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

Play In A Day
Returning in 2022
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
Returning in 2022
The adjudicated contest will award a talented songwriter a grand prize of $10,000.
Learn More >
 

Bethesda Film Fest
April 16, 2021
Bethesda Film Fest celebrates the work of local and regional documentary filmmakers, screening five selected films. Learn more >

 

Local Writer's Showcase
March 18 & 25, 2021
This event celebrates the literary arts with renowned authors, journalists and poets, as well as contests for local writers. Learn more >

 

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 
Returning in 2022
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. Learn More >

 

Imagination Bethesda 
Returning in 2022
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 3 - 26, 2021
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 >

 

Parks, Party, Play!
June, July, September & October
Enjoy live music and food, beer and wine by Bethesda restaurants while partaking in fun happenings from Yappy Hour to Climbing Walls and S'Mores. Learn More >

 

Bethesda Outdoor Movies
TBD
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 9 - 25, 2021
The Trawick Prize 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 2, 2021
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 4, 2021
Winter Wonderland features holiday festivities for families including a professional choral concert, Live ice sculpting, holiday performances from local schools and more. Learn More >