Things to do in the DC area: Lotus and Water Lily Festival, National Cannabis Festival … and more!

The Kenilworth Park Aquatic Gardens Photo courtesy National Capital Parks-East The Kenilworth Park Aquatic Gardens Photo courtesy National Capital Parks-East Move over cherry blossoms The Lotus and Water Lily Festival is back and ready for nature lovers to enjoy the sight of blooming lotuses and water lilies at the Kenilworth Park Aquatic Gardens in Northeast D C From July through the Lotus Water Lily Festival will host several family-friendly events like all-levels yoga guided outdoor journaling forest bathing a fashion show scavenger hunts food trucks and live music and dance performances The general admission is free Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D C area Vince Vaise the scheme manager of visitor services for National Capital Parks-East described WTOP s Michelle Goldchain this year s festival has the theme Interconnected Web of Life It s a celebration of the interconnectedness between the animals the plants the atmosphere and our group The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only national park dedicated to the preservation of aquatic plants with the festival coinciding with the peak bloom of both the lilies and the lotuses For the festival s full schedule head to the National Park Arrangement s official website And for those who may not be able to attend this weekend s event don t fret as Vaise disclosed that the flowers peak bloom will continue throughout the rest of the month of July For guests who are the majority interested in seeing the flowers at their best Vaise recommended coming early in the morning as the lilies tend to close up as the day goes along Here s what else is happening in the D C area DC Black Restaurant Week In the D C region the annual Black Restaurant Week is happening now through July celebrating the flavors of African American African and Caribbean cuisine Find a list of participating Black-owned restaurants and other businesses on its official website National Cannabis Festival For its ninth year the two-day National Cannabis Festival is back with live music munchies exhibitors hands-on workshops and more On July and the event at RFK Campus includes live acts like Three Mafia Ty Dolla ign and Big Boi among others Ticket prices vary Colombian Festival For dancing and live music don t miss the Colombian Festival in D C The all-day event includes merengue reggaeton salsa cumbia Latin pop and other genres and is at the Catholic University of America on Saturday July Garden Party The Embassy of France is hosting this Garden Party event on Saturday July to enjoy food an open bar live music and mingling with francophiles The ticket prices start at approximately Dead Inside The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is presenting the American premiere of Dead Inside a part musical part solo stand-up spiral written and performed by actress comedian and songwriter Riki Lindhome The story focuses on one woman s journey through infertility presented by Ali Wong and Bill Hader The musical runs through July Maryland Lake Arbor Jazz Festival Those who love jazz can head to several locations across the state of Maryland for the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival spanning now through July One of the notable events is the Friday Day Festival at the Gaylord National Resort in Oxon Hill Maryland On July this festival features live music from the Chuck Brown Band and others plus food vendors on-site beer and a wine lounge as well as VIP private tents Summer Soca Wine Music Festival Enjoy wine pours live music and positive vibes at the Summer Soca Wine Music Festival on July and at the Linganore Winecellars in Mt Airy Maryland Those who attend can expect authentic Island cuisine as well as local artisan vendors and unlimited wine sampling Ticket prices vary Silver Spring International Food Craft Fair Head to Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring Maryland for a global feast of flavors at the Silver Spring International Food Craft Fair Happening on Sunday July this event includes a marketplace with handmade goods and art live entertainment and international food vendors Admission is free Virginia Old Town Pub Crawl On Saturday July the th annual Old Town Pub Crawl invites the inhabitants to enjoy brews at seven participating bars and restaurants At the end those who complete their pub-crawl pass get a limited edition pub-crawl glass The event is free to participate in no registration is required Landing Local Artisan Area Browse unique finds from local makers at the Landing Local Artisan Industry on Saturday July This event includes live music and food and drinks at the National Landing Water Park in Arlington Virginia Moth Madness Learn about moths on the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria Virginia on Sunday July as part of National Moth Week This free event occurs at night for a nature adventure that teaches about the beauty life cycles and habitats of moths It is recommended to bring a flashlight preferably with red light setting and a reflective vest Loudoun County Fair From July through those in Leesburg Virginia can enjoy several days of fun at the Loudoun County Fair This family-friendly event includes a carnival hypnotist show petting zoo a gator show and monster truck rides at Loudoun Fairgrounds Ticket prices vary Have an event you d like featured in WTOP s Things to do in the D C area weekly guide Let us know Source