Tag Archives: Cherry Blossom Events

April 12, 2018 · 10:49 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: April 13-15

See DC VIPs at the Cherry blossom parade

It finally looks and feels like spring, and you’ve got your pick of ways to savor it over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Ave, 7th – 17th St. NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The annual parade just may be the pinnacle of cherry blossom season. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the spectacle of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers travel down the street. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially on a pretty spring day.

Sakura Matsuri
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-7th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 6pm
Admission: $10/ages 13+, free/12 & under
Following the Cherry Blossom parade, head over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. There will be live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.

Bluebells at the Bend
Where: Riverbend Park | Great Falls, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $7/advance, $9/at event
The cherry blossoms aren’t the only pretty flowers to enjoy around the area. Celebrate the Virginia Bluebells as they blanket the banks of the Potomac River at Riverbend Park. Bring the whole family for fun including games, music, wildflower walks, puppet shows, wagon rides, live animals, and more. Read more about Riverbend in this KFDC post. And to see what else is going on at other Fairfax County Parks, go here.

10th Anniversary Celebration
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill,MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free (some activities require fees)
National Harbor has been around 10 years, and they’re celebrating with a weekend of fun festivities! It kicks off on Saturday morning with a Potomac River Cleanup (8am – 12pm). On Saturday, there will be free carousel rides, a Beer Garden, a ticketed kid’s silent disco, an adult silent disco, and fireworks. Sunday features free Capital Wheel rides, a kids’ corner, a community parade, and live music. See the schedule and more details here.

Cherokee Days
Where: National Museum of the America Indian | National Mall
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Cherokee culture at the fifth annual Cherokee Days. The festival showcases the shared history and cultural lifeways of three Cherokee tribes with an exhibition, storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, and dance performances.

Living Through the Ages
Where: Patuxent River Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm
Admission: Free
See, touch, feel and participate in two millennia of history, as hundreds of reenactors portray 2,000 years of the past in one weekend! Roman Legionaries, Charlemagne’s Army, ancient Irish warriors; 15th century English knights; 16th century German mercenaries; 17th century English Civil War soldiers; 18th century Highland Jacobites, American Rev War, Napoleonic forces; 19th century marines and militia from the War of 1812, American Civil War and British soldiers from the far flung Victorian Empire; 20th century combatants from WWI, WWII, Palestine, and Vietnam. Discover the soldiers’ lives and that of the civilians who followed their warriors. This year there are 35 camps of living historians to portray and demonstrate the real history!

Celebrate Central Asia
Where: The Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum to celebrate the art and cultures of Central Asia. Enjoy performances by the Silk Road Dance Company featuring traditional dances from Uzbekistan, beautiful costumes, and an appearance by the ikat dragon. Try your hand at watercolor painting, and create your own Ikat designs with paper. Take the opportunity to visit our galleries to see colorful Ikat fabrics in the exhibition Binding the Clouds: The Art of Central Asian Ikat. It’s a great opportunity for all ages to enjoy a museum that’s usually a bit sophisticated for young children.

Dog Days Bloom Fest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $8-10
This adventure for dogs and their people has something for every member of the family, but canines especially will have a blast at the festivities. Bring your 4-legged friend for a day of fun on the farm with a Frisbee competition, obstacle course, tips, and training. Plus, enjoy Bluemont Wine and Dirt Farm Brews at the event this season. And the rest of the farm, which is essentially a sprawling playground, is open for all to enjoy. Explore the many acres, and opt for a wagon ride to see the orchards and farm in bloom!

DC Emancipation Day Celebration
Where: Pennsylvania Ave., 10th-14th St. | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 2-8:30pm
Admission: Free
On April 16, 1862, the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ended slavery in Washington, DC, freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them, and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. Join Mayor Bowser to commemorate the day at the 2018 DC Emancipation Day celebration with a parade, concert, and fireworks.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for InterAct Story Theatre’s The Town That Cried Avalanche, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* LOL at a Potted Potter performance at Sidney Harman Hall. (Read a past review here.)
* It’s opening weekend for Robin Hood at Imagination Stage
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Jellybean Circus is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday
* Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart at Eagle Bank Arena
* Snow Child is the newest production at Arena Stage
* Kids musician Matt Heaton is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java

Spring Open House
Where: My Gym Potomac & Bethesda | Potomac & Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Check out My Gym’s facilities and learn about their programs as you enjoy fun and games — at both the Bethesda and Potomac locations! Expect lots of play time, plus get great discounts on spring classes, summer camps, and parties!From 12-1pm, tackle the Ninja Warrior obstacle courses (best for ages 3-10) and have free pizza. From 1-3pm, there will be free face painting and fun for all ages. Grown-ups wear socks, please!

