Tag Archives: Autumn in DC

November 9, 2022 · 9:45 am

Five Things: November 9, 2022

1. Have you been to the National Museum of the American Indian lately? This weekend will be a great time to go! On Veteran’s Day, this Friday, November 11, the NMAI is dedicating the National Native American Veterans Memorial, the first national landmark in DC to focus on the contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians who have served in the military. Events begin at 2pm with a Native veterans procession that will begin at the museum then make its way along the National Mall (via Jefferson Drive SW, 3rd Street SW, and Madison Drive SW) to the dedication ceremony stage in front of the U.S. Capitol, which will begin at 4pm. Supporters can gather at viewing areas along the procession route. The museum also will be staying open until 8pm on Friday and hosting a full weekend of activities on Saturday and Sunday, November 12-13, in celebration of the event. so, keep the NMAI in mind for your weekend plans — festivals there are always lively with activities for all ages, not to mention the imagiNATIONS activity center is a fantastic space to hang out with kids!

2. The annual KFDC guide to the holiday season around DC was posted on Monday! You’ve likely already seen it, but check it out a again as there have been a few great additions, including Winter City Lights, a brand new area light display; holiday parties at the American Art Museum and DAR; and a holiday show in Annapolis.

3. If you haven’t yet experienced Yayoi Kusama’s One with Eternity at the Hirshhorn, it’s about to get a little easier to do so. Starting today at 12pm, free next-day passes to the exhibit will be released daily at noon on the Hirshhorn website. (Until now, passes have been distributed same day in person, making it tricky to plan,since getting them is not a guarantee.) And in case you hadn’t heard, the exhibit’s run has been extended though spring 2023!

4. This kids movie out on Netflix today sounds like a perfect watch ahead of the World Cup!

5. Something fun from the Washington Post (that might come in handy as election results roll in).

Five Things: November 2, 2022

1. This evening, the National Portrait Gallery is hosting its annual Día de los Muertos celebration. The festival kicks off inside at 5pm with music, dancing, art activities, and a community altar, which will all run until 8pm. And outside from 6:30-8:30pm, artists MasPaz and Guache will project live video artwork on the museum’s G & 9th St facade. ¡Esta fiesta es para todos!

2. Start your holiday shopping early… After a two-year hiatus the International Arts & Crafts Fair has returned to the World Bank headquarters through November 3, 10am – 5pm each day. The public, children included, are welcome to the World Bank main complex for food and holiday shopping. Find clothes, accessories, jewelry, and other unique gifts from all over the world. The event benefits the Margaret McNamara Education Grants, a charitable organization that provides scholarships to women from developing countries.

3. Parents are always looking for new birthday party ideas for their kids, so here’s a cool service to check out: My Tent Parties. Started by a local mom, the parties are kinda like indoor glamping, essentially elevated sleepovers with fun themes and special decorations, plus all the necessary basics, to create magical spaces for kids’ events. Visit the website for details — it sounds wonderful!

4. In the spirit of Día de los Muertos, this Washington Post article about cemeteries, including one of my favorite DC places pictured above, is a great read.

5. It’s November, and here are 12 Happy Things for it.

Five Things: October 25, 2022

The National Tree from a Christmas past.

1. The lottery for tickets to the 100th National Christmas Tree Lighting opens today! Starting at 10am through November 1 at 10am, you can submit your entry for a chance to win tickets. This year’s National Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on November 30 at 5pm. And in case you’re unfamiliar with this DC holiday tradition, here’s the scoop: Every year, the National Christmas Tree is illuminated at President’s Park on the Ellipse in a big ceremony presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation. The President of the United States delivers a message of peace, big-name entertainers perform, and the whole event is televised (and webcast) for the world to witness. And every year, tickets to the ceremony are issued to the public via an online lottery. To enter the lottery, go to Recreation.gov, scroll down, and click Lotteries. Be sure to apply for enough tickets, as every attendee, including children, must have one. You’ll find out whether or not you are successful in scoring tickets on November 8.

2. A couple of fun, FREE ways to entertain kiddos this Friday, October 28…

* Join the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center for a Fall Festival on Wilson Plaza from 10am – 1pm. Activities will include a hay bale maze, face painting, a petting zoo, balloon twisting, a “Baby Jam” music class with the National Children’s Museum, strolling characters, and more.

* Go to the USDA Farmers Market for their annual Harvest Festival, an event celebrating the end of the market season. Along with the weekly offerings, there will be exhibitors, charities, and family-friendly activities, including a face painter, petting zoo, pumpkin picking and decorating, trick-or-treating, and pumpkin themed recipe demonstrations at the VegU tent. Enjoy it all from 9am – 2pm.

