As graduation season approaches, it’s prime time to begin looking into top venue spots to host your senior’s graduation party. From rentable studios and public outdoor areas to higher end venues, here is our top list of locations in DC to coordinate your perfect graduation party to send your graduate off with a bang!
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Washington, DC, offers a wide variety of venues to host a memorable graduation party without breaking the bank.
- The details: You can find outdoor spaces for smaller gatherings, like Rock Creek Park, and larger cultural centers, like the Brazilian American Cultural Center, for bigger celebrations.
- Good to know: Pricing ranges from $48 an hour to a $5,400 full-day flat rate. Prices vary based on the size of the location, the size of your party and what other amenities might be included.
Rentable venues
Brazilian American Cultural Center
The Brazilian American Cultural Center is a versatile rental space that can accommodate a wide range of events and parties, including birthdays, networking events, pop-up events and graduation parties. Located in the heart of DC, it offers ample indoor and outdoor space. It’s open and bright with lots of windows, mirrored walls and hard wood floors. The approximately 800 square feet of enclosed space includes appliances such as an on-site cooler, a sink area, a toaster oven, a microwave and a bathroom.
- Location: 3001 Sherman Ave. NW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: ~$48-55/hour (1.5 hour minimum)
- Guest accommodations: 40 people
Divino Ristorante — Enoteca
Divino Ristorante is an Italian restaurant with private event bookings located in The Glover Park Hotel in Georgetown. Its high ceilings, dark turquoise chairs and moody atmosphere offer an intimate and sophisticated event space that accommodates around 100 guests with approximately 3,000 square feet of space. It features an open kitchen for guests to witness preparation of handmade pasta by expert chefs as well as an outdoor space for event versatility.
- Location: 2505 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: ~$50/hour (three hour minimum)
- Guest accommodations: 120 people
Outdoor spaces
Celebration Pavilion — The Fields at RFK Campus
The Celebration Pavilion is an open space available for event rentals of all kinds, including graduation parties. The 3,000 square foot pavilion is adjacent to Field 2a that is also available for an additional booking price. Hosts are permitted to bring furniture or may rent equipment from Go Play for additional prices. Food vendors and trucks are also permitted for an additional $150 fee per vendor. The open turf fields offer ample space for large events and parties and stand as a great option for an outdoor graduation party. You must submit an event form application at least two weeks in advance of your event.
- Location: The Fields at RFK Campus, 401 50th St. NE, Washington, DC
- Pricing: $75/hour (with a valid DC photo ID) or $150/hour (Non-DC rate)
- Guest accommodation: up to 99 guests
Rock Creek Park — Group Picnic Areas
From April 1-Nov. 30, the eight Rock Creek Park group picnic areas will be available for advanced booking for events. Enjoy the historical and cultural aspects of the site while being immersed in nature. The site does not permit decorations or balloons to be hung from any natural or manmade structures. Rock Creek Park also only operates during daylight hours and will close promptly at 7 p.m. All picnic sites will be equipped with picnic tables while some also have fireplaces. Restroom facilities are not available at all sites.
- Location: Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: $65/half day and $130/full day
- Guest accommodation: 75 people per site
Higher end
Station 4
Station 4 is a modern American restaurant and lounge available for booking for events and parties. They have four booking options: Entire Venue (270 seats/350 standing, around $68 per person), Semi Private Section (180 seats/250 standing, around $68 per person), Wine Rack Station (50 seats/55 standing, around $80 per person) and Patio (90 seats/100 standing, around $68 per person).
- Location: 1101 4th St. SW, Washington, DC
- Pricing: ~$68 per person
- Guest accommodations: Up to 300 guests, depending on booking
North Hall (Eastern Market)
North Hall is a historical venue space located on Capitol Hill with several event spaces available for booking: North Hall (4,000 square feet of indoor space), North Hall Plaza (3,500 square feet of outdoor space), Catering Plaza (800 square feet of outdoor space) and Bays (200 square feet of covered outdoor space). North Hall’s vaulted ceilings and classic DC architecture make it a perfect photo spot and a visually striking venue for graduation celebrations.
- Location: 225 7th St. SE, Washington, DC
- Pricing: $1,800-$5,400 flat rate (price varies by day and type of event)
- Guest accommodations: Around 400 people (standing), 230 people (seated banquet style)
Related
Check out these DC photographers for those picture-perfect graduation moments
