More than 50 embassies representing six continents open their doors to visitors on Saturday May 3, 2014 from 10 am to 4 pm for the annual Around the World Embassy Tour in Washington, DC.
Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion, and music of different countries.
Last year, offerings included karate demonstrations, dance performances, sari wrapping lessons, and henna demonstrations.
These events are a not just an exhibit of diplomacy. According to the Washington Post:
…the real reason everyone loves them so much is because if you play it right, the day is an all-you-can-eat buffet. With booze!
This year, 54 embassies are participating:
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, Zambia, and League of Arab States.
Around the World Embassy Tour
- Admission is free. Reservations are not required.
- Street parking is available but difficult at many embassy locations.
- Many embassies are within walking distance of the Dupont Circle and Van Ness Metro stations.
- Many embassies require photo ID for admission.
- Embassies on International Drive are larger and often have shorter lines than those on Embassy Row.
If you can’t make it on May 3rd, on Saturday, May 10, 2014 28 embassies of European countries will open their doors for the European Union (EU) Embassies’ Open House.