World Cup with a Capitol view
Happy Weekend!
Link up to activities galore around the DC area:
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Swim Spots
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
World Cup Watch
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun! It’s always so much fun to share in the excitement of it all with other fútbol fans, and there are a bunch of family-friendly places and events around DC where you can do that. This post has a round-up of where you can view the matches, from small pubs to patios and biergartens to large outdoor watch parties.
Swedish Midsummer
Where: Sylvan Theater | National Mall
When: Friday, 6-9pm
Admission: Free
Join the Embassy of Sweden for the annual Swedish Midsummer Celebration — one of their country’s most beloved traditions — right in the heart of DC. Festivities include Maypole dances, live music, flower wreath-making, and more activities. Bring a blanket and food for a picnic dinner!
Sails on the Potomac
Where: Old Town Waterfront | Alexandria, VA
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: Free, but some activities require fee
All weekend long, four historic tall ships will be moored at the Alexandria Waterfront to celebrate America’s 250th. The event will commemorate the nation’s story with music, family activities, exhibits, ship tours, public art, educational programs, and more! See a schedule here.
Music by the River
Where: The Yards | Navy Yard, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-9pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the weekend with live music in the fresh air — the Friday Night Concert series at Yards Park begins on Friday evening! Wonten, blending elements of soul, jazz, and subtle highlife influence, is playing this first installment of the summer staple. Go early to let the kids play, then enjoy the music along with food and drinks for purchase (or BYO picnic) and do some dancing on the boardwalk — all with the backdrop of scenic river views.
Innovations in Flight
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Dulles, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Head out to the Dulles arm of the National Air & Space Museum for this special program. View over 50 vintage, modern, and commercial aircraft that will fly in for the day and be on display outside the museum. You can even go into some of the cockpits and cabins and talk with pilots. Along with the outdoor display, museum educators will show how to spot and identify aircraft landing at Dulles Airport. If tickets are sold out for the outdoor part, there still will be activities inside.
Bugapalooza
Where: National Museum of Health & Medicine | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join NMHM and DOD experts for specialized activity stations showcasing different varieties of bugs (some alive!) and raising awareness of the research dedicated to the prevention and treatment of bug-borne illness. Learn how to battle the bugs or use them to your advantage as you discover which bugs are bizarre, beneficial, or downright deadly. Bug costumes encouraged!
Taiko Adventure
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
This month, the National Theatre’s free Saturday Morning Live! program will feature Taiko Adventure, a high-energy interactive drumming performance based in Japanese tradition. Be sure to pre-register to save your spot. Walk-ins may be welcome, too.
Family Day: 250 Years of American Fashion
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free
Fashion is the theme of this month’s Family Day! The Library’s collections of fashion holdings will serve as inspiration to designs and enjoy other hands-on activities. Experts will be there to share insights on American fashion, and Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest of the Little Rock Nine, will be there to discuss “Carlotta’s Special Dress: How a Walk to School Changed Civil Rights History.”
Pride Family Day
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Pride with Glen Echo Park on Saturday, where there will be festivities for the whole family. Enjoy arts & craft activities, facepainting, carousel rides (free tix while supplies last), photo ops, and discount tickets to The Little Prince at The Puppet Co. The playground, picnic area, Glen Echo Park Aquarium (book tickets in advance), and a variety of art galleries throughout the park will be open, too!
Juneteenth
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Juneteenth is June 19, marking the date that the last enslaved people learned of their freedom. But one of the area’s longtime celebrations is happening this Saturday, June 13, at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD. All are welcome to the annual festival, a joyous day featuring live music, local artists and vendors, history exhibits, kids’ activities, food trucks, and much. It runs 12-5pm, and admission is free. Read more about the wonderful Watkins Park in this KFDC post.
“Summer” Fun
Where: Throughout the DC area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
It still may not be official on the calendar, but when it comes to local recreation, summer has arrived. Free concerts in the open air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, and SO much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed all around the area this weekend. The 2026 KFDC Guide to Summer Around DC has the scoop on all of it.
