EU Open House — 27 European Embassies

EU Open House — 27 European Embassies

Once a year, 27 European embassies across DC throw open their doors for a single Saturday, and it's a day your family won't forget. Kids dress up in traditional costumes from different countries, taste pastries from France, sample gelato, and watch folk dancers perform right inside the embassy buildings. Each embassy stamps your child's passport booklet as you visit, so by the end of the day your kids feel like they've traveled across Europe without leaving DC. The France and Germany embassies do a joint open house that usually moves faster than others because they've got the logistics down perfectly. Italy is amazing because they actually display real Lamborghinis and Ferraris on the grounds, which honestly makes the whole day exciting for kids. Luxembourg is famous for giving out chocolate, lots of it, so plan to stop there as one of your final spots. The whole experience is free, and the ambassadors and cultural staff are genuinely welcoming. You'll see families doing this every year on this weekend, and it's become a tradition for many DC-area parents.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Choose your embassies wisely. Some get lines over an hour long. The France and Germany joint open house usually has faster-moving lines than most.
• ✓Start early at 10am when the crowds are smallest. The popular embassies fill up quickly by noon.
• ✓Bring plenty of water and snacks for the kids. You'll spend a lot of time waiting in lines, and the food samples are small.
• ✓Wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk between embassies all afternoon, easily covering a couple of miles.
• ✓Bring a stroller for little ones. Long lines and lots of walking make strollers really helpful.
• ✓Don't miss Italy for the cars and Luxembourg for the chocolate. These are the highlights your kids will remember.