Nats vs. Rockies
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Root for the home team as the Nats host the Rockies this weekend. Be sure to check out special promos — Friday is the Sean Doolittle Bobhead giveaway (first 25,000 fans), and Sunday is Jackie Robinson and Black Heritage Day, not to mention little fans can run the bases after the game. Don’t forget to sign up ages 4-12 for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club, and check these tips on how to save at the ballpark.

Anniversary Celebration
Where: Dumbarton Oaks Park | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Join the 77th anniversary celebration of Dumbarton Oaks Park. There are volunteer clean-up opportunities in the morning, and the afternoon will feature even more, including children’s activities, interactive exhibits, strolling tours, art in the park, and music. Enter at the top of Lover’s Lane near 3060 R Street NW. (Note: This is not the Dumbarton Gardens; the park is located just behind them.)

Light City
Where: Inner Harbor | Baltimore, MD
When: Through April 21
Admission: Free
See Baltimore transformed with large-scale light installations, performances, music, and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area. Light City’s innovation programming generates an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day – while lights, performances, and live music re-imagine Baltimore at night.

Herring Heroes
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Every April, the mighty herring make their way upstream to lay their eggs—and swim up a “fish ladder” beside Peirce Mill. Come learn about the herring run, and test your stamina in a special obstacle course for young children. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.

Model Trains and Thomas
Where: Historic Depot of the W&OD Railroad | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations welcome)
Take a trip down to Vienna to visit the Historic Vienna Train Station, where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s great family activity for the young and young at heart! The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna.

DC Youth Orchestra Open House
Where: Eastern High School | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The DC Youth Orchestra Program will open its doors to the public with a day of free musical events for the entire family. Prospective young musicians (ages 4-18) can try out orchestral instruments in musical instrument petting zoos. At 12:30pm, the Youth Orchestra will give a pop-up concert, and at 3:30pm, the String Queens, a classically trained trio including DCYOP alumna and conductor Elise Cuffy, will perform pop, gospel, jazz, and R&B arrangements. Between the concerts will be a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, as well as a string instrument care workshop, chamber music performances, yoga classes with One Breath at a Time, and face painting. Food trucks and other vendors will also be at the event.

The Great British Fly-In
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
The British are coming to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center! Join the Air & Space Museum to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest air force in the world — Great Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) — with a fly-in, presentations, and hands-on activities.

To Hill Tobacco
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3/child
Help the colonial farm family and neighbors prepare the fields for this season’s crop. Tobacco was used as currency or commodity money in 18th century Virginia and vital to sustain the Claude Moore Colonial Farm family. Weather permitting — call ahead.

Discovery Day
Where: Green Acres School | North Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Discover progressive education at its best at our experiential open house for parents and students. Tour Green Acre’s 15-acre campus, meet teachers, parents, students and staff, and find out how they learn through teacher-led activities and lessons. Registration is required to attend. To reserve your space, please email admission@greenacres.org.

Anacostia River Festival
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Anacostia Park and the Year of the Anacostia! Festival-goers will enjoy canoeing, fishing lessons, boating, lawn games and more. The festival will feature a community bike parade, special live performance of The Wiz, family friendly arts and crafts, storytelling, and live music and performances. Line up by the bike valet at 2:30pm to join a 3pm bike parade. River activities will be first-come, first-serve, sign up at tent #1.

Ikebana
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: April 15, 1-2pm
Admission: $10
Children can learn the centuries-old tradition of Japanese flower arranging at an ikebana workshop at the National Arboretum. The hour-long workshop is for children ages 10-13. You can also visit an ikebana demonstration and see the Ikebana International exhibit at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum Exhibits Gallery. Registration required.

A Wild Symphony
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Admission: Free, but passes required
Enjoy a free family concert by members of the National Symphony Orchestra at the Zoo on Sunday. This animal-themed show features engaging and fun musical performances for all ages. Following both concerts, there will be an “instrument petting zoo” where visitors can learn about and interact with a variety of musical instruments. Same-day passes are free, but required for entry and will be distributed beginning at 11am for both concerts. Passes are not needed for the instrument petting zoo.

