This weekend is the last chance to see “In America: Remember” on the Mall
Happy Weekend!
Links to loads of mainstay activities around the area:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Pick-Your-Own Ops
* Bike Rides
* On the Water
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids
Fall Festing
Where: Around the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
Enjoy autumn fun and then some at a number of farms around the area. Pick pumpkins, whiz down slides, visit animals, jump on giant inflatables, take pony rides, indulge in caramel apples, and much more. This guide to fall festivals has details on all of them.
Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Get the Halloween party started early with activities and events that celebrate the spooky spirit throughout October. This post has details on where all the tricks and treats are happening.
Critical Distance
Where: National Museum of Natural History | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The Natural History Museum just launched a new, free augmented-reality experience emphasizing the intrinsic connection between people, orcas, and the ocean. Critical Distance immerses visitors in a holographic orca pod and allows them to witness this endangered species’ daily obstacles. To complement the experience, museum educators created hands-on activities that help visitors learn more about southern resident orcas’ family structure, conservation and biology.
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 for the 18th year with its signature European open air market and featuring more than 25 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, and galleries. But it’s not all about the shopping; there will also be roaming mimes, a caricature artist, live music, and French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to see the schedule of events and list of participating shops.
In America: Remember
Where: 14th St. & Constitution Ave. | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s the last weekend to see In America: Remember, the art installation/memorial on the National Mall that honors all Americans who have died from COVID-19 with a small, white flag planted for every life lost. Nearly 700,000 are blanketing the grounds of the Mall next to the Washington Monument; there were just over 650,000 when it opened two weeks ago. The public is welcome to walk among the flags… it’s a powerful, heartbreaking sight to see.
Rosslyn Cinema: Remember the Titans
Where: Gateway Park | Rosslyn, VA
When: Friday, 5-9:30pm
Admission: Free
Every Friday in October, enjoy an outdoor movie experience complete with local food trucks and a beer, wine, and sangria bar. The movie starts around 7pm. Space on the grass is first come, first serve.
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10-12/adult $8-10/child, free/2 & under
Great Country’s fall fest begins this weekend! Thrills for little people (okay, us grown-ups, too) include P-Rex, the pumpkin eating dinosaur; Oinkintucky Derby pig races; a cow train; wagon rides to pick pumpkins; five mazes; big slides; rope swings; tractor rides; and even more fun in the country. Find a future jack o’ lantern in the pumpkin patch, one of the largest u-pick patches in the area. See all of the many activities here.
Open Streets DC
Where: Georgia Avenue, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Join Mayor Muriel Bowser for Open Streets DC along Georgia Avenue NW. Nearly three miles of the street will be closed to motor-vehicle traffic, allowing residents to walk, bike, skate, scoot, shop, talk, hop, dance, jump, stretch,
and have fun along and in the roadway and enjoy a wide range of activities for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Enjoy programmed classes and demonstrations, drum circles, double dutch, traffic gardens, and outdoor dining and retail, too!
Frederick’s Oktoberfest
Where: Great Frederick Fairgrounds, MD
When: Saturday
Admission: $8/21+, $5/ages 4-20, free for 3 and under
The Frederick Fairgrounds once again will be transformed into a German village where dancing, live music, children’s events, bratwurst, Oktoberfest bier, German wines, and much more will make for a fun time for all ages. Especially for kids: face painting, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, and musical entertainment.
Get Merry at Ren Fest
Where: Revel Grove | Crownesville, Md
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $28/age 16+, $13/age 7-15, free/6 & under
There are only a few weekends left to enjoy the bounty of merriment at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The annual faire recalls medieval times with a village full of fun and entertainment for the whole family. This is one of my very favorite events in the DC area, and it could very well become one of yours, too.Huzzah!
Dinosaur Park Open House
Where: Dinosaur Park | Laurel, MD
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Discover an ancient world right in Prince George’s County! On the first and third Saturdays of every month, Dinosaur Park in Laurel welcomes the public to their interpretive programs.. Paleontologists and educators will display fossils, casts, and models of Astrodon johnstoni, Maryland’s state dinosaur, along with other 112 million-year-old creatures found there.
Luchadora!
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $20.50
The discovery of a worn pink wrestling mask prompts Nana Lupita, a Wisconsin grandmother, to share her tale about growing up in 1960s Texas. As her tale unfolds, Lupita’s life as a teen tomboy comes alive — bike riding with her friends Leopold and Liesl, working at her father’s flower stand and lucha libre. When a World Championship match is announced, Lupita anticipates seeing it until she discovers her ailing father is one of the wrestlers. With the help of a magical mask maker, Lupita secretly trains to take her father’s place. She soon finds it difficult keeping her secret from her friends and, most importantly, her father. This production will take place outdoors in the grassy field next to ATMTC and the Irish Inn (BYO blanket!).
