Washington, DC plays host to festivals throughout the year. The National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates 100 years in 2012 with a five week celebration. And is followed by the DC Filmest and the Capital Fringe Festival.
Look Both Ways: Street Arts Across America. Kennedy Center & Locations throughout DC
May 6-12, 2012. Free performances and events at the Kennedy Center as well as locations around Washington, including large-scale spectacles, street musicians, parade culture, puppetry, circus arts, chalk drawings, clowning, and more. From a circus-punk marching band and political puppet theater to jugglers, contortionists, and stunt dogs, the electric energy of live interactive performance invades the streets of Washington. http://www.kennedy-center.org/program...
Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Presented each year March thru April
Experience the nation's capital when the 3000 cherry trees are in bloom! Check out the website for a list of eventsand directions to take you right to the trees. The dates change each year, but festivities take place from late March through mid April.
Website
Filmfest DC Presented each year in April
Filmfest DC is an annual film festival that features screenings and premiers of films frm around the world.
http://www.filmfestdc.org/
Presidents Day Weekend mid February
There are many events going on all weekend to commemorate the founders and great leaders of the United States. Parades, special museum exhibits and walking tours are all scheduled.
Info in the TripAdvisor forums
CultureCapital.com produced the the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, has a Festivals in DC section that includes detailed event info, descriptions, and links to the presenter to purchase tickets if necessary.
Washington.org, the official website of Washington DC, lists all of the annual events going on there:
Major Annual Events - Washington DC Tourism Site