Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA will awe the whole family
Fall brings a whole new season of live entertainment! Here’s the round-up of family shows coming to venues all around the DC area over the next few months, plus any available ticket discounts. Happy viewing!
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Through September 7
Tickets: Starts at $49
Experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage.
The Selfish Giant’s Garden
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Through September 14
Tickets: $16
Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre’s The Selfish Giant’s Garden is based on Oscar Wilde’s famous fairy tale about a giant who learns it’s never too late to share. The production features lathe-turned wooden marionettes. The puppet’s simple wooden surface is left so children can use their imagination. The hair is made of rope, the eyes of shiny brads. The string puppet children are round and smooth while the Giant is boxy and rough. The musical show contrasts selfishness and sharing. How does a Selfish Giant learn to share? Recommended for ages 4+.
Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Most Saturdays & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $8
The series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). They are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 in Concert
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: September 5
Tickets: $49.50+
The final battle begins. Experience Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 like you’ve never seen it before! The National Symphony Orchestra performs Alexandre Desplat’s iconic score live as the film is projected onto high-definition screens that put you in the middle of the action.
Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA
Where: Tysons II | Tysons, VA
When: September 6 – October 19
Tickets: $15/child, $60+/adult, (find discount here or here)
Join Cirque du Soleil on a journey into the colorful and fantastical world of LUZIA, set in a make-believe Mexico, where you will be treated to stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances. LUZIA deftly guides you through the locations, people, and sounds of both classical and contemporary Mexico, taking you from urban locations like an old movie set and a smoke-filled dance hall to the beach and barren desert.
The Sound of Music
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: September 9 – October 5
Tickets: $49–225 (find discount)
Sixty-five years after its original stage debut, a critically acclaimed North American tour of The Sound of Music will transport the next generation of theatergoers to the hills of Austria. Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien, the smash-hit musical classic will once again grace stages across the country, captivating audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience, and the power of music.
Damn Yankees
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: September 9 – November 9
Tickets: $49-133 (find discount)
One of America’s most beloved musicals is coming back, dusted off and spit-shined for a new generation. All the elements that made it famous are there: a diehard love of baseball, one man’s fateful (and hilarious) pact with the Devil, and Broadway’s sexiest femme fatale…but gently re-tooled for its first major revival in the 21st Century.The production immerses audiences in a whirlwind of temptation, ambition, love, and sacrifice in this bold new adaptation. Recommended for teens and older.
Merry Wives
Where: Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: September 9 – October 5
Tickets: $43-132 (find discount)
William Shakespeare’s farce gets a joyful spin from Jocelyn Bioh (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding), dropping the debaucherous Falstaff into the melting pot of modern Harlem. Short on cash, Falstaff pursues the purses of two sharp-witted West African wives. As their proud husbands’ suspicions rise, the wives cook up a scheme to shame the would-be homewrecker and prove that “wives may be merry, and yet honest too” in this “spirited, sharp, and silly” (Variety) celebration. Taylor Reynolds (Fat Ham) makes her STC directorial debut in the play’s regional premiere. Recommended for teens and older.
The Very Hungry Caterpilla Show
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: September 17 – October 12
Tickets: $15-39
This extra special event returns to Imagination Stage by popular demand… Experience 75 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music as “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Lonely Firefly,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” come to life on stage. Recommended for ages 2-6.
Red Pitch
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: September 17 – October 19
Tickets: $47-96
Bilal, Joey, and Omz have been boys their whole lives, growing up together playing soccer on their small pitch outside their south London apartments. But change is coming. Professional teams are signing up prospects, and they all harbor dreams to be chosen. Moreover, the neighborhood is changing, with lots of new apartments and franchise coffee shops pushing out longtime residents and local favorites. Can their friendship survive the threatened demise of their beloved “red pitch” and all it represents? Rated “PG-13.”
Troupe Vertigo: Cirque España!
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: September 19-20, 8pm
Tickets: $45
Symphonic, cirque-tastic fun for the entire family! Feast your eyes on Troupe Vertigo’s world-class aerial artists, contortionists, and dancers performing extraordinary feats of acrobatics, classical ballet, and contemporary theater backed by the NSO. Highly stylized choreography, lighting, and music create imaginative visual landscapes set to works by Bizet, Lecuona, Albéniz, and more, reimagined by the awe-inspiring ensemble.
Washington Capitals
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Starting September 21
Tickets: Varies (find discounts)
See some live entertainment, sports-style! The Washington Capitals’ first face off is September 21, and while thats on the road, there are plenty of home games to catch throughout the season. Check for discount tickets here.
The Princess Bride in Concert
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: September 23-34
Tickets: $45
Fencing, fighting, giants, monsters, true love, miracles… Experience this all-time favorite as never before, with the NSO performing composer Mark Knopfler’s unforgettable score live-to-picture! Directed by Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride features the all-star cast you know and love including Wallace Shwan, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Fred Savage, and Andre the Giant. Missing this cinematic concert experience would be inconceivable! Rated PG.
The Best Haunted House Ever
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: September 26 – October 5
Tickets: $13/child, $16/adult
Encore Stage & Studio presents its signature by kids for kids theatre in this new production… When students from two different high schools sneak into a local haunted house to scare their classmates, utter chaos ensues. At first it seems like the students are just pulling Halloween pranks, but when a spooky zombie and mysterious ghost don’t fit into the students’ haunting plans it can only mean one thing–they are not alone in the house! Happy haunting! Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Saturday Morning Live!: Let’s Go Exploring
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Select Saturday mornings
Tickets: FREE!
