Tag Archives: Family Friendly Halloween in DC

November 7, 2024 · 6:03 pm

The Weekend Round-Up:
November 8-11

Head to Eastern Market for November Fest on Saturday

Happy Weekend!

Get quick inspo for local fun in these go-to posts:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Side Yards
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
This nighttime circus that’s great for the entire family is back at the Yards. And I can tell you from experience, it’s a super fun event! The evening of eccentric amusement includes magicians, stilt walkers, contortionists, jugglers, sword swallowers, and more offbeat entertainers. There will also be glow giveaways, glitter tattoos, a DJ, an interactive bubble artist, and new this year… mud wrestlers! Food and drinks will be available for purchase, or plan to dine at one of many nearby eateries. Reserve free tickets.

Caps vs Penguins
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $110 (check for deal)
Hockey, anyone? The Capitals are playing at home on Friday evening as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Go early to grab a bite in the Penn Quarter neighborhood — this post about kid-friendly eats in DC has suggestions for places to go.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: $25-99
See the movie showcased on a colossal HD screen, complemented by a diverse ensemble of musicians and instrumentalists performing the film’s iconic score and soundtrack live. This extraordinary lineup includes a full orchestra, a skilled scratch DJ on turntables, as well as percussion and electronic instrumentalists.

November Fest
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Eastern Market is always a great destination on weekends, especially in the fall when the weather is nice and crisp. This weekend will be extra lively with extra entertainment to celebrate the market, its vendors, and the community. Shop the flea market outside and the purveyors inside, have some tasty food, and enjoy the music of local acts!

Family Day: Veterans Day
Where: Library of Congress | 10 1st Street SE, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Admission: Free with tickets
Join the Library for their monthly Family Day that highlights Veterans Day in November, with activities related to the national holiday. Dig into the role Victory Gardens played on the home front during the two World Wars, decorate a plant pot, and pick up seeds for your own herb harvest. And learn more about how Americans contributed to the war effort and supported the troops overseas. Read more about the local and national treasure here.

STEAM (& Free) Saturday
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Families are invited to join the Building Museum from 1-3pm for STEAM activities related to the Brick City exhibition. The series occurs the second Saturday of each month, and for November, guests will explore the basics of geodesic domes and the innovative ways architects and engineers use forces to create self-supporting structures. There is also a Building Readers Club meeting in collaboration with The Washington Ballet! Young readers will journey through the story of The Nutcracker, then enjoy an interactive movement class with Clara and friends. Even more, the museum is offering free admission to all of its exhibits on Saturday, so whether or not you join the STEAM or reading fun, it’s a great time to go! Registration required.

Open Studio: Primary Palettes
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 2pm
Join the museum for an art-making adventure inspired by artist Mark Bradford. Play with the possibilities of primary colors and see what you can make from yellow, red, and blue. Plan to see the fantastic Osgemeos: Endless Story exhibit while you’re there — make sure to reserve free passes for it!

Uncle Devin
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 1:30pm
Tickets: $22
Go on a magical journey through the Land of Percussion to see and hear different percussion instruments with D.C.-based musician Uncle Devin. Through this interactive musical experience, kids and their families will discover the history of percussion and move to the beat of funky drums, Go-Go, and more. Recommended for ages 5+.

Mr. Root
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am | Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
InterAct Story Theatre’s Wheaton Family Theatre Series continues with a show from from Story Tapestries featuring dynamic Hip Hop artist Jamaal “Mr. Root” Collier. His interactive and engaging performance is challenging, fun and entertaining! Each member of the audience has an opportunity to ‘GET INVOLVED’ with call-and-response, steady beat chants, beat production and even some group dancing! Jamaal explains the importance of expressing yourself and explains how some legends of the culture have done the same. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Foil Sculpture Workshop
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 12-2pm
Admission: Free
This workshop is for kids, families, and anyone with a love for creativity. Unleash your imagination and craft amazing foil sculptures that can strike any pose with Artist Rain Young. Learn how to transform aluminum foil and wire into dynamic figures, create unique poses for your sculptures, and paint and add stone details to make your art truly yours. The program ends with a mini art show to share your creation with other participants.