Walks in the Woods
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
This link is listed at the top, but reiterating because it’s such a great time of year to get on the trail — enjoy the season and some active fun! See the very beginning of fall foliage, tramp in places with scenic views, hike explore history at interesting locales, and savor family time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good places to walk in the woods with kids.
Nats vs. Red Sox
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Red Sox all weekend, and there are some extras to enjoy along with the baseball action. Friday night’s game will be followed by firework, and there is a giveaway beanie for adult fans on Saturday. It’s the last series of the season, so if you haven’t been to a game in 2021, it’s your final chance to go!
Oktoberfest
Where: The Wharf, Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
It’s that time of year—put on your dirndl or lederhosen, grab your Dachshund, and head to The Wharf to celebrate Oktoberfest – including the return of the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash! Join us from for a day of German-inspired food and fun. Watch the speediest Dachshunds in DC race for fame and fortune on the District Pier track, Visit participating restaurants for German inspired fare, and enjoy music from DJ Oktoberfest.
PorchFest
Where: Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Get the best seats in the house (or on the sidewalk) as the front porches of homes and store fronts of local businesses are transformed into intimate performance spaces to be enjoyed by anyone who happens to stroll by. Enjoy a variety of music styles from over 60 bands playing on porches, patios, and stoops in the neighborhood. Music maps are usually available at the corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road NW on Porchfest Day. RSVP if you’re planning on going!
Oktoberfest: Battle of the Polka Bands
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Break out your lederhosen and dirndls and head to The Boro to celebrate Oktoberfest featuring a Battle of the Polka Bands! This unique, family-friendly fete will feature a battle of the bands-style competition where traditional and modern polka groups will go head-to-head to be crowned the fan favorite! Guests of all ages are invited to take part in even more themed activities, like photo booths, craft stations, and a variety of outdoor games located all around the park.
Art on the Avenue
Where:Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the diversity of Alexandria’s Del Ray community at this multicultural arts festival. Numerous artists — jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists, and musicians — will have their work on display and for sale. And kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival — there will be crafts especially for young festival-goers to enjoy and take home. Food vendors will also be there offering hot dogs, BBQ, Indian fare, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, and home made cider donuts.
Annual Family Day + Concert, 10th Anniversary-Style
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
The Hill Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an afternoon of merriment, music, and magic. At 2:30pm Turley the Magician will dazzle children of all ages with his conjuring feats and sleight of hand. Then King Bullfrog takes the stage at 4pm for a concert of high-energy original folk and blues songs carefully tailored to get children and grownups alike dancing. Festivtiies also include horse and wagon rides, balloon animals, face painting, crafts, and more fun!
Turkish Festival
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
The American Turkish Association of Washington, DC, is bringing Aegean Türkiye to the District. Join them on District Pier for the free Turkish Festival with a theme this year of Turkaegean, meaning Coast of Happiness. The free event will include live music, folk dancing performances, fortune telling, cultural events and more. Enjoy authentic Turkish cuisines and shop Turkish ceramic bowls, carpets, and other cultural items from local vendors.
Takoma Park Street Festival
Where: Carroll Ave. to Carroll St. | Takoma Park, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The streets of Takoma Park will be filled with music, artisans, community groups, kids activities, food vendors and a variety of green companies at the city’s 40th annual festival. Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping — vendors will be selling all kinds of artistic wares. Music lovers will enjoy three stages hosting 18 bands playing all day.
MPAartfest 2021
Where: McLean Central Park | McLean, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
McLean Central Park will transform into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The FREE event features contemporary art, live music throughout the day, a Children’s Art Walk, food vendors, and much more!
Life of a Neuron
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $24/adult, $17/age 4-15, free/under 4
Art meets science in this new exhibit at ARTECHOUSE, taking us on an artistic journey inside the brain. Trippy, captivating scenes swirl around the walls and floors, and side galleries have some interactive elements. Read more about it in this just-posted review.
Autumn off the Farm
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Farm festivals may be the go-to autumn outing, but there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to for fall adventures — view it here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The wonderful annual Kids Euro Fest is returning with two Family Days that require advance registration!
* In case you missed it, there’s a new post about a new-ish indoor play space with recs for at-home toys inspired by the fun there.
* Primary always has such cute, comfy clothes for kids — and you can get 20% off your first order with code AFF20PCT!
* Currently reading and really enjoying Open, Andre Agassi’s autobiography.
* After Squid Game, I needed something easy and funny to watch. The Other Two on HBO Max is coming through in spades!
* Haven’t listened yet, but I’m intrigued.
* This one’s for all the Gex X ladies.😂
