Celebrate public lands with free admission to Great Falls!
Happy Weekend!
Link up to all kinds of 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
Happy Fall, Y’all!
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Fall has officially begun! And there are lots of events around the area are celebrating it. Fall festivals are in full swing at area farms, in local communities, even a 16th century village in Maryland, and they’re welcoming visitors for all kinds of fun. A few are listed here, and you can get details on the rest of them in this round-up of autumn celebrations around the area.
Back to the Yards
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Join this totally tubular party for all ages at Yards Park! Parents and kids are invited to learn groovy dance moves with breakdancers, create slap bracelets and headbands, color your own Rubik’s cube, and jam out to a playlist of 80’s chart-toppers, one-hit wonders, and favorites. Glowing giveaways and loads of LED games will make this a party for the ages!
Art All Night
Where: Throughout DC
When: Friday – Saturday, 7pm – 3am
Admission: Free
Be part of this free overnight arts festival that takes place in all eight DC wards. Art All Night brings visual and performing arts — painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, dance, theater, and more — to indoor and outdoor spaces around the city. Enjoy live music, dance at silent discos, take kids to a hilarious magic show, see ice sculpture demos, view innovative art, and so much more. Go here to see what’s happening in many neighborhoods around DC!
The Hero of EVERYTHING
Where: Montgomery College | Silver Spring
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $13.50
InterAct Story Theatre’s The Hero of EVERYTHING explores the importance of teamwork and the perils of trying to do everything yourself. This action-packed interactive play is performed by three actors on stage and a whole team of superheroes in the audience, who join in to become part of the action to save the day in Citytown City. See more about it here (but note that the giveaway has ended).
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+)
* The Trip to Bountiful at Ford’s Theatre (age 13+)
Volunteer on National Public Lands Day
Where: Around the DC area
When: Saturday
Admission: Just your time and effort
Saturday is National Public Lands Day, when all are welcome and encouraged to help restore and preserve public lands. Volunteer opportunities like clean-ups, tree plantings, weed removal, trail maintenance, and more are available everywhere from big national parks to small urban green spaces, including many in the DC area. Search here for places nearby where you and the kids can help out.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks everywhere
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Not only can you volunteer on National Public Lands Day, you can also get free admission to national parks to celebrate! It’s one of several fee-free days, so there’s no cost to visit those that usually charge for entry. Take advantage and hit the trail at Shenandoah, Prince William Forest, Great Falls, Harpers Ferry, or head up to Baltimore to explore Fort McHenry. Find even more parks to visit here.
Fiesta DC
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. 9th to 14th Streets | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate Latino culture at the 50th Annual Fiesta DC. On both days of the weekend, Pennsylvania Avenue from the Navy Memorial Plaza to Freedom Plaza will be filled will lively festivities, including stages featuring a variety of performances, children’s activities, international cuisine, arts & crafts, and more!
Mountaineering Day
Where: Embassy of the Czech Republic |
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
All ages are welcome to the European Union National Institutes of Culture’s Mountaineering Day! Conquer the climbing wall then relax with a cold brew (for parents) while listening to the folk band Orchester Praževica. Take part in a mapping and sustainability challenge. Watch a German Shepherd demonstration by Rodina Straze. Delve into how the EU is combating climate change and preserving nature. Learn about top athletes and companies related to mountaineering from EU countries. Try making a tasty trail mix and sample delicious “mountain cuisine” with a demo by Italian Chef Roberto Donna. Check out alpine destinations to visit and more. Enjoy a day of “mountaineering through Europe,” while in the heart of Washington, DC. RSVP required.
DC Theatre Week Kick Off Party
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Theatre Week kicks off the launch of the theatre season in the DC area, and this party kicks off Theatre Week! Enjoy performances, workshops, conversations, free food & drinks, giveaways, and more fun from over 35 DC-area theaters. And FYI: Theatre Week is a great opportunity to check out all kinds of shows — musicals, dramas, comedies, theatre for young audiences, and more — when there is special ticket pricing.
