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

Bethesda Film Fest
April 4-5, 2025
Bethesda Film Fest celebrates the work of local and regional documentary filmmakers, screening five selected films. Learn more >

 

Local Writer's Showcase
March 13-14, 2025
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 - September
Live music rocks downtown Bethesda May through September on Friday evenings on Norfolk Avenue. Learn more >

 

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 
May 10 - 11, 2025
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 >

 

Bethesda Painting Awards Exhibit
June 6 - July 6, 2025
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
July 26, August 1, August 8, 2025
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 4 - 28, 2025
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 4, 2025
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 6, 2025
Winter Wonderland features holiday festivities for families including a professional choral concert, Live ice sculpting, holiday performances from local schools and more. Learn More >