Disney’s Frozen
Where: Olney Theater | Olney, MD
When: Through January 5
Tickets: $41-110
Olney’s production of the Disney classic promises to deliver everything families love about the adventures of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, along with a unique production you won’t experience anywhere else. Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka directs their biggest musical ever.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Where: Signature Theater | Arlington, VA
When: Through January 12
Tickets: $59-126 (look for discount)
In one of the greatest musical comedies of all time, three households reside next to each other in ancient Rome. Just outside their doors, the exploits of a quick-thinking Roman slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan, a lovesick young man and others devolve into uproarious chaos in a fast-paced, witty and monumental escapade. With mistaken identities, wily ruses, madcap chases, a love story, and a happy ending of course, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s audacious and irreverent spectacle has something for everyone. Recommended for age 6+.

Playoff Spirit
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 12:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $25
The Washington Spirit are playing a quarterfinal playoff match on Sunday against Bay FC. It’s a blackout, so don your black gear and join an unforgettable day packed with pregame festivities, flag giveaways, a halftime performance by the Morgan State marching band, and, of course, exciting soccer play by some fierce women!

Skate Under the Sky
Where: Local ice skating rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
It’s outdoor skating season! Several outdoor rinks have opened their ice, so you can glide the day (or night) away. Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Rockville Town Square, Westpost Outdoor Skating (formerly Pentagon Row rink), and Reston Town Center are all open. This post has the scoop on all of them — indoor venues, too — including bonus activities while you’re there.

Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Appreciate and celebrate fall nature at Hidden Meadows Nature Center. Join a Planet Adventure Night at Turner Farm Park Observatory. Learn about animal and plant survival in nature at Burke Lake Park. And there are even more interesting adventures! Details and registration for activities this weekend and beyond are available here.

Park it in MoCo
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Montgomery Parks also presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Sign up young bikers for a youth mountain bike ride at Little Bennett Regional Park. Join a group of little garden explorers at Brookside Gardens. Listen to a raptor caretaker chat at Meadowside Nature Center. Find details on these activities and more!

Tour the Veterans Memorials
Where: National Mall, DC
When: Monday (& throughout the weekend)
Admission: Free
Observe Veterans Day on the actual day or anytime over the weekend by visiting the sites that honor those who have served. Make the rounds on the Mall at your leisure — the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Korean War Memorial are all within easy walking distance. And while not on the National Mall, another obvious place for a Veterans Day Weekend outing (or a visit anytime) is Arlington Cemetery.

National Veterans Parade
Where: Constitution Ave. | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
It’s DC’s 2nd Annual National Veterans Parade. On Sunday, a procession of veterans organizations, floats, specialty vehicles, and marching bands will make its way down Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th Streets, to celebrate and honor our nation’s veteran community for their duty to defend and protect the United States. The parade steps off at the National Archives and will make its way west.

Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Monday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free/military, $28/age 12+, $15/6-11, free/0-6
Special activities at George Washington’s former estate include a wreath laying ceremony, performances by the Harmony Heritage Singers and the United States Air Force Strings, music and history on the Bowling Green, and a chance to meet General Washington. Throughout the day, write a thank you letter to an active duty service member in the Vaughan Lobby. Honored guests are also invited to place a flower at Washington’s Tomb. (Above admission fees are for online; prices are slightly higher on site.) In honor of our nation’s veterans, Mount Vernon admits FREE all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day.

Honoring Native Veterans
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Monday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Join the American Indian museum in honoring the enduring and distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military. Events include a lecture and book reading by US Air Force veteran and children’s author Teresa Lynch-Chrapkiewicz (Navajo) and a conversation on healing veterans with US Air Force veteran and mental health counselor Shannon E. Ayres, and Diné historian and traditional practitioner Shawn Price. The day concludes with the Presentation of Colors by the National Capital Region Native American Color Guard and a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial.

