Hanging at Georgetown Waterfront Park
Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Quick links for activities galore around the DC area:
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Swim Spots
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Celebrate Dad
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
It’s a special day for the dads this weekend, and there are a bunch of great ways for the whole fam to celebrate if you’re still looking for ideas, from ballgames to big feasts to outdoor recreation and more. See a whole round-up of them in this post, some of which are included below.
Summer Time
Where: Throughout the DC area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
It still may not be official on the calendar, but when it comes to local recreation, summer has arrived. Free concerts in the open air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, and SO much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed all around the area this weekend. The 2025 KFDC Guide to the Best of Summer in DC has the scoop on all of it.
A Wrinkle in Time
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 8pm | Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $69-119 (find discount)
Meg Murry’s father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must race to rescue him. Can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space? Join Meg on this epic quest in an adventurous new musical adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning classic novel that will energize your spirit, expand your imagination, and inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all.
Family Hoppy Hour
Where: The Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $7-14
Start the weekend with a Friday evening filled with live music for all ages! If weather permits, the concert will take place outdoors, perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. King Bullfrog is a kindie rock trio that plays high-energy tunes developmentally appropriate for kids that grownups like, too. Pizza, beer, wine, and cheese will be for sale!
Nats vs. Marlins + Friday Concert
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $13
The Nats are hosting the Marlins all weekend. Catch a game on Friday at 6:45pm, Saturday at 1:05pm, or Sunday at 1:35pm. There are special promos and activitie, too — a postgame concert by Nelly on Friday night, Pups in the Park on Saturday, and a Hawaiian shirt giveaway on Sunday.
Cinematery: Monsters, Inc.
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 7-10:30pm
Admission: $10/adult, $5/under 12
POSTPONED to 6/20! At this month’s installment of Congressional Cemetery’s summer movie series, delight in the heartwarming chaos of Monsters, Inc. Bring the whole fam (and your own low-lying chairs, blankets, food, and drinks) to watch among the gravestones. Concessions are also for sale. The Cemetery is a great place to enjoy during the day, too — one of my favorite neighborhood places! Read more about it here.
Charm City, Hon!
Where: Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
With numerous street closures and tanks rolling through DC, this weekend may be a good time to get out of the city and head to another cool one. Baltimore has so many fantastic attractions, and it’s just a 45-minute drive away. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Explore the exhibits and hands-on activities at the Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art around at the American Visionary Art Museum. View the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Get a history lesson and stroll the grounds at Fort McHenry. Tour the historic ships moored at the Inner Harbor. Learn about Baltimore’s early business days at the Museum of Industry. The KFDC Guide to Exploring Baltimore with Kids has info for all of these adventures, plus dining recs and more to explore!
Day Trippin’
Where: Around the DC area (and a bit beyond)
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
A few more ideas for things to do beyond DC for the day (or even overnight):
* See the spectacular underground world of Luray Caverns.
* Enjoy hiking and history (+ a new waterpark) at Harpers Ferry.
* Go to Calvert County for art adventures at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, a beach day at Flag Ponds Nature Preserve or Calvert Cliffs State Park, and maritime explorations at the Calvert Marine Museum.
A Wrinkle in Time
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 8pm | Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: $69-119 (find discount)
Meg Murry’s father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must race to rescue him. Can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space? Join Meg on this epic quest in an adventurous new musical adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning classic novel that will energize your spirit, expand your imagination, and inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all.
Les Misérables
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday & Sunday, 1:30pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $49-219 (find discount)
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities, and 22 languages, Les Misérables is unquestionably one of the world’s most popular musicals. Recommended for teens and older.
Legally Blond
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday & Satuday, 8pm | Sunday, 7pm
Tickets: $59-325 (find discount)
The fabulous, feminist modern classic! When the effervescent Elle Woods is dumped by her boyfriend, she follows him to Harvard Law School, determined to win him back. But what starts as a plot to regain her relationship turns into much more as Elle realizes her true potential—in law, love, and life. Legally Blonde is a hilarious, inspirational romp that proves you don’t have to change who you are to achieve your dreams. Recommended for ages 12+.
Innovations in Flight
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Head out to the Chantilly arm of the National Air & Space Museum for this special program. View over 50 vintage, modern, and commercial aircraft that will fly in for the day and be on display outside the museum. You can even go into some of the cockpits and cabins and talk with pilots. Along with the outdoor display, museum educators will show how to spot and identify aircraft landing at Dulles Airport. If tickets are sold out for the outdoor part, there still will be activities inside.
Twisted Tales: The Three Goldilocks Gruff
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Fri, 10:30am | Sat & Sun, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: $16
Dive into a whirlwind of imagination with Twisted Tales—a magical, mischievous play where sibling rivalry meets fairy tale mayhem! When siblings Bailey and Frank spend the summer at the theater with their eccentric Aunt Ingrid, they must learn to work together to bring their hilariously twisted versions of classic tales to life. From grumpy goats to plucky pigs, nothing goes according to the storybooks in this laugh-out-loud adventure full of heart, humor, and handmade chaos brought to you by the creative team at the Puppet Co. Recommended for ages 4+.
MudFest
Where: Woodstock Equestrian Special Park | Bealesville, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: $20/car
Get down and dirty, jumping, slipping, and sliding in giant mud pits! Cook up a mud pie, make mud art, and play games! This muddy fun will be great for the whole family. This is a rain or shine event.
