Happy Weekend!
Quick links to loads of ideas for local activities:
* Indoor Outings
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids
Happy Spring!
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Spring begins this weekend, and with the season comes some awesome events and activities. This new post highlights spring things that have already started, are about to begin, or are coming up in the next few month!
HerStory 5k
Where: Freedom Plaza | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Start your Saturday with a run/walk to celebrate women’s history! Inspired by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the history-making women of our nation’s capital, FITDC HerStory5K attracts DC residents and folks from around the country to commemorate Women’s History Month, live and in person. This annual event pays homage to the 350,000 women and girls living in the nation’s capital, and the 165 million women and girls across the country.
Cherry Blossom Season
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
‘Tis the season for celebrating DC’s famous bloom! The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicks off on Sunday, but there are some blossom inspired activities and events happening before that. See where and when and plan for upcoming fun with this round-up of cherry blossom happenings that are especially great for families.
Women’s History Geocaching Hunt
Where: In & around The Crossing | Clarendon, VA
When: Through April 3
Admission: Free
Rosie Riveters’ free, fun Women’s History Hunt honors women’s contributions to STEM. This geocaching adventure includes six clue boxes, also called caches. Each one contains a puzzle piece with information and fun facts about a real woman in STEM! Kids who complete the hunt will also receive a Rosie Riveters STEM kit as a prize! All you need to do to enter is take a picture of your completed puzzle and email it to info@rosieriveters by Sunday, April 9. Read more about it here.
Cherry Blossom Cultural Performances
Where: Tidal Basin Welcome Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Catch live entertainment presented by the National Cherry Blossom Festival! Starting on Saturday, there will be music and dance performances on a special stage set up at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area (at a new location on West Basin Drive SW between the Martin Luther King, Jr., and Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorials and near the Japanese Pagoda). Daily live performances on the ANA stage will take place 12-6pm and showcase a cross-cultural mix of American, Japanese, and other performing arts celebrating 110 years since the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC. A full list of performers and performance schedules can be viewed here. The National Park Service will also offer Ranger talks, Bloomin’ Junior Ranger activities, and more.
Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Smithsonian American art Museum and the National Cherry Blossom Festival outside on the museum’s F Street plaza for a celebration of Japanese culture. A taiko drumming performance kicks off the day, followed by Les The DJ spinning Japanese pop, funk, and boogie beats and the Koto ensemble performing traditional Japanese dance. Pick up a step-by-step cherry blossom craft kit to take home, and discover spring-themed artworks in SAAM’s galleries with a self-guided scavenger hunt designed for all ages. Read more about the museum in this KFDC post.
Kickin’ It on the Hill: A Family Game Day
Where: Grace Covenant Church | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Grace Covenant Church is hosting a day of family fun! They’ll have free pizza, games, a balloon artist, face painting, and a live kid’s band, “Curtis and the Shimmies,” entertaining guests. Invite your friends and neighbors to kick it on the Hill. Admission is free, but consider bringing a donation of a box of individually packaged snacks to benefit Sasha Bruce Youthwork. The church is located at 417 9th St SE.
Ireland at The Wharf Festival
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
The Wharf and Kirwan’s Irish Pub are celebrating all things Irish this weekend. Bagpipers; live Irish music and dance performances; and, of course, pints of beer will be part of the festivities. Read more about The Wharf, DC’s beautiful riverfront area in southwest, in this KFDC post.
Raptors of the Potomac
Where: Potomac Overlook Park | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 1-2pm
Admission: $7
Soar on down to this program about local avian predators! Learn about the area’s native birds of prey and the amazing adaptations they use to hunt. Meet the resident raptors that are cared for at the park, and watch a naturalist feed a live bird of prey! Plan on more time at Potomac Overlook Park, where you can hike the trails and see ever more exhibits in the Nature Center and outside— read about it all in this KFDC post.
Catch Me If You Can
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through April 17
Admission: $66-105 | Find Discount
Owen and I just saw this show last night, and it was fantastic! More to come soon, but here’s the official description for now: Humor, music and dance drive this rousing musical based on true events and a critically acclaimed film. See how a charming, young con man posed as an airline pilot, a lawyer and then escaped police custody all before he turned 22. Where else, but Washington, DC, could a musical about con men and being conned be the perfect story we need right now? Recommended for tweens and up.
