There are plenty of great ways to celebrate the weekend’s honorees — summer activities, fun on the farm, World Cup viewing, minor league ball, and much more. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, then check out the list of outdoor ideas — you can plan a great day for Dad and enjoy the superb weather on the way. Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Father’s Day at Mount Vernon
Where: Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
When: Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Admission: $17/adult, $8/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under
Spend the day with the Father of our Country! This weekend, guests can enjoy a meet-and-greet and photo ops with “General Washington” as well as a special “Father to the First Family” program. After, head to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South – entrance is included in admission to Mount Vernon.
Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Seize the season with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of several series in the area. Go berry picking. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more.
Father’s Day Fish-a-Rama Competition
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $8/child, $10/adult
Dads, friends, and families are invited to learn and be challenged at the annual Father’s Day Fish-a-Rama Competition on Sunday. Fishing by celeb Bryan Kelly of White Fly Outfitters will be there to demo fishing techniques. Guests can also enjoy catch and release fishing from the fishing ponds stocked with catfish, bass and blue gill of all sizes. Prepare to face off in the fun competitions that include prizes for the largest and most fish caught. Plan on bringing your own gear and a camera to capture all the fun. The play area will be open, too, and they’re hopeful that U-Pick opportunities will include the cherry orchard and blueberry fields.
Juneteenth
Where: Watkins Regional Park
When: Saturday, 12 – 5pm
Admission: Free, but some activities require a small fee
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The celebration at Watkins offers a great lineup of culturally inspired dance and musical performances, plus family activities. Face painting, the interactive playground, the animals at the Old Maryland Farm, miniature train and Carousel rides, and mini-golf will all be available, those requiring a fee at discounted prices. There will also be several vendors selling a variety of food.
Pilot for a Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum for the 10th annual Become a Pilot Day! You’ll see nearly 50 vintage, recreational, and home-built aircraft flown in for one day only, including a special one this year: a United Airlines Boeing 777 you can enter! Inside the Center, enjoy presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages, including flight simulators.
Tinner Hill Blues Festival
Where: Various Falls Church locales
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Varies by day
The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation and the City of Falls Church will present the 21st Annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival, featuring outstanding national and regional talent. Along with the music, there will be loads of other activities. Free ones include Early Bird blues at the Farmers Market, Family Fun Blues Book Readings, a mini film fest of blues genre screenings, and live music gratis all over town. See the website for details on all of it.
World Cup Watching
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free, but plan to spend on food and drinks
The World Cup has begin, so if you want to catch some matches and spend time with the kids, check out these suggestions for family friendly places to watch the tournament.
Spread the Happy with Nutella
Where: Kingstowne Center in Alexandria
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Nutella is celebrating 50 years as The Original Hazelnut Spread with a “Spread the Happy” Truck Tour around the U.S., and they’ll be in the DC area over the next couple of weeks. This Saturday, locals are invited to join the tour and receive complimentary samples of Nutella paired with various foods, play interactive games, have the opportunity to show their love for Nutella on social media, and participate in Nutella branded gear giveaways.
Anancy! Anansi! Folklore Festival
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Monthat the 3rd annual Anancy! Anansi! Folklore and Storytelling Festival. Children and adults will enjoy storytelling, face painting, movies,an art competition, and more. The first 100 families to register will receive a free Anancy storybook. The event is metro accessible via the Chinatown metro stop.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Creative Cauldron presents A Mid Summer Night’s Dream
* Single Carrot Theatre’s Rumpled is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* The Wizard of Oz is opening on the main stage and Snow Show is the featured Tiny Tots performance at The Puppet Co.
* Rocknoceros is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java.
