What's Happening in Bethesda

Bethesda Urban Partnership produces year-round events to delight downtown residents, visitors and guests.

Bethesda Art Walk
Second Friday of every month
Bethesda art walk galleries and businesses showcase original fine art on the second Friday of every month from 6-9pm. Free guided tours are held in June and September.
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Play In A Day
February 11, 2012
Play In A Day challenges playwrights, directors and actors from Washington, D.C. area theatres to create original plays in just 24 hours. The result is an unpredictable theatrical experience.
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Dance Bethesda
March 2 & 3, 2012
Dance Bethesda celebrates dance with a formal dance concert, free dance parties and lessons at local studios.
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  Bethesda Literary Festival
April 20-22, 2012
This event celebrates the literary arts with renowned authors, journalists and poets, as well as contests for local writers.
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Bethesda FRESHFARM Market
May - October
The Bethesda FRESHFARM Market takes place Saturdays from May through October along Norfolk Avenue. It features local farmers who sell  fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, flowers and plants. Learn more »
 
 
Summer Concert Series
May - July

Live music rocks downtown Bethesda May through July on
Thursday evenings in Veterans Park.
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Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May 12&13, 2012
The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is a two-day art fair featuring 140 booths of fine art and fine craft along with the best local bands in the region.
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Imagination Bethesda
June 2, 2012
Imagination Bethesda is a street festival celebrating children and the arts featuring cultural and educational activities by local businesses and organizations, musical entertainment and more for the 12-and-under crowd.
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Bethesda Painting Awards Exhibit
June 2012
The Bethesda Painting Awards is a juried competition that awards $14,000 to regional painters. The finalists' artwork is featured in a group exhibition.
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  Bethesda Artist Market
June 9, July 14 & August 11
Bethesda Artist Markets are held annually in June and July and include fine art and craft from 25 regional artists and live entertainment throughout the day.
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  Bethesda Outdoor Movies
July 24-28, 2012
The Bethesda Outdoor Movies features five nights of blockbuster hits under the stars at the corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues.
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The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards Exhibit
September 2012
The Trawick Pirze is a juried art competition honoring regional artists across all mediums. Finalists are featured in a group exhibition and $14,000 is awarded to the winners.
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Taste of Bethesda
October 6, 2012
Taste of Bethesda, held the first Saturday in October, is a renowned food and music festival featuring more than 50 delicious Bethesda area restaurants. Taste also features four stages of musical and cultural entertainment.
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Bethesda's Winter Wonderland
December 7&8, 2012
Winter Wonderland features holiday festivities for families including a professional choral concert, Live ice sculpting, holiday performances from local schools and more. Learn more »

To volunteer for Bethesda Urban Partnership's special events, please send an e-mail to info@bethesda.org.

Special Events

   2012 Event Series