You’d think there would be May Day festivals galore this weekend to usher in the new month, yet there seems to be everything but. Which is why kids won’t miss ribbons wrapped around poles—they’ll be too wrapped up in all other kinds of fun. Here’s a round-up of it all, a recap of what’s already been posted here and on Facebook plus a few more happenings to keep on your family activity radar.
Live Music
Several kids music faves are playing this weekend, and you can still score tickets to see all of them. Laurie Berkner will be at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore on Saturday at 2pm (tickets start at $20). Also on Saturday, The Sippy Cups are playing at the National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium at 12pm ($16/adults, $12/children 12 and under). And on Sunday, Dan Zanes and Friends will be at Strathmore in North Bethesda (tickets start at $15).
Truck Touch
Here’s an opportunity to make many a young motorhead dream come true: Truck Touch! On, Saturday, May 1 from 10am – 2pm, kids will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite road warriors — fire engines, big rigs, dump trucks, and more. The vehicles will be on display and open for exploration at Cheverly United Methodist Church in Cheverly, MD. Admission is $5/child, free for adults.
Family Day at Glen Echo Park
The Dentzel Carousel is opening for its 90th season, and the park is celebrating with a Family Day festival. There will be lots of free activities for kids—face painting, magic shows, dancing, T-Ball Extreme, and a youth art exhibition. The only thing you will have to pay for are rides on the carousel: $1.25/person.
DC United Special Autograph Session
Does your kid want to kick it with the DC united? If so, head to the game against the NY Red Bulls on Saturday, May 1. After the match, there will be a special autograph session for the Youth Fan Club. Anyone 16 and under can join the YFC, and registration is free.
Around the World Embassy Tour
Hear live Australian didgeridoo music, sample tasty Korean dishes, take in a Bangladeshi dance show, and enjoy the rich tradition of Nepalese storytelling all in one day! On Saturday, May 1, Cultural Tourism DC presents the Around the World Embassy Tour, an open house to embassies from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. The free event will showcase art, music, traditional dress, culinary delights, and more. It’s also your chance to check out the interiors of those huge mansions along Mass Ave that you usually just admire from the street. The tour runs from 10am – 4pm. Visit the website for the complete schedule of events.
Telescopes Family Day
Bring out your child’s inner Galileo. Saturday, May 1, is Telescopes Family Day at the National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar Center, the facility near IAD. From 10am – 3pm, visitors can check out all kinds of cool telescopes, talk shop wth amateur astronomers and museum staff, and be among the first to experience the Portable Planetarium, which makes its debut this weekend. Solar observing and story time will also be part of the fun. Admission is free, but parking is $15.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
The 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is this Sunday from 12pm – 6pm at the Washington Monument grounds. Hosted by the Maru Montero Dance Company, the celebration of Latino culture will include live music, traditional food, dance performances, childrens activities in the Kids Pavilion, and free giveaways.
La Maison Française Street Performance Festival
Transport the family to a European street fair at the French Embassy’s La Maison Française. Jugglers, clowns, acrobats, musicians, and comedians will be among the en plein air entertainment on Sunday, May 2. Take in the shows and savor French treats (croissants, quiche, crepes!) as you enjoy the garden party. Tickets are $5, children 10 and under are free.
Curious George Live!
The musical about kids’ favorite inquisitive monkey takes the audience on the same kind of fun and intriguing adventures as the adored books. Curious George, the man in the yellow hat, and friends will take the stage at The Lyric Opera House all weekend, and seats are still available to all of the shows.
Audubon Nature Fair
Okay, so there just may be a maypole in the vicinity, after all. This annual celebration of the outdoor world will have plenty for the family to enjoy: hands-on nature activities for kids, live music, wildlife viewing, plant sales, handmade crafts, face painting, and—if tradition continues—a maypole. The fair runs from 11am – 5pm, tickets are $5/adults, free for children 12 and under.
