Summer fun at the Barbie Pond on Avenue Q
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to ideas galore for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Swim Spots
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
All’s Fair
Where: Montgomery, Prince William, & Howard Counties | MD & VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Montgomery and Prince William kick off their annual fests that are chock full of amusement for everyone in the fam. Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. You can also find it in Howard County, where the fair is on for its final couple of days. This post has the lowdown on all of the county fun.
1st Birthday Bash
Where: LEGO Discovery Center | Springfield, VA
When: Friday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $28.99
All are invited to the LEGO Discovery Center’s brickstastic First Birthday Celebration! Join them to mark a whole year of fun, building, and creating. Festivities include 10% off admission (use code promo code BIRTHDAYBASH1), a giraffe naming reveal (9:45am), LEGO set giveaways, complimentary LEGO Mystery Minifigures for the first 100 paid guests, a MINI WORLD Scavenger Hunt, complimentary cookies in the cafe, a chance to decorate a LEGO birthday cake, and a LEGO pop badge. Book ahead to ensure admission!
Nats vs Angels (+ Teddy Swims Concert)
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket start at $19
Nats game include some extra fun and entertainment this weekend. Catch them on Friday and Saturday evenings (6:45pm) and Sunday early afternoon (11:35am). Friday’s game is part of the Nats Summer Concerts series, and all ticket holders can stay after to see Teddy Swims perform. Saturday is Cat-urday with cat-themed fun, and Sunday there is a Nats football jersey giveaway.
United vs Mazatlan
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
DC United takes on Mazatlan FC in this Leagues Cup match. This is Round of 32 in the month-long tourney with teams from MLS and LIGA MX. See the exciting acion at Audi Field on Friday evening (hopefully the storms will be over by then). Plan for a pre-match bite — here are a bunch of recs for family-friendly spots to eat in the Navy Yard area, a short walk to the stadium.
Going for Gold Watch Party
Where: The Bullpen | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 11am (doors open 10:30am)
Admission: Free
The Washington Spirit are hosting a Watch Party for the final Olympics women’s soccer match. Join them to cheer on teammates Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger plus the rest of USWNT as they go for gold! Tickets are not required to attend, but fans are encouraged to RSVP.
The Phillips Plays
Where: Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: $20/adult, free for kids
Drop in at The Phillips with the fam to investigate materials, methods, and ideas in art. Join a family-friendly tour of Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage at 11am. After exploring the layered, repeated shapes in Howardena Pindell’s collages, create abstract compositions with painted paper. Families can also enjoy carpeted, creative-play area with blocks, books, toys, and games.
Summer Sidewalk Sale
Where: Delray & Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Do some back-to-school (and more) shopping in Alexandria this weekend! This annual event features more than 60 boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. In Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, browse unique finds at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market and more. Plus, enjoy pop-up vendors and live music performances along King Street. The Torpedo Factory in Old Town will also be participating — visit 72 studios and nine galleries to shop directly from the artists while they create!
Firsthand Experience: Pop-Up Books
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $25/GA, $22/students & seniors
Firsthand Experiences bring contemporary artists together with learners ages 13 and up for hands-on programs that combine making, gallery conversations, and discovery. In this session, learn about the history and engineering behind pop-up books. Participants will create their own with the instruction and encouragement of published author and acclaimed artist Carol Barton.
The World & Me: Deep Sea Dancing
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the Natural History Museum for a closer look at different animals that find their home at the bottom of the ocean. See specimens up close, learn about the amazing diversity found in the deep sea, and engage with educators and scientists from the museum. Local Motion Project, will also present two workshops at 10:15am & 11:30am — join Tabata Vara and Marina Cridge for a dance and movement exploration inspired by creatures of the deep. (Workshop spots are limited, so check in with an educator when you arrive to claim a spot.)
Caribbean Sports & Family Day Fest
Where: Fields at RFK | 401 Oklahoma Ave NE, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 8pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy all kinds of family fun at this free event. A KidZone will feature a playground, bounce house, Tug A War, races, face painting, and snowcones. A Sports Zone will have a soccer tourname, games & activities like dominoes, and spades. And the Market Place will sell international foods, crafts, clothing, jewelry, beer, and more. Plus there will be entertainment by live DJs.
Family Arts & Crafts
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Bring the fam to the museum for an arts and crafts workshop inspired by the current exhibition: A Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, D.C., 1900-2000. Materials and supplies are provided for a variety of make and take crafts including fans, masks, and greeting cards.
