Special Events & Service Days

Special Events

Annual special events such as Late Skates, the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, the Lotus & Lily Festival, and many more, occur within National Capital Parks – East. These events bring people together to celebrate commemorative days, influential people, and promote environmental awareness and stewardship. Learn more and apply to be a volunteer for special events on volunteer.gov.

 

Days of Service

National Capital Parks-East parks host a variety of volunteer events on the following service days every year. If interested in planning an event, please contact the volunteer coordinator at [e-mail]. If interested in joining an event, please check out opportunities on volunteer.gov.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: January 19, 2026
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, observed annually on the third Monday of January, is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

• Earth Day: April 26, 2025
  • Earth Day is a global celebration each year encouraging education and stewardship of the planet's natural resources.

• National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025
  • National Public Lands Day (NPLD) celebrates the connection between people and green spaces in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.