The Weekend Round-Up: April 26-28

Happy Weekend!

Awesome Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
Whne: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $40/day, $15/child
The mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention brings a three-day celebration of television, movies, comic books, science, technology and more to DC. With hundreds of hours of programming, an impressive lineup of special guests, and exciting activities for fans of all ages, this is one fun event. We’ve been and have had a blast checking out games, toys, comics, art, tv and movie memorabilia, and more. And the cosplay is fantastic. Costumes encouraged.

Bon Jour, Georgetown!
Where: Book Hill Neighborhood | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday/Saturday, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The Georgetown French Market returns to the Book Hill neighborhood bringing the signature European open air market back for its 16th year, featuring more than 35 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 see the schedule of events and list of participating shops.

Nats vs. Padres
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary (but see discount below!)
The Nats host the San Diego Padres this weekend, and there are special promos to enjoy along with the game on the field, the most appealing for families being Kids Opening Day on Sunday. There will be a Kids Watch giveaway, Screech’s Birthday celebration, the opportunity to run the bases after the game, and more fun for young fans. And Saturday is Pups in the Park when pooches can attend the game with their people (specialticket required). For Saturday & Sunday games, use the code 19NATSKIDS for a 20% discount on tickets plus get a $10 food and beverage credit preloaded to each ticket purchased that can be redeemed at any concessions stand in the park — purchase here.

Day Out with Thomas
Where: B&O Railroad Museum
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: $22-26
All aboard, little engineers! 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 behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun!

Field of Tulips
Where: CityCenter
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
If you don’t want to make a long drive to see tulips, you can see them right here in the city. CityCenterDC, in partnership with Bloomia, is bringing the flowers back to the District at their second annual Tulip Festival this spring! All weekend, the Park at CityCenter will be filled with thousands of tulips for visitors to pick and purchase for just $1 a stem! A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will be donated to DC Central Kitchen.

Together with Notre-Dame de Paris
Where: Basilic of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception | NE DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Free
The tragic fire that broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15th destroying its iconic spire and reducing its ancient wooden roof to ash has sparked a wave of sympathy and emotion across the world. The French cathedral, which dates back more than 850 years, will be rebuilt, “more beautiful than before” declared French President Emmanuel Macron. Reconstruction of Notre-Dame will take many years, and is going to be a huge collective effort. Join the French Embassy for this free concert celebrating the spiritual and cultural significance of Notre-Dame de Paris in the world and the hope for its future.

Carousel Day
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free (rides are $1.25)
The celebration of the beautiful historic Dentzel Carousel, now open for its 99th season, is always a highly anticipated annual event. Along with rides on the beloved merry-go-round, guests of all ages can enjoy a loads of fun activities: Music and dance performances, arts & crafts, face painting, storytelling, and balloon animals are just some of the usual favorites. See the full schedule of events here.

Go, Terps!
Where: University of Maryland | College Park, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual 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 we know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. There will be over 400 activities for varying ages, including learning games; an adventure area; autograph sessions with the basketball teams; musical performances; 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 be prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for little ones.

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
* STOMP on over to National Theatre for a high-energy show (look for discount tickets)
* Join Winnie the Pooh and friends at Adventure Theatre.
* Take little ones to Aquarium at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Enjoy NSO Music for Young Audiences: Break it Down! at the Kennedy Center
* Justin Roberts & the Not Ready For Naptime Players are playing two shows at Jammin Java on Saturday
* It’s opening weekend for Escape from Peligro Island at Imagination Stage
* Jack and the Beanstalk is the current Main Stage production at The Puppet Co.
* Jellybean Circus is the featured Tiny Tots performance at The Puppet Co. on Saturday.
* Spend Saturday morning with The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java.
* Venture Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre.

Book It
Where: Book stores in DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and several local book shops are celebrating with special activities. East City Bookshop will have a scavenger hunt and drag queen story time for kids plus donuts and cake to ring in another year. Kramerbooks will have story time, jazz music, beer tasting, and tart giveaways. Solid State Books will have games, special merch for sale, and more activities. And they’ll all be participating in a Book Crawl along with Politics and Prose, Walls of Books, and Busboys and Poets.

