Say “Oui!” to fun at the Georgetown French Market [Photo: C.Sam Kittner]
Happy Weekend!
Easy links to all kinds of DC activity round-ups:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Bon Jour, Georgetown!
Where: Book Hill Neighborhood | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday | 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Georgetown French Market returns to the Book Hill area of the neighborhood, bringing the signature European open air market back for its 22nd year. More than 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, galleries, and more will be featured. But it’s not all about the shopping! There will also be strolling mimes, hands-on activities, live music, plus French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to see the schedule of events and list of participating shops.
Mmmm…Chocolate
Where: La Maison Française | Foxhall, DC
When: Friday, 2-5:30pm & Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: $25/ages 12+ (free for kids under 12)
The DC Chocolate Festival is a celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! The event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking, and learning. Note that time slots on Saturday are 10:30am -2pm and 2-5:30pm.
Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Catholic University | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: $19-25, free/age 12 & under
Start the weekend with a sporting event that probably isn’t on your radar… Bring the fam out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! See some exciting disc action as local team DC Breeze plays the Philadelphia Phoenix. Concessions will be for sale, no outside food or drink is permitted.
Charlotte’s Web
Where: Adventure Theatre | Bethesda, MD
When: Starting Friday through May 25
Tickets: $25
It’s opening weekend for this children’s classic… Charlotte’s mission to save Wilbur unfolds with the unveiling of her miraculous web, adorned with the proclamation “Some pig.” Thus begins a triumphant crusade, culminating in Wilbur’s salvation and a poignant gesture honoring Charlotte’s legacy. This timeless tale celebrates the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness, promising both actors and audience an enchanting afternoon filled with warmth and wonder. Recommended for all ages.
Go, Terps!
Where: University of Maryland | College Park, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual Maryland Day celebration in College Park gets a giant thumbs-up from me, and not just because it’s my alma mater. This is a fantastic event for families — and we know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. There will be hundreds of family-friendly activities for varying ages, including learning games; a sports and rec area; musical performances; arts & crafts; farm animal visits; fossil digs; insect and instrument petting zoos; and TONS more. It’s spread out all over campus — and it’s a huge campus, so be prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for really little ones.
Earth Month Family Celebration
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Earth Day with activities geared towards kids and families. Explore the science and art of sustainability through child-driven projects, plantings, and crafts. Plus, there will be kids yoga sessions; mascots Woody Tree, Flora Sunflower, and Otus the Owl; and performances by Mr. Gabe and Marcia and the Positrons. Registration encouraged but not required.
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join Friends of the National Arboretum for the annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Celebrate spring with a fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and free outdoor activities for all ages. Be sure to explore the vast grounds while you’re there, and don’t miss the gorgeous azalea bloom! Go here for scenes from a past bloom. And read more about the Arb — it’s one of my very favorite spots in DC — here, here, and here.
Little Critters Nature Play
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Drop in with children ages 0-5 for programming deisgned just for them. This week, explore the wonders of the great outdoors through sensory play and art activities in the Think Tank Classroom. And in the Birdhouse Classroom learn about what happens at night when the moon comes out and the animals that stay awake at night, and create a moon artwork.
Princess Brunch
Where: District E | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $30
District e @ Capital One Arena is hosting a magical morning filled with food, fun, and fairytale moments! Bring your little royals to a Princess Brunch, where they’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet featuring fluffy eggs, golden pancakes, refreshing juice, hot coffee, and more. After breakfast, the magic continues with crafts, singing, dancing, and exciting games, all led by special guest princesses! Don’t forget your cameras, because there will be plenty of photo ops. Dress-up is encouraged!
Dog Man: The Musical
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 3pm | Sunday, 12pm & 4pm
Tickets: $35-118
Dog Man:The Musical is a hilarious production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. Best buds George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re in 5th grade, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favorite character, Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!! How hard could it be?
More Show Time
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
There’s a lot of entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here):
* ALICE (in wonderland) by The Washington Ballet at Capitol One Hall
* Falu at the Kennedy Center (age 5+)
* Matilda in Concert at the Kennedy Center
* Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre (age 12+)
* Sleepova at Olney Theatre (teens & older)
* In the Heights at Signature Theatre (age 8+)
* Bad Books at Round House Theatre (teens & older)
Taste of Vienna
Where: Vienna Volunteer Fire Dept. Grounds
When: Saturday, 11am – 8pm
Admission: Free
The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department (VVFD) is hosting its annual Taste of Vienna, showcasing the flavors that area restaurants have to offer. The VVFD parking lot will be lined with many local favorites, plus a beer/wine tent, a stage with live performances, and kids activities. While admission is free, guests will be able to purchase restaurant food and beverages to sample.
DC Indie Bookstore Crawl
Where: Bookstores in DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and a fun way to celebrate is the DC Indie Bookstore Crawl. A bunch of local independent bookstores are participating — many of them offering special activities and discounts — and if you visit six of them (or more) and get a stamp at each on a passport you can pick up there, you’ll get a prize! See all the bookstores on a map here.
NoVa Bookstore Crawl
Where: Bookstores Around Northern Virginia
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
To celebrate Independent Bookstore Day beyond the District, join the NoVa Bookstore Crawl. Fifteen independent bookstores across Northern Virginia, Frederick, MD, and Wardensville, WV are partnering on a special Passport program. Book lovers can explore more of the region’s growing bookstore scene and enjoy special festivities at most of the shops. It starts this Studay and runs through May 31, so you have plenty of time to hit them all!
