After months of winter spent bundled up in heated rooms, everyone in D.C. is ready for spring and summer to roll around.

Now that the sun is coming out and things are warming up, it’s time to get out of the house! Luckily, there are plenty of fun events happening to get you outside and into the sunshine this season.

National Cherry Blossom Parade and Japanese Street Festival

What: Parade and street festival

Where: Constitution Avenue, From 7th to 17th St NW

When: Early April

Price: Free for stand-up viewing between 9th and 15th St NW (If you want to be in the Grandstands, tickets range from $20-$27.)

a view of the thomas jefferson memorial from across the pond, with pink cherry blossoms in the foreground

Nothing kickstarts springtime quite like the blooming of the cherry blossom trees around town. Experience their beauty at this annual parade, featuring a variety of performers and floats celebrating the start of the season.

Once the parade ends, you can head to the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, where the celebration will continue with art vendors, food booths, and cultural exhibitors.

Bus Tip: If you don’t want to fight off the crowds in the standing areas, snag the best deal on grandstand seating by doing a group ticket order. As for group transportation, a charter bus can accommodate your entire group, allowing you to remain together on the way to your grandstand seating area.

D.C. Beerfest

What: DC’s Largest Beer Festival

Where: Nationals Park

When: Early April

Price: $50 for general admission, $80 for the VIP experience

5 friends "cheers" their glasses of beer at the d.c. beerfest

If you’re a beer lover, this one’s for you. Featuring 200 different beer options from more than 80 breweries, this event is sure to have a brew for everyone in your friend group or office. As if the beer selection wasn’t good enough, the event will also have DJs, lawn games, and over a dozen food truck options. Your admission will get you unlimited beer tastings, but bring some cash for snacks along the way!

Bus Tip: With all of the amazing beer to try, no one is going to want to be designated driver for this event. Instead of someone having to miss out on the fun, have a professional bus driver and private charter bus shuttle you to and from the festival, keeping your group together and ensuring that everyone makes it home safely.

National Capital Giant BBQ Battle

What: Food festival and cooking contest

Where: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3rd and 7th Streets

When: June

Price: Adult Admission is $20 for one day or $30 for both days, Kids 12 and under are free

a contestant flips meat on a hot grill during the national capital giant barbecue battle

Calling all foodies! This is one of the largest food and music festivals in the country, continuing a multi-decade tradition of bringing together the best barbeque chefs to go head-to-head in a mouth-watering battle. There will be plenty of free BBQ samples from restaurants around the country, alongside celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and live music from over 30 bands. All proceeds will go towards benefitting the USO-Metro and Capital Area Food Bank.

Bus Tip: Parking around downtown is not an easy feat. Take the stress out of having to find room for everyone’s car by letting your charter bus driver handle the parking logistics, leaving you to only have to worry about which flavor of BBQ you want to try first.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

What: Annual cultural festival

Where: The National Mall

When: End of June to early July

Price: Free!

Immerse yourself in a global experience at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Have you ever been curious about another culture? This festival is your chance to learn all about it, with events on topics such as religions and living traditions around the world. The 2020 festival will include presentations from the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Smithsonian Conservation Commons.

Bus Tip: This event is the perfect way for kids to experience firsthand what they read about in school! Don’t let their learning stop just because they’re on summer break. Make your way to this event in a spacious charter bus that can accommodate your kids and all of their friends! Keep everyone occupied with a bus that includes WiFi onboard, or one that offers televisions for them to pop in their favorite DVDs. Just mention to your reservation specialist that you need to occupy a group of excited children- they’ll know just what to recommend!

National Independence Day Parade

What: America’s biggest 4th of July Parade

Where: Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th Street

When: July 4th

Price: Free!

friends hold an american flag and smile during an independence day celebration

There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate July 4th than standing alongside hundreds of thousands of Americans watching this historic parade. Featuring the most prestigious bands from across the country, celebrities, giant balloons and more, this event is the perfect way to kick off your day of patriotic celebration.

Bus Tip: As one of the most well-known parades in the country, this event is sure to be crowded. Instead of trying to navigate the road closures and condensed traffic alone, team up with some friends and arrive with ease in a minibus. Pick which section of the parade route you want to be stationed at, and your charter bus driver will take you as close to it as possible.

Transport Your Group with D.C. Charter Bus Company

With so many great events this spring and summer, don’t let the hassle of arranging group transportation prevent you from attending. Rent a minibus or full-sized charter bus, and let us handle the logistics of your trip. We have options that seat anywhere from 18 to 56 people, giving you the flexibility to assemble a group of any size.

Call one of our reservation specialists at 202-903-0059 today for a quote. They can match you to a bus that is the perfect size for your group, and make sure you have all the features you need, such as WiFi, power outlets, on-board restrooms, and more.