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Greetings!
It's hard to believe with this frosty weather, but spring is just around the corner! Registration for Spring and Summer Classes and Camps opens TOMORROW at 10am EST on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Browse the catalog to find classes that spark curiosity and inspire creativity during this season of growth. Visual arts, performing arts, fine crafts – we have it all! Looking ahead to the spring & summer breaks? Browse the Camps section of the catalog to find creative spring break and summer camps for kids!
This Saturday the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture presents two FREE film screenings of Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, the award-winning documentary by Ilana Trachtman which tells the story of the 1960 Civil Rights protests at Glen Echo Amusement Park. Screenings will take place at 11:30am and 2:00pm in the Ballroom Back Room and Q&A with two original protesters will follow the second screening.We are currently at capacity for both screenings, but a limited number of tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis on February 7. Park visitors are also invited to attend a Glen Echo Park Civil Rights & History Tour with an NPS Ranger, meeting at the Dentzel carousel at 10:00am on February 7. This FREE tour meets each month on the first Saturday of the month. No registration required.
This weekend brings two opportunities to connect with local artists! Saturday morning, tune in to the ACO Abstract Art Forum, an online conversiation with featured artists Shanthi Chandrasekar, Claudia Aziza Gibson-Hunter, and Anne Marchand about the current state of abstract art in the DMV region. Saturday evening, check out an opening reception and artist talk at Photoworks by internationally-recognized photographer Scott Davis, whose new exhibition Dis/Orientation features photographs that make viewers take a second look and question their assumptions.
Opening this Saturday at the Puppet Co., is The Enchanted Mermaid, a magical tale based on the Walter de La Mare short story "Lord Fish" written in 1927. This show features elegantly crafted Bunraku-style puppets with elaborately built miniature castle and interior sets.
Calling all swing dancers! The Grandsons return to the historic Spanish Ballroom this Saturday for a night of swing dancing. This 15-time WAMMIE award winning band was once described as “American music in a blender with the lid off!” A beginner lesson (free with the price of admission) will be taught by Ellen Engle & Marc Shepanek of Flying Feet Enterprises. Join us for some pre-Valentine's Day dancing! Bring your current sweetie, or meet a new one on the dance floor. Let's swing the night away in support of the Social Dance program at Glen Echo Park. Ticket sales help us bring even more great dances to the Park in 2026!
Sunday afternoon, join the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices at “Still We Rise", a concert celebrating African American music, history and culture. The show will explore the themes of freedom, resistance and resilience, from the Civil War through the present day. Enjoy an afternoon of traditional African American spirituals, poetry, ring shouts, banjo tunes, stories, and lively audience participation, OFFSITE at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. Visit the Park's Black History Month page to learn more about upcoming programs & events throughout February.
Read on for more details about these events plus other happenings this week, including upcoming classes, exhibitions, and social dances. We can't wait to see you at the Park soon, and as always, we appreciate your support!
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PRIVATE RENTALS
Now Booking 2026 & 2027
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Special Discount for Select 2026 Dates!
Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park
| Planning a wedding, corporate gathering, or birthday celebration in the Spring? Many great dates are still available! Book a private rental in the Bumper Car Pavilion any available date between January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 and mention the code [Spring2026] to receive a 10% discount. View the Venue Availability Calendar >> | The Bumper Car Pavilion must be booked by February 14, 2026 to receive the discount. | | | | | | |
Our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience or partner required. When we say we offer something for everyone, we're not kidding! Styles range from folk, blues, and contra to waltz, swing, tango and ballroom ... and more!
New dancers are always welcome, and a pre-dance, introductory lesson is included with admission. Most dances feature live music by renowned local and national bands.
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ZOUK DANCE with District Zouk
February 7 | Times & Locations on District Zouk's Website >>
Join District Zouk for a Brazilian zouk bootcamp that teaches the basic techniques used in this social dance. Jumpstart your zouk journey by learning the basics at an accelerated pace so you can get comfortable on the dance floor. The day finishes with an evening class and social dance.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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VIENNESE WALTZ WORKSHOP with DanceSport Endurance
February 7 | 2:30pm - 5:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Learn basics of social Viennese Waltz in this workshop with Todd and Migle of DanceSport Endurance which includes lessons and supervised and assisted dancing. Schedule: 2:30pm - 2:45pm Warm-up | 2:45pm - 4:15pm Lesson | 4:15pm - 5:00pm Social Viennese Waltz Dancing.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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BALLROOM DANCE with Ballroom Time
February 8 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Ballroom Time presents a ballroom dance in the heated Ballroom Back Room on Sunday afternoon. A beginner lesson in Viennese waltz will take place at 2:45pm, followed by dancing from 3:30pm - 6pm. During the afternoon, there will be a mixer and some samba line dancing.
