The stage is set for Come From Away at the historic Ford’s Theatre
Are you and the kids ready to be entertained this fall? There’s a great line-up of shows and more coming to area venues this season that are sure to be big hits with young audiences. This list has details for all of them, plus any available ticket discounts. Happy Show Time!
Come From Away
Where: Ford’s Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through October 18
Admission: $25-95 (find discount)
On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Come From Away returns to the historic Ford’s Theatre stage, telling the heart-warming true story of how a small Canadian town cared for 6,579 airline passengers stranded there on 9/11. When 38 planes were diverted to its doorstep, the town of Gander doubled in size, playing host to an international community of strangers and offering food, shelter and friendship. Recommended for ages 10+. (Recently saw this, and it was wonderful!)
The Fruits of Our Labor
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through November 1
Tickets: $57-117 (find discount)
In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, Step Afrika! premieres The Fruits of Our Labor, a powerful new production exploring rhythm, resilience, and the unfinished story of the American experience. Blending stepping, percussion, and striking visual imagery, this visceral new dance piece examines what it means to believe in a nation still in the making, asking “What have we inherited and what are we still fighting to become?”
Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Most Saturdays & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $10
This sweet series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). Shows are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom the Musical
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: September 23 – October 18
Tickets: $16-52 (find discount)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical bursts onto the stage in a bright, musical, and joy-filled celebration of letters, words, and imagination that will captivate kids and adults alike. With infectious rhythms, dazzling puppets, lively dancing, and playful audience interaction, this high-energy production transforms the beloved story into a whirlwind of color, creativity, and fun. Recommended for ages 3-9.
Washington Capitals
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Starting September 25
Tickets: Varies (find discounts)
See some live entertainment, sports-style! The Washington Capitals’ first face off is September 21, and while thats on the road, there are plenty of home games to catch throughout the season. Check for discount tickets here.
Dirty Dancing
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: September 29 – October 4
Tickets: $99+
Get ready to have the time of your life! Based on the beloved film, the story that awakened a generation is back in a new stage production. Dirty Dancing: The Musical is the feel-good escape you’ve been craving, alive with the pulse of electrified dancing, the thrill of secret encounters, and the allure of forbidden romance. Set to live music from the original film you love, Baby and Johnny bring to life the summer that changed everything. Your reservation at Kellerman’s awaits! Recommended for ages 12+.
Nat Geo Live: Battling Bloodsuckers
Where: National Geographic Museum | Downtown DC
When: October 1
Tickets: $30
Throughout human history, bloodsuckers have sparked fear, but there’s a reason so many animals rely on the blood of other species. Epidemiologist and National Geographic Explorer Ryan Carney reveals the incredible stories of bats, mosquitoes, and more of nature’s vampires. We go on assignment to find out how these animals inspire his sci-fi approach to understanding infectious diseases, and explore how Al and citizen science are helping to unlock a new era of human health. Recommended for ages 8+.
Beatrice Likes the Dark
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: October 2 – November 1
Tickets: $27 (find discount)
This production blends magic, music, shadow play, and heartfelt storytelling in a celebration of curiosity, courage, and connection. When Beatrice casts a spell for endless darkness, she discovers that even the things we fear most can become beautiful when brought into the light. Overflowing with wonder, humor, and theatrical ingenuity, Beatrice Likes the Dark is a luminous reminder that families — and communities — shine brightest when every voice belongs. Recommended for ages 4+.
Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: October 3 – November 3
Tickets: $18-33
When Jennie receives a Halloween card that calls her a scary cat, she feels like she’s been put in a box. Does she have to be scary? Join Jennie as she meets new friends with some spectacular tricks and treats to share, like skateboarding, shadow puppetry, and pumpkin carving. Who will Jennie choose to be? Recommended for ages 4+.
Olivia Rodrigo
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: October 3-4
Tickets: Resale ticket prices vary
Pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo will be here for two nights with a show that is sure to be high-energy and packed with all her hits. It’s one of the biggest shows coming to DC this fall, and tickets sold out quickly, but you can get resale seats for a splurge.
Maybe Happy Ending
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 6-11
Tickets: $87+
We saw this show in NYC earlier this year and it’s fantastic! Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), Maybe Happy Ending has been called “one of the best musicals in years” (USA Today) and even “The best musical in eons!” (Observer). Don’t miss the totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they’re not. Recommended for ages 8+.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: October 7 – November 1
Tickets: $54-101 (find discount)
Synetic Theatre bring this production to the Olney Stage… In the haunted village of Sleepy Hollow, the past refuses to stay buried. Years after a brutal Revolutionary War encounter leaves a Hessian soldier beheaded and his beloved horse slain, the fallen rider returns as the legendary Headless Horseman—an apparition stalking the shadowed forests in search of what was taken from him. Inspired by Washington Irving’s classic tale, Sleepy Hollow reimagines the familiar legend as a haunting story of love, guilt, revenge, and redemption. Blending supernatural horror with theatrical spectacle, it asks whether the true monsters are the spirits who haunt us—or the deeds we would rather forget. Recommended for ages 13+.
Frida: A Self Portrait
Where: Klein Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: October 8 – November 8
Tickets: $43-130 (find discount)
On the eve of Frida Kahlo’s death, the pain and passion of an extraordinary life are laid bare. Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo cracks open a powerful portal between herself and the celebrated Mexican painter, bringing breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this portrait of one of the world’s most iconic artists. Recommended for ages 12+.