Hoops Time!
Where: Colleges around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The college basketball season just started, and with so many universities in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on — and it’s also a great time for families. Here are some games you can catch this weekend:
* America women vs Faileigh Dickinson on Friday at 12pm
* GW men vs Hampton on Friday at 7pm
* Howard women vs GW on Friday at 7pm
* Maryland men vs Mt. St. Mary’s on Friday at 8pm
* Georgetown Men vs Fairfield on Friday at 4pm
* George Mason women on Saturday at 3pm
* Catholic women vs Shenandoah Saturday at 5pm
* American men vs Harvard on Sunday at 2pm
* George Mason men vs Stony Brook on Monday at 7pm

Autumn Adventures
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Fall festival time has wound down, but there are plenty of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post has 10 suggestions for great places to go for fall adventures.

Early Holiday Fun
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you want to start your holiday season celebrating early, a few annual events are happening this weekend. The Winter Lantern Festival began last week, the Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens opens Friday, the Czech Embassy’s Christmas Market is on Saturday, and National Harbor’s Tree Lighting and Fireworks is on Saturday evening.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***

* The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre is a DC holiday tradition for many, and tickets ae on sale.

* Thanksgiving dine-in and to-go options around DC.

* A local volunteer event leading up to Thanksgiving with a special Young Families Program. Find even more ongoing volunteer ops.

* Let the gift shopping begin! Snag some kids’ things in this big sale, like an adorable winter hat, a Spider Man hoodie, the sweetest slippers, or family pajamas for your whole crew.

* Always good to have hostess gifts on hand… something small and fun is great, like quirky wine stoppers, cute cocktail picks, or a cool puzzle.

* The Sephora sale is great time to snag some stocking stuffers for my teen daughter, like her fave lip balm, an eyelash curler, and the drying lotion she likes. (And maybe a good time to go for this hair dryer, too!) Use code SAVINGS.

* And speaking of shopping for teen daughters, this is a fun activity with them.

* Just started reading All Fours, which has been getting raves this year, and into it so far!

* A couple of watch recs: The Martha documentary on Netflix and the new series High Potential on Hulu (tweens and older could watch it, too)

* Last minute Thanksgiving abroad sounds kinda fun.

* 10 Happy Things for November

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. This helps me continue to produce KFDC, all completely free to readers. Thank you so much for the support!

The Weekend Round-Up:
November 1-3

Happy Weekend!

Link up to an array of ideas for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Tricks & Treats: Halloween Circus Show and Open House
Where: Capital City Circus School | Navy Yard, DC
When: Friday, 7pm & Saturday, 2pm & 7pm
Admission: $15-20/youth, $30-40/adult, $60-70/all-access pass
Treat the fam to a show with tons of cool tricks! The Capitol City Circus School’s staff performance troupe is thrilled to bring you an hour of delightfully spooky entertainment, featuring flying trapeze, aerial, and ground acts. Note that shows are Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Open House: On Saturday at 2pm, sample CCCS circus offerings, no experience required! With an All-Access Pass, try out mini-lessons in four different circus disciplines. All-access pass participants must be at least 7 years old. There’s no maximum age; this is for kids AND adults! You can also play games, make crafts, and enjoy food and drink with the community! Have a look around our circus school, and meet staff performers before they take to the stage.

Pumpkin Chunkin’
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $14/adult, $12/child
What to do with your jack-o-lantern now that Halloween is over? Take it to Great Country’s smashin’ session and let it fly! You have options to do this: The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself, or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to the upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40-foot lift. (We’ve had a blast doing this!) Smashings are given to the pigs and cows to eat and also composted. And along with the chunkin’, there’s a whole play area of farm fun, plus apple picking ops.

First Saturday
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Gallery of Art for their monthly First Saturday, a special day-long affair that includes free programs for kids of all ages. This Saturday, immerse in the dynamic Parisian art scene during the emergence of Impressionism by exploring Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment. Take little ones to story time, and kids of all ages to a Sketching Lab, Play-Space, and Pop-Up Library. And get creative with Drop-in Artmaking to let your inner Impressionist shine!

Underground Railroad Guided Hike
Where: Woodlawn Manor | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am & 1pm
Admission: $8
Join Montgomery Parks to celebrate Maryland’s Emancipation Day with a hike on what was part of the Underground Railroad. There will be other activities at Woodlawn Manor to commemorate the day. Register in advance and read about the great hike in this KFDC post.