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
DANCE FOR PD® | FOLK DANCE* with Dancing Planet | BLUES DANCE* with Capital Blues | CONTRA DANCE & OCCASIONAL SQUARES* with Friday Night Dancers | DANCEFIT: LINE DANCING | VIENNESE WALTZ WORKSHOP with Dance Sport Endurance | ZOUK* with District Zouk | SWING DANCE* with The Grandsons | BARN DANCE* with Folklore Society of Greater Washington | BALLROOM DANCE* with Ballroom Time | TANGO/MILONGA* with Tango Brillante
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
KEY:
bold = Partnership-presented social dance or class/workshop
italics = Dance class/workshop (no social dance)
View the full dance calendar >>
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Want to learn more about upcoming dances at Glen Echo Park? Sign up for our Social Dances email list or our Dance & Music email list:
Social Dances List: Receive the Park's monthly dances spotlight. Sign Up >>
Dance & Music List: Receive the Park's weekly e-newsletter, the monthly dances spotlight, and emails about upcoming dance & music events. Sign Up >>
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Did you lose something at a dance? Items will be cleared out of the Lost & Found and donated on March 1, 2026. If you think you have left something, ask the dance presenter to get an event supervisor to assist you. Or you may come by the Partnership office on the 2nd floor of the Arcade Building to ask about your item Monday-Saturday between 10am and 6pm. | | | | | | Glen Echo Park is your go-to place for classes & camps in visual arts, dance, music, and more! We offer a wide array of classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults, as well as camps for children & teens. We also present nature & aquatic life programs for kids. | | FEATURED ADULT & TEEN CLASSES | | | |
The Romantics: Chainmaille Basics Workshop
February 21 (one day) | Saturday @ 10:30am - 4:030pm | Arcade Building SilverWorks Studio 2
Learn the ancient art of Chainmaille weaving. At the completion of this introductory course, students will be able to complete the Byzantine weave to make bracelets and necklaces. Students will also have an understanding of basic chainmaille weaving techniques and how aspect ratio is key to creating pieces.
More info: silverworksglenechopark.com. Minimum age 13. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Colored Pencil Landscape Techniques
Begins February 25 | Wednesdays @ 5:00pm - 7:00pm | ONLINE
Landscapes are a necessity, as backgrounds or the subject itself. Learn to portray textures, depth and how to compose your landscape with colored pencils! With techniques you can even use en plein air. You will benefit whether beginner or advanced. Critique & demos included. Classes recorded for you to re-watch. You will benefit whether beginner or advanced.
More info: lisarts.com@gmail.com. Minimum age 16. 3 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Emotion in Motion: Big Canvas Painting Workshop (Ages 6-12)
February 14 (one day) | Saturday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Inspired by artists like Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell, students will use brushes, sponges, and unconventional tools to create expressive abstract paintings. This session emphasizes movement, composition, and the power of color. All materials included.
More info: emma.p.stevenson@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Parent-Child Printmaking Workshop (Ages 8-11)
February 28 (one day) | Saturday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Create bold and beautiful prints together in this hands-on parent-child workshop! Learn the basics of rubber block printing, from carving simple designs into soft printing blocks to inking and pressing your own unique prints. Each participant will design and print their own artwork on paper, and you’ll leave with a set of hand-pulled prints to keep or share. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and get ready to make something special side by side! All materials included. Tuition covers one parent/guardian and child pair.
More info: emma.p.stevenson@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Praline Cafe
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - midnight
*open for dances and special events beyond these hours*
Stop by Praline, located in the Spanish Ballroom wing closest to the playground, for sandwiches, pastries, snacks, and drinks! More Information >>
| | | The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and also by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (creativemoco.com). All programs are produced in cooperation with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland. | | | | |
