DENTZEL CAROUSEL
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 carousel was fully restored – including each animal. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The carousel is open May through September.
The carousel has reopened for its 100th anniversary season, having remained closed throughout the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
Hours of Operation & Ticket Information
HOURS
Opening Day / May 1: 12 pm - 6 pm
May 2 - June 13: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
June 16 - August 29: Wednesday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm | Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
September 4 - 26: Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm
Special Days & Times: Memorial Day, May 31: 10 am - 6 pm | Labor Day, September 6: 10 am - 6 pm
Days and times subject to change. Please note that for safety reasons, the carousel cannot operate during a thunderstorm.
Due to COVID restrictions and precautions, please note that our ticketing policies and carousel operations have changed for the 2021 season.
TICKET INFORMATION
Weekdays: $5 per person, all day
Weekends & Holidays: $5 per person for a 4-hour time slot
Everyone on the carousel, including babies and accompanying adults, MUST have a ticket. Tickets will enable guests to ride the carousel as many times as they can during their purchased time slot.
Due to capacity restrictions, tickets for each time slot is limited. We encourage all visitors to purchase tickets in advance to ensure that you can ride. Tickets will be sold in the Ticket Booth across from the carousel, if available.
All guests must check in at the Ticket Booth across from the carousel and receive a wristband for their time slot. This wristband must be worn and shown at the carousel’s entrance each time you wish to ride during your purchased time slot. For your safety, staff will disinfect the animals between each ride. We anticipate a wait time of 15-20 minutes for this process.
No refunds will be given if you cannot make your time slot. However, exchanges are available, based on ticket availability. Please contact carousel@glenechopark.org.
If you have a member coupon or carousel tickets from past seasons, we will do our best to honor them. Please email carousel@glenechopark.org for exchange/redemption options.
NOTE: Montgomery County has lifted capacity restrictions for both indoor and outdoor activities, and currently there are no requirements for masks and/or social distancing. However, we strongly encourage any guests who are not vaccinated to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible. Guests who are experiencing COVID-related symptoms are asked to stay home. (Contact carousel@glenechopark.org for ticket exchange options.)
100th Anniversary Celebration
We are presenting lots of events and activities - mostly virtual - to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our beloved Carousel.
Carousel 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Heritage Award Winner
On January 13, Maryland Traditions, the traditional arts program of Maryland State Arts Council, announced the winners of its 2021 Heritage Awards, which recognize long-term achievement in the traditional arts. Three Heritage Awards are given annually: one each in the categories of Person or People, Place, and Tradition
We were thrilled to be recognized with the award in the "Place" category for our historic Dentzel Carousel.
Read the Press Release
Did you know that Glen Echo Park's carousel was central to the civil rights story of the Washington, DC area?
Learn the Civil Rights Story!
View & Download the Carousel Fact Sheet >>
Download carousel coloring pages! >>
Learn More About the History of the Carousel.
The Carousel Building Restoration Project was completed in May 2020. Watch a short video (below) featuring photos and video from the project.
The 2019 season was shortened due to major repairs/restoration to the carousel building. The carousel was closed beginning July 1, 2019 and for the remainder of the summer season.
Thank you to the generous funders of the Carousel Building Restoration Project!
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This video was financed in part with funds from Heritage Montgomery and Montgomery County Government.
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This video was financed in part with State Funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.
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