The holiday weekend gives us extra time for fun, and there so many ways to indulge. Live entertainment, summer activities, baseball, museums, even indoor “icebergs” among them. Happy Weekend! And have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Come Fourth!
Where: Around the area
When: Monday, July 4th!
Admission: Varies by activity
Our lovely city is one of the most exciting places to be this time of year, as people from all over the world come to celebrate America’s birthday. And from fireworks on the Mall and concerts at the Capitol to special events at George Washington’s house and the home of the Declaration of Independence to neighborhood parades and ballpark fun, they (and you!) won’t be let down. This post has details on the many ways to celebrate July 4th in DC.
Happy Birthday, Tudor Place!
Where: Tudor Place
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5, $3/member, free for military families
America’s Story Lives Here – now marking a rare American Bicentennial. Join Tudor Place to celebrate #TP200 and patriotism in a festive, one-time event for all ages in the historic gardens. Play traditional American outdoor games, take self-guided garden tours, make patriotic crafts, and enjoy a piece of the giant Tudor Place birthday cake from Dog Tag Bakery (while it lasts).
Summer Staples
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Get your summer on this holiday weekend with a host of activities exclusive to this time of year. Kick it off with an outdoor concert or some free fishing, hit a public pool for some outdoor swimming, get in some good play at a spray ground, check out a special seasonal exhibit, and much more. Go here for the full scoop on these joys of summer, and keep in mind that some regular events might not be happening due to the holiday.
ICEBERGS
Where: National Building Museum
When: Opens Saturday! (Through September 5)
Admission: Varies, see below
Th Building Museum’s big summer exhibit opens this weekend. Floating sculptures, an environmental narrative, interactive features, and shaved ice treats make ICEBERGS pretty cool to experience. While you probably won’t stay and play for hours like you did at The BEACH last year, it’s definitely worth checking out. Plus, the admission fee gets you into all of the other NMB exhibits, too! Cost is $5/youth member, $10/adult member and $13/youth non-member, $16/adult non-member.
Nats vs. Reds
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Cinncinatti comes to DC, as the Nats host the Reds all weekend. See Freedom Fireworks after the game on Friday (6:05pm), enjoy Rat Pack night on Saturday (7:05pm) and take advantage of the Herbert Hoover bobblehead promo on Sunday (1:35pm). There’s a Monday game, too, that you can read about here. Be sure to check out these tips for doing a Nats game for less as you plan.
Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
See baseball on a smaller scale as minor league team Bowie Baysox takes on the Akron Rubberducks. Friday is a Community Heroes celebration, and Saturday will feature fireworks after the game. Sunday has even more special promos: Daniel Tiger visiting, Educator Appreciation Day, and Kids Eat Free! Read more about Baysox games in this KFDC post.
Jumanji
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $19.50 (Get 15% off using code KFDC)
Adventure Theatre’s latest production is as funny as it is wild. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the show takes its characters — and the audience — on an incredible journey to claim Jumanji. Read a KFDC review and enter a ticket giveaway here.
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* See Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap where Dinorock are playing a concert al fresco
* The UniverSoul Circus is wowing audiences at National Harbor
* The Little Mermaid is a collaboration between Imagination Stage and The Washington Ballet
* Catch a performance of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co.
* And Jellybean Circus is their featured Tiny Tots show
* Enjoy a picnic and a play as Chesapeake Shakespeare presents The Three Musketeers at PFI Park in Ellicott City, MD (bonus: kids are FREE)
*Take your teen or make it a date night to see The Bridges of Madison County at the Kennedy Center
* MOXIE: a Happenstance Vaudeville is on stage at RoundHouse Theatre
* Little Ones will enjoy Inside Out, a performance geared toward ages 1-5, at Imagination Stage
Family Nature Walk
Where: Woodend Nature Sanctuary
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Take a hike — and advantage of the Audubon Naturalist Society’s free monthly family program. On the first Saturday of each month from 9-10am, join Master Naturalists for a nature hike around Woodend Sanctuary. Each outing will have a unique and exciting natural history theme that’s appropriate for family members of all ages. Be prepared to hike in sneakers and don’t forget your water bottle. Meet at the amphitheater by the main house.
Kids Free – Summer Fun Deal
Where: Newseum
When: Begins Friday!
Admission: FREE for kids, $22.95/adult
Take advantage of the Newseum’s annual program that welcomes youth visitors for free during the summer, from July 1 through Labor Day. The Summer Fun Deal waives the regular $13.95 entrance fee for kids with one paid adult admission. The deal benefits kids ages 7 and up most, since children 6 and under always get in free, and much of the Newseum’s collection will be better appreciated by older children.
Arrrr, Mateys!
Where: Potomac River via Washington Harbour
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $20 (get a deal here)
Explore the high Potomac “seas” on a Boomerang Family Treasure Hunt Cruise. During the pirate adventure, you’ll help recover stolen treasure from scallywags who pilfered the ship’s booty. Several sail times are available throughout the weekend. When you book on the site, be sure you are looking at Treasure Hunt Cruise times, and not the Party Boat Cruise. For more pirate voyages on local waters, see the Summer Guide.
Pint Sized Breakfast
Where: Brookland Pint
When: Saturday, 9-11am
Admission: Free
Take the little ones to a breakfast designed with them in mind, featuring a FREE breakfast buffet just for kids, storytime and crafts with Barnes & Noble, and an interactive performance by Only Make Believe. Open seating is first come, first serve. If the weather cooperates, head out to the patio!
July Makers Market
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Find handmade, homemade, or homegrown products at Annmarie’s monthly market – this particular one will feature sea glass and beach crafts. Delight in the treasures made by local artists, then continue your art explorations through Annmarie’s gorgeous gardens, where you can the kids can look for fairy houses, play in the fairy lolly, and create some art of your own in the artLAB. (Admission to the market is free, but it’s $5/adult, $3/child for the rest.)
Wee Ones Storytime
Where: Hurray for Books
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Enjoy a story time especially for babies and toddlers in Old Town Alexandria! Hurray for Books’ story time experts will read your young ones board and picture books, sing songs and perform, and teach some fingerplays. The weekly program is free and open to the public!
Sunday Funday at the Races
Where: Laurel Park
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
Have an exciting day at the races with the family! Starting this weekend, Sundays during the summer will include a FREE Kids Zone (1:30-4:30pm) with pony rides, a petting zoo, and crafts — each week will feature a new project for kids to enjoy. And for the adults, Laurel Park is offering a casual summer Sunday brunch 12-4pm ($22/adults, $11/ages 3-11).
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
With extra time on the holiday weekend, you may want even more options for fun things to do with the kids. If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
The Great Indoors
Smithonian Folklife Festival
Where: National Mall at 3rd-4th Streets
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The annual Festival celebrating living cultural heritage and community traditions is underway. Visitors of all ages will have ample opportunity to discover and explore the culture of Basque Country through special exhibits, workshops, performances, exhibits, demos, and more, including plenty of activities especially children. California Sounds is also a highlight s more than 60 artists perform throughout the festival and many host special activities and demos for guests. For specifics, see the festival schedule. And it all takes place right on the National Mall where you can have plenty more fun at all the museums.
