Happy Weekend!
Savor Autumn
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The trees may be losing their leaves, but there’s still plenty of autumn left in the area — and a bunch of great ways to enjoy it. This post has recommendations for where to savor the season that aren’t farm festivals.
Focus on First Ladies
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through
Admission: Free with timed-entry pass
A new exhibit focusing on first ladies opens at the National Portrait Gallery this weekend. “Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States” will be the first major exhibition to explore the historical significance of this prominent position through the mode of portraiture. It will span nearly 250 years, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump, and will feature more than 60 portraits of the First Ladies or those who undertook the role of White House hostess, alongside related ephemera, including iconic dresses.
Bull Run Festival of Lights
Where: Bull Run Regional Park | Centreville, VA
When: Through January 10
Admission: $20-30/vehicle (look for discount)
Start your holiday fun early! Experience 2.5 miles of colorful holiday light displays. As you drive the festival route, turn off your headlights and just follow the magical glow. It started early this year and online ticketing were added to provide minimal contact.
Winter Walk of Lights
Where: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens | Vienna, VA
When: Through January 3
Admission: $15/adult, $9/ages 2-12 (look for discount)
Another brilliant way to enjoy an evening this season: Bring your family and friends to be dazzled by the magical Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, which has been transformed into a half-mile walk of lights. Revisit perennial favorites such as the animated Lakeside Lights, the Fountain of Lights, and the Holiday Nature Walk – and look for new displays. Put on your walking shoes and experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition.
Tree Light Show
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday at sundown
Admission: Free
Ignite your holiday spirit with the lighting of the 56-foot tree and two million twinkling lights in the National Harbor Waterfront District. A little snowfall over the tree during the light show will add to fun. The first tree light show is Saturday evening and will takes place every night through the season, every half hour from sundown to 9pm. This year, in order to maintain social distancing, guests will be asked to form a line and follow the directions.
Ice It
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
With sunny skies and cool temps in the forecast, conditions this weekend should be perfect for outdoor ice skating. While some places are not opening for the season, the ice rinks at Pentagon Row and Reston Town Center are two that are welcoming skaters to glide the day — and night — away. Both have Covid precautions in place for safe, socially distanced skating.
Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It might be cooling down, but the weather will still be good for getting out, so take advantage with some time on the trail. Peep the autumn leaves, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and enjoy a day of active fun. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good walks in the woods with the kids. And I particularly recommend this hike (and wine stop after) for this time of year.
Flight Fest
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore MD
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission:
Join the Maryland Science Center for their fifth annual Flight Fest! Bring the whole family to learn about the science of aerodynamics and wings with games, activities, and demonstrations. Participate in aeronautic challenges, an egg drop challenge, and test out your own flying contraptions! If you can’t make it or want to extend the fun after your visit with even more hands-on science, Flight Fest is also online.
New Museum in DMV
Where: National Museum of the US Army | Fairfax, VA
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free with timed tickets
The museum that just opened on Veterans Day celebrates over 245 years of Army history and honors the nation’s soldiers — past, present, and future — the regular Army, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. Artifacts, exhibits, and more programs will help you discover the stories and explore the ways our nation has benefited from the innovation and advancement of its Army.
Celebrate Diwali
Where: Online
When: Saturday, 11:30am
Admission: Free
Join the Freer|Sackler Gallery, Smithsonnian’s National Museum of Asian Art, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in this family workshop. Honoring the power of hope when times are dark, Diwali reminds us to light the lamp of joyous thoughts within to transform our lives. This program, led by dancer Anila Kumari and artists from the Sutradhar Institute of Dance & Related Arts, will include an interactive workshop on dance and hand gestures, story time, and a special lamp lighting ceremony. It is designed for children of all ages with adult companions.
Ride On
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Family bike rides are perfect for right now. It’s a fun, active way to enjoy the fall weather and foliage — while social distancing, too. The DC area has plenty of good routes, with something for every age and rider level. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recommendations, and this recently posted route is ideal for the whole crew.
Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru Experience
Where: RFK Stadium Festival Grounds | Southeast DC
When: Through November 15
Admission: Starts at $49/vehicle
Encounter some of the largest dinosaurs to ever roam the earth and eeriest marine creatures to lurk in the ocean’s depths from the safety of your family vehicle. This drive-thru experience features more than 70 true-to-life sized beasts from the land and sea with an audio tour guiding you along.
Inside Out(ings)
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With some wet weather in the forecast, you might be seeking adventures inside. Lots of indoor places have reopened with extra precautions to ensure safety during COVID. This post has a list of where you can hang out inside, and this one has suggestions especially for little kids.
Give Thanks Hunt
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Through November 30
Admission: $35
Get ready for Turkey Day as you give thanks and learn a bit about Thanksgiving traditions on this heartfelt treasure hunt. Have fun searching for Thanksgiving themed items found only at The Mansion. This includes a self-guided tour of the many themed rooms and secret doors. Bring your own shopping bags — everything is for sale! Read more about this wonderfully unique DC attraction in this KFDC post.
Crystalline
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through January 3
Admission: $12-17/child, $19-24/adult
ARTECHOUSE, known for its visually stunning digital art, has transformed the gallery into a blue-hued haven intended to evoke calm and peace during a turbulent time. Like all of the exhibitions there, just about all of it is interactive, as the images change with viewers’ motions, encouraging play. Immersing into the depths of the color, even just for a little while, is a dazzling and delightful escape from the bizarre Covid world outside.
Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | WDC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free, but must reserve
The first and third Sundays of every month are a great opportunity to 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.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* In case you missed it, the 2020 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC was just posted!
* Not good stuff, but something to be aware of and avoid: The Million MAGA March will bring right-wing extremist groups to downtown DC on Saturday.
* Big Frank’s BBQ is a new, massive BBQ trailer now parked on Barrack Row on weekends.
* Need a new family game? This one looks fun!
* Who else watching The Undoing on HBO? So suspenseful! (And not for kids.)
* Andy Borowitz has been on fire lately 🔥
* Private Eyes or Rich Girl? 😉
* Cannot stop watching this 🙌 (HT to Sasha for this one!)