Astroblast! Space Camp National Tour
Where: Fairfax Corner
When: Saturday 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Kids can experience Sprout’s upcoming new original animated series Astroblast!TM by visiting the Astroblast! Space Camp Tour on its first nationwide stop on Saturday Sprout invites children and their families to an out-of-this-world interactive experience with Astroblast!-inspired activities, including the Zero Gravity Station, a Bungee Bounce and Moon Bounce House for all ages, the Moon Sand Creative Play Zone, “Worm Hole” tunnels, a Shooting Star Toss and more. Visitors will also receive their own photos with Astroblast! character cutouts to commemorate their visit. Fairfax Corner is located at 4100 Monument Corner Drive.
Bowie Baysox Specials
Where: Prince George’s Stadium
When: Saturday, 6:35pm & Sunday, 2:05pm
Admission: Tickets start at $7
The Force will be with the Bowie Baysox on Saturday when the team hosts Star Wars Night on Saturday, as the Baysox take on the Senators. Enjoy light saber battles and meet your favorite Star Wars heroes & villains in move quality costumes — see Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, Star Wars collectibles and more. Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character, too. A fireworks extravaganza will light up the sky after the game. On Sunday, celebrate Dad playing catch on the field before the game (12:30-1:15pm).
Getting to Know Degas and Cassatt
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, 11am & Sunday, 1pm
Admission: Free
The National Gallery’ of Art is kicking off their Children’s Film Program for the summer. During this session, join them for for two animated films about Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt based on Mike Venezia’s Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists books. Learn about the life and work of the two artists who were friends and collaborators in later 19th-century Paris. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Move it Movement Tour
Where: Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
The Move It Movement Tour, Cartoon Network’s summer campaign promoting healthy lifestyles for kids, will be stopping in the DC area this weekend. The event will feature multiple activity and learning stations, including an obstacle course, football-themed fun, a soccer shootout challenge, booths with info about health and fitness and a chill zone.
Kids Superhero Dash for Dad
Where: Pentagon Row
When: Sunday, 8am
Admission: $20-40 depending on race
Lace up your sneakers for the Seventh Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Capital Area! Join ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer Sundayfor a 4-mile run/walk, 1-mile fun walk, and Kids Superhero Dash or Dad for kids ages 9 and under at Pentagon Row in Arlington. The run/walk series is taking place in 30+ cities nationwide in 2014 and raises awareness and funds to end prostate cancer, a disease affecting one in seven American men. Register in advance or on race day from 7-8:30am.
Engineering For Kids
Where: S.T.E.M. Discovery Center
When: Saturday, 9am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Join Engineering for Kids as they celebrate the grand opening of our brand new S.T.E.M. Discovery Center in Lakeridge, VA. Parents and children are invited to for the ceremonial ribbon cutting and to check out all the new activities they have to offer. Children will be able to participate in a variety of hands on activities at different stations in the center. Activities include LEGO Build Wall, LEGO Racer Build and Crash, Bubble Science, Giant Building Blocks, Straw Rocket Blast off, Magnet Ball Wall, Robotics Sumo Wrestling, and more! Parents will be able to socialize and learn more about our new program offerings. The S.T.E.M. Discovery Center is located at 1243 Dillingham Square in Lakeridge.
Father’s Day Backyard BBQ and Brunch
Where: Pinstripes Georgetown
When: Sunday, 9:30am – 10pm
Admission: $30/adult, $15/child, free for 5 and under
Dads are invited to put down their grilling tongs and relax at Pinstripes Georgetown’s Father’s Day Backyard BBQ. From 9:30am to 3pm, families can head out to the gorgeous outdoor patio overlooking the C&O Canal and fill their plates with char-grilled skirt steaks, burgers, grilled chicken, Italian sausage, baby back ribs, grilled corn, watermelon and more. The endless brunch buffet will also be available until 3pm and will serve up carved prime rib, create-your-own omelets, waffles, flatbreads and more in addition to the backyard feast. From 3-10pm, the BBQ buffet will be available at the bistro in addition to the regular menu. In addition to feasting, families are invited to challenge Dad to a fun game of bocce or bowling for added fun. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling (202) 625-6500.