Fall hues at the Capitol
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to posts filled with ideas for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Bike Rides
* The Great Indoors
* On the Water
* Swim Spots
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids
Celebrate Fall from City Streets to Country Farms
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Fall may not have officially started, but seasonal festivals have begun at several area farms, right on city streets, and in locales that recall historic times (huzzah!). And they’re welcoming visitors for all kinds of fun. Some are listed below, and you can get details on the rest of them in this round-up of autumn celebrations around the area.
NSO in Your Neighborhood
Where: Throughout Ward 8, DC
When: Through September 25
Tickets: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra’s annual program is back! Starting Friday and over the next three weeks, NSO musicians are performing free concerts around the neighborhoods of DC’s Ward 8. Events are offered both indoors and outdoors — at parks, restaurants, arts centers, libraries schools, and more local venues. All are free to the public with first-come, first-served seating. Check the website to see where they are happening this weekend.
National Dance Day
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through Saturday
Admission: Free
Join the celebration and a showcase of dance in the DMV at the REACH, the Kennedy Center extension offering all kinds of performing arts explorations. On Friday and Saturday, experience a range of dance styles — including Flamenco, Modern, West-African, Street Styles, Afro-Caribbean, Tap, Ballet, and Contemporary — through performances and classes taking place, hosted by “Millennial Hype Man” KyleOnTheMic. New this year will be dance films screened on Saturday. See details and the full festival schedule here.
Wheaton Park(ing) Day
Where: Wheaton Regional Park | Wheaton, MD
When: Friday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Head to Wheaton Regional Park for a fun-filled day as they transform a parking lot into a picnic area. Enjoy free Italian ice, lawn games, music from a DJ, an LED lightbulb exchange, and more! This is part of PARK(ing) Day, an annual, global event that gives residents, businesses and organizations an opportunity to temporarily transform metered parking spaces and stimulate conversations about how we use our urban landscape.
Andrews Air & Space Expo
Where: Joint Base Andrews | Prince George’s County, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
There’s excitement in the air! Celebrate the Air Force’s 75th birthday with high flying entertainment as the Golden Knights, Thunderbirds, Fighting Falcon, and many more thrilling aerial performers take to the skies this weekend at the 2022 Joint Base Andrews Air & Space Expo. The public is invited to view amazing airplane stunts, as well as cool ground attractions on Saturday and Sunday. And to top it all off, admission to it all is free! Park at FedEx Field, then shuttles will transport to the base starting at 8:30am.
To Sail Around the Sun
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $30
On National Dance Day, kids can take an enchanting trip across the globe to celebrate movement, music, and the planet we call home in this show at the Kennedy Center. To Sail Around the Sun caters to kids through dance, live music, and storytelling that takes audiences on one child’s journey to gather all four seasons before dinner time. The show travels beneath the springtime waves of the Australian shores, through the summertime rainforests of Argentina, among the autumn leaves of Japan, and in the wintry snows of Kazakhstan. Recommended for all ages, run time is one hour.
More Live Entertainment
Where: Theatres around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Tiny Tots at The Puppet Co. (littlest ones)
* Milo the Magnificent at The Puppet Co. (ages 4+)
* Host & Guest at Synetic Theatre (teens & older)
* Dear Evan Hansen at the Kennedy Center (age 12+)
* Hamilton at the Kennedy Center (age 10+)
Homecoming at Abe’s Place
Where: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Petworth, DC
When: September 17, 7:30am – 6pm
Admission: Free for Family Day, $50 for the 5k
Lincoln’s Cottage is once again combining their two popular events, the Freedom 5K and Family Day, into one full day of racing and family fun: Homecoming! During the Civil War the Lincoln family called the Cottage home. This year they welcome everyone back “home” to join in a full day of activities where you can run, walk, and play like Lincoln. There will be arts and crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo, hands-on activities for young learners, cottage tours, and picnic ops followed by a family-friendly afternoon performance by the Petworth Jazz Project.. Go for just the race, just Family Day activities, or stick around to enjoy both!
Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
Where: Museums around the DC Area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
There are some museums in the DC area that charge admission. But on Saturday, Smithsonian Magazine is hosting its annual Museum Day, when those that require us to open our wallets to visit are free. Take advantage at the B&O Railroad Museum, College Park Aviation Museum, Baltimore Museum of Industry, and many more fantastic museums around the area. You must reserve a free ticket — and it’s good for admission for two people.
Cox Farms Fall Festival
Where: Centreville, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $15
This largest area fall festival begins this weekend ! This one is so big I recommend giving the website a good look to help prepare and navigate your way around the sprawling grounds that contain multiple slides, swings, games, mazes, pumpkins, picnics, live entertainment, farm animals, and much more. There is also a Kiddie Zone just for little ones aged 5 and under. Be prepared for a crowd!
Colonial Market & Fair
Where: Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $28/adult, $15/age 6-11, free/5 & under
At George Washington’s old stomping grounds, they re-create a lively early-American marketplace with demonstrations, crafts, and entertainment. Take in the sights and sounds of it all on Mount Vernon’s 12-acre field and chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares. Colonial music transports you back to the 18th century as experts demonstrate period crafting techniques. And you can see General Washington in the General’s Tent. There’s plenty of fun for the whole family! Read more about Mount Vernon here.