A Family Celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut
Where: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 10:30am – 12pm
Admission: $15
Join the DCJCC as they celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday by recognizing the range and diversity of its people and landscape. Through reading and activities, we’ll bring to life the charming and colorful world created by author Leslie Kimmelman in her book Everybody Says Shalom. This program is best for ages 3-7, but the whole family is welcome! Cost is $15/family. Register here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* You have a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to see Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre.
* There is also an opportunity to win a Day Out with Thomas at the B&O Railroad Museum.
* Pearachute is a great way to check out kids classes and events with committing to a full session, plus you can save on costs!
* This coming week Bright Horizons is hosting Open Houses at all of their Early Childhood Education Centers around the area!
* Watson Adventures’ next Wizard School Scavenger Hunt for Harry Potter Fans is on May 13 (Mother’s Day!), and these always sell out, so book soon — and read more about it here.
* This article is a must-read if you want to know more about what Facebook has on you. (Warning: It’s kind of creepy.)

The Weekend Round-Up: April 6-8

Peep the peak

So, winter is starting to feel like those last party guests who are too trashed to realize that everyone else left like two hours ago (totally guilty of that, btw). But in an attempt to stay positive despite the crummy forecast: 1) I bet the cherry blossoms look beautiful in the snow. 2) We’ll appreciate the nice weather that much more when we finally get it. 3) There are a bunch of great indoor events going on this weekend that we might otherwise overlook on a pretty spring day. 🙂 Happy Weekend!

(PS: Be sure to check that events are still on, especially if they’re outdoors, on Saturday!)

Peak Time
Where: Tidal Basin & Washington Monument, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
I’ve been by the Tidal Basin, and the predictions are correct: The cherry blossoms are peaking this weekend. The Saturday forecast (snow?!) might not make for the best viewing conditions, but Friday and Sunday will be better. Expect crowds and be prepared — this post has tips for families viewing the blossoms.

Garden Party
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Who cares what the weather is like outside when thee’s a Garden Party indoors? Join the Postal Museum for one and enjoy all kinds of hands-on activities. Learn about the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp design process, gardens, and the Greater DC area’s native flowers and plants. All of it is designed to create awareness and appreciation of the beauty around you.

USA Science & Engineering Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
If your child has any inkling of interest in science and engineering, likes to do hands-on experiments, see fascinating live demos, or talk first-hand with the experts, then chances are very good that they will dig this event. (And so will you, parents.) Over 3,000 interactive exhibits and 30 stage shows will highlight all kinds of science-related topics in fun, engaging, exciting ways.

Nats Are Back!
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 1:05pm & Sunday, 8:08pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Baseball season has begun, and the Nats are playing their first weekend at home, hosting the Mets. Sunday is Pups in the Park, so yu can bring along Fido with the purchase of a special ticket. And before you go to any games, be sure to check out these KFDC tips for doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.

Jazz Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Jam at SAAM during Jazz Appreciation Month! The museum is celebrating jazz’s influence on artists with activities and performances for all ages. Improvise with your own jazz-themed crafts, complete a swinging scavenger hunt, and bop to jazz performances throughout the day. Read more about the museum and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

Japanese Culture Day
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get an introduction to Japanese culture at day full of hands-on activities in th eyoung Readers Center! Create origami artwork, try on kimonos, make tiaras with Cherry Blossom princesses, and more. At 11am and 1:30pm, Tad Hills, a New York-based children’s book author and illustrator, will read his books, do a book signing, and give a demonstration of his illustration technique. At 12:15pm, the Japan-America Society of Washington, DC, will present “Japan-In-A-Suitcase,” a program about Japanese life and culture. While you’re there, check out the Spring Fling, pop-up exhibition at the Library of Congress explores the sights, sounds, and smells of the spring season through treasures from the Library’s vast collection items. Read a KFDC write-up about the LOC.

Shake Up Your Saturday
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free, but registration required
Join the Folger’s family program that takes place the first Saturday of every month. Kids can try their hand at stage fighting in this “Will You Walk?” session. Ages 5-7 go at 10-11am, and ages 8-14 at 11am – 12pm. Go here to sign up. And be sure to read more about the Folger Shakespeare library in this KFDC post.

Open Studio: Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with the Freer|Sackler! Take a family-friendly tour and learn about nature in Japanese art (10:30 am). Then, continue to explore the Freer for pop-up art-making activities and artist demonstrations inspired by the spring season. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Free Soccer League!
Where: Walter Pierce Park | Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Join the Volo City Kids Foundation on Saturday as they begin their free soccer program for kids ages 6-12. No previous experience necessary, and all materials, including a t-shirt for practices, will be included along with healthy snacks and drinks. The league will run for 6 weeks at Walter Pierce Park, located at 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW #208 in Adams Morgan and. Register your child here.