Leesburg Airshow
Where: Leesburg Executive Airport | Leesburg, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual Leesburg Airshow will take to the skies with thrilling aerobatic demonstrations, sky divers, and more! Witness a showcase of impressive aircraft, classic cars, and a variety of exhibitors on the tarmac, food vendors, flight schools, and aviation clubs among them.
Savor the Bay
Where: Sandy Point State Park | Annapolis, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $15, free/12 & under
How about a day filled with delicious seafood, live entertainment, kids activities, food demos and competitions, loads of shopping options, vendors, exhibits, contests? You can enjoy all that and more at the 55th annual Maryland Seafood Festival. Even better, it all takes place on the beautiful shores of the Chesapeake Bay. (Note that crabs cost extra — $35/half dozen)
Children’s Day
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy free family fun at Peirce Mill! Try grinding grain and sifting by hand, then learn how water powers the mill. Make your own corn husk dolls and other toys. Play old-fashioned board and lawn games like checkers and corn hole. Note that Peirce Mill is closed to address a safety issue, so Children’s Day will be held in the mill yard and barn. Read more about the historic sit in Rock Creek Park here.
Kick It with FootGolf
Where: GolfDC | East Potomac Park, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15/adult, $8/child
Throwing in something random and fun… Have you ever played or even heard of FootGolf? The activity that’s a hybrid of soccer and golf makes for a fun family outing — and you can play right here in the city down by Hains Point. Find out what the sport is all about in this KFDC post.
Lil’ Libros
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Head to the Kogod Courtyard in the portrait Gallery for the Fotos y Recuerdos Festival with children’s book publisher Lil’ Libros. All ages are welcome to the bilingual celebration that will include story times, book signings, live entertainment, and gallery tours. There will also be arts and crafts inspired by the Lil’ Libros book series “The Life of / La vida de,” which features Latinx sitters from the Portrait Gallery’s collection.
Clarendon Day
Where: Clarendon Metro | Clarendon, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Head to the area around the Clarendon Metro station for an event that brings the local community together. Dozens of vendors, food from neighborhood restaurants, live music, and a KidZone (including an 18-foot slide!) will be part of the action.
Family Day 2022
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, September 25, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Hill Center’s annual Family Day returns again and better than ever for 2022! This year we are excited to bring back the programs you love and introduce you to some new ones as well! Come enjoy a completely FREE day of crafts, shows, carriage rides, balloon animals, and a family exercise class. Reserve your tickets!
Echo Arts Fest
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Attend Glen Echo Park’s new fall visual & performing arts festival! The celebration will showcase all of the park’s offerings across many disciplines of art — pottery, painting, dance, plays, and more. It’s also the final day of the 2022 carousel season, so take the kids for one last spin on the beautiful Wendztel Carousel!
Opera on the Field
Where: Audi Field | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: Free
How about opera where there’s usually soccer? The Washington National Opera is back with its 17th season of free opera broadcasts, though this year it’s on Audi Field instead on Nationals Park. All are welcome to enjoy a free outdoor broadcast of Carmen. Gates open at 2pm for pre-opera, family-friendly activities. The show on the scoreboard begins at 4pm. Be sure to register in advance!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Since it’s officially fall, plan for ways to enjoy autumn in the DC area (that are not farm festivals), with these 10 ideas.
* In case you missed it, there’s a new post about the National Zoo!
* On Monday, September 26 at 5pm, join a Rosh Hashana Experience in the Park! All are welcome to check out a shofar display, and enjoy songs, stories and snacks in Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.
* And if you’re still working on the holiday meal, Washingtonian has a round-up of local restaurants and caterers to help with that.
* 11 Covid questions…
* The best east coast road trips.
* Thank you to my 13-year-old daughter for introducing me to this very reasonably priced skin care brand. I especially love this serum.
* This Netflix show was a surprise binge….unexpectedly addicting, and I was so impressed and moved by everyone in it.
* TJ’s is the best.
Thank you for posting this. I don’t always comment, but I read many of your posts, they are always packed full of useful information, I LOVE that! I’ve been reading your posts for a long time now, I see your kids are growing up, mine too. I appreciate that you include activities for all ages, even teenagers. Again, thank you!
Thank you so much for your note, Theresa… and for being a longtime reader! 🙂