Happy Weekend! Happy Juneteenth! And Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Go-to posts full of ideas for activities around the area:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* The Great Indoors
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Bike Rides
Celebrate Dad
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
It’s a special day for the dads this weekend, and there are a bunch of great ways for the whole fam to celebrate if you’re still looking for ideas, from ballgames to big feasts to outdoor recreation to Juneteenth celebrations. See a whole round-up of them in this post, some of which are included below.
Summer Time
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
It still may not be official on the calendar, but when it comes to local recreation, summer has arrived. Free concerts in the open air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, and SO much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed all around the area this weekend. Some are listed in this round-up, and the 2022 KFDC Guide to the Best of Summer in DC has the scoop on the rest.
Portside in Old Town Summer Festival
Where: Old Town Waterfront | Alexandria, VA
When: Friday, 6-9pm & Saturday, 1-9pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate summer with the return of the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival! This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company, and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront. Merging with the annual Alexandria Jazz Fest on Friday evening, the event will showcase jazz performances and readings by Alexandria poets, and the festival continues on Saturday with an eclectic musical lineup, local food, hands-on art and history activities, and more.
Jazz on the Riverfront
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the weekend with some live music in the fresh air. The Friday Night Concert series at Yards Park is underway, and the The JoGo Project is playing this installment of the summer staple. Enjoy the music along with food and drinks for purchase (or BYO picnic), let the kids play in the grassy spaces, and take in the scenic river views.
We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do…
Where: Sagra Field | Leesburg, VA
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Cheer on our local women’s pro soccer team, Washington Spirit, as they host Racing Louisville FC on Friday. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting women in sports. Note that this match takes place on their home pitch out in Leesburg. Purchase tickets here.
Columbia Pike Blues Fest & Juneteenth Walk
Where: Several venues |in Arlington, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free (some activities are extra)
The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival i s bringing music to Arlington. Starting on Saturday at 1pm and going through Sunday, the event will feature performances by many local blues bands and artists along with more family-friendly activities. Interact with the Arlington Art Truck, and enjoy food, beverages, arts, and a KidsZone. On Sunday, join a Historic Juneteenth Walk through the neighborhood in collaboration with the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington and Walk Arlington from 9-10am, visit the Columbia Pike Farmers Market for the live performance of Rick Franklin, followed by a special “Blues Brunch Menu” at Café Sazó. Close the weekend with a free screening of the musical-comedy The Blues Brothers at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 3pm.
Juneteenth Family Day
Where: National Archives | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Juneteenth, the annual holiday commemorating the end of legal slavery in the United States, with family-friendly art-making and activities at the National Archives Museum. For the Juneteenth weekend, the museum will also be extending hours June to stay open to the public longer, until 7pm, on June 18, 19, & 20.
Juneteenth Celebration
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family to celebrate this historic date and enjoy free concerts, exhibits, and activities honoring African American culture. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, marking the date that the last enslaved people learned of their freedom — the month of June and the nineteenth day were combined to form the name. Be sure to enjoy all of the wonderful offerings at Watkins while you’re there.
Bubbleworks DC
Where: CityCenter | Downtown DC
When: Through July 4, 1-7pm
Admission: Free
There is fun bubbling up at CityCenter in Downtown DC! BubbleworksDC, an immersive world-class bubble spectacle, is bringing some extra delight to The Plaza through July 4. Stop by to play for free in the 6-8 minute interactive shows — they run every hour at the top of the hour. Since it’s a short experience, make the most of your visit to the area and head to the nearby National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Columbia Heights Day
Where: 11th St NW btwn Park & Irving | Columbia Heights, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Whether or not you live in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC, you’re invited to bring the fam out for a fun, free day of excitement and activities to help celebrate the community. In its 14th year, the event brings together residents and businesses for all kinds of festivities. Enjoy local food vendors, live music and entertainment, a beer garden, and tents full of fun and unique vendors, and more.
Create by the Creek
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10-11:30am & 2-3:30pm
Admission: Free
Create by the Creek is a day-long celebration of art and community in Rock Creek Park. There will be art supplies for people of all ages to borrow, and local artist Denaise Seals will be teaching Animation Unplugged, a free, family-friendly workshop, where artists age 7 and up will create 24-page flip books, then watch their drawings magically come to life as the pages are flipped. Register in advance – for Workshop 1, 10-11:30am, here and Workshop 2, 2-3:30pm here. And read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Fantastagirl and the Math Monster
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Tickets: $25 (look for discount)
Opening this weekend at Adventure Theatre…. Fantastagirl, a second-grade superhero who uses words to save the day, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: the Math Monster! When confronted with problems too big for words alone to solve, Fantastagirl must accept help from her friendly, furry, fraction-loving foe. While Fantastagirl and Math Monster use words and numbers to help her friends and scientist moms, something far more sinister than Math brews on the horizon.
Shows on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Tickets: $12
See a puppet version of the fairytale classic, Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs, where the wolf might not be what you think. Recommended for ages 4+. Really little ones will enjoy The Three Billy Goats Gruff,, this week’s Tiny Tots show that keeps the lights on and doors open and makes it a gentle experience for the youngest theatre-goers.
Drumfolk
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through June 26
Tickets: $36-75
Electrifying percussive dance fused with contemporary art forms fuels StepAfrika!’s latest production, Drumfolk, inspired by the Stono Rebellion of 1739 in South Carolina. As a result, state laws mandated that enslaved Africans could not assemble or use their drums which were used to signal the uprising. They took away the drums, but they could not stop the beat. This is the rich and “inspiring” (The New York Times) story of a movement that could not be stopped and transformed African American culture from then to the present day.
Volunteer Clean Up
Where: Tyler Elementary Area | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 9am – 3pm
Admission: Free
DC Way is hosting a clean-up event, part of their quarterly environmental project on Sunday, and volunteers are invited to help with it! It will take place on the four blocks surrounding Tyler Elementary School. The goal is that the cleanliness of the streets surrounding their primary camp location will be improved, a clean community will be present, and a good environment for children to grow in is maintained. Let them know if you’ll be joining!
Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration
Where: National Harbor, | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Sunday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate dad and Juneteenth at National Harbor, where there will be performances on the Plaza stage from the Prince George’s County Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate, local dancers, live music, artists, and more. The property is partnering with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council for a day of education, reflection and celebration. Food truck Mardi Gras Tyme will add to the festivities and offer a variety of southern cuisine samples, plus there are dozens of nearby restaurants. And there are even more fun activities to enjoy at National Harbor — read more about all of them here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Be aware that many DC roads will be shut down for the Something in the Water music festival (and it was already causing traffic back-up on Thursday). And there are still tickets available for the festival, though they are $$$.
* The National Museum of African American History & Culture is hosting a Juneteenth Community Day on Monday, June 20. It’s also a great place to visit this weekend (or anytime). Reserved passes are gone, but you can try for same-day passes starting at 8:15am. Read more about the NMAAHC here.
* Beyond Kind Tut, opens at the National Geographic Museum, and while tickets are sold out fort this weekend, but you can reserve them for a later date.
* In case you missed it, there’s a new post all about Mount Vernon, a great DC area destination to out on your most-go list for this summer!
* Anacostia Riverkeeper’s Friday Night Fishing series has begun. It’s sold out for this weekend, but you can register for a later date.
* The 25 best tacos in the DC area according to the Washington Post.
* Father’s Day Gift for Every Type of Dad 😁
