Please join us for a ride on one of the greater Washington area’s true treasures! Installed at Glen Echo Park in 1921, the canopy and the carved figures were made by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Germantown, Pennsylvania. It is a classic example of hand woodcarving popular during the early 1900s. From 1983 through 2003, the entire carousel was fully restored. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is much more history to learn! See links below. 

Purchase Carousel Tickets

2026 HOURS OF OPERATION

May 2 - August 30:

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday || 10am – 2pm  (closed Monday & Tuesday)

Saturday & Sunday || 11am – 5pm

August 31 - September 27:

Saturday & Sunday || 11am – 5pm (closed weekdays)

Also open on these holidays:

Memorial Day — Monday, May 25 || 11am – 5pm 

Labor Day — Monday, September 7  ||  11am – 5pm

TICKETS

$2.00 per ride |  $5.00 for an all-day pass

During carousel season. tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office window during regular operating hours and online.  Every person must have their own ticket, including babies and accompanying adults. Children under six must be accompanied by a paying adult to ride.

In addition to carousel rides, we hope you will come to the Park to enjoy our concerts, dances, exhibitions, classes & camps, and more!  Visit our events calendar >>

CAROUSEL PROGRAMMING

SENSORY-FRIENDLY DAYS

Weekly on Wednesday Mornings | 10am - 11pm + Select Weekend Dates (see below) | 11am - 1pm

Ride the Dentzel carousel on a sensory-friendly day with:

• No lights
• Recorded music at a lower volume
• Slower AND shorter rides
• More time between rides, allowing extra time to get on and off the carousel and to get settled and accustomed to the carousel

Doors open 15 minutes before regular opening time, allowing time to walk around the carousel, touch the animals, and get familiar with the setting while music is not playing and the ride isn't moving.

Select Weekend Dates

5/16/26 |  5/17/26 |  6/13/26 |  6/14/26 |  7/18/26 |  7/19/26 |  8/8/26 |  8/9/26 |  9/12/26 |  9/13/26

 

MEET THE BAND ORGAN

Monthly on First Sundays | 10:30am - 11am

On the first Sunday of each month during carousel season, the carousel building will open 30 minutes early to give visitors a chance to see the Park's Wurlitzer 165 Military Style band organ up close.

5/3/26 | 6/7/26 | 7/5/26 | 8/2/26 | 9/6/26

 

CAROUSEL NEWS

"From Gala to Summer Season: Celebrating Two Centennials at Glen Echo Park" | Bethesda Magazine | April 16, 2026 | Read it here >>

"Friday Art Walk, Saturday Carousel Day at Glen Echo Park" | The Georgetowner | May 1, 2025 | Read it here >>

"Celebrating a cultural treasure in Montgomery County" | NBC4 | April 29, 2025 | Watch it here >>

"Documentary recalls 1960 protest to integrate Glen Echo Amusement Park" | The Washington Post | April 25, 2025 | Read it here >>

"Historic Dentzel Carousel animals repaired following 2023 storm" | WUSA9 | March 11, 2025 | Watch it here >>

"Historic Glen Echo carousel gets back 5 missing animal figures" | WTOP | March 11, 2025 | Read it here >>

"Historic Glen Echo Park carousel animals return to park 2 years after storm damage" | WUSA9 | March 11, 2025 | Watch or read it here >>