Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

06/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse!

Happy birthday to Wolf Trap’s visionary founder, Catherine Filene Shouse! Her legacy and vision inspires the diverse programming brought to Wolf Trap each year. Thank you for paving the way, Mrs. Shouse! 🎂

06/06/2026

The June 7 concert with THE BEACH BOYS has been postponed. The new concert date is Thursday, July 23, and all tickets will automatically transfer to the new date—no action is required on your part. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and truly appreciate your understanding.

06/06/2026

Happy ! If you didn't already know, we have nearly 3 miles of trails at Wolf Trap, 1.5 miles of which are classified as a TRACK Trail (geared specifically for kids!) Here are some of our fan favorite Wolf Trap Trail activities:

🏃‍♀️ - Walk/hike/run for exercise (or away from those people getting way too close)
😇 - Practice mindfulness. Trails can be incredible places for reflection and healing.
🕵️‍♀️ - Play detective and find some cool flora and/or fauna. While wildlife is pretty neat, remember to respect their distance.
🎤- Sing/hum your favorite song. It is a performing arts park, after all. Maybe just loud enough for yourself to enjoy though.. not everyone is at the park for a performance.
🐶 - Dogs love trails, and we love dogs! But please keep your furry friend on a leash at all times and remember to bag their waste.
📸 - Bust out that camera, the park's lookin' mighty fine these days.
👂 - Listen to the sweet, sweet sounds of the forest. Can you identify the birds by their chirps? Can you hear the leaves swaying in the trees?
💃 - Dance! Again, it's a performing arts park for a reason..
And of course a quick plug to - try to stay 6 feet away from others, wear a face mask when you can, and please Leave No Trace!

05/20/2026

Three, two, one—Blast Off! is this weekend! "The President's Own" United States Marine Band takes the stage for an evening of spectacular music and fireworks. Here are some tips and tricks to make the most out of the show! 🎆 🎶

04/28/2026

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is hiring seasonal Usher positions for summer 2026! Apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/865858600

This announcement is open to the public but eligibility is limited to applicants who reside within the local commuting area. See announcement for more details. Residency will be verified during the hiring process.



NPS Photos / Tripp

📸Ushers performing their duties: scanning tickets, greeting guests at the Filene Center and Children's Theater-in-the-Woods.

04/16/2026

Join the City Nature Challenge event Saturday, April 25 from 10am-noon at the park!

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is hosting a City Nature Challenge event Saturday, April 25 from 10am-noon.

Just show up! Hope to see you soon!
Fun family event.

04/04/2026

April 4, 1982, the Filene Center I endured a devastating fire that some believed would bring an end to Wolf Trap as they knew it. However, as they say in the biz, the show must go on! The summers of 1982-84 brought some drastic changes and challenges as performances were moved out into a temporary pavilion constructed in the Meadow.

Due to the tireless and passionate leadership of Catherine Filene Shouse, the Wolf Trap Foundation and NPS staff, the Filene Center was rebuilt, stronger than ever. Now standing at 125 feet tall, the Filene Center is the focal point of our park, attracting thousands of visitors from far and wide each summer.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/wotr/learn/historyculture/filene-center-past-present.htm to compare Filene Center II specs to Filene Center I!

03/30/2026

Our Visitor Services Division is seeking Visitor Services Assistants for the 2026 Filene Center performance season. Veterans, retirees, adults seeking summer jobs, and students are encouraged to apply 🐺🎶

Description: Work during the evening, wear a park ranger uniform and help with parking operations, crowd control, and emergency situations for performances at the Filene Center.

Duration: May-September, flexible work schedules.

Pay Rate: GS 4, $19.76 per hour

Apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/862812600

*There are some specific requirements for a federal resume which you can find here: https://go.nps.gov/stepstoapply



NPS Photos / Tripp

03/27/2026

This , enjoy a time-lapse video of the Filene Center stage setup for "Bernstein at 100: A Celebration" held on July 27, 2018. A 3-hour process, condensed into less than a minute. No audio or narration.

Below is a description of the actions displayed in the video.
As the fire curtain rises, the crew is positioned down stage (foreground) prepping the video screen to be flown. Upstage, (background) the crew also preps the orchestra shell to be moved onto the stage and flown out. First, the ceiling side panels are moved to the stage. The yellow cables dropped in from the grid are a series of winches that support and move the orchestra ceiling into position. Each ceiling panel has four (4) three (3) ton winches.

At the same time the crew preps the orchestra pit to be raised and flooring put into place. The stage right ceiling panel goes into position first. Electricity and audio are connected, and it is ready to fly out. As the rest of the ceiling panels fly, the crew cuts and lays the floor down on the raised pit area. Once the ceiling panels fly into place, it is time for the shell walls to be placed. The orchestra shell uses an air caster system to easily move the panels with pressurized air. The crew starts with stage left walls, moving into stage right. While the walls are being placed, chorus risers are set up at the back of the stage, along with lighting focus on the shell ceiling. Chairs for the musicians are brought on set and flooring is finished in the pit area.

03/20/2026

Get ready, national park enthusiasts!

National Park Week is August 22–30! It's the perfect time to “Celebrate America’s Story,” the National Park Service’s 110th birthday on August 25 and the nation's 250th anniversary of independence. Join us across more than 400 sites, from monumental landscapes that inspire awe to historic battlefields, revolutionary landmarks, and cultural places where America's story was forged. Enjoy an entrance fee-free day, become a Junior Ranger, take a hike, join a ranger-led program, or simply pause and enjoy nature's grandeur. Learn more at: go.nps.gov/nationalparkweek