Ice Cream-Making Demo
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Head to Peirce Mill to learn all about the frozen treat brought over from France by Dolley Madison. Watch the ingredients being poured into the dasher, learn about the brine that freezes the cream, and take a turn cranking the handle to make old-fashioned ice cream. A historic recipe by Thomas Jefferson with a modern adaptation will be available to take away. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Moonshot Studio
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
In honor of breakdancing competition starting at the Olympics this weekend, enjoy some hands-on activities inspired by it! Get creative at Moonshot Studio within The REACH at the Kennedy Center, where you can partake in various art projects and activities. This weekend, explore the five elements of Hip Hop Culture: DJing, MCing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge.
Kidz Bop Live
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1pm & 7pm
Admission: $39-129
The ultimate family-friendly pop concert for children (and their parents!). Featuring awesome sets, costumes, choreography, and surprises, families can sing and dance along with the KIDZ BOP Kids as they perform today’s biggest hits on stage, including “Anti-Hero,” “About That Time, “As It Was,” and many more.
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Tickets: $55-130
Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member, Mick Fleetwood, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is the ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups. Channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, the show offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have made them one of the most loved groups of all time.
More Show Time
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
There’s more entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here):
* Back to the Future: The Musical at the Kennedy Center (final weekend!)
* Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale at Adventure Theatre
* Miss Nelson is Missing at Imagination Stage (final weekend!)
Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Carlini Field | Catholic University, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: $20-25, free/age 12 & under
Our city’s professional Ultimate Frisbee team, DC Breeze, is playing in the East Division Championship on Saturday evening. Bring the fam out for fun, fresh air, and some exciting Frisbee action. Gates will open at 6pm for pregame happy hour for this big game.
Summer Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Take advantage of all the activities that come with the season! Have some water-inspired fun. See a special exhibit. Enjoy free music outdoors and movies under the stars. Go with the flow on local waterways. Hit the beach. Feast on seasonal treats. And so much more. Details on all of this summer fun around DC can be found here.
Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend
Where: Rock Hall, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Buccaneers and landlubbers of all ages! Head out to the Eastern Shore for a fun, unique experience. This town-wide family-friendly event will be loaded with kids activities, shows, and costume contests. Check out the website for details and schedules. Pirate attire is highly encouraged!
Drag Story Hour
Where: Brookside Gardens | Wheaton, MD
When: Sunday, 10-10:45am
Admission: Free
Join Montgomery Parks for Drag Story Hour with Mx. Bella on Sunday morning at Brookside Gardens. This free program provides social connection, celebrates the cultural contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, and shares stories of inclusion. Community organizations will be on site with LGBTQ+ affirming resources for participants which will be available to the public after the performance. Advanced registration required, and all children must be accompanied by up to 1 adult.
Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Hot temps this weekend calls for spots to cool off — so this round-up of places to swim around the area will come in handy. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip!
Entertainment in NoVa Parks
Where: Fairfax Parks | Fairfax, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Enjoy music and more live performances in Northern Virginia parks! The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series has a bunch of shows happening this weekend at parks all around the county. Bring along picnic, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy the best local and regional entertainers. See what’s on the schedule here.
Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
From the looks of the forecast, this weekend if going to be perfect for outdoor adventures. And there are tons of options around the DC-Metro to have fun al fresco. Take a hike, go to a beach, hit a playground, explore a historical site, visit animals, or see what else there is to do under the blue skies in this post with tons of ideas for outdoor fun. (And for inside activities, The Great Indoors post list over 90 ideas!)
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Make reservations for the DC metro area’s Summer Restaurant Week — begins Monday, August 12, and runs through August 18.
* This new KFDC post is full of excellent back-to-school gear recs for preschool and elementary students.
* And if you’re looking for going away presents for college-bound kids, these ideas for graduation gifts also work for farewells.
* Did you know REI offers all kinds of cool classes and events, including how to ride a bike for kids? See when they’re happening.
* The DC Festival of Magic is Labor Day Weekend, with family shows on September 1.
* Snag this Groupon deal for a movie at Regal theaters.
* Just tried this color bar for the first time and am very happy with the results!
* Such a pretty and unique nail polish color. (Vegan, too!)
* Perfect jeans for summer to fall.
* If you like Birks, don’t miss this sale!
* Now that it’s official, stock up on merch — and donate! (Check out even more options.)
* A medal worthy meme. 🏅
