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Special Events

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

Play In A Day
February 23, 2019
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. Learn more »

Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards
March 8, 2019
The adjudicated contest will award a talented songwriter a grand prize of $10,000. 
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Bethesda Film Fest
April 5 & 6, 2019
Bethesda Film Fest celebrates the work of local and regional documentary filmmakers, screening five selected films. Learn more »

Local Writer's Showcase
April 25 & 26, 2019
This event celebrates the literary arts with renowned authors, journalists and poets, as well as contests for local writers. 
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 Summer Concert Series
May - July
Live music rocks downtown Bethesda May through July on Thursday evenings in Veterans Park. 
Learn more »		 Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 
May 11 & 12, 2019
The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is a two-day art fair featuring 130 booths of fine art and fine craft along with the best local bands in the region. 
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Imagination Bethesda 
June 1, 2019
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. Learn more »		 Bethesda Painting Awards Exhibit
June 2019
The Bethesda Painting Awards is a juried competition that awards $14,000 to regional painters. The finalists' artwork is featured in a group exhibition. 
Learn more »		 Bethesda Outdoor Movies
July 23-27, 2019
The Bethesda Outdoor Movies features five nights of blockbuster hits under the stars at the corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues. Learn more »
The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards Exhibit
September 2019
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. Learn more »		 Taste of Bethesda
October 5, 2019
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. 
Learn more »		 Bethesda's Winter Wonderland
December 7, 2019
Winter Wonderland features holiday festivities for families including a professional choral concert, Live ice sculpting, holiday performances from local schools and more. 
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