Embassies representing over 20 European Union countries are participating in the annual EU Open House event on Saturday, May 9, offering Washingtonians the chance to watch a Spanish flamenco dance or sample Austria’s apfelstrudel without leaving town.
Just like the embassies that opened their doors last weekend for the Around the World Embassy Tour, the EU countries will have their own free festivities from 10 AM to 4 PM. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, bring ID for entry, and leave large bags and purses at home. Pro tip: This year you can visit two destinations—France and Germany—in a single trip to the French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Road NW). Here are more stops we’re looking forward to visiting.
Belgium
2175 K St., NW
Start the day with fresh Belgian waffles at the embassy. Visitors can also dust off their investigative skills with a scavenger hunt, test their trivia knowledge, and even meet the Smurfs.
Denmark
3200 Whitehaven St., NW
Attendees can receive a guided tour of the Danish Ambassador’s residency, play with Legos, and win a trip to Greenland.
Portugal
2012 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Stop by the Portuguese embassy to watch a folk dance performance, taste Portuguese food, and potentially win a round-trip ticket to the country. World Cup fans can grab an official Portugal jersey for the upcoming tournament. (The Spanish embassy will have Spain jerseys.)
Ireland
2221 30th St., NW
Immerse yourself in Irish culture during an Irish language workshop and a traditional dance performance.
Italy
3000 Whitehaven St., NW
Stop by the Italian embassy for hot pizza and cold gelato. Inside, explore “the Sustainability Box,” a 360-degree installation made entirely out of recycled materials.
Slovenia
2410 California St., NW
Listen to accordion music, grab a bite of Slovenian cuisine, and try your hand at a game of mini basketball. There’s also an opportunity to take a photo with Kurent, the sheepskin-clothed carnival mascot.
Jenae Barnes previously reported and fact-checked for Capital B Gary in Indiana, 5280 Magazine in Denver, Forbes in New York and ABC News in Washington, D.C. She is a 2024 Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow. As a DC-area native, she received her Bachelor’s from George Mason University and Master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School.
