Happy Long Weekend!
Quick links to go-to posts:
* 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
Season Finales
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This weekend is the last for some of the pursuits we’ve been enjoying all summer, outdoor swimming pools, summer consert series, and special exhibits among them. If you’re hoping to see the fairy houses at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, explore Mindbender Mansion at National Children’s Museum, enjoy music on the Yards Park boardwalk, or jump in at a public pool, then get on it this weekend! For details on these and other seasonal activities that will continue for a few more weeks, check out the KFDC Summer Guide.
Final Friday Night Concert
Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront DC
When: Friday, 7-9pm
Admission: Free
Seems I got a little ahead of myself last weekend, because summer’s not over at the Yards Park boardwalk! There is one more night of music and fun on Friday at the Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series, featuring The Groove Spot Band. Get the long weekend started with music and bites and drinks that you can purchase there and at eateries around the area. Go early to let the kids enjoy some play time in the water features or some free fishing!
Nats vs Cubs + Free Summer Concert
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket start at $19
Nats games include some extra fun and entertainment this weekend. Catch them on Friday evening (6:45pm), Saturday late afternoon (4:05pm), and Sunday early afternoon (1:35pm). Friday’s game is part of the Nats Summer Concerts series, and all ticket holders can stay after to see Two Friends perform. On Saturday there is a CJ Abrams streetwear bobblehead giveaway, and on Sunday kids can get a Ruiz catching gear T-shirt and run the bases after the game.
Virginia Scottish Games
Where: The Plains, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 9pm
Admission: $20-30/age 12+, $5/ages 5-12, free/under 5
Celebrate Scottish heritage at the 50th annual Virginia Scottish Games featuring everything from music and dance to sports and games to food and cars, even Scottish dogs. Much of it will be showcased through competition, but there is plenty that all visitors can partake in, too. Two-day adult passes are available for $30.
Labor Day Weekend Festivities
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: Free
It’s an exciting weekend at Glen Echo. The annual Labor Day Art Show runs throughout the weekend with all kinds of art to check out. On Sunday and Monday, you can also enjoy the Social Dance Showcase, with live music and a variety of different dance styles. There will be short beginner lessons at the start of each dance, and all dances are open to people of all skill level, no partner required. And Dentzel Carousel will operate all weekend, 11am – 5pm each day.
Chinese Cultural Festival
Where: 3rd-4th St. NW | Pennsylvania Ave, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This free and public cultural event promises a vibrant celebration of Chinese arts, experiences, tourism, and cuisine. The festival’s centerpiece will be its diverse array of artistic performances, with local art troupes and professional artists showcasing a variety of dance, vocal performances, musical instrument recitals, martial arts displays, and acrobatics. It will all culminate in a grand procession showcasing traditional Chinese art forms, including dragon and lion dances, resounding gongs and drums, waist drum performances, and Yangge folk dances.
Back to School Bike Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the new school year with Hill Family Biking on Saturday morning. Join a 4.5-mile bike ride touring Capitol Hill schools, ending back at Maury Elementary for a block party to ring in the the school year. There will also be an unveiling of the first-of-its-kind in DC crosswalk art at 13th and Tennessee. More block party activities include: a bouncy house, chalk art, face painting, a cycletrack littles (bring balance bikes, scooters, etc), DC Public Library Book Bike, a live DJ, Maracas Ice Pops tricycle, and Fat Pete’s BBQ Truck. Join for the bike ride, the block party, or both! Register for free in advance.
Celebration of Reading
Where: MLK Library | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am- 2pm
Admission: Free
The Leadership Conference Education Fund along with other organizations are hosting this event to say that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and included in our schools, and they deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read. This celebration of books will include free books, live performances, and lots of family-friendly fun — all are welcome.
DC Afro Latino Fest
Where: Franklin Park | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs invites you to the 2024 DC Afro Latino Fest to celebrate and highlight the diversity of the Latino Community in DC. The event will include cultural performances, community engagement, live music, and more.
Clay Sculpture & Storytime
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday 12-2pm
Admission: Free
Bring the family to participate in a workshop for children feauturing a storytime and creating their own clay sculptures. Play and Thrive DC will present the inspiring tale of Look, Look, Look at Sculpture, which follows the adventures of three curious mice as they explore a museum filled with magnificent sculptures. Participants will learn about the creative process of making sculptures and replicate a sculpture from a set of beautifully illustrated cards or create their own unique designs. With clay and sculpting tools at their disposal, they will explore various techniques of molding, shaping, and detailing their pieces.
Day Trippin’
Where: Around the DC area (and a bit beyond)
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
The long weekend is a great time to head a little further out and enjoy a day trip. Some ideas for where to go:
* Zip up to Baltimore, where there are so many great attractions for families.
* See the spectacular underground world of Luray Caverns.
* Enjoy hiking and history at Harpers Ferry.
