View of the Anacostia from Yards Park, where Friday evening concerts take place all summer
It’s official: Summer is here! The solstice has passed, camp is well underway, vacations have begun, and the heat… oh, the heat. Luckily, we’ll be getting a respite from the soaring temps to make this weekend’s many outdoor activities enjoyable, and there are several events happening inside, too. Whatever you do, stay cool and have fun. Happy Weekend!
Lovin’ Summer
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Seize the season with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of several series in the area. Stay cool under the sun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Find details on all these summer pursuits here.
Heritage Days
Where: Various locales in Montgomery County
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County, MD, as more than 30 historic sites welcome visitors for guided tours, re-creations of historic events, children’s activities, and more — all free of charge. Be sure to check the list of places on the website, as some are only participating for one day.
Barbeque Battle
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue, 9th – 14th Streets
When: Saturday 11am – 10pm, Sunday 11am – 7:30pm
Admission: $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 and under
Nothing says summer like a good barbeque, and you can experience the area’s biggest one at the annual Safeway National Barbeque Battle this weekend. Top BBQ-ers from all over the country will cook for grilling glory (and $40,000 in prizes), and the public is invited to watch it all go down. There will also be cooking demos, children’s activities, interactive cooking displays, and more. Oh, and food… lots of food.
Best in Shows
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
If You Give a Moose a Muffin opens at Adventure Theatre today, and tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday shows. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe just began a summer run at Imagination Stage. Goldilocks! is still at The Puppet Co. (get discount tickets here) and Tiny Tots shows will be performed this weekend as well . The Creative Opera Ensemble’s version of Hansel and Gretel is this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show. And curtains will close on Beauty and the Beast at the National Theatre after Sunday’s performances.
Del Ray Music Festival
Where: Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Fields
When: Saturday, 10am – 10pm
Admission: Free
Head to Alexandria to celebrate the rich diversity and talent of the Del Ray neigborhood with a day full of music and fun. Along with a varied line-up of live entertainment, the Festival will also feature food, games, and a chance to ring in the summer with the community.
Choctaw Days Festival
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Friday & Saturday,10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate a native culture at the American Indian Museum, where the festivals are always wonderful, imo. See traditional performances in the Potomac Atrium, enjoy storytelling programs, view art displays, watch tribal cooking demos, and more. While you’re at the museum, take the kids to the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for even more hands-on fun.
Skate of the Union
Where: RFK Stadium, Lot 7 & Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Varies by activity (free to spectate)
Skate or spectate at the country’s premiere all-skating event happening here in the DC area all weekend! There will be skating activities for all types of wheels – inline, roller, and skateboard – and ability levels, from beginner clinics and demos to professional competitive races. You can also just go to watch others roll. Visit the website for the event schedule and to register for races.
Alexandria Food & Wine Festival
Where: John Carlyle Square
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
It may sound like a grown-up event – and the main activity is, for the most part – but there will be activities for little ones, too. The festival will showcase some of the best of Alexandria’s restaurants and Virginia wineries. And to complement it all will be live entertainment, a children’s corner (moon bounce, face painting, and more), and cooking demos. While admission is free, you will need to purchase tickets to sample food and wine – $20 per ticket book, $10 for the wine garden. John Carlyle Square is located at 300 John Carlyle Street in Alexandria.
Thai Village
Where: Grace Church in Georgetown
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Join the Royal Thai Embassy to celebrate the 2nd Annual Thai Village in Georgetown. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the joining of Washington, DC, and Bangkok, Thailand as sister cities. Enjoy Thai cuisine, culture, and musical performances by Thai artists from DC metro and New York.There is no entrance fee, but food and drinks will be available for purchase. Grace Church is located at 1021 Wisconsin Avenue NW, across the street from the Royal Thai Embassy.
Bowie Baysox Star Wars Saturday
Where: Prince George’s Stadium
When: Saturday, 6:35pm (gates open at 5:35pm)
Admission: Tickets start at $7
The Bowie Baysox will be in the center of an intergalactic conflict when the team hosts Star Wars Night on Saturday, as the Baysox take on the Reading. The event will feature characters in movie-quality replica costumes, lightsaber battles, droids, pre and postgame performances, and a fireworks extravaganza after the Jedi Knights and Sith Lords have a final showdown. Fans are welcome to come in costume, too! Get directions to Prince George’s Stadium here.
Civil War Vintage Baseball Day
Where: Caffi Field
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Take a trip back in time and watch a how a Civil War game became America’s favorite pastime. Tournament games will match up the Elkton Eclipse, Chesapeake Nine, and the Old Dominions of Northern Virginia, and skills classes welcome children ages 6-12 after the games. Guests can also experience what life was like during the Civil War era through nearby living history encampments. Caffi Field is located at 120 Cherry Street SE in Vienna, Va.
Military Mail Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, 12-3:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s a Family Day at the museum dedicated to all things mail. At this one, make a card for military personnel serving our country, learn about V-Mail in World War II, make a stamp collection, and explore the Mail Call exhibit with a fun scavenger hunt. At 2p, guests can also take a fun, easy swing dance mini-lesson with David Norton, dance instructor from Joy of Motion Dance Center.
Congressional Stamp Show
Where: Rayburn House Office Building Foyer
When: Sunday (thru Tuesday), 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
There’s more mail related fun at the Congressional Stamp Show taking place on Sunday (and through Tuesday, June 26). The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, StampCamp USA, and the American Philatelic Society are hosting the second free Congressional Stamp Show. Featuring a display of items from the personal stamp collections of Members of Congress, the exhibition is free and open to the public. Both non-collectors and collectors, young and old are welcome, and there will be a special area dedicated to children with activities designed to stimulate and educate.
SunWise, Imagination Playground, and More
Where: National Children’s Museum Launch Zone
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Drop in at the NCM’s Launch Zone at National Harbor for a variety of activities happening this weekend. On Saturday, join a program designed to encourage kids to be “sun wise” this summer or see a production of “Princess Sunni’s Birthday.” On Sunday, let imagination guide kids as they build castles, pirate ships and more out of foam blocks and loose parts in the Imagination Playground.
Family Fun and Fit Day
Where: Kaiser Permanente Gaithersburg Medical Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Kaiser Permanente is hosting a Community Family Fun and Fit Day at the new Gaithersburg Medical Center, and everyone is welcome to join. Fin activities to entertain and delight everyone in the family — live musical theater for kids, a DJ, face painting, obstacle courses, giveaways and prizes, health and nutrition booths, refreshments, and much more!
Inova Loudoun Hospital Centennial Celebration
Where: Ida Lee Park Festival Field
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Inova Loudoun Hospital will celebrate 100 years of serving the health care needs of the community in Leesburg this weekend, and the public is invited to the free fun, family day. The event will have an early 1900’s flair, plus a variety of activities including jugglers, stilt walkers, a caricature artist, rock wall, and a teddy bear clinic. There will be appearances by a period impersonator and sports mascots as well as exhibitors, a photo booth, and giveaways while supplies last. Activities are free, and carnival food will be available for purchase.