More Fun at Moco Parks
Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Montgomery Parks also presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Enjoy Storytime in the Garden at Brookside Gardens. Cast a Ballot for Nature at Meadowside Nature Center. Do some biking at South Germantown Recreational Park. Find details on these activities and more!

She Persisted
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Sat, 11am & 2pm | Sun, 2pm
Admission: $27
It’s the final weekend to catch this timely show at Adventure Theatre… Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Sailing on String
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through November 5
Admission: $15
Two curious explorers take off on a voyage into a world made of string! Yarn birds fly through the air, and a string ship travels the sea. This gentle, engaging performance from Arts on the Horizon features object transformation, movement, live string music, and captivating design. Watch as a simple piece of yarn takes on countless new forms in this special immersive performance for the youngest audience members. Created especially for babies and toddlers, this show runs about 20 minutes in length and will be followed by a 5-to-10-minute hands-on exploration of the props used in the show.

The Light House
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: November 2
Admission: $18.25 (look for discount)
On a little island in a faraway sea, there is a little girl who tends a lighthouse and who never ever smiles. Until one day, when she must set out for the horizon, and beyond…. From the playful minds of longtime pals and award-winning collaborators, Natasha Mirny and Tia Shearer Bassett, The Light House is a unique combination of shadow puppetry, storytelling, and interactive theatre. Celebrate the imaginative possibility of everyday objects (a cereal box, a flashlight, a sheet!) as you help Natasha and Tia tell a tale full of silliness and heart. Also…sea creatures. Recommended for ages 6-10.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Where: Signature Theater | Arlington, VA
When: October 29 – January 12
Admission: $59-126 (look for discount)
In one of the greatest musical comedies of all time, three households reside next to each other in ancient Rome. Just outside their doors, the exploits of a quick-thinking Roman slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan, a lovesick young man and others devolve into uproarious chaos in a fast-paced, witty and monumental escapade. With mistaken identities, wily ruses, madcap chases, a love story, and a happy ending of course, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s audacious and irreverent spectacle has something for everyone. Recommended for age 6+.

Autumn Flowers
Where: DAR Museum | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
In this hands-on activity, kids will learn how to make a project to take home, based on the Sewn in America: Making – Meaning – Memory exhibition. Museum educators will guide them through the process, providing all the materials needed to create an autumn-themed fabric flower. Recommended for ages 7+. Registration requested.

Open Studio: Material Matters
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Delve into the creative world of artist Mark Bradford and his masterpiece Pickett’s Charge, as you explore his use of color, texture, and materials. Collaborate in the creation of a large-scale artwork inspired by Bradford’s process, or craft your own mixed-media piece to take home. Each week will introduce new ideas and creative challenges. This will take place every Saturday in November.

Model Rocket Launch
Where: Goddard Space Flight Center | Greenbelt, MD
When: Saturday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Join the monthly model rocket launch at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Anyone is welcome, and if you’ve got a model rocket to fly, bring it along (though there are some restrictions – see them here). The program takes place the first Saturday of every month at 1pm. Read more about it in this post.

Adams Morgan PorchFest
Where: Adams Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Get the best seats in the house (or on the sidewalk) as over 22 porches, business patios, parks, and the closed 18th Street become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the area to the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan. Enjoy a variety of music styles, including classic rock, funk, go-go, rap, reggae, blue grass, classical, and pop. Pick up a music map and free wristband that will get you discount at over 30 Adams Morgan businesses at the plaza on the corner of Columbia and Adams Mill Roads, 2424 18th Street NW inside the road closure, and Marie Reed Elementary School Plaza at 18th and Wyoming.

Fall Farm Fun
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Just because you’re not picking out a potential Jack o’ lantern, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have some fun on the farm. Many area farms have way more to enjoy than just pumpkin patches — and they are still welcoming visitors to whiz down slides, bounce on giant jumping pillows, visit farm animals, and loads more. The list of fall fests has info on where to find it.

Día de los Muertos Celebration
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday 4-7pm
Admission: Free
bring the fam to a Día de los Muertos celebration at The Wharf. The family-friendly afternoon will have free activities for the kids, including face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more. Adults can sip on Modelo while checking out beautifully decorated altars honoring loved ones, listening to live music, and enjoying a community lantern procession. Dress the part by wearing colorful colors, skulls, and flowers!

