The Weekend Round-Up: January 6-8

A winter hike at Roosevelt Island

Happy Weekend!

Quick links to ideas for ongoing fun:
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Ice Skating
* The Great Indoors
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Bike Rides

Lingering Lights
Where: Throughout the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The holidays may be over, but several holiday light displays are still running through this weekend (at least one even beyond). So, if you didn’t get to experience the twinkling wonderlands during the season, or you just really like the festive illuminations, there’s still some time to see Georgetown Glow, the Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons, Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Garden, and Bull Run Festival of Lights.

Storytime
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 10am
Admission: Free
Join the museum to play and hear Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar in English and Spanish. All ages are welcome, especially the youngest visitors. The program will take place in the East Building Atrium — no registration  required.

Weekend Workshops
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to do some art making! All ages are welcome to get creative at Weekend Workshops. Learn about artists and changemakers, then create art inspired by their stories. Of course, explore the whole museum while you’re there. See more about the National Portrait Gallery here.

Culture Queen Kids Hour
Where: Anacostia Community Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free, but reserve a spot
Join Grammy-nominated children’s entertainer, Culture Queen, for an “I Like The Me I See!” session that explores self-love and body positivity. Culture Queen will be holding court at the Anacostia Community Museum on first Saturdays of the month with live performances, interactive community building, stories, crafts, movement, and more.

Drop-in Art Making
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to make some art at the National Gallery of Art! During this session of the monthly series, create paper quilts inspired by the artists of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, then visit the original works on display in the exhibit Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South. This will take place in the East Building atrium – no reservation is needed.

Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages.  Join a full moon nature hike and campfire at Lake Fairfax Park.  Look for flying squirrels at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.  Learn how to build a fire at Riverbend Park. Details and registration for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.

Park it in MoCo
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Montgomery Parks also presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Learn about honeybees at Brookside Nature Center.  Join a raptor caretake chat at Meadowside Nature Center.  Make snowflakes at  Black Hill Visitor Center. Find details on these activities and more!

Moonshot Studio
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
Get creative at the studio within The REACH at the Kennedy Center.  All ages are welcome and encouraged to partake in various art projects and activities. Drop in for hands-on art making and plan for time to stroll the lovely outdoor areas as well.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Through Sunday
Tickets:$12-39
It’s the final weekend to catch this show based on Mo Willems’ book…  When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring is caring and skin is in, can Wilbur find the courage to rock to the rhythm of his own electric guitar? Based on Mo Willem’s beloved picture book, the show explores what can happen when we have the courage to be ourselves. Recommended for ages 4-10.

Recreation on Ice
Where: Ice skating rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Glide under the sky and stars — or indoors if that’s your preference.  Take in art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden.  Glide over the Potomac on The Wharf’s awesome rink. Circle around Washington Harbour as you enjoy river views. Meander along the Figure 8 path at Canal Park. Do some shopping then skate at Pentagon Row, Rockville Town Square, or Reston Town Center. Or head to an ice arena for some skating out of the elements.  This post has details on alfresco and indoor ice skating options in the area.

Nature Calling
Where: Nature centers around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
If you want to get a dose of the outside world in the comfort of the indoors head to a nature center. There are several great ones around the area that offer engaging exhibits, including live creatures. Buddie Ford Nature Center in Alexandria, Watkins in Upper Marlboro, Potomac Overlook in Arlington, Long Branch in Falls Church, and Brookside in Silver Spring all make for a great outing.

All Caps
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm & Sunday, 5pm
Admission: Tickets start at $42
For sports action on ice, watch the Capitals on Friday evening as they host the Nashville Predators or on Sunday when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets. Plan on a pre- or post-game meal in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Reren, and Shake Shack.

(W)Hoop it Up!
Where: Colleges around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
With so many universities in the area, there’s always some good college hoops action going on during the season — and it’s always a good time for families. Here are some games to catch this weekend:
* Maryland women vs Michigan State on Saturday at 1pm
* Howard men & women vs Delaware on Saturday at 2pm
* George Mason men vs Loyola Chicago on Saturday at 3pm
* GW men vs. UMass on Saturday at 2pm
* Maryland men vs Ohio State on Sunday at 1pm
* American men vs. Boston U on Sunday at 3pm
* George Mason women vs Duquesne University on Sunday at 3pm

Break Up
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Winter Break may be over, but the guide for what to do during the time off from school is still great for finding activities for the weekend. Check out a special exhibit, see an iconic DC spot (or the city from a new vantage point), take a day trip, spend time outside, or be active indoors. Ideas galore!

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* This was a delightful suprise to start to the new year!
* Plan for live entertainment through winter with the help of this round-up of shows coming to local stages.
* The DC area’s 10 best casual restaurants, according to the Washington Post.
* Conde Nast Traveler’s 23 best places to go in 2023.
* 23 Healthy Recipes to Kick off 2023
* I watched some good movies over the break: The Fabelmans, Triangle of Sadness, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Decision to Leave are my top recs.
* 10 Happy Things for January 🙂