Monsters of the Villa Diadati
Where: Creative Cauldron | Arlington, VA
When: October 8 – November 1
Tickets: $20/student, $40-50/adult
While a storm was brewing outside their villa on Lake Geneva, the famous writers inside entertained one another with ghost stories. Lord Byron, their host, offered a challenge: produce the perfect tale of terror before the night ends. Conner and Smith’s electrifying musical first premiered in 2016 to critical acclaim. Monsters explores the nature of creativity itself, and reveals to us the inner demons that materialized in two of the most iconic monsters in Gothic literature: John Polidori’s The Vampyre and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Recommended for teens and older.
Disney on Ice: Spotlight Magic!
Where: EagleBank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: October 8-10
Tickets: $29+
Lights. Camera. Magic! Step into the spotlight as Mickey and his friends welcome you to a star-studded gala experience. All on ice skates!
Saturday Morning Live: Rompe Cajón
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 10 & 24
Tickets: FREE!
At National Theatre’s free program that presents shows for children on select Saturday mornings, join Rompe Cajón in exploring the African roots of Peruvian culture! This interactive program will include live performances of traditional music and dance, including Peruvian tap-dancing. Audience members will have the opportunity to play Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments, sing songs, and learn dance steps. Pre-register through the link!
Washington Wizards
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Starting October 10
Tickets: Varies (find discounts)
The Wizards’ season begins in October, and there are plenty of games though the fall to see some exciting basketball action. Single game tickets aren’t yet available, but check for them soon — and check here for possible discounts.
Elmo’s Got the Moves
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 13
Tickets: $38+
This exciting show will have kids and parents alike out of their seats and moving and dancing along with Elmo and his Sesame Street friends as they dance, stretch, and play along to fan-favorite songs. Discover fun and playful ways to move — from yoga and jumping rope to cartwheeling and silly dance moves — all in a welcoming environment that brings the magic of Sesame Street from the screen to the stage.
Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: October 15, 7:30pm
Tickets: $28 – $78
Hailed as one of the world’s leading contemporary circus companies, Gravity & Other Myths reveals the grit, grace, and trust required to defy gravity. Featuring stripped-down staging, the Australian ensemble centers its work on astonishing acrobatics and the human connection behind each movement. In Ten Thousand Hours, the company examines the discipline required for mastery. Built on years of sweat and relentless refinement, the program highlights the strength, timing, and collective effort that makes such precision possible.
Hansel & Gretel
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: October 16-25
Tickets: $13/child, $16/adult
Get lost in a forest full of adventure! When Hansel and Gretel wander into the woods, they meet a cast of quirky creatures, from a fiery troll and clever owl to mischievous hobgoblins, all working for a delightfully wicked witch. After Hansel is captured and tempted with endless cake, Gretel must use her courage and quick thinking to save her brother. Filled with laughter, imagination, and larger-than-life characters, Hansel & Gretel is a magical family adventure brought to life by young performers, for audiences of all ages.
Mamma Mia!
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 27 – November 15
Tickets: $75+
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. Recommended for ages 6+.
Les Misérables
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: October 30 – January 31
Tickets: $54-101 (find discount)
Based on Victor Hugo’s sweeping 19th-century novel of redemption, revolution, and love, the songs of Les Miz conquered Broadway in the 1980s and continue to resonate in this third decade of the 21st Century. Follow Jean-Valjean from his beginnings as convict #24601 to life in hiding, to protector of Cosette, pursued all the while by the relentless Javert, culminating in the revolutionary passions of the 1832 Paris uprising. Join us at the barricade this holiday season, and be stirred by a musical unmatched by its lyrical humor, its calls for justice, and its portrayal of the sacrifices one can make in the name of love. Recommended for ages 10+.
Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly!
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 27-29
Tickets: $3-9
Join wacky citizen-scientist Professor Wingnut and his friend Seymour Seagull as they explore the amazing science of flight! From birds to airplanes, this pair loves all things airborne and are in pursuit of the secret to what makes them fly. Songs, science, and a flight-tastic dance party take off in this uplifting adventure. After the show, visit the newly renovated National Air and Space Museum with your pilots in training. Recommended for ages 3-8.
Dance Stories with Kalanidhi Dance
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 5-6
Tickets: $3-9
Kalanidhi Dance leads an exciting Asian adventure through the South Indian classical dance form of Kuchipudi. Discover how dancers use rhythms, hand gestures, and facial expressions to tell stories and watch as the Fable of the Monkey and the Crocodile comes to life through movement in this entertaining and very interactive show. Recommended for ages 5+.
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Where: Creative Cauldron | Arlington, VA
When: November 6-22
Tickets: $18/student, $20/adult
A vain Emperor almost bankrupts his kingdom by feeding his obsession for lavish clothes. When some rogues disguised as weavers offer to supply the king with a magnificent wardrobe the King is intrigued. Their beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, they state, are invisible only to those who are either incompetent or stupid. The King and his entire court pretend to see the non-existent clothes to avoid looking foolish until an innocent child steps up to proclaim the real truth. This humor-filled, Spanish infused Learning Theater production, reminds us that one should never pretend to believe something just to follow the crowd and… it takes courage to speak the truth. Recommended for all ages.
Are there any shows you’re excited to see this fall that you don’t see listed here? Let us know in the comments!
