Dvořák Dreams on view at The REACH
Happy Weekend!
Link up to all kinds of ideas for ongoing DC fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Pick Your Own (Apples!)
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Free Golf Lesson Friday
Where: Langston Golf Course
When Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: Free
Join playDCgolf for free full swing, chipping, and putting instruction will be taught by their Academy instructors. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are welcome — at no cost. There will also be golf games, and snacks, and drinks for purchase.Instruction will take place at the short game area between the clubhouse and the driving range. A map and more details can be found here — be sure to sign up!
Eisenhower Under the Stars
Where: Eisenhower Memorial | 540 Independence Ave SW, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-9:30pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy an evening Under the Stars at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. The Trust for the National Mall along with several local astronomical organizations are hosting cosmic-related activities, including guided telescopic observations and star gazing, in celebration of the advances in space exploration made under Eisenhower’s presidential administration.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Drive-In
Where: Union Market | Northeast, DC
When: Friday, 7:45pm (lot opens 6:30pm)
Admission: $20/car, walk-ups are free
Catch an outdoor screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at this month’s Drive-In Movie Series at Union Market. Watch the film from the comfort of your car (or walk up and sit in the fresh air) in the UM parking lot. Get there early to enjoy a bite first. The lot opens at 6:30pm and the film begins at 7:45pm. Advance purchase is recommended.
Power Up
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
There’s a new sports team in town, and they’re kicking things off on Friday evening. DC Power FC is a new professional women’s soccer team in the Divison I USL Super League. This first game will be against Fort Lauderdale United FC. Give them a warm welcome and enjoy an exciting evening of soccer!
Dvořák Dreams
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Through September 24
Admission: Free
Experience a fusion of art, music, history, and artificial intelligence with an immersive data sculpture transforming the legacy of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák into a multi-sensory experience. It will be on view Monday – Thursday, 4pm – midnight, and Friday – Sunday, 12pm – midnight outdoors in The REACH plaza at the Kennedy Center.
Family Day: Hispanic Heritage Month
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this special family program! Make your own version of a Latin American cartonera — a handcrafted book made from salvaged materials. Families will recreate the Library’s Otra Piel poetry dress and admire the original dress on view in the Treasures Gallery. Additionally, visitors are invited to chat with Library staff from the Hispanic Division about their work with the special collections. The event is free, but free passes are required for admission.
Holiday Stamps Family Festival
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The winter holidays are coming to the Postal Museum early this year! Celebrate the new 2024 Christmas stamps issued by the Postal Service and meet Guest Artist Katie Kirk. There will be crafts, games, and all sorts of winter holiday family fun. Registration is not required. Prior to the start of the festival, the Postal Museum will host the First Day of Issue ceremonies for the two 2024 Christmas stamps, at 10:30am & 11am — the public is welcome, here.
Teddy Bear Clinic
Where: National Museum of Health & Medicine | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 9:30-11:30am
Admission: Free
Bring your favorite stuffed friend and explore the Teddy Bear Clinic at the National Museum of Health and Medicine with activities and crafts designed to highlight the body, physical fitness, and healthy habits. This family program is recommended for children in PreK-2nd grade. Read more about the National Museum of Health & Medicine here — especially before you explore it with young kids beyond the sweet teddy bear program.
Nats vs Marlins
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $13
The Nats are hosting the Marlins all weekend. Catch a game on Friday at 6:45pm, Saturday at 6:45pm, or Sunday at 4:05pm. There will be fireworks after the Saturday game. And on Sunday, there will be a 1924 championship bobblehead giveaway.
“Fall” Festivals
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
The season may not be official on the calendar yet, 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.
Colonial Market & Fair
Where: Mount Vernon, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $26/adult, $13/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.
Celebrate Petworth
Where: 800 block of Upshur St. NW | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 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.
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!
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit!
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Starting Saturday
Admission: $18.95 (free/under age 1)
A new traveling exhibit is coming to the the National Children’s Museum neighborhood this weeekend! Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit! is based on the award-winning PBS KIDS television series. The immersive experience includes activities that foster young learners’ understanding of their feelings and how to express themselves through collaboration, creativity, and interactive play.
TWILIGHT ZONE: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Starting Saturday through
Admission: $26/age 16+, $16/age 4-15, free/3 & under
The newest exhibit at ARTECHOUSE ventures into the mysterious bioluminescent realm of the ocean twilight zone. Experience the world premiere of this new collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. It is said to be a mesmerizing exhibition perfect for all ages.
Forrest Gump on the Mall
Where: 9th Street Block | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday at dusk (lawn opens at 5pm)
Admission: Free
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Forrest Gump with a free public screening on the National Mall, where one of its iconic scenes took place. Bring a blanket and food and enjoy a picnic with your movie.
Cirque du Soleil: OVO
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through September 15
Admission: $49-155 (look for discount)
The The show plunges the audience into the hidden universe alive at our feet; an ecosystem teeming with life and unseen beings – insects that work, eat, crawl, flutter, feast, fight and court among each other in an ongoing explosion of energy and movement.
Comedy of Errors
Where: Klein Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
Admission: Through October 6
Tickets: $55-193 (look for discount)
Confusions collide in this hilariously illogical comedy. Lookalikes Alex Brightman (School of Rock on Broadway) and David Fynn (School of Rock on the West End) come together as Dromio and Dromio (respectively) to add a splash of rock ‘n’ roll to Shakespeare’s most deliriously funny play. Artistic Director Simon Godwin (Much Ado about Nothing, Macbeth) directs this raucous reflection of families lost and found, topsy turvy love, and the utterly human desire to belong.
DC United Noche Latina
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $12
It’s a celebration of soccer and National Hispanic Heritage Month at DC United’s match versus New York City FC on Saturday night. Along with the futbol action of the pitch, there will be special activations, giveaways, and food and drink specials. It looks like there are currently only single seats available, but you can find seats together here.
Savor the Bay
Where: Sandy Point State Park | Annapolis, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $15/adult, 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 annual Maryland Seafood Festival. Even better, it all takes place right in charming Annapolis.
Get Into the Spirit of Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Tickets start at
See some great women’s soccer action and gold-medal-worthy play as the Washington Spirit host the Houston Dash. And this game is a Black Out so be sure to wear all black! Fans are also encouraged to bring and donate NEW sports bras to Leveling the Playing Field who will distribute them to underserved young women and girls in the DC community. Donation boxes will be located inside each gate.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The weather lately is perfect for enjoying art al fresco.
* The Washington Capitals announced the Caps 50 Fest to celebrate their 50th Anniversary on October 10, and tickets go on sale this Friday, September 13, at 1pm.
* A KFDC reader let me know about these dirt bike classes her teen recently did — sounds like an activity adventurous kids would enjoy!
* Check out the just updated the round-up of regularly occurring museum programs for kids.
* Looking for vacation ideas for upcoming breaks? A little bit of inspiration here.
* And be aware of the new rules for traveling to Europe and a few other destinations.
* Really like all the products I have from this (inexpensive) beauty brand!
* Darcy always has the best recommendations for reading, watching, & listening. (PS: She takes the best family portraits, too!)
* Wouldn’t this Ruggable be great for a kids room? (PS: Many more washable rugs for all rooms, and I hear they are very good quality.)
* Back IN this fall — for women, men, and kids!
* They’d pair perfectly with this.
* So many good ones.
* What powerful post 💙