Dias de los Muertos Meal
Where: Agua 301 | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday
Admission: $20 (kids under 10 are free)
Celebrate Day of the Dead with a meal at Agua 301. They will be crating an ofrenda where you can include your loved ones to be remembered and honored. A buffet will be available for everyone to enjoy Mexican dishes, and fun for the kids, like face painting and crafts, will also be provided. No tickets are required for kids under 10.

All Caps
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission: Start at $34 (check for deals)
The Caps are back on. the ice, and you can see them in action on Saturday as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Plan on a pre or post-game meal in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Camine’s, Shake Shack, and Oyamel. See details and even more suggestions here.

Día de los Muertos Festival & Outdoor Projection
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: November 2, 5-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the Portrait Gallery’s annual celebration of el Día de los Muertos, one of their biggest events of the year. Enjoy live music, Mexican folk-dance performances, workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. Create calaveras and papel picado to decorate the community altar, get your face painted to look like la Catrina, and more! Take the celebration to the streets as you witness the live video mapping projection by artists MasPaz and Guache. The artists will create their work live from the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, projected onto the G and 9th street façade.

Alexandria Fall Festival
Where: River Farm | Alexandria, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: $25, $10/age 5 & under
Enjoy a day of fall fun at the lovely River Farm. Bounce houses, face painting, performances, pony rides, the petting zoo, the photo booth, and activities are all FREE. (Candle-making workshops can be booked and paid for in advance.) A beer & wine garden will feature Port City Brewing and Lost Boy Cider, plus lots of good eats from local food vendors.

Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is FREE! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. If tickets aren’t available, plan to go another day — the admission fee is worth it! (Or snag them for a future free day.)

Leaf Peeping Hikes
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take in the brilliant color spectrum of autumn and get a little exercise, to boot, on a family hike. From right here in the city to country locales, you’ve got your pick of places where you can enjoy the fall foliage and some time outdoors. This post about good area hikes with kids started in the early KFDC days, and with many new recommendations added since, there are lots of great suggestions for trails that will make for happy trampers. A few specific suggestions for this weekend: National Arboretum in NE DC, Huntley Meadows in Alexandria, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve in McLean, Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.

Nature Calling
Where: Nature centers around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
If you’re not feeling outdoorsy, you can still get a dose of the outside world in the comfort of the indoors at a nature center. There are several great ones around the area that offer cool exhibits, including live creatures. Buddie Ford Nature Center in Alexandria, Watkins in Upper Marlboro, Potomac Overlook in Arlington, Long Branch in Falls Church, and Brookside in Silver Spring all make for a great outing.

Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: Around Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Not only is it nice to get a change of metro area scenery sometimes, Baltimore, our sister city just a 45-minute drive away, is full of fantastic, family-friendly things to do. This post has info about all of them, including big attractions, suggestions for places to eat, and neighborhoods to explore.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***

* The latest Five Things, in case you missed it.

* Fall is a perfect time to enjoy these kinds of adventures.

* Hirshhorn Art School, a new art making studio in the museum, just opened this past week offering all kinds of creative fun several days during the week.

* Can you secretly take your kids’ Halloween candy?

* Best children’s books of 2024 so far.

* Boden has a sale going on right now, and their kids’ stuff is the cutest! See girls, boys, and baby.

* Now that Halloween is over, it’s time to start thinking about these.

* How to burn off Halloween candy calories…

* Make your plan to vote!

The Weekend Round-Up:
October 25-27

Happy Weekend!

Check out these KFDC go-tos for all kinds of family fun ideas:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Action
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Celebrate Halloween all weekend long and up to the big day! A scary amount of events and activities that embrace the spooky spirit are happening over the next week. A bunch are detailed in this round-up, but you definitely want to view this post, which has info on even more happenings with all kinds of tricks and treats.

