Jammin’ by the river at last year’s Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival
Several awesome big annual events are in the mix of recs this weekend, Maryland Day, the Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival, the Georgetown French Market, and White House Garden Tours among them. But if lower key activities you prefer, there are plenty of those, too — museum programs, children’s plays, family concerts, spring flower peeping, and, of course, tons of everyday fun around the area. Happy Weekend!
Maryland Day
Where: University of Maryland
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The Maryland Day celebration in College Park gets a giant thumbs-up from me, and not just because it’s my alma mater. This is a fantastic event for families, and I know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. “Explore Our World” is the theme of the annual fair, and guests will be able to do that and then some. There are loads of activities for kids, including learning games; a kids carnival with moonbounces, bungee runs, climbing walls, and more; a hip hop orchestra; arts & crafts; farm animal visits; puppet shows and sing-a-longs; face painting; fossil digs; insect and instrument petting zoos; and TONS more. It’s spread out all over campus — and it’s a huge campus, so prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for little ones.
Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival
Where: Kingman Island
When: Saturday 12-8pm
Admission: $20 strongly suggested donation
The 6th Annual Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival will feature bluegrass entertainment and plenty more revelry. The celebration of local music, food, and culture as well as the revitalization of the Anacostia River includes eight hours of performances by local bluegrass and folk acts on six stages. Fuel up with DC’s favorite food trucks and Sierra Nevada beer. Entertain little ones in the family area with music and arts & crafts, especially for kids. There will also be free kayaking, giveaways, and sponsored activities for all to enjoy. The $20 suggested donation helps support Living Classrooms’ environmental education programming for DC youth on Kingman Island. Tickets can be purchased ahead online, and all advance purchased tix include a free beer. Kingman Island is located on the Anacostia River at 575 Oklahoma Avenue NE (at the entrance to RFK Stadium).
Georgetown French Market
Where: Wisconsin Avenue NW, between P St. & Reservoir Rd.
When: Friday & Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Book Hill neighborhood of Georgetown’s signature European open air market returns for its 12th year, featuring nearly 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and galleries, art, and antique home furnishings. But it’s not all about the shopping; kids will enjoy the strolling mimes, children’s activities, live music, and French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to download a schedule of events and list of participating shops.
Springtime at the Obama’s
Where: The White House
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm & Sunday, 10am – 2:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy spring at the White House! The annual Spring Garden and Grounds Tours are being held this weekend, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden, and South Lawn will be on view to guests. The public is invited, but every visitor, small children included, needs a ticket to tour. Starting at 9am on both days, tickets will be distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion at 15th & E Streets NW on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour times are indicated on each ticket, so keep your day open if you hope to go.
Day Out with Thomas
Where: B&O Railroad Museum
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: $18, $21 with train ride
Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride (on Friday, sold out for Saturday & Sunday) behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun!
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Let the awe-inspiring dance moves of TETRISplus entertain your crew at the Kennedy Center
* Catch a performance of Sinbad: The Untold Tale at Imagination Stage
* The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is on stage at Adventure Theatre
* See a show on strings at The Puppet Co. where Jack and the Beanstalk is the current main stage production
* And Magic Toyshop is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre on Sunday
* Virginia Virtuosi’s Rhythmns Around the World is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National free performance
* The Northern Virginia Players present <em>Seussical, Jr. for the final weekend
* Watch books come to life as The Alden showcases The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites
* Caveman Dave is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java
* Enjoy Gershwin’s Magic Key, and NSO Family Concert at the Kennedy Center
The Land of Nod Bookmobile
Where: Throughout the area
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
The Land of Nod has turned its tour bus into a brand-spanking-new bookmobile and packed it with tons of their favorite Little Golden Books. They’re touring the country to bring stories, crafts, and fun to you. Drop by one of the area stops to get in on it — I recommend heading to The Torpedo Factory, where my friend Rebecca from Not-So-SAHM will be reading and crafting (and she does some pretty awesome crafts!).
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Where: Burnside Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $4/day, $7/unlimited entry
Experience Holland in Haymarket, Va! Burnside Farm’s annual Festival of Spring showcasing the season’s flowers is open and blooming. Stroll through the giant fields that contain over 50 different varieties of flowers in a rainbow of colors and pick your own to cenjoy at home: $1 for 2 daffodils, $1 per tulip.) And be sure to have your camera handy.
Hubble Telescope Celebration
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
The Hubble Space Telescope is turning 25, and the National Air & Space Museum is celebrating with a special Family Day in Chantilly. There will be presentations from NASA astronauts who worked on the telescope. Plus, kids can and learn about the astronomical advances made possible by Hubble through a variety of fun, educational activities, from flight-related storytimes to hands-on space-themed crafts to planetarium shows and more.
Operation Ninja
Where: International Spy Museum
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: $25
Operatives ages 9-13 can discover the secret art of ninjitsu at this special KidSpy workshop. Recruits join Viran Ranasinghe and his troop of martial artists, who are prepared to share the secrets of the Ninja. From crafting a personal blow gun to listening drills, ninjas-in-training will challenge their physical, mental, and creative skills to determine if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Ninja spies. This is a drop-off program, but parents are welcome to return at 2:45 for a Ninja demonstration. Museum admission is included in ticket price.
Healthy Kids Day
Where: Local YMCA’s
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington’s 13 event locations will be celebrating Healthy Kids Day on Saturday. Their biggest day of the year is devoted to helping families develop healthy habits! Festivities will include fun games, active play, community vendors, healthy snacks, educational opportunities, and more. Visit www.ymcadc.org for locations and schedules – times vary by place.
Park It
Where: National Parks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s National Park Week through Sunday, so celebrate it by visiting one of our local national parks. These include spectacular natural areas, historic homes, battlefields, seashores, and archaeological sites, and we have many of them throughout the region. Get a nature fix at Rock Creek, tour the monuments and memorials on the National Mall, bike along the C&O Canal, see living history at Claude Moore Colonial Farm, take in the views at Great Falls, hike at Roosevelt Island. These are just a few suggestions; search for many, many more national park pursuits on the NPS website.
Celebrate Mama
Where: Rockville Town Square
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This free family event features live entertainment, giveaways, a fabulous vendor marketplace, and much more! And even though moms are the honorees by name, there will be tons of activities for kids, plus great local resources for the family.
Earth Day Tree Fest
Where: Tudor Place
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: $5/members, $7/non-members, free for ages 4 and under
Celebrate Earth Day and the addition of 19 new trees to the grounds of one of Georgetown’s greenest spots! Explore the 5½ acres of gardens at Tudor Place — join a guided, kid-friendly garden tour, or go on your own with a map. Guests can also make seed-balls to take home, plant and participate in crafts, games, and one of two sing-along performances at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. by the popular kids group Nature Jams. Shop for Mother’s Day and your own spring plantings at our plant sale, featuring seeds, heirloom specimens from the estate, and other fun items connected to spring blooms and the land.
Rockville Science Day
Where: Montgomery College, Rockville Campus
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Plan for all things science at the 26th annual Rockville Science Day. More than 90 exhibitors will be there for a day of fun STEM activities and information, covering everything from environment & nature to space & astronomy to reptiles & birds to chemistry & biology to robotics & rockets and much more!
