Bethesda Urban Partnership produces year-round events to delight downtown residents, visitors and guests.
Bethesda Film Fest
April 5-6, 2024
Bethesda Film Fest celebrates the work of local and regional documentary filmmakers, screening five selected films. Learn more >
Local Writer's Showcase
March 14-15, 2024
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
May 11 - 12, 2024
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 5 - July 1, 2024
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 2, August 10, 2024
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 5 - 29, 2024
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 5, 2024
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, 2024
Winter Wonderland features holiday festivities for families including a professional choral concert, Live ice sculpting, holiday performances from local schools and more. Learn More >