Shamrock Shindig
Where: The Station | Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Keep the St. Patty’s day celebration going and meet at The Station’s Bear Square for an Irish extravaganza with bagpipe performances, Irish Step Dance performances and classes, a live DJ, and DIY St. Patrick’s Day crafts. Guests can also participate in a leprechaun scavenger hunt to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Pop Up Market, Seed Exchange & Kids Planting Kits
Where: Common Good City Farm | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Looking for activities to do at home with your kids? Pick up a spring planting kit from Common Good at their pop-up market. The LEAF program is putting together spring planting kits for youth in the community. They will also have a painting station for kids to decorate a pot before taking them home to plant. Kits and supplies are free, but if you are able to support, they suggest a donation of $10 per kit. Pick up will be next to the main gate entrance of the farm.
Mother Goose
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $12
Enjoy a music-filled show at Imagination Stage! Mother Goose leads the audience through some of her most beloved nursery rhymes, using puppets and props to bring to life Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, the Eensy Weensy Spider, and more. The magical Mother Goose invites your little ones to join in with each rhyme’s story — teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together. Recommended for ages 1-5.
Make Way for Ducklings
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $25
Catch a show at children’s theatre in Glen Echo Park. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are exhausted from their search for a starter home when they land in the Boston Public Garden as a potential home. Surprised by a few conditions in the Garden, the Mallards move on to continue their search until their baby ducklings are born. When the ducklings begin to explore the world around them. The challenges of parenthood in the busy Boston environment create a fun bit of family drama. A classic story for all ages, this world premiere musical celebrates family, Boston, children, and the beings who make an unfamiliar place a home. Recommended for all ages.
The Friends Experience
Where: Woodies Building | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $35-42
Take a little trip down TV nostalgia lane and into the world of Friends. This interactive experience recreates some of the sets from the show — including the opening fountain scene, Central Perk, Joey and Chandler’s apartment, and Monica and Rachel’s kitchen — and highlights some of the best moments, hair, and fashion, and even offers some extra insights (ie, Rachel’s actual letter to Ross — all 18 pages, front and back!). A friend and I had lots of laughs when we toured it earlier this week. (My kids haven’t watched the series, but I know it’s been a hit with many tweens and teens, and they could definitely enjoy this, too.)
Minyo Blooms, Tree Planting & Concert
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Saturday, 3-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate cherry blossom season with National Harbor as they host a tree planting and concert on Saturday. A special Kanzan cherry tree, characterized as the “showiest” cherry trees with dramatic, deep pink blossoms, will be planted at 3pm to join more than 200 cherry trees there. The existing trees bloom each year in March and are some of the earliest blooms in the D.C. region. Stay for a performance by Minyo Crusaders from 4-5pm. on the waterfront stage. The group performs minyo music with Latin and African influences and uses instruments from around the world.
Virtual Youth Law Fair
Where: Online
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Students in 6th – 12th grades are invited to join this free daylong event that tackles the most current legal issues facing local students. Past topics include social media use, bullying, and racial profiling. The students are introduced to a hands-on experience within various aspects of the law through a mock trial and exhibition hall. The day also includes activities involving educating youth about the layout of courthouses and their courtrooms, getting their questions about the law answered by D.C. Superior Court judges and lawyers, a mock trial in the courtroom led by attorneys and the open forum speak out sessions on various youth related legal themes are the focus of the day.
NSO Family Concert: Because
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Sunday, 2pm & 4pm
Tickets: $20-35
Because Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems wrote a powerful story of how chance, discovery, and persistence changed the Amber Ren related to the hero of the story, she created magical illustrations. Because the book moved them, the NSO wanted to turn it into an orchestral piece. Because acclaimed composer and violinist Jessie Montgomery was also changed by music as a young person, she composed the score. Because is a world premiere symphonic exploration that you and your loved ones want to see and hear to become part of the story. Recommended for ages 5+.
Young People’s Concert: Once Upon a Symphony
Where: Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center | Alexandria, VA
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
The United States Marine Band is hosting its annual Young People’s Concert titled “Once Upon a Symphony.” This concert will take place at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College. Join guest composer James Stephenson and the Marine Chamber Orchestra for the 50-minute immersion in the fascinating world of musical composition. This highly engaging and interactive program not only introduces young audiences to the instruments of the symphony orchestra, but also involves them in the compositional process culminating in a unique world première performance.
*** MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Public tours at the White House will resume April 15!
* In case you missed it in the latest Five Things, Hamilton is returning to the Kennedy Center this summer, and Goldstar has pre-sale tickets available.
* This Washingtonian article about kids birthday parties is an interesting read.
* Where to watch March Madness around DC, indoors and outside.
* A very heated Instagram debate about who can claim DC. (Thoughts?)
* World Central Kitchen has been doing incredible work to help Ukrainian refugees — led by DC’s own Jose Andres. If you can, please make a donation to support their efforts. 💙💛