Potted Potter
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: April 3-15
Tickets: $59-95 (look for a discount)
Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic! Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for Theatreworks USA’s Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at Imagination Stage
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Jellybean Circus is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday

Cherry Blossom Kids
Where: Room and Board | 14th Street NW
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join Room and Board for a morning of creative activities celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Japanese culture. Kids of all ages can make candy sushi, listen to story time, and have an anime caricature drawn of them. Parents are invited to enjoy beverages from a special tea station.

Children’s Art Workshop & Storytime
Where: House of Sweden | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Swedish artist Karin Lithell will lead children ages 3-10 in expressing themselves through art! Attendees are set up with everything they need to participate free of charge and are able to paint on their own easels for the day. Also, plan on hanging out in Room for Children, a library and arts studio for families, and staying for storytime at 2pm.

TechQuest: Race to the Moon
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join this free alternate reality game at the Chantilly arm of Air & Space. Set in the thrilling era of early spaceflight, the game explores the exciting race to space by the first American astronauts. Your mission in this installment: Develop a rocket to launch into space, travel over 200,000 miles to the Moon, and land safely. It’s 1969 and national pride and prestige are on the line. The U.S. is in a tight race with the Soviet Union to see who can be the first to land humans on the Moon and return them safely to Earth. NASA needs engineers and scientists with real problem-solving skills.

Fairies in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Friday/Saturday/Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/child
Annmarie’s magicalicious exhibit of fairy and gnome houses opens this weekend. As if the sculpture garden near Solomons, MD, wasn’t already wonderful, this annual display adds extra delight to a visit there with more than 50 handmade fairy and gnome homes scattered through the grounds. Visit the Arts Building to borrow a costume (or purchase one in the Gift Shop) to get into the fanciful spirit, grab a guide, and start your journey to locate them all. Read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

Weekend Walk-In: Cosmic Egg
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5
Join the museum for a hands-on, drop-in, art-making workshop in the AVAM classroom! Their Education staff will help you make your own mini version of artist Andrew Logan’s Cosmic Galaxy Egg sculpture with a special clay-like material and sparkly bits! Supplies & boundless inspiration provided.

Root (root, root) for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats aren’t the only baseball team in town. The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Harrisburg Senators all weekend, and there’s extra fun and special promos to enjoy, too — giveaways, a visit from the Easter Bunny, a pony and petting zoo, and more. Plus, there are always fun and games especially for kids. Read more about Baysox games in this KFDC post.

Street Fest
Where: Union Market District | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Union Market District is kicking off spring with a street fest! Join and hang with the diverse collection of businesses, both old and new, that call the area home.The day will include, food and fun, creativity and community, and lots of live entertainment. This includes activates for kids! Go here for more details about the day.

Petalpalooza
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-9:30pm
Admission: Free
Formerly known as the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival, Petalpalooza will include interactive art installations, larger-than-life games and activities, live music on three outdoor stages, a roller rink, a beer garden, a spectacular fireworks show by Pyrotecnico, and much more along the piers of the Southwest Waterfront, the “home of the cherry blossoms.”

Lattes with Lambs
Where: Piskatoway Park | Accokeek , MD
When: Saturday, 10am-2pm
Admission: $10/adults, $5/kids & members
The baby lambs at Accokeek are excited to meet you! Spend your Saturday with the newest additions to our barnyard while enjoying coffee and donuts. Bring the whole family to enjoy other activities on our farm including sheep shearing, wool crafting, face painting, and kids games. Plus – everyone’s favorite lamb, Nigel, will have a special announcement! Most activities are included in the price of ticket. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Opening Day for Trails
Where: Trails around the DMV
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
It’s Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s sixth annual Opening Day for Trails, when people across the nation will kick off the spring trail season by hitting their favorite trails for a walk, run, ride or special event. In the DC area, you can join the official Opening Day 5K, a free, family-friendly event in Arlington. In addition to walking or running the 3.1 miles on theW&OD Trail and Four Mile Run Trail in Bluemont Park, you can also enjoy giveaways, food, and entertainment — including live music from the Capitol Hillbillies!

Poe Show
Where: Walls of Books | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 11am
Admission: Free, but donations welcome
Walls of Books is freeing their space up for an hour or so and turning it into a neighborhood theatre. Pocket Change Theatre Company will present “Once Upon a Midnight Cheery,” a family-friendly performance in which Edgar Allan Poe is trying to write a spooky story and keeps receiving happy suggestions from his cheerful pet raven.