Spring Festival
Where: South Mountain Creamery | Middletown, MD
When: Saturday, & Sunday,
Admission: $14/adult, $9/child, $40/family
This annual festival, in its 18th year, is super fun and a great opportunity to experience the farm and creamery. There’s a petting zoo for the kids, hay rides for everyone, live music, and fun farm exhibits, like ice cream churning and bee keeping. Shop the Farmer’s Market, plus additional food and snacks from vendors will be available for purchase.

Meow DC
Where: Dock 5 | Union Market, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $45
Calling all cat people! Meow DC is the Washington DC metropolitan area’s first large-scale cat event of its kind. This unique event will provide cat enthusiasts (and animal lovers alike) with an outlet to demonstrate and embrace their love for cats. Through exhibitor booths and adoptable animals to demonstrations and free giveaways, guests will walk away from the event feeling fulfilled about their love for cats.

Be a Citizen Scientist
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Montgomery Parks is participating in the City Nature Challenge in April 2019 and wants you to participate with them! Anyone can become a citizen scientist in the parks. Cities across the world will compete to see who can make the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most participants. Observations are recorded in the iNaturalist app and contribute to important environmental research. Hundreds of people will go outside to look for nature in the DC region. Go here to find out how you and the kids can contribute!

Bright Beginnings 5k
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 8am
Admission: $40+/adults, free-$30/child
Bright Beginnings‘ Annual 5K Race raises funds that help provide educational, therapeutic, health, and family services free of charge to homeless infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families in Washington, DC. All proceeds directly support Bright Beginnings’ outstanding programs that prepare children for kindergarten and help their parents get back on their feet. Put on your running shoes, grab your friends, and register today. 

Frühlingsfest
Where: Heurich House | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: $15/age 11+, $5/age 2-10
Enjoy the spring blooms in the museum’s Castle Garden, which will also be full of local beer and Rockland’s BBQ. Get your hands dirty with a gardening project, complete a craft project led by local artists and artisans including Marni Manning and Urban Jungle, and take a flower-themed tour of the historic home of DC brewmaster Christian Heurich. Food and craft activities are additional costs.

Wonderspalooza
Where: Rock Creek Mansion |
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
This fun-filled family event will feature activities like a rock wall, bounce house, face painting, henna, food truck, live children’s entertainment, carnival games and more!  While admission is free, many activities are ticketed and cost a fee (and some are free). This all helps support the tuition assistance fun for Wonders, a non-profit provider of early child care and education as well as before and after school programs, serving diverse families in Montgomery County and the District of Columbia.

STEM Fun
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $12/Open Explore, $34-44
The innovative learning space that provides kids with all kinds of hands-on opportunities that are fun and educational has some special activities going on this weekend. On Saturday, its Fab Lab Spotlight with an emphasis on 3D digital printing and workshops in laser-cut pendant making (K-1st), 3D stone carving (2nd-4th), and intro to modeling (5th-7th). Sunday is Family Coding Day, with activities and workshops organized around the coding theme. Register in advance to guarantee a spot! You can also opt for Open Explore (general admission), which welcomes a child and two adults to drop in and enjoy a variety of activities from 10am – 5pm.

DC Roller Girls
Where: DC Armory | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 4:30pm
Admission: $15/age 12+, $6/skater tots 3-11, free/under 2
It’s the second bout of Lucky Season 13 for the DC Rollergirls! This single header game is where you can catch some of your favorite DC All-Stars and DC National Maulers playing together to face off against the a mix of the Charlottesville Derby Dames All Stars and Belmont Bruisers.  Doors open at 3:30pm and wheels roll at 4:30 pm. Avoid waiting in line for tickets game day and buy them today through the DC Rollergirls online store — they will be available for advance purchase through 11:59pm on April 26.

