The Weekend Round-Up: August 28-30

 

Happy Weekend!

Quick links to go-to posts:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Camp Cobb Park
Where: Mount Vernon Triangle | NW, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-10pm | Saturday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the dwindling days of summer at the Camp Cobb Park extravaganza in Mount Vernon Triangle! On Friday night, catch a screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie under the stars. And enjoy an afternoon of carnival games, bouncing around, face painting, and more fun on Saturday.

Family Hoppy Hour & Concert
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $7-14
Start the weekend with a King Bullfrog concert to celebrate the gorgeous late summer weather and welcome in the new school year. The concert will be outdoors, perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. King Bullfrog is a kindie rock trio that plays high-energy tunes developmentally appropriate for kids that grownups like, too. Pizza, beer, wine, and cheese will be available for purchase.

Nats vs Marlins
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for deals)
The Nats are hosting the Marlins all weekend.  Friday’s game at 6:45pm is also Women’s Night with special pre-game activities.  Saturday  is at 4:05pm, and there’s a James Wood Bobblehead giveaway, plus special tickets for Taiwanese Heritage and Caturday with cat-themed fun.  Sunday’s game is at 12:15pm., and there’s a special ticket for Pokémon GO Day that includes a Pokémon baseball cap.  Plan ahead with these tips for taking the fam to the ballpark without breaking the bank!

Outdoor Movie Night: Coco
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 5pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a movie and more fun outdoors at one of the prettiest places in the city!  DC Squared will present a family-friendly experience highlighting the ways stories, traditions, and creativity bring communities together through film, food, and hands-on art. Guests of all ages can create colorful papel picado inspired by Mexican folk art and contribute to a vibrant community display, enjoy desserts and refreshments from local makers, and catch a screening of the beloved film Coco. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to get comfy in the meadow.

Jurassic Quest
Where: Fredericksburg Convention Center | Fredericksburg, VA
When: Fri, 1-8pm | Sat, 8am – 6pm |  Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission:  Starts at $31.81
Visit three prehistoric worlds under one roof as North America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur experience stops in Fredericksburg. Featuring Jurassic Quest, Ancient Oceans, and the all-new Frozen Frontier, see life-size dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods; Ancient Oceans and Megalodon; Ice Age creatures; live dinosaur shows; baby dinosaur encounters; dinosaur rides; fossil digs; inflatables crafts; and other interactive activities for kids.

Huzzah for Renn Fest!
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $36.14/adults, $31.61/seniors, $20.28/age 7-15, free/6 & under
The Maryland Renaissance Festival begins this weekend, and this trip back to medieval times is full of merriment for everyone! Enjoy jousting matches, kids shows, comedy acts, jugglers, puppetry, Celtic music… and that’s just some of the live entertainment. There’s also a pirate playground, giant slide, labyrinth and games, and some of the best people watching opportunities ever. Walk among knights, maidens, pirates, and wizards in a re-created 16th-century Tudor village. It all begins Saturday and will run every weekend through October 25.  FYI: There’s a waitlist for tickets  for this weekend, but I recommend checking for a later date as they have been selling out quickly in recent years.

Maryland State Fair
Where: Timonium Fairgrounds | Timonium-Lutherville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/age 6-11, $12-15/age 12+, free/5 & under
If you missed the recent local county fairs or want to enjoy even more rides, games, live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, and carnival fun, head north to the Maryland State Fair. You can even see some thoroughbred horse racing! The Fair will also be held September 3-7 and 10-13.

Water Melon Bash & Doxie Derby
Where: Great Country Farm | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $13/age 13-17, $15/adult
Join this end-of-summer festival that pairs a celebration of all things watermelon with a lively dachshund race. The fun includes a watermelon smashing show; watermelon eating, seed-spitting, and carving competitions; family games like a balloon toss; and admission to the 15-acre play area. On Saturday only, there will also be dachsund races with wiener dogs dashing down a track competing for treats, prizes, and bragging rights.

Washington Chinese Cultural Festival
Where: 3rd-4th St. NW | Pennsylvania Ave, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the rich culture of China in the heart of the capital with lots of to see, play, and taste!  The festival will feature traditional music, dance, performances, art exhibitions, Kungfu, tea, cosplay, Peking opera, and authentic Chinese cuisine. See exhibits of Huangpu’s time honored brands of Shanghai and beautiful folk fashions from Guizhou Province.  It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture and connect with the local community.