STORYTIME: A Trip to the Hirshhorn
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am
Admission: Free
STORYTIME explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Museum staff will read aloud a book, introduce children to an artist in the collection, and lead a hands-on activity. Nursing moms welcome, and stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn lobby. Note that snacks are not allowed inside the Museum, but you can eat outside on our Plaza before or after the program.

Bubble Guppies Live!
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 2pm & 6pm
Tickets: $29-59
What time is it? It’s time for Bubble Guppies! Jump into a bubbly world of learning and laughter with Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies Live! – “Ready to Rock.” Put on your water-wings and dive in to a swimsational musical underwater adventure! The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock n’ roll with everyone’s favorite tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on! With help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on a musical expedition as they search every corner of their bubbly world for their friend!

Cathay’s Connected World
Where: Washington Cathay Future Center | Rockville,MD
When: Sunday, 3-6pm
Admission: Free
The DMV community is invited join this free arts and cultural activities fair and community service event. It will feature, interactive educational stations, demonstration lessons from center instructors, live performances from celebrated cultural artists, community centered art projects, and more.

Lantern Lighting & Cherry Blossom Princesses
Where: Tidal Basin | Southwest, DC
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission: Free
Cherry Blossom Princesses dressed in their pink kimonos will light 8.5-foot-tall Japanese stone lantern at the Tidal Basin as part of a truly spectacular celebration of the festival and the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* DC Public Library is now offering library card holders access to Kanopy, a film streaming service with more than 30,000 titles — for free!
* Warm weather is right around the corner, so this post about the best outdoor spots in the area will be a good one to keep on hand.
* A few weeks ago I mentioned wanting to read this book…I finally did, and it’s riveting. Highly recommend!
* Who can (or should that be can’t) relate to this? (Thanks to Darcy of No Monsters for sharing it!)

The Weekend Round-Up: March 30 – April 1

Pop culture overload (in the best way possible) at Awesome Con!

It’s going to be an awesome weekend, and not just because a certain annual convention is in town (though that is reason enough). Easter celebrations, cherry blossom-inspired fun, live entertainment, art adventures, and outdoor pursuits are some of the other awesome ways to enjoy the next few days. Happy Weekend!

Awesome Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Square, DC
Whne: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $40/day, $10/10 & under (*discount below)
The mid-Atlantic’s premier pop culture convention brings a three-day celebration of television, movies, comic books, science, technology and more to DC. With hundreds of hours of programming, an impressive lineup of special guests, and exciting activities for fans of all ages, this is one fun event. We went last year and had a blast checking out games, toys, comics, art, tv and movie memorabilia, and more. And the cosplay is fantastic. Costumes encouraged. *Groupon has kids tickets for $3.75, and Certifikid is offering family admission for $55!

Go Fly a Kite!
Where: Washington Monument Grounds | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
The Blossom Kite Festival is a favorite of the blossom season. The sight of thousands of kites in all colors, shapes, and sizes soaring around the Washington Monument is truly a sight to behold. The sails you see flying at the Festival each spring range from simple to pretty darn creative. Dragons, sharks, butterflies, giant soccer balls, even some that look like big, beautiful origami works way outnumber your basic diamond. And anyone can go fly their kites, so BYO or make one there at an activity station. There’s a competition aspect to the event, too; expert kite enthusiasts will wow crowds with cool stunts, and prizes will be awarded to winners of various categories such as most beautiful, funniest, and aerodynamics.

Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It’s supposed to feel like spring for at least one day this weekend. Get out and enjoy the first flowers on a hike, in a garden, exploring a park or historical site, or playing a sport. This post has tons of recommendations for great places to hang outside.

Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $7-9/child
Stomp over to Hidden Oaks, where children ages 2-8 can enjoy a dinosaur-themed program and outdoor egg hunt while visiting dinoland in Nature Playce and make a dino craft. Pre-registration is required. Programs run several times throughout the day for 45-minute sessions. Canceled if there is rain.

Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarkesville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $6
Little ones (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs throughout the day at this Maryland Farm that looks like something out of a story book! After hunting, they get to turn the eggs in for a goodie bag. The petting farm, rides, and play areas will be open for all to enjoy, too, along with gem mining and geode cracking. Be sure to take a look at the website for a heads-up on how the egg hunts will run, so you can make the most of your day there. Read more about Clarks Elioak in the KFDC post about the best outdoor places in the area.

