25th US FreedomWalk Festival

About the Event

Join us for the 25th annual US FreedomWalk Festival 16-18 October 2026!

The US FreedomWalk Festival® is a weekend, non-competitive, social walking challenge bringing participants of all ages and abilities together for fun, fitness, and international friendship. There are three themes to the annual event:
Fitness through walking
Learning about US history and freedoms
Making friends from all over the world

Truly a Volksmarch to remember!

The event was created in 2002 to welcome walkers from all over the world to the nation's capital city in friendship. This walking event is hosted by Arlington County, Virginia and US FreedomWalk - AVA Club 901. Arlington County has been named a Gold Level Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. The County is one of 15 communities nationwide to have received this level rating.

The walk is a three-day civil and military, noncompetitive walk for everyone. It promotes friendship and education about the United States and other countries. This is not a charity walk.

On Friday, experience Arlington Virginia hospitality with a short "Welcome Walk" on Friday afternoon. By the way, in 2022, Arlington was named one of the five Walk Friendly Platinum Communities in the U.S. along with much larger cities like San Francisco and New York City.

The Saturday trails go along National Mall, and all three branches of the federal government depending on the distance selected by the participants.

Sunday's trails Washington National Cathedral, memorials, and through Georgetown depending on the distance selected by the participants.

Start at your leisure each day during the start period and walk at your own pace. Everyone must register at the start location.

This is a family event for all ages. You choose your desired course based on your abilities and personal desires. The walk is for your health.

The event is co-hosted by:

IML Walking Association

AVA-America's Walking Club

US FreedomWalk - AVA Club 901

Arlington County, Virginia USA

This years event will be held 16-18 October 2026. It is our 25th Year!

Trails

Each day features a different walk available only on that day. At noon on Friday, join in a Welcome Walk west of the Potomac River. Friday’s trails are 5 and 10 km long (3 / 6 miles). All sports participants must finish by 6:00 pm.

The opening ceremony will be held at 4 pm on Friday.

Saturday’s 6/12/21/42 km (3 /6 /12+ miles) will begin at 8 am. The walks go along National Mall, and all three branches of the federal government depending on the distance selected by the participants. All sports participants must finish by 6:00 pm.

Join in a group social on Saturday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm with a DJ and cash bar.

Sunday’s 6/12/21km (3/6/12+ miles) walks begin at 8 am. The walks go by the Washington National Cathedral, memorials, and through Georgetown depending on the distance selected by the participants. All participants must finish by 4:00 pm.

The closing ceremony will be held at 3:00 pm.

Note: Pre-registation runs through October 9, 2026. Registration fees increase $5 on day of event (n/a IVV Credit Only).

Races Offered

Walking Saturday or Sunday 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon - Group-registration team Age group/open

Oct 16, 2026

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Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

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16:00

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$18.00

Walking Saturday or Sunday 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon - Individual Age group/open

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$18.00

Walking-5k or 10k - Welcome Walk 5k & 10k

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$9.00

Walking-5k, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon - 2-Day Package Saturday & Sunday

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$36.00

Walking-5k, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon - Group-registration team Age group/open

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$36.00

Walking-5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon - 3-Day Package 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$40.00

Walking-5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon - Group registration - Team

Oct 16, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

16:00

sell

$40.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in Arlington.

thermostat Temperature

10.0° / 20.5°

wb_sunny Feels like

7.6° / 18.6°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

9h 6m

water_drop Avg rainfall

1.2 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

9.8 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (4.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

68.8%

wb_twilight Sunrise

07:18

nightlight Sunset

18:28

About Arlington

Learn more about the host city, Arlington.

Arlington forms part of the urban conglomeration around Washington, D.C. - inside the beltway. In Northern Virginia, and directly across the Potomac River from D.C. proper, Arlington is one of America's most densely populated regions. It has a land area 26 sq mi (67 km2) and a population of 230,000. Despite its density, Arlington mixes the best of both big city and suburban environments. Like the greater Washington area, Arlington has grown over the last several decades in part due to growth of the federal government.