Celebrate World Elephant Day at the Zoo!
Happy Weekend!
Get ideas for ongoing DC fun in these posts:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Elefest
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
In honor of World Elephant Day, join the Zoo to celebrate their newest Asian elephant calf, Linh Mai, at this festival packed with culture, conservation and community! Free family-friendly activities include live cultural performances, hands-on activity stations throughout the grounds, and special animal demos and keeper talks. There are also paid/ticketed activities — a morning Yoga with Elephants session and an adults-only Elephant Happy Hour.
All’s Fair
Where: Howard & Prince William Counties | MD & VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Howard County kicks off their annual fest that is 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 Prince William County, where the fair is on for its final couple of days. This post has the lowdown on all of the county fun.
The Wonders of Wiggly River
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10:30am
Admission: $14
Enjoy Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at a performance of this show… When something seems fishy about the local river monster, an adventurous fisherman learns there is more than meets the eye! Tag along with River City Puppets as they discover a world of enchanting folk tales. Featuring fantastical handmade puppets, silly voices, and a good measure of audience participation, this aquatic crew finds that true friendship lies just beneath the surface.
Sneaker Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mount Vernon Sq, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Starts at $29
People who are really into their kicks will want to check out this event dedicated to all things sneakers. The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth returns to DC for a weekend of sneakers, streetwear, collectibles, and culture. More than 100,000 sneakers and collectibles will be on sale from over 200 vendors. Plus, there will be free authentication, stage games, giveaways, exclusive merch, special guests, Streetwear Alley, live experiences, and the world-famous Trading Pit.
Kids Club: Bowling Party
Where: Pinstripes | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
Join an end of summer bowling party! Pinstripes hosts Kids Club the second Saturday of every month, and this weekend, they’re headed to the lanes for frames full of fun, high‑fives, and plenty of rollin’ good times. Be sure to reserve spots in advance! (Note that participation in Kids Club does not include a reservation for brunch following the activities. If you would like to stay for brunch after, make a reservation in the Bistro to ensure availability.)
Nats vs Reds (& a Concert!)
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for deals)
The Nats are hosting the Reds all weekend — and there will be live music on Friday night, too. Catch the game at 6:45pm, and 30 minutes after the final out, see Jordan Davis perform at Nationals Park, free to all ticket holders. Saturday’s game is also at 6:45pm with a Hawaiian shirt/shorts set for the first 20k fans and a Hello Kitty shirt with a special ticket purchase. And Sunday’s game is at 12:15pm with a special Scout ticket available. Kids can also run the bases after the Sunday game.
Circus Vasquez
Where: Tysons II | Tysons, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $23-90
Experience some thrilling family entertainment at this circus founded in Mexico City! Circus Vazquez brings the excitement of a traditional big-top circus to life with dazzling acrobats, high-flying aerialists, skilled jugglers, and laugh-out-loud clowns. Featuring talented performers from around the world, it’s a family-friendly show packed with thrilling acts, colorful costumes, and nonstop entertainment for all ages.
Dock Dogs
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
At this free, family- and dog-friendly event, some of the country’s top canine athletes will compete across multiple disciplines for the coveted title of Iron Dog — and the public is invited to spectate! Watch competitors sprint down the dock and dive into a 40-foot pool during Speed Retrieve, see doggos launch through the air for the day’s longest jump in Big Air, and witness them leap from the dock to grab a toy suspended high above the water in Extreme Vertical. There’s fun beyond the competition with raffles, prizes, oversized ribbons, medals and an awards ceremony recognizing the top four-legged athletes.
The Phillips Plays
Where: Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: $20/adult, free for kids
Drop in for this program especially for kids and families. Find inspiration in Sam Gilliam’s experimental approach to creating art and mirror how he plays with color, scale, and fabric. In addition to exploring art materials and methods in the studio, enjoy the carpeted, creative-play area with blocks, books, toys, and games, too.
Summer Mardi Gras
Where: Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
A New Orleans-style carnival club will bring Mardi Gras to DC on Saturday morning with a parade complete with floats, marching bands, and brass bands from DC and Louisiana. Spectators of all ages can “catch” parade giveaways all along the route.
Sunflower Spectacular
Where: Butler’s Orchard | Gaithersburg, MD
When: Throughout the weekend (& thru 8/15)
Admission: $13.50
Head to the farm known for its seasonal and holiday festivals to enjoy vast fields of sunflowers! Stop for photo ops at props set up along the way as you take in the brilliant scene. Plan for time on the five-acre Farm Park with giant slides, farm animals, pedal tractors, and more fun. And maybe pick some of your own fruits and veggies, too!
Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday, 11am| Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $28
Adventure Theatre’s latest show puts a fun spin on a classic…. Rolly’s ordinary summer takes an extraordinary twist when he’s whisked back in time to the Age of Charlemagne! There, he meets Aurora, a bold 12-year-old princess with dreams of knighthood and adventure beyond her castle walls. But her overprotective royal parents have other plans—thanks to a mysterious curse that threatens to plunge her into a century-long sleep. As Rolly and Aurora plot a daring escape to the modern world, secrets are revealed, destinies collide, and the past and present merge in an epic journey filled with courage, friendship, and a dash of magic. Can they outsmart fate and find their happily ever after?
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Fri, 10:30am | Sat, 11:30 & 2:30pm | Sun, 11:30am
Admission: $18
See a storybook classic on strings… Three little goats are in search of greener grass when they come upon a cranky troll who won’t let them pass. Will the goats find the food they need? How will they get past the troll? What does this troll want, anyway? Enjoy this retelling of a classic story, this time with a conservationist twist just right for a puppet show in a park! Come see classic Piper marionette puppets in a brand-new script featuring audience interaction.
Big Bloom Festival
Where: Good Hope Rec Center | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate summer in full bloom! Strathmore and the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center are hosting the third annual Big Bloom Festival featuring. This FREE family-friendly festival features live music, food trucks, hands-on art activities, and more fun on Strathmore’s scenic campus.
Spirit vs Courage
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 6:30
Admission: Tickets prices vary (look for discount)
The Washington Spirit plays the North Carolina Courage in what is sure to be a thrilling soccer match. It’s also Worldwide Culture Night with some extra festivities to celebrate the diversity of the Spirit players and fanbase. Bring the fam out for an exciting evening of soccer and community!
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!
Summer Fun
Where: Around the DC area
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 like The Butterfly Experience, The Playground, or Fairies in the Garden, 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.
Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
How about a quintessential summer activity? Check out this round-up of places to swim around the area. 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.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* If you want to get out of DC without going too far, plan a day (or two) in Baltimore with the fam!
* We Make DC in Dupont Circle is hosting six FREE (with tickets) Family-Friendly Craft Nights — August 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 from 5-7:30pm.
* Alexandria Restaurant Week is August 14-23 and DC Summer Restaurant Week is August 24-30 — it’s a good idea make reservations for any places you really want to go to.
* The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks next week.
* Just about time to pick out new backpacks and lunchboxes.
* At the last minute before our vacation, I decided I needed a new two-piece swimsuit, bought this one, and love it!
* This portable device also came in handy and works great.
* New season starts Friday!