Easter Treasure Hunt
Where: Mansion on O Street | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $28
Don your favorite Easter bonnet and celebrate spring with a fun filled treasure hunt at The Mansion on O! Search for special Easter & spring themed items found only at The Mansion. Prizes for best Easter bonnet and decorated egg contest — bring your decorated egg with you to enter. Hurry! This hunt hops away after Easter Sunday. Read more about this wonderfully unique place and get a glimpse in this KFDC post.

More Egg-Cellent Celebrations
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by event
Egg hunts, bunny visits, and more spring fun to celebrate Easter and the season are happening all around the area. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs for your whole gang. Enjoy loads of festivities at Ticonderoga Farm or Butler’s Orchard. Find a great nature-themed activity at NoVa Parks. Take a special Bunny Train Ride. Fill a basket at an Eggstravagnza. Or find another egg-cellent event where you can celebrate here.

Burning Man Comes to DC
Where: Renwick Gallery | Downtown DC
When: Opens Friday
Admission: Free
If, like us, you’ve tried to go to the Renwick recently only to find it closed for renovations, this is why. The museum was preparing for No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, an exhibit that is taking over the entire Renwick Gallery building, “bringing alive the maker culture of Burning Man through artworks, immersive installations, jewelry, costumes, and more.” And it doesn’t end there — an outdoor extension of the exhibition, No Spectators: Beyond the Renwick, will showcase sculptures from Burning Man throughout the surrounding neighborhood, too. (Anyone else thinking the next Wonder?!)

Growing Community
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
All ages can drop in to explore how nature can be intentionally integrated into and around built spaces to help promote community and encourage civic engagement. Work with friends and family to design and build a large scale model of your own green space inspired by a park in your neighborhood or one you would like to see added to your community. Find out more about the importance of green space in urban areas during Ten (minute) Talks and a spring-inspired story time.

Dueling Pianos, Family-Style
Where: Bobby McKeys | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 12:30-2pm
Admission: $20
The whole family can enjoy an afternoon of fun at one of Bobby McKey’s dueling piano shows. It’s two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet, that’s sure to make everyone happy. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats and dance in the aisles! Plan on more fun at National Harbor while you’re there.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is still on stage at Adventure Theatre
* The Big Apple Circus is in town for one final weekend
* The Kennedy Center presents Waves, all that Glows Sees
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at Imagination Stage
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Bunny Business is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday

DC by Foot
Where: Various locations around DC & VA
When: Ongoing
Admission: Name your own price!
The tour company is celebrating the season (and the warm weather on Saturday) by adding some extra offerings this weekend. DC by Foot has a variety of walking tour options throughout the area, the National Mall tour said to be most appealing for kids. Along with learning about the history of the sites, guests can also enjoy scavenger hunts and trivia. And tours are name-your-own-price, so you pay at the end what you think the tour was worth.

Cherry Blossom Day at the Lab
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: $13
Fuse science and cherry blossoms and fun at the Lab! Visitors will create their own unique representation of a cherry blossom. Learn and grow crystals, explore the world of chemical reactions, solubility, and become chemists. Design your own cherry blossom petal, flower, or tree to take home and celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival. Read more about the Children’s Science Center Lab in this KFDC post.

Paints, Pigments, Brushes: All about Japanese Painting
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Enter the world of traditional Japanese painting, or nihonga, in this drop-in Open Studio workshop celebrating the National Cherry Blossom Festival. View a display of colorful pigments and brushes, and try making your own painting alongside visiting Japanese artists Ideguchi Yuki and Iwaizumi Kei. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Complimentary Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is free! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. Currently on view is Women House, which recasts conventional ideas about the home through provocative photographs, videos, sculptures, and room-like installations.

Isle of Dogs
Where: Movie theaters around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by theater
If you’re looking for a family flick to see this weekend, this apparently is the one. I haven’t seen it yet, but my kids have and both looooved it, Sasha claiming it to be her favorite movie ever. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy and an army of banished dogs who help him find his pet on a garbage dump island. Just the fact that it’s from Wes Anderson makes it a must-see (imo, anyway).

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Dr. Derek Blank from DC Pediatric Smiles contributed a very informative post about children’s dental care (there’s also a GIVEAWAY for a $100 Whole Foods gift card!).
* Starting this Wednesday, April 4, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will have the first of four no-pass-required days (Wednesdays during April).
* It’s almost time paddling time! Get details on the many places where you can go with the flow around DC.
* A friend of mine recapped the March for Our Lives in this brilliant essay that perfectly describes what the movement ignited by the Parkland kids is all about.