3. With Halloween happening next Monday, this coming weekend (and even this week) is jam-packed with events that celebrate it. Get a jump start on planning for it with the round-up of wicked fun ways to celebrate.

4. The Washington Post recently published an enlightening article about kids clothing waste and how to cut down on it.

5. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous…” 👏👏👏

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Filed under 2022, DC, Fall, Five Things

October 17, 2022 · 5:46 pm

Five Things: October 17, 2022

1. One of my favorite things about Halloween in our neighborhood, Capitol Hill, is the many houses decked out in decor for the holiday. And strolling (or biking or scooting) around to see them makes for a wicked fun family activity. The Hill is Home makes that easier with their 2022 Spooky Hill Map. Even if you don’t live here, it’s worth coming to the area to experience, especially since you can make a longer day of it and plan for a visit to the Library of Congress or the U.S. Capitol, some browsing at Eastern Market, or play time at one of the many parks or playgrounds.

2. A great time to plan for a day on the Hill would be this Saturday, October 22, when the Library of Congress is hosting a Halloween Family Day. From 10am – 4pm, guests can enjoy family-friendly festivities, including a very special program with beloved authors R.L. Stine, author of the “Goosebumps” series, and Mary Pope Osborne, author of the “Magic Tree House” series! There will also be“spooky” art activities, stories available in a reading corner, creepy music, and fantastical images from the Library’s collections. Halloween costumes welcome. And note that the program with Stine and Osborne will feature spooky elements, including eerie lights, frightening characters, and surprises for the audience. The Family Day runs from 10am – 4:30pm, but note that the program with the authors is at 2pm. Free timed-entry passes are required, so be sure to reserve them in advance — a lot are already hone, and I can guarantee they’ll go fast once word gets out more. (PS: Check out this sweet video of Owen interviewing Mary Pope Osborne at the National Book Festival when he was 6! I shared it back then here.)

3. Also, speaking of wicked fun… the smash Broadway hit, Wicked, is coming to the Kennedy Center from December 8 to January 22! And right now you can find discounts on select seats through Goldstar.

4. Have you heard about Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience coming to the area in a couple of weeks? The outdoor light trail will immerse guests of all ages into the magical wizarding world from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Throughout the journey, guests will experience their favorite moments from the Forbidden Forest, encounter mystical creatures such as Hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, and Nifﬂers, and even have the opportunity to cast their own spells. The adventure will take place at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia from October 29 – January 29. Ticket prices start from $25 for children and $36 for adults. It’s selling out quickly — there are some remaining dates/times for November and December, but still plenty for January. This has holiday gift written all over it!

5. Have you been yet? 😉

Five Things: October 13, 2022

1. Do you know about Dumbarton Oaks Park in Georgetown? Not to be confused with Dumbarton Oaks Garden that I’ve written about and recommended a lot, the Park is a lovely little stretch of nature that is actually located right behind the gardens. I first wrote about the Park here a bunch of years ago… it’s part of Rock Creek Park and contains well maintained trails and features like footbridges, seating areas, and stone walls built into the landscape, kind of giving it all a fairytale feel. It’s a perfect place to go for a hike with young children — it’s not too big, the paths are flat and easy for little ones to navigate, and it’s right next to Montrose Park, where there’s a playground and lots of grassy space to run around — but all ages would enjoy a walk there. You can make a whole day of it in that tucked away area of the neighborhood and visit Dumbarton Oaks Park, Montrose Park, and Dumbarton Oaks Garden all in one great outing! The Park is open daily dawn to dusk, and admission is free. Access it near the intersection of R & 31st Streets NW. [Note that Dumbarton Oaks Garden is only open to the public Tuesday – Sunday, 2-6pm, and admission is $7 through October 31, then free through mid-March).

2. There have been some additions to the round-up of Halloween events around the area, including the haunted lab at the Children’s Science Center Lab, a special scavenger hunt at Meadowlark Botanic Garden, and a Halloween Party at the Parc at Tysons. Get all the details for these wicked fun ways to celebrate Halloween, plus many more, here.

3. Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater will be back in person soon after nearly two years! Their first show will be Seasons of Light, the annual holiday production that was a tradition for many pre-Covid. In case you’re not familiar with the venue, it’s located in the Smithsonian Ripley Center connected to the National Museum of Asian Art.

4. 13 family-friendly shows and movies perfect for Halloween.

5. And to balance it out: The scariest movies of all time. 😱