EU Open Houses: 6 Embassies Washingtonians Should Visit This Saturday
Experience diverse cultures at the EU Open Houses on May 9th in Washington D.C. Explore embassy programs, from Spanish flamenco to Austrian apfelstrudel.
Sophie McAlister ·
On Saturday, May 9, embassies representing more than 20 European Union countries will open their doors across Washington for the annual EU Open Houses, giving residents and visitors a chance to see mission spaces and attend cultural programs. The event follows last weekend’s Around the World Embassy Tour and highlights the city’s role as a diplomatic and cultural hub.
Participating missions will offer a mix of performances, food tastings, exhibits and guided tours. Among the offerings called out in local listings are a Spanish flamenco performance and opportunities to sample Austria’s apfelstrudel. The Open Houses program typically concentrates activities at embassy buildings clustered around Massachusetts Avenue and other diplomatic corridors, drawing neighborhood foot traffic and museum-goers.
Organizers and participating missions publish schedules and visitor
Organizers and participating missions publish schedules and visitor instructions in advance; attendees should consult official embassy pages or the EU Open Houses schedule for entry times, possible RSVP requirements and any security procedures. Local tourism outlets and neighborhood businesses around embassy row often see increased activity during these public diplomacy events.
The EU Open Houses are one of several spring embassy events in Washington that open diplomatic spaces to the public, offering a window onto EU member states’ cultures without leaving the city.