* Go to Calvert County for art adventures at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, a beach day at Calvert Cliffs State Park, maritime explorations at the Calvert Marine Museum, or even a pontoon boat excursion from Solomons Island.\
Merriment Galore
Where: Maryland Renaissance Festival | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $26/adults, $23/seniors, $14/7-15, free/6 & under
Take a glorious day trip back to medieval times at Ren Fest, where there is something for everyone. Besides the amazing variety of entertainment — jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, juggling acts, Celtic music, and much more — walking among knights, maidens, pirates, and villagers in a 16th-century village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead is an interesting little jaunt back in time that any age can enjoy.
Maryland State Fair
Where: Timonium Fairgrounds | Timonium-Lutherville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5-10 (rides, games, etc. are extra)
If you missed the recent local county fairs or want to enjoy even more rides, games, live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, and carnival fun, head north to the Maryland State Fair. You can even see some thoroughbred horse racing! The Fair will also be held September 5-8.
How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Where: Farms & orchards around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The apple picking season is underway! Several farms in the area have opened their orchards for guests to start gathering (and there’s a corn maze, to boot, at one)! This list of area farms and orchards offering pick-your-own opportunities has details on where you can harvest them. I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the fruits are available the day you plan to go.
Art & Me Family Workshop: Pest Patrol
Where: National Museum of Asian Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12:30pm & 1:30-3pm
Admission: Free
Art may not be on the menu for most of us, but pests seem to have a different opinion! Learn from art conservators about how they protect art from pests in this hands-on workshop for children ages three to eight and their caregivers. Try out tools from our conservation labs, tour the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, and then put your conservation skills to work in a fun craft. Register in advance!
Mamma Mia!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through September 1
Admission: $49-199
A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show.
MJ the Musical
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Through September 8
Admission: $59-169
He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to DC as MJ, the multi Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.
DC Festival of Magic Family Show
Where: Capital Hilton | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Admission: $10
The DC Festival of Magic actually takes place all weekend, but there is a show especially for families on Sunday featuring Chris Capeheart. With humor and storytelling, he has created an unparalleled magic experience that will astonish and enchant folks of all ages! There will be even more performances throughout the weekend geared toward adults — check them out here.
Labor Day Concert at the Capitol
Where: U.S. Capitol Building West Lawn | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 8pm
Admission: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra annual Labor Day concert returns to the West Lawn of the US Capitol! Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez wil lead the NSO as they perform classics by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, John Philip Sousa, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and more. The concert also features Grammy–nominated rapper/beatboxer Christylez Bacon. Gates open to the public at 3pm, and if the show at 8pm is too late, try to catch the open dress rehearsal at 3:30pm.
Labor Day Parades
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Monday
Admission: Free
For some holiday pageantry on Monday, head to Maryland — both Gaithersburg and Kensington celebrate with Labor Day parades. The 80+ year tradition in Gaithersburg includes fire engines, high school marching bands, giant balloons, horses, and clowns in its procession through Olde Towne. Kensington is hosting its Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival. Dance troupes, equestrian groups, fire trucks, circus performers will be part of the show making its way through town starting at 10am. The fun will continue afterward at a festival on Antique Row with live music, food vendors, crafts, and more.
Hike+
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Enjoy a family hike — then extend (and elevate) your outing with some some snacks (or a whole meal) and sips after. A few awesome combos for that: Sky Meadows State Park and Barrel Oak Winery. Sugarloaf Mountain and The Comus Inn or Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. Great Falls (MD side) and The Old Angler’s Inn. Patapsco Valley State Park and the Guinness Brewery. Patuxent River State Park and Waredaca Brewery. See a whole post with info for all of them here.
Open Swim
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Something quintessentially summer for a last seasonal hurrah: Seek out some cool spots to go for a swim. This round-up has details on where to do that. 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.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* A round-up of fall entertainment was just posted, with any discount tickets noted. Save your seats because some shows will sell out.
* The immersive experience, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is returning to the DC area this October, and you can reserve tickets for it now.
* The Folger Shakespeare Library just announced their fall programming, which includes several workshops for families.
* There’s still a bit of time to enter International School of Music’s giveaway for a chance to win a free music lesson.
* Recipes for Labor Day.
* Dreaming of sweater season, this one in particular, after the last few hot days.
* I recently got myself one of these after reading about the benefits, then saw I was in good comany.
* This new show about creating a K-Pop girl group is a surprisingly interesting and entertaining watch.
* Just shared a bunch of good Labor Day sales here, and a few more: West Elm (have and love this rug), so much at Bloomingdales, and some great deals on Apple products, extra 60% off sale at J.Crew.
* We’re going to take advantage of this deal for autumn grilling.
* 7 iconic cities for endless family fun.
* A few things shared in my friend chats this week that made me LOL: 1) Relatable 2) Nodding my head yep 3) Brilliant.
