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Deets: Celebrate and observe the solar eclipse that will be visible all across North America on Monday, April 8! The National Air and Space Museum, in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, NASA, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory presents an outdoor festival with activities for all ages. 

The event will run from 12 to 4 pm along the National Mall between 4th and 12th Streets. Browse the many activity stations to view the Sun in a variety of safe telescopes, and explore the different educational offerings from Smithsonian museums and partners. A list of partners and detailed map of activities will be released prior to the festival.

The eclipse will be visible in the Washington, DC area between 2:04 pm and 4:32 pm. Maximum eclipse will be at 3:20 pm, with the Sun 89% covered by the Moon.

About Eclipse Glasses

Event attendees are encouraged to bring their own solar eclipse viewers to the Festival. A limited number of solar eclipse glasses will be handed out during the event. 

Beginning in late March, the museum will hand out limited supplies of solar eclipse glasses at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and its Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Glasses will also be handed out on the National Mall during the eclipse April 8. Solar eclipse glasses are provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA. The museum will share full details on how to pick up a pair solar eclipse glasses on its website March 15.

Hint for the Average Socialite: This is an outdoor event. In the case of extreme weather, check this page for updates.