Festival Guide

The Arab Center of Washington is very excited about this year's Arab Festival and we have prepared this guide to help all our visitors get the most out the festival.  With two stages, dozens of performers, three rooms for workshops and lectures, dozens of vendors and booths, children's activities, a coffee shop, a dance party, and a whole lot more going on - it is definitely a good idea to plan your visit. The website is a great source of information but for the definitive guide - just download the full Arab Festival Program.

Stage Performances

The highlight of the festival are usually the stage performances, and this year we don't expect it to be any different.  Headlining the festival will be the Oud Virtuoso Naser Musa accompanied by the Georges Lammam Ensemble.  Naser Musa will be joined by 20 other performers and groups exploring the richness and diversity of Arab culture through dance and music. For more information check our Stage Performance Schedule Page and the Performer Bios Page.

Workshops and Panels

If you want to learn about Arabic culture, then look no further than the arts and lectures series that we are presenting this year.  With topics varying from dance and music to history and politics to storytelling and literature there is something here for everyone.  Featured this year is the Arab writer: Rabih Alameddine author of the wonderful novel, The Hakawati.  For more information check our Workshops and Panels schedule page.

Film Series

Back by popular demand!  With the help of Arab Film Distribution, the Arab Festival this year will be showing 10 different Arabic Films from all around the Arab world.  From enlightening documentaries to moving dramas the film series offers a unique window into the Arab World.  Check out the Film Series page for a schedule of the films being shown and a description of each.

Children's Activities

By far the most fun to be had at the Arab festival is by the kids.  The festival is an opportunity to expose your children to the diversity of the world around them and educate them about another culture.  So bring the kids to the center house where they can turn their names into an Arabic mosaic, have them learn a traditional Arab dance or how to play the tabla (an Arabic precussion instrument).  For more information visit the Children's Actitivies page.

After-Hours Dance Party

Just when most of the festival starts shutting down Saturday night, that's when the real party starts.  This year's Festival party is happening in the coffee house and promises to be nothing short of awesome.  For all the details check Dance Party Page.