Taste of the DMV Festival
Where: Pennsylvania Ave. 3rd-7th St NW, DC
When: Saturday, 12-7pm
Admission: $10/age 11+, free/10 & under
Savor the day at this festival that showcases the foods of DC area! The gastronomic adventure features over 200 vendors, including food trucks, food booths, and some non-food vendors. Over 40 acts on multiple stages will bring entertainment, and a beer garden with multiple vendors will be fun for adults. This is an all-ages events, kids 10 and under get in free.
Columbia Pike Blues Fest
Where: Arlington, VA
When: Saturday
Admission: Free (some activities are extra)
The largest annual Blues fest in the DC area celebrates women in blues this year. The event will feature performances by many local and regional blues bands and artists along with more family-friendly activities. Interact with the Arlington Art Truck, and enjoy food, beverages, arts, and a KidsZone.
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream
Where: CareFirst Arena |
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Tickets start at $42 (look for deal)
See some exciting WNBA action as the The Washington Mystics host the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. Now playing in Congress Hieghts at CareFirst Arena, the smaller venue makes every seat a great one!
Opera Italiana
Where: Lincoln Memorial | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 6:30-8pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a unique opera experience and wind down Father’s Day on Sunday evening as Opera Italiana presents “Opera Unbound: a sunset serenade at Lincoln Memorial.” Hear some of the most cherished arias, sung by globally renowned opera talent, set against the iconic backdrop of the National Mall. It’s free, family-friendly, and no dress code or tickets required.
Frankenstein
Where: Klein Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Fri, 7:30pm | Sat & Sun, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $39-142 (find discount)
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production reimagines Mary Shelley’s romantic gothic science fiction masterpiece as a chilling exploration of what it means to create a new life. Visceral and provocative, this production reveals the inner lives of Elizabeth and Victor Frankenstein in bold new ways. Riding the edge of cinematic thriller and intense drama, Frankenstein redefines the legend we know, the name we fear, and the monstrous act at the heart of the story. Recommended for teens and older.
Senior Class
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Fri, 7:30pm | Sat, 1:30pm & 7:30pm | Sun, 1:30pm & 7pm
Admission: $26-101
This World Premiere musical-lovers’ musical is full of dancing and comedy and dedicated to the timeless belief that the show must go on… When budget cuts to the arts program mean their high school theatre can’t pay for My Fair Lady, Colin and G.B., two Broadway-obsessed students, decide to stage their own original musical version of Shaw’s Pygmalion. The search for an actress to play Eliza Doolittle leads them to a Harlem-born-and-bred subway dancer who just might be perfect — but artistic egos and culture clashes threaten to undermine the production before the big opening night. Can the Senior Class musical be saved? (And will Colin score his much-wished-for “Jimmy” Award to launch his meteoric rise to stardom as the first-ever J-EGOT?) Recommended for teens and older.
Twelfth Night
Where: Folger Shakespeare Theatre | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Fri, 8pm | Sat, 2pm & 8pm | Sun, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $20-84
Viola washes up on the shore after losing her twin brother in a shipwreck. In disguise as her twin brother, she lands in the world of Duke Orsino. A playful interpretation of a beloved Shakespeare comedy that brings gender fluidity, mistaken identities, and what it means to move between worlds into a joyful discovery of love. Recommended for teens and older.
Arrrgh, Mateys!
Where: Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake | Annapolis, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $30-33, $16/ages 2 and under
Something fun to celebrate the end of the school year and start of summer… Set sail on the high seas in Annapolis for a jolly good adventure! Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake will take little buccaneers on a search for buried treasure. Several time slots are available throughout the day, and you can call in advance to reserve. Read more about the adventure in this KFDC post from awhile back.
Go for a Spin…or Tee Up!
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Summer brings some extra delights to several parks and other places around the area that are already great outdoor places to hang with the kids. Go for whirl on a mini train or carousel, take a swing at mini golf, or even ride a Ferris Wheel. The KFDC Summer Guide has details on where to go.
An Easy-Breezy Hang
Where: Catboat Pizza Bar | Alexandria, VA
When: Thurs-Fri, 3-9pm | Sat-Sun, 12-9pm
Admission: Free, but purchase concessions
I just posted about Catboat Pizza Bar, and it’s a good one to check out. Pizza, snacks, drinks (both boozy and non-alcolholic), a scenic riverside location, kid-and dog-friendliness, and easy-breezy vibe make it a great place for a family hang. Read more about it here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There are going to be a lot of street closures for the Army parade taking place on Saturday, so be sure to if consider if you’re planning to be in the city.
* With extra time on their hands during summer, it’s a good opportunity to get kids involved in volunteering — here’s a round-up of places where they can help out.
* CertifiKID has a deal on tickets for Children’s-Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap!
* Levi and I recently had dinner at Amazonia and really enjoyed it — tasty food and drinks, friendly service, and such a pretty space.
* For sleep away camp, camping trips, or sleepovers, a sleeping bag is one of those essential items for kids to have.
* Family vacation ideas on a budget.
* Just got a few pairs of these shorts that are great for summer — very comfy with a nice, light wicking fabric. A couple of these tops, too. All on sale!
* In honor of Father’s Day, a fun “dad” follow.
* Haha.
* An easy activity for the weekend 🙂