Skaters Gonna Skate
Where: Silver Spring & Rockville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Ready to glide under the sky? A couple of outdoor ice skating rinks, Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza and Rockville Town Center, have started welcoming guests to skate the day (and night) away. The rest of the aea rinks will follow by mid-November.) This guide has details on all of them (indoor venues, too), including extra activities to enjoy while you’re there.

Hill-O-Ween
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Capitol Hill’s annual neighborhood event is legendary for little ones! Count on live pumpkin carving and a DJ spinning tunes for a spooky dance party. More details are still to come, but for past events the block of 7th Street SE next to Eastern Market is closed to traffic for one of the best community Halloween celebrations in the city. There have been moon bounces, goody giveaways, face painting, wagon rides, and more exciting festivities. The best part is seeing the masses of jubilant kids in all kinds of costumes indulging in the extravaganza.

Watch the Wizards
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary (look for discount)
The Wizards’ season just started so bounce on over to Capital One Arena and watch them play the Cleveland Cavaliers. Plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, and Shake Shack. See even more places here.

Día de los Muertos | Day of the Dead Celebration
Where: National Museum of the American Indian | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to enjoy fun festivities, including dance performances, artist and food demonstrations, coloring activities, and paper marigold and mask making. Visitors are also invited to leave photos and mementos of their loved ones on the ofrenda (altar) or commemorate them by writing their names on a butterfly to attach to the memorial arch.

Halloween Scenes
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
One of my favorite things about Halloween on Capitol Hill is the many houses decked out in decor for the holiday. And strolling (or biking or scooting) around to see them makes for a wicked fun family activity. The Hill is Home makes that easier with their Spooky Hill Map. Even if you don’t live here, it’s worth coming to the area to experience, especially since you can make a longer day of it and plan for a visit to the Library of Congress or the U.S. Capitol, some browsing at Eastern Market, or play time at one of the many parks or playgrounds.

Air & Scare
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, parking is $15
The beloved Air & Scare event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center has loads of Halloween-themed activities like trick or treat stations, creepy crafts, spooky experiments, special story times and puppet shows, photo ops, and costume contests. Note that the outdoor part of the event is sold out, but there are plenty of indoor festivties, plus the whole museum to tour.

Museum Open House
Where: Kreeger Museum | Foxhall-Palisades, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The Kreeger Museum invites all ages to their annual Open House! The free, family-friendly event will have live jazz music, art-making activities, and food trucks selling refreshments. Picnics are also welcome in the lovely sculpture garden. Entrance to the Museum will be free of charge with the permanent collection on view. If you have never been (or even if you have), it’s a great time to go. Read more about the Kreeger in this KFDC post.

Garlic Planting Party
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Help ward off evil spirits at the Arboretum’s annual Garlic Planting Party in the Washington Youth Garden. Celebrate the WYG community and the end of the growing season with garlic planting, face painting, fall art activities, food tastings, vegetable harvesting, and more. Wearing costumes is highly encouraged! Read more about the Washington Youth Garden in this KFDC post and view scenes from fall at the Arboretum here — it’s gorgeous this time of year!

Something Wicked: Supernatural Shakespeare
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 12:30pm & 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Get spooky with Shakespeare’s ghosts and witches. Join the Folger on fun escapades to explore the hurly-burly elements of Shakespeare’s plays. Costumes welcome. Note that the 11:30am workshop is recommended for ages 5–7, and the 1pm workshop for ages 8–14. Free registration is required.

Fall Block Party
Where: The Station at Riverdale Park | Riverdale, MD
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The Stations’s first annual Fall Block Party will feature local artists and businesses along with lots of family-friendly activities, including a 9-hole mini golf course, mat Pilates, face painting, pumpkins, and more. There will be a DJ, and The Shed will lead a drum circle and instrument petting zoo. There will also be a “Pup-kin Costume Contest,” a Halloween-themed costume contest for dogs, at 2pm. Food and drink vendors, too.

Día de los Muertos Family Day
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family for live entertainment, including traditional Mexican folk dance byCorazon Folklorico, a mariachi performance by Mariachi Aguila DC, and a showcase of different Latin American music genres and dances with Sol y Rumba. Kids 12 and younger can enjoy face painting throughout the day as well as Día de los Muertos-themed crafts. All ages can have fun exploring the museum in a Día de los Muertos scavenger hunt.