Spring Artisans Market
Where: The Village at Shirlington | Shirlington, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the spring season at our pop-up street market on Campbell Avenue, featuring handmade gifts, wares, and accessories by local artisans and makers. Shop your favorite Shirlington stores, enjoy brunch al fresco on the restaurant patios, and enjoy live music, entertainment and more family fun. Be sure to look out for Fat Rat Ink — art and crafts by a family friend!

Feel the Pulse
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
This weekend s your last chance to experience Pulse, the exhibit that kind of literally captures your heart. Comprised of three large-scale installations, it uses heart rate sensors to produce audiovisual experiences from visitors’ own biometric data. It’s beautiful, thought provoking, and unique. And with interactive elements, cool visuals, and an interesting combination of science and art, kids and adults alike will be wowed. While you’re there, enjoy the museum’s Check It Out Library+Art Pop-Up and DRAW sketch sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

Living Earth Festival
Where: American Indian Museum, | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Meet the Native innovators and practitioners dedicated to using Indigenous knowledge to protect and sustain the environment. Living Earth brings attention to prominent environmental issues through demonstrations, lectures, and cultural performances. Enjoy eco-tours of the museum’s Native landscape, guided conversations and kid-friendly areas for learning and exploring. Create a butterfly-inspired seeded bookmark to take home to create your own pollinator habitat.

Family Yoga: Earth Yoga
Where: Roda Movements | Takoma Park, MD
When: Sunday April 28, 10:30am – 11:30am
Admission: $15/family (siblings/parents/relatives included)
Finally you can go to yoga class with your children! Prepare to sweat, dance, sing, strike poses, balance, play games, do partner acro-yoga,  go on yoga adventures, and enjoy meditative time to relax, reflect and connect.  Class includes smoothies and themes like “Earth Yoga,” “Yoga Dance Party” and “Happy Yoga.” 

GreenFest
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
GreenFest is Montgomery County’s premiere environmental festival and a chance for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors, to come together, share ideas, and learn. Tons of fun activities for the whole family include kids tree-climbing , live music, vendors and exhibitors, an electric vehicle and car show, drummers and dancers, and more!

Superhero Family Yoga
Where: Hot Yoga Capitol Hill | H Street NE, DC
When: Sunday, 2:30pm
Admission: $14
Join Ari and her son Kai for a family yoga class for ages 4 and up. The class will be 45 minutes and include all levels vinyasa poses, opportunities for partner yoga and a relaxing savasana meditation at the end. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class begins. The room will not be heated. All children must attend with at least one parent or guardian.  Register to save your spot — the class will be capped at 28 attendees. If you have any questions in advance of the class, feel free to email Ari at ari.isaacman@gmail.com or text her at 717.903.7878.

DC United Game Watch Party
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Head to the Pearl Street pitch at The Wharf to cheer on DC United as they take on Minnesota. The area will be transformed into an away game viewing party destination, as the match is broadcast live on a jumbotron, with multiple beer and food stations, plus games and a visit from Talon, to boot. One lucky person will also get the chance to see DC United take on Portland on September 15th in Portland, OR!  The winner will be announced during half time at the game watch party on the 28th.  Submit your entry and get all the info here. All ages are welcome, but only 21+ can consume alcohol (obvi). Read more about The Wharf in this KFDC post.

60th Anniversary Playground Party
Where: CCPC Nursery School | Chevy Chase, DC
When: Sunday, 3-5pm
Admission: Free
Join Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and Nursery School
For a neighborhood celebration with BBQ and ice cream and cookie food trucks, free beverages, a bounce house and games for children and live bluegrass music from Rattlesnake Hill.  Mayor Bowser and other elected officials from DC and Montgomery County will also be there to celebrate this community milestone anniversary. Rain or shine, all are welcome.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Kids can experience a real-life “night at the museum” at a Smithsonian Sleepover!
* Clinical Social Worker and local mom Melissa Kilbride is offering a workshop for parents on how to talk to children about their bodies and sex on May 8 at Breastfeeding Center (registration required).
* If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get a free trial of Amazon Fresh, the grocery delivery service.
* Get ready for the 2019 Pick Your Own season as one local farm is expected to open its strawberry fields as soon as next week!