” highlighting the 250th anniversary of American independence and recognizing our shared American heritage of national parks.

On July 18 and 19, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens will transform into an enchanted escape. For this one summer weekend, music, dance, art and family activities will carry visitors through a landscape inspired by Asian gardens and the living wetlands of the Anacostia River, where water lilies float like lanterns across quiet ponds and towering lotus blossoms rise in shades of pink, cream and green. The National Park Service invites visitors of all ages to attend the free Lotus and Water Lily Festival on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20019.

The National Park Service invites the public to celebrate Independence Day at Anacostia Park, a vibrant community gathering space along the Anacostia River offering expansive, open-air views of Washington's July 4 fireworks.

On Saturday, July 4, the National Park Service will host its annual fireworks display at Anacostia Park in Southeast D.C. In conjunction with the event, there will be street closures – some beginning as early as next week for setup – that the public should take into consideration.