Around The World Cultural Food Festival
Where: Oronoco Bay Park | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Take a culinary trip around the world right in Alexandria. The largest outdoor cultural food festival in the DC area celebrates intercultural diversity and brings together living traditions from countries around the world. Enjoy fare from ethnic food vendors, artisans and crafters, and lots of traditional performances. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs
Where: The Puppet CO. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 2:30pm
Admission: $18
See a show on strings at the beloved puppet theatre… We all think we know the Big Bad Wolf from the classic fairytales, but what if it’s the same Wolf in both stories? What if there’s been a big mistake? What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad? Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 45 minutes.

Circus Vasquez
Where: Tysons II | Tysons, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $23-90
Experience some thrilling family entertainment at this circus founded in Mexico City! Circus Vazquez brings the excitement of a traditional big-top circus to life with dazzling acrobats, high-flying aerialists, skilled jugglers, and laugh-out-loud clowns. Featuring talented performers from around the world, it’s a family-friendly show packed with thrilling acts, colorful costumes, and nonstop entertainment for all ages.

Back to School Ride & Block Party
Where: Starts at SWS Elementary | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 4-6:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the new school year with Hill Family Biking! Go on 4-mile progressive ride touring many Capitol Hill schools, then stay for a block party after. Start with them at SWS or join at a school of your choice. The block party at SWSwill include a foam party and DJ, giant chalk mural, a bike balance course, food and treats, and a raffle.

The Notebook
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday & Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $44
The best-selling novel and inspired the iconic film is on stage in DC… The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, telling the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. Recommended for ages 13+.

United vs LAFC
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for deals)
DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting LAFC. Go early to watch warmups or just soak in the excitement ahead of the crowds. Or plan for a pre-match bite nearby — here are a bunch of recs for family-friendly spots to eat in the area.

Outdoor Square Dance
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 7-10pm
Admission: Free
The Friends of Peirce Mill and DC Square Dance Collective are joining forces to bring a free evening of outdoor music and dancing in Rock Creek Park! They’ll fill the meadows and grounds of Peirce Mill with old-time music and dance ’til the stars come out. No experience, partner, or fancy clothes needed. Everyone is welcome!

See the Spirit
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 12:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $33.80
The Washington Spirit are playing at home again on Sunday hosting Bay FC. It’s also Hello Kitty Day, so expect some extra themed fun along with the exciting soccer action on the pitch.

Open House & Costume Sale
Where: Virginia National Ballet | Manassas, VA
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Get a close-up look of Virginia National Ballet at this open house that also includes a costume sale. Meet the teachers, see the studios, register for classes, buy class attire, enjoy refreshments and shop new and used costumes — only $10 & $20 apiece!

Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Ninja Kidz are leaping out of your screens and into your city with Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities. The fate of the universe hangs in balance as imposters threaten to infiltrate a stage near you. Join for the first ever Ninja Kidz live action adventure filled with audience participation, physical challenges, games, and epic battles. What happens when two worlds collide? The audience holds the key to shape how each adventure unfolds with an infinite number of possible outcomes. Get ready to laugh, cheer and determine destiny, one choice at a time.

Hershey Super Sweet Adventure
Where: Tysons Corner Center | Tysons, Va
When: Starting Friday
Admission: $20+
There’s only a week left of this candy-filled experience in the worlds of iconic Hershey brands, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates, Twizzlers Twists, and Jolly Rancher candies through hands-on games, multisensory activities and interactive challenges. The Tysons Corner Center location also features exclusive elements including a Bubble Yum Bubble Gum activation and a grand finale where guests can personalize their ownHershey’s Milk Chocolate bar wrapper with a selfie.

Summer Fun
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
We’re heading into the last week summer fun, as many activities will end after Labor Day.  Have some water-inspired fun. See a special exhibit like The Butterfly Experience, The Playground, or Fairies in the Garden, Enjoy free music outdoors and movies under the stars. Go with the flow on local waterways. Hit the beach. Feast on seasonal treats. And so much more. Details on all of this summer fun around DC can be found here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***

* In honor of Dolly, highlighting DC’s Books from Birth program, part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

* There’s a new giveaway going on for a chance to win registration for the Fall 2026 Discovery Rowing program with TBC Racing — a $1,200 value!

* You can also enter for a chance to win a free music lesson for your child and more goodies from International School of Music.

* Boo at the Zoo tickets are now on sale, and it’s a good idea to snag them early, as they tend to sell out.

* Yayoi Kusam: A Life in Pictures

* A friend recently brought a big snack box kind of like this for our picnic at a Wolf Trap concert — so clever, it would come in handy for lots of occasions.  I also like this travel charcuterie board.

* An oversized tote bag would be great for fall, and there are so many good options, like this vegan leather, a cool embossed croc style, the classic Longchamp, and this gorgeous woven leather.

* REI’s big Labor Day Sale has begun — and it’s always excellent!

* Cayote vs. Acme sounds like a fun PG movie.

* ❤️❤️❤️