Glen Echo Fall Frolic
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free, but small cost for some activities
It’s a safe and fun Halloween event with something for everyone! Activities include decorating a Trick-or-Treat bag and other crafts, a festive fall photo-op, a costume contest (will you win for “Most Spooky,” “Most Creative,” or “Best Group?”), and Trick-or-Treating at resident art studios and galleries. They focus on the arts-y & crafts-y more than the scary at this event, but they love to see all the costumes, even the scary ones, so get the kids dressed in their Halloween best!

Hill Family Biking Halloween Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 4-5:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s the second annual Hill Family Biking Halloween Ride! The rolling fun will start at Lincoln Park by the Lincoln Statue, but the route will be a mystery until the day of the ride! We’ll be using the Spooky Hill is Home map built a route along the scariest blocks on the Hill. The ride will end at Eastern Market Metro Plaza for some spooky fun including live music from the Knox Engler Band and a costume contest with awesome prizes.

Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 1:30pm | Sunday, 1:30pm & 4pm
Tickets: $23.50
Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom returns with a new show. Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! illustrates physical science concepts, which are also metaphors for real-life mental and emotional pressures. Praised for keeping crowds riveted with interest and rolling with laughter, Doktor Kaboom is also known for empowering volunteers from the audience to be the heroes of the moment. In Under Pressure!, Kaboom validates the pressures some students may feel, and shares tools and life lessons as resources for dealing with the difficulties that face us all. Recommended for ages 8+

Winnie the Pooh
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am & 1pm
Admission: $12-44
Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day. Recommended for ages 3+.

She Persisted
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Sat, 11am & 2pm | Sun, 2pm
Tickets: $27
There’s a couple more weekends to catch Adventure Theatre’s current show… Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Hocus Pocus Trick or Treating
Where: Shipgarten | McLean, VA
When: Sunday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family for an unforgettable experience meeting friendly, fun characters from Hocus Pocus, plus face painting and arts & crafts kids can enjoy. They’ll also have live music, moonbounces, and a full playground so everyone can have a blast! Dogs are welcome at Shipgarten too, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park.

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Sunday, 2pm & 4pm
Admission: $23.50
An annual tradition at the Kennedy center as the Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween. Enjoy a concert filled with musical treats from fa-boo-lous new works to spooky old classics. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace! Recommended for ages 5+.

Fall Festing
Where: Around the DC region
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Fall festivals are in full swing at locales all around the area to celebrate the season. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities GALORE to help folks embrace the autumn spirit. See a whole round-up of where you can do that here.

Autumn off the Farm
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Farm festivals may be the go-to autumn outing, but there are lots of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post lists 10 great places to check out for fall adventures.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***

* On the National Mall next Tuesday!

* Speaking of the Mall, have you been to these DC museums located beyond it?

* Be aware of multiple street closures on Sunday for the Marine Corps Marathon — see specifics here.

* Groupon currently has several good deals for local kids activities, including the LEGO Discovery Center, The St. James’ Super Awesome & Amazing activity center + indoor water park, and Regal Movie Theaters.

* Disney’s Frozen just opened at Olney Theatre — it’s sold out this weekend, but you can reserve tickets for upcoming performances.

* Recently bought (and love, it’s so soft) this half-zip that is similar to this one that is triple the cost.

* Bookmarking these comments full of lunch ideas.

* Anthro has a 40% off sale promo going on that includes home & furniture. How lovely is this vase? And this rug? And this apron? And this doormat? (PS: The sale includes clothing and accessories, too.)

* Just finished this book and relished every second of reading it. The unique premise could be considered kind of cheesy just hearing about it, but the writing is so polished and smart that the whole novel is actually quite brilliant. I learned about it from Darcy, who always has the best book recs.

* How fun is this “spooky” umbrella that will delight well beyond Halloween? (Same for this wine stopper and this garlic press.)

* I’ve been seeing so many great slouchy bags as an accessory for the season… like this brown suede, this olive green leather, this one with embroidery, and this cute inexpensive canvas tote.

* Lol…only a few months from this (#5).

* DC weather observations.