Dyngus Day Celebration Returns to DC

Annual Polish spring festival brings polka, pierogi, and playful water fights to the nation's capital.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:52pm

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Dyngus Day, a Polish tradition celebrating the end of Lent, is returning to Washington, DC on the Monday after Easter. The festivities will take place at Atlas Brew Works - Bridge District, featuring live polka music, traditional Polish food and drinks, and the signature Dyngus Day custom of dousing loved ones with water and chasing them with pussy willows.

Why it matters

Dyngus Day has become a beloved annual tradition in many Polish-American communities across the U.S., including Buffalo, Cleveland, and now Washington, DC. The celebration helps preserve Polish cultural heritage and provides a fun, family-friendly way for the local community to come together and welcome the spring season.

The details

This year's Dyngus Day DC celebration will run from 3pm to 11pm at Atlas Brew Works - Bridge District, with free admission. Attendees can expect to enjoy live polka music by the TKO Band, traditional Polish dishes like pierogi and kielbasa, and a special Dyngus Day DC Lager beer brewed for the occasion. The signature Dyngus Day activities of playfully splashing water and chasing each other with pussy willows will also be part of the festivities.

  • Dyngus Day is celebrated annually on the Monday after Easter Sunday.
  • This year's Dyngus Day DC celebration will take place on April 21, 2026.

The players

Atlas Brew Works - Bridge District

The venue hosting the 2026 Dyngus Day DC celebration, located in the city's Southeast neighborhood.

TKO Band

A polka band from Baltimore that will be providing live music for the Dyngus Day festivities.

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What’s next

The Dyngus Day DC celebration is an annual event, so attendees can look forward to it returning to the nation's capital next spring.

The takeaway

Dyngus Day provides a fun, festive way for the Washington, DC community to come together and celebrate Polish culture and the arrival of spring. The event's mix of traditional Polish food, music, and playful water activities creates a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that has made it a beloved annual tradition.