It’s your last chance to play with the “northern lights” of ARETCHOUSE’s Aurora exhibit
Happy First Weekend of 2020!
Wizards Star Wars Night
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission:$29
The Washington Wizards have partnered with Lucasfilm to host a movie night following the game on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Fans purchasing the movie night ticket will see the Wizards vs. Trail Blazers game and enjoy Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope on the new LED boards following the game. Fans will also be able to watch an episode of Star Wars Resistance before the movie starts. The ticket package also includes a Star Wars-themed popcorn bucket with unlimited refills. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and capture the moment with Star Wars characters throughout the concourse.
Holidaze
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
The holidays may be over, but many activities celebrating them are still running through this weekend. Live entertainment, spectacular light displays, model trains, and seasonal events are some of the ways you can savor the holiday magic just a little bit longer. The 2019 KFDC Holiday Guide will tell you where to find them.
Summer Camp Sampler
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 9:45am – 12:45pm
Admission: Free
Warm up on this winter weekend with thoughts of summer! Get an up-close and personal look at what summer camp is like at Imagination Stage. Sample camps are 20 minutes long, with the exception of longer drop-off Musical Production. Parents are encouraged to join the samplers for children in grades 2 or younger. Parents of campers in grades 3 or older are welcome to observe the sampler, but not required. Register for a sample class here. This is geared toward children aged 4 – Grade 9. While some are filled, there are still spots left in several others.
Super MAGFest
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Thursday – Sunday
Admission: $25-95 varies by day (ages 6-12 are 50% off)
This 4-day music and gaming festival is dedicated to the appreciation of video game music, gaming of all types, and the gaming community. Run by fans for fans, there are consoles, arcades, tabletop, LAN, live video game cover bands, chiptunes, vendors, guest speakers, and much much more to discover and enjoy.
Family (Art) Playdate
Where: Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30-11am
Admission: $10/adult, free for kids
The first Saturday of the month, join the Phillips for a family-friendly playdate. Guided by a professional art educator, explore one to two galleries through fun, hands-on activities. Then plan to stay and tour the rest of the museum yourself! Geared for families with children ages 4 to 8.
The Great Zucchini
Where: Jammin Java | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $5
Take little ones to see The Great Zucchini perform his zany and colorful a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. They also get to learn a magic trick at the end of show! Smoothie, juice, acai bowl, and coffee menu will be available, too.
Peter Pan and Wendy
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through January 11(find discounts)
Catch a performance of Shakespeare Theatre Company’s version of a classic. It’s a fantastic production with one of the most magical sets ever — audiences of all ages will be enchanted! Bold, budding scientist Wendy Darling dreams of earning a Nobel Prize. When Peter Pan arrives at her bedroom window, she takes a leap and leaves finishing school behind, chasing adventure among the stars. Facing down fairies, mermaids, and the dastardly Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter, and their friends discover the power of standing up together for what’s right. J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan is reimagined for a new generation of theatregoers. Recommended for ages 5+.
Singin’ in the Rain
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Through Sunday
Tickets: $54-$99
Bring the whole fam to see this movie musical come to life on the Mainstage. Comden and Green’s ingenious tale of Hollywood’s transition from the silent era is buoyed by the thrill of live singing and dancing to some of the greatest songs in the American canon including “Good Mornin’,” “Make ‘em Laugh,” and “Moses Supposes.” If this were a film it would be rated G.
Weekend Walk-In: Crazy Crowns
Where: American Visionary At Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5
Join the museum for this month’s Weekend Walk-in, a hands-on, drop-in, art-making workshop in the AVAM classroom! During this session, Create a custom royal headpiece just for YOU using shiny tape, faux flowers & more — because everyone needs a crown. Supplies & boundless inspiration provided. Read more about the wonderful American Visionary Art Museum here.
AURORA: The Spirit of Northern Lights
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: $16-20/adult, $13-15/senior, $8-10/child
This weekend is your final chance to experience ARETCHOUSE’s winter exhibit that celebrates the season with digital art installations and activations inspired by the aurora borealis. It consists of one large-scale and several smaller light art installations, all of them interactive and beautiful, the icy blue, purple, green, and occasionally soft yellow colors giving everything an ethereal feel. Guests can grow leafless winter trees, guide snowballs, and make snowflakes with their own movements detected by sensors. As Sasha aid, “It makes me feel like I have powers!” Get 20% off 2 adults + 2 children Sundays through Thursdays within bar hours (it includes hot chocolate).
Story Time
Where: Book shops around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Several local bookstores around the area host free story times for children on weekends that often include more than just a reading. At Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle, they’ll watch your kiddos while you grab a coffee on Sundays at 11am. Head to Hooray for Books in Old Town Alexandria on Friday or Saturday for story time from 10:30-11am. Solid State Books hosts readings on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30am. You can also join sessions at DC Public Libraries — see where and when they take place this weekend.
(W)Hoop it Up!
Where: Colleges around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
With so many universities in the area, there’s always some good college hoops action going on during the season — and it’s always a good time for families. Here are some games to catch this weekend:
* Maryland men vs Indiana on Saturday at 12pm
* George Mason women vs GW on Saturday at 2pm
* George Mason men vs. Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday at 12pm
* American men vs. Boston on Sunday at 3pm
* GW men vs. St. Bonaventure on Sunday at 4pm
Walk in the Woods
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Bundle up and get out for some active fun. Enjoy the beauty of nature in winter, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor the time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids.
Family Stretch and Chill
Where: Yoga District | H Street NE, DC
When: Sunday, 1:30pm
Admission: $11.50
Children ages 8 and up (and accompanying adult) are welcome to join yoga teacher Ari for a 30-minute stretch and chill class. This will be a weekly vinyasa yoga class during which students will warm up with flowing postures, learn a new peak pose each week, cool down with back bends and twists and then relax it out in a final savasana. Register in advance here.
Complimentary Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is FREE! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. Plan for a Fierce Women tour, offered 1-2pm or explore the museum on your own.
Three Kings Day Brunch
Where: Jaleo | Locations in DC, MD & VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: The cost of your meal
Jaleo’s annual family-friendly Three Kings Day brunch is back. Guests can enjoy brunch and a complimentary slice of Roscón de Reyes (King Cake) alongside live performances by Adventure Theatre. Kids 10 and under will enjoy meeting the Three Kings, cake and hot chocolate, an arts & crafts “Crown Corner,” and a chance to win a prize for finding the traditional bean in their slice of cake! Jaleo has locations in Penn Quarter, Bethesda, and Crystal City. Make a reservation!
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
With a mix of weather in the forecast, these posts that are chock full of evergreen pursuits will come in handy:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Technically, lots of local kids are still on break from school, so check the Winter Break Guide for even more things to do.
* You still have a little bit of time (through Friday, 1/3) to enter the giveaway for tickets to American Pops Orchestra’s The Pied Piper!
* Come From Away is finishing its run at the Kennedy Center this weekend. It’s sold out (tickets may be available through other outlets), but if you ever have a chance to see it, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
* Watson Adventures’ next Wizard School Scavenger Hunt is coming up on January 19 and you can get a discount with code JAN2020. (Read a KFDC review of the experience.)
* Planet Word, a soon-to-be new DC museum, will open May 31!
* A Best Podcasts list to bookmark.
* Currently reading Florida, a collection of short stories by Lauren Groff. She’s a fantastic writer.
* My friend Molly, a big reader, shares her favorite books of the past year.
* Season 2 of You (Netflix) is a glorious, off-the-rails binge.
* Movie rec: The Farewell is really good and available on Amazon.
* New Year’s resolutions 😂
