Happy Weekend!
Link up to these go-to KFDC posts:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Indoor Action
* Baltimore with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Stunning Spaces
Cherry Blossom Season
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
The actual cherry blossoms aren’t in full bloom, but activities and events to celebrate them are starting as the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off! Some of the fun this weekend is listed here, and you can see what else there is to enjoy now and coming up over the next few weeks in this post about the best cherry blossom happenings for families.
Maryland Day
Where: Anne Arundle County, MD
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: Varies
Celebrate Maryland’s birthday and enjoy a weekend full of activities highlighting the state’s heritage and culture. Dozens of events that are free or just $1 will be offered throughout Anne Arundel County. They will take place at museums, libraries, parks, historic downtown Annapolis, and more places. Find details for all of it here.
Free Family FunFest
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
This free annual festival from the Bowie Baysox is loaded with fun for the whole family. Enjoy carnival-style rides and games, lots of activities from Baysox sponsors and partners, opportunities to hang out with mascots Louie and Rocko, raffles, and more. Read more about the Bowie Baysox in this KFDC post.
All About the Sprout – Rocknoceros Concert
Where: Jammin Java | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 11am (doors open 10:30AM)
Admission: $10
Rocknoceros returns to Jammin Java to celebrate the start of spring with “All About the Sprout.” This special concert blends songs about seeds and renewal with the band’s popular originals, and unique versions of children’s classics.
The Spirit of Women’s Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
The Washington Spirit, our local women’s pro soccer team, plays their first home match on Saturday against the Kansas City Current. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports. Fans can enjoy some pregame fun at the Spirit Tailgate outside Gate A starting three hours before kickoff — there will be a live DJ, yard games, and food trucks.
Stumpy’s Petals and Paddles Race
Where: Basin Pedal Voats | Tidal Basin, DC
When: Friday, 4-7pm
Admission: $100/two riders, $20/additional, free to spectate
The first-ever Stumpy’s Petals and Paddles Race promises an exciting and vibrant kick-off to spring and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.Participants of all ages are invited to race pedal boats across the iconic Tidal Basin the beautiful body of water surrounded by famous monuments and memorials. The race features both timed heats and friendly competitions, with awards for the fastest boats per age group and best dressed participants.
Wizards vs Magic
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $29
The Wizards are playing at home Friday night, hosting the Orlando Magic. And not only is it Women’s Night in honor of Women’s History Month, there will also be a post-game concert by DJ Diesel (aka Shaq), so plan to stay after for some extra entertainment.
Little Critters Nature Play
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Drop in with children ages 0-5 for programming deisgned just for them. This week, learn about animal babies and how they change as they grow just like us in. the Think Tank Classroom. And in the Birdhouse Classroom dino fans can engage in a sensory-based fossil dig, small world dinosaur sensory play, and make your own dinosaur footprint artworks.
Pink in the Pool
Where: Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Celebrate cherry blossom season with swimming and more fun! Enjoy free access to the Long Bridge Aquatics Center, plus pink beach balls, and interactive activity stations featuring Japanese arts and culture, balloon twisters, a Japanese candy station, and more. Register in advance.
Snow White Doughnut Decorating
Where: Astro Doughnuts | Shirlington, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $15
In celebration of the new live-action Snow White premiere,Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is hosting a fairy tale doughnut decorating event. Guests are invited to decorate mini doughnuts with festive icing and toppings at Astro’s Shirlington outpost.All supplies invited — you just bring the creativity! Food and drink also available for purchase
Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the season of cherry blossoms with SAAM! Begin the day on the F Street Plaza (weather permitting) with a taiko drumming performance by drumming group Nen Daiko, then head inside in the Kogod Courtyard for Japanese pop, boogie, and more with Les The DJ. Enjoy performances while children make cherry-blossom themed crafts. Seasonal treats will be available for purchase from the Courtyard Café, and a spring-themed scavenger hunt through the galleries extends the cherry blossom fun.
World Water Day
Where: Wheaton Regional Park | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Montgomery Parks and other organizations are celebration World Water Day. Enjoy an educational, fun-filled day that includes a piñata exhibit, fishing for kids under 16 years old, nature walks, and lots of information from community organizations.
Weekend Family Matinee: Marsha & the Positrons
Where: Avalon Theatre | Chevy Chase, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $13 ($11/members)
The Avalon Theatre in Chevy Chase, the oldest operating movie house in the area and a non-profit, is hosting a live performance for this Weekend Family Matinee. On Saturday morning, see Marsha & the Positrons play there award-winning kindie rock, specializing in fun songs about science & how the world works with positive social messages!
More Show Time
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
There’s much more entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here):
* Mother Goose at Imagination Stage (all ages)
* The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Imagination Stage (all ages)
* Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre (age 12+)
* A Room in the Castle at Folger Shakespeare Theatre (teens & older)
* The Age of Innocence at Arena Stage (teens & older)
* In the Heights at Signature Theatre (age 8+)
* Waitress at Olney Theatre (teens & older)
Open Studio: Happy Birthday Yayoi Kusama!
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
At this session of the Hirshhorn’s weekly program, celerbate Women’s History Month and artist Yayoi Kusama’s birthday. Explore installation art that features patterns, with repeating shapes and colors and create your own art to take home. Drop in the Art School on the Lower Level.
Littles Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 4-5:30pm
Admission: Free
Join Hill Family Biking for a Littles Ride — similar to their standard monthly ride, but catered to riders ages 3-6 on trikes, balance bikes, training wheels and first pedal bikes — with a shorter route, approximately one mile starting and ending at Lincoln Park by the Lincoln statue. Riders should be confident riding their “bike” of choice for a mile. Please no strollers.
Caps vs Panthers
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission: Look for tickets here
The Caps are playing the Panthers at home this weekend, and the game is sure to be extra exciting as Ovechkin gets closer to breaking the all-time goal scoring record. Thus, the games is sold out, but you can get resale tickets here. Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter and go to the American Art Museum for their festival and/or plan on dinner in the neighborhood after the game — this post has recs for kid-friendly places to go.
The Spirit of Women’s Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
The Washington Spirit, our local women’s pro soccer team, plays their first home match on Saturday against the Kansas CIty Current on Saturday. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports. Plan on a pre-game bite to eat in the nearby Navy Yard — get recommendations for family-friendly restaurants here.
Celebrate Women’s History
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
March is Women’s History Month, and there are so many great ways to celebrate it around DC, with something for all ages. See some exhibits, tour local landmarks, enjoy live entertainment… all of it showcasing women and their accomplishments. This post has details on where you can do that this month — and beyond!
Spring Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It’s going to be a perfect weekend to get out for a hike! See flowers beginning to bloom, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor the time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids. And maybe make a longer outing of it with some aprés hike fun, too.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* It’s a new season, and there are so many spring things to get excited about!
* Where to watch March Madness around DC.
* MLB Opening Day and the Nats’ first home game isn’t until March 27, but on Monday, March 24, there will be an exhibition game at Nats Park followed by a Fanfest at The Wharf! The game is at 1:05pm and tickets start at $46 (find cheap seats here); the free Fanfest starts at 4pm.
* Logan Tavern in Logan Circle has a brand new offer for families: Kids ages 6 and under eat free breakfast from 8am-11am, 7 days a week with the purchase of an adult entree.
* Get ready for the Blossom Kite Festival next weekend!
* Nordstrom has a great spring sale going on right now that includes lots of kids stuff, too.
* Obama’s brackets, if you’re interested. (So disappointed by his second round Memphis pick.)
* IYKYK 😳