Open Studio: Hanging in the Balance
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
At this session of the weekly series, explore artist Alexander Calder and his works. Then, build your own suspended sculpture to hang in the balance! Use pipe cleaners, coated wire, aluminum foil, and other loose parts to create and display your own unique work of art.
Art & Me | Family Workshop: Art Puzzles
Where: Asian Art Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm & 1:30-3pm
Admission: Free
Introduce your children ages 3–8 to the fascinating world of ceramic repair in this hands-on workshop. Learn about how our conservators repair ceramics at the museum as well as some traditional repair techniques, such as the Japanese practice of kintsugi, or gold lacquer repairs. Children and their caregivers will tour the exhibition Japanese Art from the Collection, practice conservation skills by solving artwork puzzles, and create kintsugi-inspired artwork.
We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1pm
Admission: Tickets start at $30
Cheer on our local women’s pro soccer team on Friday evening as the Washington Spirit host Gotham FC. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports. Go early for the SPirit Tailgate stating at 10am — thee will be music by a live DJ, food trucks, and more fun to get you in the Spirit of the day!
Porchfest
Where: Around Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 2-8pm
Admission: Free
Get the best seats in the house (or on the sidewalk) as the front porches around Petworth are transformed into intimate performance spaces to be enjoyed by anyone who happens to stroll by. Featuring dozens of bands, the event celebrate the arts and the community. Performances will be on porches 2-6pm and on a main stage 5-8pm. Access a schedule here and map of porch locations here.
Kinder Konzert: Classical Music for Kids
Where: Goethe-Institut | Northwest DC
When: April 27, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free ($15 suggested donation)
Catch a classical music performance especially for kids as the Goethe-Institut Washington presents KINDER KONZERTS, family-focused concerts designed to introduce little ones to the magic of German classical music. Join for a fun-filled, relaxed concert where kids 0-6 years old can move, shake, and learn alongside professional musicians.
Langston Blvd Earth Day Festival
Where: 4500 Cherry Hill Road | Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Earth Day at this annual festival. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, the Arlington Art Truck, community exhibits, food and drink vendors, and an art market, featuring local artisans. And be on the lookout for EarthCan Organic Juice — they are launching their product at the festival, giving away drink samples!
Kids Opening Day
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Sunday, 1:35pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary
On Sunday, the Nationals invite their youngest fans to help kick off the 2025 season. Lots of kids’ activities will be available before the game against the Mets, plus fans ages 12 and under get a kids designd T-shirt. And after the game, ages 4-12 can run the bases. If you can’t make it Sunday, there are games on Friday & Saturday, too. No matter when you go, check out these KFDC tips on how to save money on Nats games!
Spring Celebration & Parade
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 5-6:30pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a lively sunset drumming performance with Batalá, Washington’s all-female Samba Reggae Percussion Band. The performance and parade will begin promptly at 5pm near the cemetery’s main gate and take you on a spirited tour of the cemetery’s arboretum and its leafy tree tunnels. Batalá will lead a New Orleans-style procession along the half-mile path. In honor of Arbor Day Weekend, heritage trees and recently planted saplings by Casey Trees will be on display. Dogs on leash are welcome!
Hill Family Biking Birthday Ride!
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 3:45-6:30pm
Admission: Free
Hill Family Biking is celebrating 2 years of bringing the joy of biking to the Hill with a ride, pizza, cupcakes, and more! It starts by celebrating the new protected bike lanes on Florida Ave NE followed by a 4-mile slow ride to Lincoln Park. Around 300 riders are expected! After the ride, join a giant birthday bash in the park with FREE pizza, cupcakes, professional face painters, Nolan the Magician, and more.
Go for Seconds
Where: Secondhand shops around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free, but plan to spend thriftily
How about an activity that’s good for the environment, good for your wallet, and a fun activity with kids (mostly tweens and teens)? Secondhand shopping is all of those things, and there’s a brand new round-up of thrift stores and consignment shops around the DC area to get you started.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Encore Stage & Studio presents The Wizard of Oz May 30 – June 8 along with a BOGO ticket deal + pre-show experiences.
*Auditions are open now for the National Children’s Chorus DC Chapter Fall 2025 season.
* There’s a giveaway going on for a chance to win a FREE SESSION of summer camp with RDUTennis!
* Smithsonian Associates just announced dates for their 2025 Smithsonian Sleepovers, when guests can spend the night at a the National Museum of Natural History. (They fill up fast, so register soon if you hope to join one!)
* A review of Universal Epic Universe, the new theme park opening in Orlando in May.
* A great Mother’s Day treat: Her favorite food from afar! Goldbelly, an online marketplace of well-known purveyors from all over, can ship signature meals and treats. Think lobster rolls from Maine, bagels from New York, muffulettas from New Oreans, key lime pie from Miami….and there’s so much more.
* Beloved kids brand Hannah Andersson has a fantastic sale happening right now.
* And, wow, it’s 50% off everything at Gao.
* lululemon’s crossbody bags are perfect for carrying small essentials when traveling — I’ve had a basic belt bag for years and plan to switch it up with this more chic bag or a slightly larger multi-pocket bag.
* Excited for the new season of You that’s out now!
* Which reminds me of this hilarious clip. 😂
