
Celebrate the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Freedom Sounds Festival

I would call this a big weekend for DC, as we welcome a new museum to the National Mall, host one of the most anticipated annual festivals for book lovers, celebrate the city’s theatre scene, and kick off the official start of fall with a bevy of seasonal fun. But big things always happen here, so it’s really just another (awesome) weekend in Washington. The great variety of fantastic, enriching events in this round-up is proof. Happy Weekend!
Freedom Sounds Festival
Where: Washington Monument Grounds
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this weekend, and while you can’t yet visit if you don’t have tickets, you can celebrate the Smithsonian’s newest addition at a big festival right outside the museum. There will be all kinds of festivities throughout the days — music and dance performances, storytelling, art activities, a drum circle, concessions, and more — and the official dedication ceremony will be on Saturday at 10am. Want some evening entertainment? There will be concerts both Friday and Saturday from 6-9pm. The Roots, Public Enemy, and Living Colour are among the performers.
National Book Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 10pm
Admission: Free
Bookworms, take note! One of DC’s biggest annual events is on Saturday. The Library of Congress National Book Festival will feature more than 120 authors, poets, and illustrators from every literary genre. Even better, they will all be there presenting book readings, talks, Q&A’s, book signings, and more. These will take place along with lots of other reading-related activities for all ages. For an idea of what to expect, see this post about one of our past experiences there.
Take the Fall
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Autumn has arrived, and there are tons of ways to celebrate the season, from city streets to country farms. The annual Barracks Row Fall Festival is back on 8th Street SE on Saturday. Ren Fest gets medieval every weekend through October. Cox, Great Country, Montpelier, Clark’s Elioak, and many more farms around the area are welcoming visitors for all kinds of autumn-inspired fun. Get details on all of these events in KFDC guide to Fall Festivals.
Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show
Where: Mill Street in Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Plan for a day of family fun as the streets of Occoquan come to life with beautiful art, live music, and great food! For the 47th year, the historic town will close its streets and host over 300 contemporary and country crafters and artisans from across the US. Find one-of-a-kind, hand crafted items galore. Located just 20 minutes south of Washington DC, but far from the hustle and bustle of a big city, exhibitors and shoppers alike will enjoy the small town oasis nestled along the Occoquan River.
Volunteer for Public Lands
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Celebrate and serve with Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on National Public Lands Day. Volunteer for the morning to help remove cut lotus from the ponds, clear invasive species from the forest, pick up litter, and complete other tasks around the park. After, stay for a free lunch in the picnic area. Individuals, groups, families, friends welcome — there is something for everyone! SSL credit can be earned. Sign up online here. And if you can’t make it this weekend, you can sign up for October 22 or November 12.
Museum Day Live
Where: Various museums
When: Saturday
Admission: FREE
There are some museums in the DC area that actually charge admission. But on Saturday, Smithsonian Magazine is hosting its annual Museum Day Live!, when those that require us to open our wallets to visit are free. Take advantage at the Newseum, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Koshland Science Museum, National Building Museum, Kreeger Museum, Dumbarton Oaks, and many more fantastic museums in the area. You do have to register and bring a ticket (that is good for admission for two people), but it’s all complimentary!
theatreWeek
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15-35
The theatre world’s version of Restaurant week celebrates the fun of going to the theatre by offering patrons tickets for less. Through October 2, you can see any of the participating shows for $15-35, giving you some kind of discount on the regular price — and several of this week’s Show Time recommendations (see below) are among them!
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* It’s opening weekend for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale at Adventure Theatre
* See (and smell?) Flowers Stink, a collaboration between the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Kennedy Center
* Watch Rapunzel let down her hair as The Puppet Co. presents the marionette version of the classic fairytale.
* And Teddy Bear’s Picnic is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* Catch the Shakepeare Theatre Company’s fantastic production of Romeo & Juliet (recommended for older children or make it a date night)
* Jungle Gym Jam & Friends featuring Marsha Goodman-Wood are playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java
* The Olney Theatre presents The Diary of Anne Frank
* The Little Foxes is coming to the Arena Stage (recommended for teens and up)
* Enjoy Pinkalicous the Musical at BlackRock Center for the Arts
Shop Local & Support a School
Where: Maury Elementary School
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but be ready to spend on awesome finds!
