ARF - Building Bridges Across The River

The 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service present the tenth annual Anacostia River Festival, a wonderful event of the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Join us at this FREE family-friendly event as we celebrate 10 Years of Bridging D.C.: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future at Anacostia Park on May 4, 2024.

A black and tan dog playing with a ball in the grass at ARF.

A young boy riding a red tricycle in a grassy area while being watched by ARF.

A group of children from ARF playing cornhole at an outdoor event.

A little girl, part of the ARF program, looking at a bucket with a sign that says year of the acost.

A boy is playing cornhole in a park near the ARF building.

ARF's Building Bridges Across The River program helps the child enjoy a moment of relaxation as they lie in a hammock.

Two people dancing at the ARF River Festival, building bridges across the river.

ARF creates a space for a group of people dancing in a park, building bridges across the river.

A group of people are fishing near a body of water as part of the ARF initiative aimed at Building Bridges Across The River.

A young girl relaxing in a hammock in ARF Park, a project of Building Bridges Across The River.

A group of people in a canoe participating in ARF's Building Bridges Across The River initiative.

Two young girls riding a tricycle in a grassy field, joining ARF for an event promoting Building Bridges Across The River.

A young boy petting a horse's head at the ARF.

A man and a little girl are fishing in a body of water as part of the ARF program.

A group of children are fishing on a pier near a body of water while participating in ARF's Building Bridges Across The River program.

A young boy playing a flute in front of an older man at ARF.

A woman is holding up a string of beads at ARF, Building Bridges Across The River.

A little girl wearing sunglasses and a flower face paint attends the ARF event at Building Bridges Across The River.

A man in a black hoodie speaking into a microphone at ARF.

A woman in a white dress dancing at an ARF event.

Be sure to use #DCRiverFest when using social media!

Festival Activities

In Anacostia Park

All activities are FREE. Reservations and water safety waivers must be completed before participating in water activities. Both can be obtained from the River Activities tent located on the festival grounds.

This FREE family-friendly event will reconnect you to the river and the outdoors.

Let’s reel it in at the Anacostia Park! Department of Energy and Environment (DOE) will be hosting free fishing workshops. All gear, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle, will be provided by and staff will be on hand to instruct and help anglers new and old.

Free Fishing Workshop!

*minors must be accompanied by an adult.

DC RIVERFEST STAGE

US Navy Band

Anacostia High School Band

Spoken Word to Go-Go Feat. The Experience Band

Adamare Music

Junkyard Band

On Marion Barry Ave

presents

11th Street Bridge Park

SOUTHEAST MARKET

1:00 – 6:00 pm EST

Black Bella Spa

Grounded

Love More

Love, Peace, Design LLC

Glow Body Care Henna Art

Plan your Visit

Getting There! What To Bring!

Volunteer At the River Festival

We are seeking event day volunteers to assist in shifts with setup, welcoming, ushering, and more! Thank you for helping us as we celebrate Bridging D.C.: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future at the 10th Anacostia River Festival!

Volunteer for the River Clean-up

You are invited to participate in the Anacostia River Festival Volunteer Clean Up with Ward 8 Water Watchers from 1-3 in Anacostia Park Meeting at the corner of Anacostia Dr/Marion Barry Ave. This event requires participants to be comfortable being outdoors, including potentially on unmarked paths or trails. Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring your own reusable water bottle, as well as long-sleeved clothing.