The Friday Night Concert Series at Yards Park, a perfect way to kick off the weekend
This round-up of events keeps the weekend’s honorees in mind, with picks that moms will, hopefully, enjoy just as much as the kids. (Plus, one that’s just for all the mamas.) Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
Shortcut to Europe
Where: EU Embassies
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Avoid the airfare and jet lag and explore The Continent from this side of the pond. Passport DC invites you to join European Union embassies and the EU Delegation for a day of international food, dancing, kids entertainment, exhibitions, vacation planning, and more. Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the embassies, some of which are among Washington’s historic and architectural treasures. Free shuttle bus service will be available throughout the day, and some embassies are convenient to Metro for walking. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies will conduct security checks. Get an idea of what to expect in this post about our experience at the Around the World Embassy Tour last weekend.
National Train Day
Where: Union Station
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
All aboard for National Train Day! Events celebrating the day will take place all around the country, and Union Station’s will feature free kids’ activities sponsored by Chuggington, interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and giveaways. Visitors will have the chance to tour private luxury railcars, freight and commuter trains, as well as current Amtrak equipment.
Hello Gorgeous!
Where: The Tabula Rasa
When: Saturday, 5-9pm
Admission: $10/person, $15/two people
Hey, Mamas (or Dads who are still looking for a way to treat Mom)! How about treating yourself to some fun and pampering in honor of YOU on Saturday? The Tabula Rasa on Barracks Row is hosting a “Hello Gorgeous” pop-up event. Indulge in hair, make-up, and mini-photo sessions with locally acclaimed photographer Elizabeth Dranitzke of Photopia; do a little (or a lot of) shopping, and enjoy sweet treats and bubbly. This post has all the details. See you there!
Carousel Grand Opening Celebration
Where: National Harbor
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
National Harbor is unveiling the newest addition to its expanding waterfront with a Grand Opening celebration all weekend long. The Carousel at National Harbor is a 36-foot Americana-themed carousel installed at the water’s edge. The area housing it also features a newly-built playground and picnic area for families looking to relax and soak up some sun at the harbor. Throw in the toddler play area and the view and it becomes a waterfront attraction with never-ending appeal! Grand Opening festivities start at 12pm each day and feature:
live entertainment by Rocknocerus and The Great Zucchini; appearances by Slapshot, G-Wiz, Pinch, Peep and Fireball; Radio Disney
hosting; Stella’s PopKern Truck, balloon art, and face painting. Visit the website for the detailed schedule.
Nats vs. Cubs
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Cubs this weekend, with an evening game on Friday (7:05pm) and afternoon games on Saturday (4:05pm) on Sunday (1:35pm). Take advantage of the Harris Teeter Family Pack promo and stay after for Kids Run the Bases when children ages 4-12 can loop the in field after the final out. (Cross fingers that my unlucky streak ends tonight! If the Nats lose, I think we can officially say it’s my fault.)
Shag by the River
Where: Yards Park
When: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s going to be a perfect evening for a Yards Park Friday Concert. The series got off to a great start last weekend, and with the band Shag playing Brit pop tunes tonight, the fun is guaranteed to continue. Concessions will be available from Pepe, Jose Andres’ mobile sandwiches, and the BBQ Bus food truck. You can also BYO food and drinks (adult bevvies okay, too). As I’ve mentioned before, the fountains are not on right now, but there’s plenty of space for kids (and grown-ups) to frolic and dance on the boardwalk.
Maryland Faerie Festival
Where: Darlington,MD
When: Friday 5pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $5/ages 3-12, $15/ages 12-99
Indulge little faerie dreams at the annual festival inspired by faerie folklore and literature. From what I hear, it’s kind of like Renn Fest on a much smaller scale with facets that will delight children, especially those who believe in the faeries. Treasure hunts, a May pole, craft projects, giant bubbles, and acrobats are some of the activities kids (and adults) will enjoy. Art, craft, and jewelry vendors, plus classes on gardening and cooking will appeal to the bigger faeries in the crowd.