Bargain hunters take note: This is one Yard Sale you don’t want to miss — it’s always huge and excellent. Clothes, toys, bikes, books, baby gear, housewares, furniture, and much more fantastic stuff will be on sale for super cheap. Even better, all proceeds help support a DC public school. Maury Elementary is located at 1250 Constitution Ave. NE.
Teddy Bear Clinic
Where: National Museum of Health & Medicine
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Bring your favorite stuffed friend and explore the Teddy Bear Clinic with activities and crafts designed to highlight the body, physical fitness, and healthy habits. This program is recommended for children in PreK-2nd grade.
Fancy This
Where: Brookside Gardens
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $8/ages 13 and up, $5/3-12, free ages 0-2
It’s your last chance to walk amid the garden of butterflies at Brookside Garden’s amazing Wings of Fancy exhibit. The display featuring live butterflies and caterpillars from all over the world is sure to delight! Read about a KFDC experience at the exhibit. Plan to tour the rest of Brookside’s lovely grounds while you’re there and see if there are any other special kids’ programs to enjoy.
STEM Magic | Core Concept: OSIRIS-REx
Where: Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum for Making STEM Magic, a program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. During this session, learn about NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to land on an asteroid, take a sample, and bring it back home, then design your own sampling device!
Opera in the Outfield
Where: Nationals Park
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission: Free
How about opera where there’s usually baseball? The Washington National Opera presents Opera in the Outfield for the 8th year with a simulcast performance of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro on Saturday evening. The show starts at 7pm, but gates open at 5pm for “pregame” activities for the entire family, including a costume dress-up station, fun photo ops, arts & crafts, face painting, chances to win prizes, and more. Get there early for a seat on the field, otherwise there will be plenty of seating in the stands.
Veg Out
Where: Yards Park
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free
Bring the kids to the largest celebration of vegetarian and vegan living in the area. Now in its 9th year, DC VegFest is a full day of delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine, cooking demos, music, and more. A Kid’s Area will feature entertainment by Teatro de la Luna and Norm Hogeland, storytelling, an Ask-A-Vegan Parent Panel, kid-friendly cooking demos, and a child nutritionist. Attendees will enjoy free food samples along with tasty vegan cuisine from food vendors.
Leesburg Airshow
Where: Leesburg Executive Airport
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The 7th annual Leesburg Airshow will take to the skies with thrilling aerobatic demonstrations, sky divers, and more! Witness a showcase of impressive aircraft, classic cars, and a variety of exhibitors on the tarmac, food vendors, flight schools, and aviation clubs among them. Go here for directions and parking instructions.
Yoga on the Mall
Where: National Mall Sylvan Theatre
When: Sunday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Yogis of all ages are welcome to get on the mat for downward dogs and tree poses on the National Mall. Well known instructors will be leading a variety of classes, including meditation, a family fun session, and an acro-yoga demo. While admission is free, you should RSVP.
Then & Wow!
Where: Glen Echo Park
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This family festival is the Glen Echo Park Partnership’s annual celebration of the Park’s revitalization and recalling of its history. The event features kiddie rides and arcade games, as well as videos and an exhibition on the Park’s past. Take a ride on the historic Dentzel Carousel, get little faces painted, see vintage cars, and be wowed magic shows, too. Admission to the park is free, but rides and some activities require tickets.
Turkish Festival
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 12th-14th St.
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
You’ll be whirling like a dervish from all there is to enjoy at the Annual Turkish Festival on Sunday. Watch Turkish dance and stage performances, enjoy a Turkish coffee and tea and have and find out your destiny from the ever-popular Turkish fortune-tellers who read fortunes from coffee grinds, and sample Turkish cuisine from local restaurants. Shop an authentic Turkish bazaar featuring 25 vendors showcasing everything from Turkish jewelry to clothing to home accessories. And a “Kid’s Tent” will provide an interactive introduction to Turkey with hands-on activities for children of all ages.
Curse of the Boggin Book Reading
Where: Barnes & Noble Tysons
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Bring young readers to Barnes & Noble in Tysons Corner Center for a reading by acclaimed children’s author D.J. MacHake. He will read and sign copies of his newest book The Curse of the Boggin, the first in The Library Series about a mysterious library between dimensions and the incredible adventures of 13-year-old Marcus O’Mara and his friends. Mr. MacHale has also written several popular series including Pendragon, Morpheus Road and The SYLO Chronicles. Recommended for ages 8-12.
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
If you’re looking for activities outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Great Indoors
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids