
Huzzah, it’s the weekend!
Celebrate the completion of the first week of school or savor the last of summer break with these recs for fun with the kids. And for even more ideas, check out the long list of indoor activities and big compilation of places to enjoy a day outdoors. Happy Weekend!
Huzzah for Ren Fest!
Where: Revel Grove in Crownsville, Md
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $19/adults, $16/seniors, free for 15 and under
Dost thou feel the merriment in the air? The Maryland Renaissance Festival is a glorious day trip back to medieval times that appeals to all ages and sensibilities. Enjoy jousting matches, kids shows, cheeky comedy, tight rope walkers, jugglers, puppetry, Celtic music… and that’s just some of the live entertainment. There are also pony rides, a pirate playground, a giant slide, and all kinds of fun, fascinating things to see. Walk among knights, maidens, pirates, and villagers in puffy shirts in a 16th-century village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead. It all begins tomorrow and will run every weekend through October 25, and this weekend kids ages 15 and under get in for FREE. Huzzah!
Rooftop Bash
Where: Whole Foods Tenley – Upper Deck
When: Friday, 4-7pm
Admission: Free
Party into the weekend and celebrate with the “Top of the Town” community at their very first Rooftop. CityDance Pop!, Whole Foods Tenley, and NE Sport & Health are hosting a rooftop bash complete with family-friendly workouts, free dance classes, and complimentary food & beverages. More fun for families includes moonbounces, cornhole, photo ops with a DC firetruck, raffles, and prizes. And DJ Roberto from Silenzio Productions will be on the 1’s and 2’s.
The Big Dig
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
Harvest potatoes, enjoy a sweet breakfast, and have a blast at Great Country Farm’s annual Big Dig. Take the scenic drive out to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains early for all-you-can-eat pancakes topped with homemade fruit syrups, then hop on a hayride that will take you out to u-pick fields where you can dig for gold — Yukon gold potatoes, that is. Breakfast is served from 9am – 12pm, and the hayrides run all day — and the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Along with breakfast and the Dig, admission includes access to the rest of the farm’s attractions, including a cow train, mazes, barnyard petting area, pick your own fields, and more. Visit the website for more information and directions. And purchase tickets online by noon today for a discount!
Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There’s not much time left to enjoy some of the best activities of the season. Outdoor pools and spraygrounds, music and movies in the open air, mini golf and carousels rides at local parks and museums, or a good ol’ crab feast. The guide to Summer in DC has all the inspiration you need to eke out the most of the summer wind-down.
Shows on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
Return to the thrilling days of prehistoric yesteryear, where the Old West meets the old, old, old West at the Dew Drop Inn as The Puppet Co. presents Dinosaur Desperados on the main stage. The 50-minute show is recommended for ages 3-7. Take really little ones to see Old McDonald’s Farm on Saturday or Baby Bear’s Birthday on Sunday, both the featured Tiny Tots shows this weekend.
Open Garden Day
Where: American History Museum – Victoria Garden
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Discover ways to keep summer on the shelf in the winter months. Learn about canning and pickling garden produce, see seed saving demonstrations, create your own seed packets and other crafts, and take home free wildflower seeds. Garden experts will also be on hand to answer gardening “how-to” questions and take you on an exploration of the summer bounty in the Victory Garden.
Groove with Nate
Where: Lubber Run Amphitheater
When: Saturday, 4pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy some musical fun at the amphitheater in Arlington as local fave Groovy Nate entertains the crowd with his unique blend of blends of music, puppetry, movement, and comedy. It’s a great experience for the younger set, encouraging participation with wonderfully wacky handout instruments.
How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Where: Area farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The apple picking season has begun! Several farms in the area have opened their orchards for guests to start gathering. This list of area farms and orchards offering pick-your-own opportunities has details. And I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the pickings are good the day you plan to go.
Movie Night in Rock Creek
Where: Carter Barron Amphitheatre
When: Saturday, approx. 8:15pm
Admission: Free
See a movie under the stars right in our city park. On Saturday, ease on down the road to catch a screening of The Wiz. Gates open at 7pm, and the film will begin at dusk, shortly after 8pm.
Dragon Boat Regatta
Where: Southwest Waterfront
When: Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The 2nd annual Capital Harbor Dragon Boat Regatta will be an experience for atheletes and spectators alike. The family-friendly event features the best premier and local dragon boat teams from along the east coast racing in multiple distances over the course of the day. The public is welcome to watch this unique event for free.
A Sprinkling of Fairy Dust
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission:
Take a day trip out to Solomons, MD, for an enchanting array of artistic delights. View eye-popping works, both indoors and out, hunt for fairy houses (which are only there for another week!), play in the Fairy Lolly, and create some of your own art with inspiration from all you see there. Trust me, it’s worth the hour-plus drive.
Indoor Swim
Where: National Building Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5-16 (see details below)
You only have a couple more weeks to jump in at The BEACH, the Building Museum’s big summer installation that is a blast for all ages. The architectural simulation of a beach, there is a beach chair lined seashore that slopes gently into the ocean, and the “water” consists of nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls. It’s pretty cool just to view — but even better to experience. Admission is $5/youth member, $10/adult member and $13/youth non-member, $16/adult non-member.
Sing-along at Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Sunday, 6pm
Admission: Free
The Kennedy Center’s daily free entertainment series presents the Ship’s Company Chanteymen for an evening sing-along. Wearing their 19th century naval uniforms, the group will share old salts’ songs with the audience, who is not just welcome, but encouraged to join in!