The Weekend Round-Up: April 12-14

This Round-Up is coming to you a little earlier that usual, so you have some extra time to plan your fun over the next few days. There’s a varied selection below, or you can opt for some tried and true activities around the area. And with the weather on the way, the post listing the area’s best outdoor pursuits is a must-view. Happy Weekend!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Avenue, 7th – 17th Streets NW
When: Saturday, April 13, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The pinnacle of cherry blossom festivities is, hands-down, the parade. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the spectacle of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers travel through the city. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially if it’s a pretty spring day like we’re expected to get on Saturday.

Sakura Matsuri
Where: 12th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
When: Saturday, April 13, 10:30am – 6pm
Admission: $5/ages 13 and older
Immediately following the Cherry Blossom parade, many folks head right over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. Stretching down six city blocks from 9th to 14th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, there will be live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.

Nats vs. Braves
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday 7:05pm, Saturday 1:05pm, Sunday 1:35pm
Admission: Tickets start at $10
We’re hitting our first baseball game of the season this weekend, and I can’t wait! The Nats are hosting the Atlanta Braves with an evening game tonight, an afternoon match-up on Saturday, and another game on Sunday. Take advantage of the Harris Teeter Family Pack and enjoy other special promos on Sunday – it’s Kids Opening Day and Screech’s Birthday. And don’t forget you can stay after for Kids Run the Bases when children ages 4-12 can loop the in field after the final out.

Arts Night & Open House
Where: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
When: Friday, 6:30-8pm
Admission: Free
CHAW is hosting Tarantella & Pizza, a free family arts night and camp open house. Eat a little pizza, dance a little Tarantella, paint a little fresco, and have a lot of fun! If you’re not familiar with the CHAW summer camp experience, this is a great opportunity to meet camp staff and see what it’s all about. And if you are familiar with CHAW already, stop by and say hello…and bring a friend! Open to all ages. Free, but RSVP to 202.547.6839 or victor@chaw.org.

White House Spring Garden Tours
Where: White House Grounds
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free, but tickets are required
Here’s your chance to enjoy spring at the White House — and you don’t need to win a lottery to do it. The annual Spring Garden and Grounds Tours are being held on Saturday and Sunday. And gaining admission to the event is as easy as picking up tickets the day of. For more details and info on how to get tickets, see this post from last week.

Rocknoceros Family Happy Hour
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: $10
Start the weekend with a night out for the whole family. Rocknoceros wanted to provide a way for entire families to get a night out on the town in a safe, clean, and family-friendly way. Jammin’ Java, and even the famed 9:30 Club, are presenting the show. The Jammin’ Java bar will be in full operation. And don’t forget the Signature Happy Family Hour drink special: Buy a beer, get a juice box!

A Peek at the Peak
Where: Tidal Basin & National Mall
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
You may be able to catch the final days of the cherry blossom peak. The blooms have been spectacular this week and will, hopefully, still wow this weekend. Expect crowds and be prepared — this post has tips for families viewing the blossoms.

Lantern Making Family Day
Where: Yards Park
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
The Capitol Riverfront BID is hosting its 3rd Annual Lantern Making Family Day as part of National Cherry Blossom festivities.  Two lantern making sessions for children and adults will take place at 10am and 12pm. Each session will be followed by a parade through Yards Park. There will be even more to while you’re there, including a performance by Hapmudo martial arts group on the boardwalk, a moonbounce and games for children, and Asian food to purchase from nearby Kruba Thai and Sushi. 

Festival of Tulips
Where: Burnside Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: $3
Experience Holland in Haymarket, Va! The Festival of Tulips opens on Saturday after a week’s delay due to the extended cold. While the dazzling show of brilliant spring colors should be at its best next week, they are expecting a few thousand tulips to be in bloom this weekend. Stroll through the giant fields that contain over 50 different varieties of tulips in a rainbow of colors so and pick your own for $1 per stem. This sounds like a sight to behold. Don’t forget the camera.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– Catch Jack & the Beanstalk at The Puppet Co. or see a Tiny Tots show there.
– This weekend is your last chance to see Three Little Birds at Adventure Theatre.
– Arts on the Horizon presents The Young Spectaculars and the Front Yard Adventure at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
– The Magic Finger & James and the Giant Peach are on the Imagination Stage.
– Hello Dolly! is the latest Ford’s Theatre production.
Get details on all of these productions in this post about entertainment this season.

Collage Family Day
Where: Corcoran Gallery
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Gluing and cutting won’t be the only way you can collage at this Family Day! Enjoy a game of collage roulette with mystery pieces and a surprise design. For a totally new experience, a DJ layers and mix tunes to create an audio collage while you work on crafts and projects the whole family will love.

Enchanted Cherrybration Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10a, – 5pm
Admission: $5 (rides cost extra)
Let your little princesses dress up for this visit to the storybook-themed farm (you can read more about it in this list about outdoor outings). Clark’s Elioak will be celebrating Howard County’s “Cherrybration” Days with treats fit for young royalty and plenty of pink pizzazz. Children in a family will get a free hay ride if at least one person in the family is dressed as a pink princess. Kids can also dress up in gowns on hand at the farm for a photo opportunity with “Princess Cherrybella.” A Truly Pink Treasure Hunt in the Enchanted Forest Maze will round out the weekend activities.

How Things Fly
Where: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
It’s Super Science Saturday at the Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. This month, learn about How Things Fly.

D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $26
It’s an Atlantic Cup Rivalry match as the United take on the Red Bulls Saturday evening. And even though the game doesn’t start until 7pm, you can get there as early as 3pm to get your matchday started. You can hit the team store to buy gear or have your official team gear customized with a logo, grab some grub from food trucks in Lot 8, then head to the VW Garage for games and activities at 6pm. Visit the website for more info an to purchase tickets.

Littles Day
Where: Port Discovery
When: Saturday
Admission: $13.95/ages 2 and up
The children’s museum in Baltimore is hosting a special day dedicated to kids ages 1-5. Enjoy performances by The Kindersinger and Bubbles the Clown, and sample treats from Happy Family Brands. And, of course, don’t miss the rest of the fun, imaginative exhibits (three levels worth!) while you’re there, all of them interactive and a blast for kids.

Origami Mural Project
Where: M Street & New Jersey Ave SE
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Join a community art project in celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The public is invited to contribute to the installation of DC’s first ever Origami mural! Meet local artist Iona Rozeal Brown and learn about the ancient art of Origami making, then help unite thousands of Origami figures to form a work of art along New Jersey Avenue, SE in Yards Park. All ages are welcome.

Spring Bird Watch
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $8/child and $10/adult, under 2 are free
Join the The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on a bird watch around the farm in Bluemont, Va. The adventure will include a talk about local and migratory spring birds, from swallows and cardinals to the larger carnivores like hawks, vultures & owls. The whole family can learn why these birds are helpful to crops and identify the characteristics to tell them apart. Visitors can also enjoy farm activities, including hay rides and the cow train, plus over five acres of playground containing a Giant Jumping Pillow, rope swings & mazes, and a brand new 80’ Triple Slide. And bring a camera – photo ops will abound with the blooming trees and baby animals. Note that space is limited for the birding event so email jaclyn@greatcountryfarms.com or call 540-554-2073 to sign up.