Signed-Sealed-Delivered: Postcard & Stamp Workshop
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Design your own postcards and stamps in this hands-on workshop where art meets history. Inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition, We Make History, participants of all ages can9 explore how mail carries history and connects communities.
The Little Prince
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday, 10:30am | Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 2:30pm
Admission: $18/age 2+
See a puppet performane of the classic tale… A touching adventure of a peculiar child from a tiny planet scarcely larger than himself. Stranded in the Sahara Desert, a plane-wrecked aviator meets a child that reminds us all how to see the world like a kid again. See why this beloved story is the most translated work of fiction in history. REcommended for ages 5+.
Smithsonian Starstruck
Where: 926 F St NW | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $32/adult, $24.50/child & senior
Something cool to do: Step into the cosmos! This new immersive experience created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will take you on a breathtaking journey through the universe. It’s a virtual reality adventure among the stars that take you from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole and so much more in between. For ages 10+.
Nats vs Mariners
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets pries vary (check for deals)
The Nats are home for a weekend series hosting the Mariners. Catch a game on Friday at 6:45pm, Saturday at 4:05pm, or Sunday at 1:35pm. There will be a Daylen Lile bobblehead giveaway on Saturday and Sunday is Toy Story 5 Day with some special movie themed fun. Plus, there are all kinds of ongoing cool offerings for kids — see them all here!
Pride on the Pier
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 4-9pm
Admission: Free
Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ community to the Wharf with an array of free activities and entertainment, including family fun for all ages. While you’re there, take advantage of even more that The Wharf has to offer, like a splash pad, paddling rentals, swings, and scenic views — read about it all in this KFDC post.
Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Catholic University | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: $23-28, free/age 12 & under
How about a sporting event that probably isn’t on your radar… Bring the fam out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! See some exciting disc action as local team DC Breeze plays the Boston Glory. Mobile concessions ordering will be available, and there will be beer, wine, and hot food available for purchase. The gameday MC and DJ will be keeping the party going throughout the game, and Fun Zone Games will keep the kids entertained all night.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks everywhere
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
Sunday is Flag Day, and the National Park Service is celebrating with a fee-free day, when there’s no cost to visit parks 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.
Flamenco Spring Showcase Student Recital
Where: Sitar Arts Center |
When: Sunday, 3-5pm
Admission: $30/adult, 20/child, free/under 3
Dance Flamenco DC’s Flamenco 4 Kids program is proud to present the annual student showcase — and all are welcome to enjoy it! Dancers ages 4 to 74 shine their brightest, performing to an array of traditional flamenco music such as Sevillanas, Fandangos, Tientos, Tangos, Bulerías and more. Live guitar by “MIGUELITO,” too!
Go for a Spin…or Tee Up!
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
This time of year brings some extra delights to several parks and other places around the area that are already great outdoor places to hang with the kids. Go for whirl on a mini train or carousel, take a swing at mini golf, or even ride a Ferris Wheel. The KFDC Summer Guide has details on where to go.
Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If weather has you seeking activities indoors, you have plenty of options. This post pulls together all the KFDC round-ups with ideas for inside fun. From museums and special programs for kids to play spaces and venues for indoor action to theaters presenting live entertainment and movies to stores where you can shop secondhand, you’ll find loads of ways to stay cool, dry, and sane. 
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* With extra time on their hands during summer, it’s a good opportunity to get kids involved in volunteering — here’s a round-up of places where they can help out.
* Thinking about jumping on the mahjong bandwagon? Learn about a great way to do that.
* Groupon currently has deals on some fun local things to do this summer, including movies, mini golf, boat tours and rentals, bowling, and escape rooms.
* These bug bite patches are such a good idea! Like pimple patches, but for itch relief. More varieties: Animals | Plaid | Food | Hearts
* Like everyone else, it seems, I just started reading Yesteryear, and so far really like the writing and the concept!
* Seeing lace-trimmed shorts everywhere and kind of love them: Anthro (on sale) | Old Navy | Quince | H&M | Gap
* Which series are you picking?