Gimme an H!
Where: H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
The annual festival on northeast DC’s thriving hip corridor is returning! This one is always huge — so beware that there could be a crowd — and there is tons to see and do. In past years, the event has featured loads of live entertainment, including a kids stage; cool art exhibits; food trucks; crafts for sale by local vendors; fashion shows; dancin’ in the street; and children’s activities, including face painting, story telling, and moon bounces. Public transportation is highly recommended, as parking is always difficult.
Washington Ukrainian Festival
Where: St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 9pm & Sunday, 11am – dusk
Admission: $20/adult, $20/senior, free/kids
Bring family and friends to the 19th annual Ukrainian Festival of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. All are welcome to enjoy Ukrainian artists and dancers, crafts, children’s activities, delicious Ukrainian food, a Kozak beer garden, and live entertainment on Saturday evening. A portion of the proceeds is for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Family Day
Where: DAR Museum | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
The DAR Museum is hosting a family day with some fun activities to explore the collection. It’s a great opportunity to check out a museum that might not be on your regular rotation.
Artsfest ’22
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $10, free/age 11 & under
Celebrate the visual and performing arts at this event that brings together the country’s most accomplished artists for a fabulous weekend extravaganza of the arts! Set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the beautiful woods of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Artsfest is a unique art experience with a multitude of artist booths, 35 performers on four stages, creative fun for kids, artist demos, and great food and drink. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden here and here.
Georgetown Community Day
Where: Georgetown University | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
All are welcome to join neighbors, students, faculty, and staff for a day of fun and family-friendly activities at Georgetown! Festivities include face painting, moon bounces, music, games, and a community picnic with free food. Local schools, churches, community organizations, government agencies, and university departments will also be there with giveaways and information about how you can get involved. This will all take place at the University’s Healy Lawn.
Oktoberfest
Where: The Boro | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
It might not be October yet, but you can still celebrate Oktoberfest this weekend. Join an afternoon of fall-themed festivities, including outdoor games, crafts, and a special Polka concert by The TKO Band (dirndls and lederhosen optional!). Embroidered pins, a glitter tattoo station, pretzel necklace making, and plenty of IG-worthy photo ops will be part of the fun. Registration is encouraged.
Halfway to St Patrick’s Festival
Where: Waterfront Park | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Head to Old Town Alexandria to celebrate the half-way mark to St. Patrick’s Day. Music, crafts,Irish dance performances, pipe bands, vendors, and more entertainment will be part of the festivities. A beer truck will be there for adults, too.
Falls Church Festival
Where: City Hall Campus | Falls Church, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but tastes and rides are a fee
The 46th Annual Falls Church Festival returns to The Little City with plenty of family fun. It features The Taste of Falls Church, a beer garden, live music, children’s entertainment, plus booths of local crafters, businesses, and civic organizations.
Old Firehouse Block Party
Where: Old Firehouse | McLean, VA
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Help celebrate the Old Firehouse’s 32 years of serving the Greater McLean community. Listen to a DJ from 99.5 playing hits as their broadcast live or groove in the silent disco. Enjoy food from Listrani’s Italian Gourmet Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Try rock climbing, and play game in a mobile arcade truck. Explore a vintage fire truck, and learn about the Firehouse history. There will also be a sensory room, art activities, and outdoor games for all ages, along with a local health and wellness booth. The Old Firehouse is located at 1440 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.
Celebrate Petworth
Where: 800 block of Upshur St. NW | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This free neighborhood festival is organized by and for the residents of Petworth, but all are welcome to enjoy. Celebrating the creativity, diversity, culture, and people of Petworth and its surrounding neighborhoods, festivities include Petworth history storytelling, live music and performers, kids activities, tasty food, and a dog show. View the schedule here.
Walking Town DC
Where: Various neighborhoods in DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Put on your walking shoes for a free guided stroll in the city! From September 17-24, WalkingTown DC offers outdoor walking tours sights and neighborhoods throughout DC, both familiar and lesser known. Professional tour guides, community leaders enthusiastic about where they live, and well respected subject matter experts lead the tours and provide compelling content and interesting anecdotes along the way. The tours take place outside, rain or shine, and just about all of them are family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. See the schedule for details and to sign up.
DC Family Bike Fest 2022
Where: Alethia Tanner Park | NoMa, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This annual gathering for kid bikers, family bikers, and the bike-curious will have fun for the whole fam! Check out family bike options, snatch up goodies community partners, join a Trike Storytime and Kids Bike Parade, get free tuneups, and enjoy free sno cones, and more!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The National Air & Space Museum is reopening on October 14 after being closed for renovations. Timed-entry tickets will be required for free admission, and plenty are available if you know what date you’d like to go.
* KID Museum has a lineup of special activities for Hispanic Heritage Month, starting this Sunday, September 18, and running through October 18.
* Have you been to La Cosecha by Union Market yet? The Latin American market/food hall is awesome — lots of yummy eats and wares to check out.
* Tom Sietsma’s money-saving tips for eating at restaurants.
* Just started reading this highly rated and recommended novel (after finishing this one, which I give a solid five stars).
* If you’re a fan of horror films, put this creep fest with a Stranger Things vibe on your list! I hadn’t heard if it until I listened to this recent podcast, which is also a good one.
* Who else? 😂