Art & Asparagus Mother’s Day Weekend
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $8/child $10/adult
Forget the flowers for Mother’s Day this year and replace them with a unique – and tasty – bouquet of asparagus, fresh from the farm! The veggies will be at their peak, so Great Country Farms is offering them along with other special treat. Let dad take the kids out to the five- acre play area, while Mom enjoys shopping in the Farm Market stocked with jams & jellies, honey, local meats, baked goods and great gift ideas! Or just relax over lunch and a strawberry sundae in our Roosteraunt concession stand.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s the live entertainment on local stages this weekend:
– See a special Friday night concert by Johnny Juarez at Adventure Theatre at 7pm this evening.
– Catch a performance of Big Nate at Adventure Theatre.
– The Amazing & Marvelous Cabinets of Kismet, a special puppet show, will be at Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint.
– The Magic Finger & James and the Giant Peach are still on the Imagination Stage – shows have been extended through June 2!
– See the marionette version of Cinderella or a Tiny Tots show at The Puppet Co.
– Farmer Jason is playing the 10:30am show at Jammin’ Java on Saturday.
–Hello Dolly! is still on stage at Ford’s Theatre production.
Bolivian Festival
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Admission: Free
I’ve found over the years that the American Indian Museum knows how to do a good festival, and it sounds like this one will follow suit. The Bolivian Festival celebrates the International Year of Quinoa with dance performances, storytelling, folk music, art demos, food, and more fun for all ages. The event is on now and running through Sunday. Be sure to stop by the imagiNATIONS family activity center on the third floor for programs especially for kids. Museum hours are 10am -5pm.
International Migratory Bird Day Festival
Where: Rock Creek Park Nature Center
When: Saturday, 9am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Rock Creek Nature Center and the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center for guided bird walks, live raptor programs, children’s activities, performances from local schools as well as Latin American dance groups, a special planetarium program focusing on bird constellations, healthy Latin American food, and more. Get outdoors, learn about migratory birds and how they connect the Americas, and participate in bird conservation.
Super Science Saturday
Where: 10am – 3pm
When: Saturday,
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 Astronomy.
Team America Rocketry Challenge
Where: Great Meadow in the Plains, Va.
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The nation’s top 100 finalists in the world’s largest student rocket contest are competing for the national title, along with $60,000 in scholarships and a chance to compete in an international Flyoff in Paris this July. The top one hundred teams represent a diverse cross-section of Americans, with several all-girls and 4-H teams defying typical stereotypes and competing for the top-spot. Bring the family and cheer them on to share with your kids how fun science and rocketry can be! The Great Meadow in the Plains, Va. is located 5089 Old Tavern Road.
Potomac Overlook Open House
Where: Potomac Overlook Park
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
The park’s Open House is a springtime tradition, now in it’s 28th year. Enjoy a day full of fun activities and exhibits for all ages, including music, entertainment, food, community exhibits, games, a maypole dance, and much more.
Contemporary Portraiture Family Day
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2013 with students from Ivymount Middle School in Rockville, Maryland. This special day includes an exhibition of artwork by Ivymount students, a musical performance by an Ivymount student, a tour of the the related exhibition, musical performances by Sean Lane and Bay Jazz, and hands-on art activities. Borrow a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum.
Farewell Birds of Paradise
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Through Sunday
Admission: $11/adults, $5 ages 5-11, free for kids under 5
This weekend is your last chance to see Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution at the National Geographic Museum. The fantastic exhibit showcases the work of photographer Tim Laman and Ornithology scientist Edwin Scholes from their years-long partnership documenting the extraordinary avian species of New Guinea. Through the photographs and video and audio recordings from their 18 expeditions, the duo reveals the extravagant plumage, crazy courtship dances and bizarre behaviors of the birds, including 39 previously unknown species. Read more about the exhibit in this KFDC post.