The National Theatre’s free program presents shows for children on select Saturday mornings, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music – all designed to light up imaginations and celebrate a world of wonder. This season, Saturday Morning Live! will be broadening everyone’s horizons through time travel and space travel, international music, and innovative art.
Not Your Mother’s Goose
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: October 3 – November 2
Tickets: $27
This high-energy, laugh-out-loud romp through Gooseville, where nursery rhymes come to life—and fall apart in the most delightful way! When Hickory the clock-mouse ditches his post, the enchanted Tickety-Tock Clock grinds to a halt, unleashing chaos: time unravels, day turns to night without warning, and rain refuses to fall. With the 100th Annual Peter Pumpkin Eater Harvest Festival at stake, it’s up to the ever-rhyming Mother Goose, the mischievous Itsy-Bitsy Spider, precocious Jack, contrary Mary, and a lovable cast of nursery rhyme characters to restore order. Full of clever wordplay, wild schemes, magical mishaps, and heartwarming lessons about friendship and community, Not Your Mother’s Goose! is a fast-paced theatrical adventure that turns childhood classics upside down—and right-side up again.
Joanie Leeds Concert
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 4, 11am & 1:30pm
Tickets: $25+
Join Joanie Leeds for a fun and engaging performance filled with music, stories, and hilarious anecdotes. The Grammy Award®–winning singer-songwriter is also a national touring artist, early childhood educator, and activist. Joanie’s songs traverse an eclectic spectrum of genres—folk, rock, pop, and hip hop—and cover topics both lighthearted and profound.Recommended for ages 5+.
Freemont Ave
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: October 8 – November 23
Tickets: $49-118 (find discount)
Written by Reggie D. White and directed by Lili-Anne Brown, Fremont Ave. is a raw, electric world premiere that moves across decades with the force of memory and the rhythm of Spades. From young love and big dreams to buried resentment and unmet expectations, three generations of Black men face off at the card table and come face-to-face with each other. At the center of it all is the family’s formidable matriarch: beloved, feared, and never forgotten. What begins as a game becomes a reckoning with masculinity, identity, and the weight of silence passed down. Fremont Ave. lays every card on the table and dares you to do the same. Recommended for teens and older.
Disney on Ice: Jump In!
Where: EagleBank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: October 9-13
Tickets: $29+
Join a memorable journey through your favorite Disney stories — performed on ice! Navigate the thrilling high seas of Moana 2 and the vibrant world of Inside Out 2 as the show brings new characters from the screen to the ice for the first time. Help Stitch fix a glitch as mayhem ensues across the ice, stroll the bustling metropolis of Zootopia, glide through the icy realms of Frozen, marvel at the playful universe of Toy Story, and travel to the vibrant world of Colombia with the Madrigal family in Encanto. Watch Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Tiana in a dazzling parade of Disney Princesses. This spectacle offers awe-inspiring visuals, thrilling stunts, and mesmerizing choreography where audiences are immersed in the magic of Disney.
Washington Wizards
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Starting October 12
Tickets: Varies (find discounts)
The Wizards’ season begins in October, and there are plenty of games though the fall to see some exciting basketball action. Single game tickets aren’t yet available, but check for them soon — and check here for possible discounts.
The Wild Duck
Where: Klein Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: October 18 – November 16
Tickets: $43-182 (find discount)
The eccentric son of a wealthy businessman wreaks havoc when he embarks on a crusade to unveil the false foundations of his friend’s life. Ignorant of the adults’ machinations, a young girl tries to shield a fragile creature from the hurts of the world. Recommended for teens and older.
PlayStation the Concert
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 17-18
Tickets: Start at $40
Immerse in the worlds of PlayStation like never before. This revolutionary live experience takes you on a journey through the most celebrated scores in gaming history, including God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon, and beyond. Each piece is reimagined for the stage in collaboration with acclaimed composers such as Gustavo Santaolalla, Bear McCreary, Ilan Eshkeri, and Joris de Man. At the heart of the show is a troupe of 15 virtuosic soloists whose dynamic performances blend classical skill with contemporary flair. Enhanced by advanced LED projection, surround sound, and multi-layered visuals, their artistry transforms beloved soundtracks into a living, breathing experience that resonates with gamers and music lovers alike.
Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: October 18 – November 3
Tickets: $16
When Jennie the cat receives a Halloween card that calls her a scary cat, she feels like she’s been put in a box. Does she have to be scary? Join Jennie as she meets new friends with some spectacular tricks and treats to share, like skateboarding, shadow puppetry, and pumpkin carving.
Who will Jennie choose to be? Recommended for ages 4-8.
Super Cello
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 18-19
Tickets: $29+
Aakash Odedra found school challenging, defined by his learning difficulties with dyslexia, not his abilities. Dance became his mode of expression. Mesmerizing projections, an extraordinary soundscape, moving dance, and sprinkles of humor unite in this solo dance theater show.This performance for young audiences explores the warped and exaggerated realities of living in a world that’s not designed for you. Watch bodies and words fly like flocks of birds as a murmuration… a little murmur. Recommended for ages 8+.
Twilight in Concert
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 24-25
Tickets: Start at $66
Step into the world of Twilight (2008) like never before with Twilight In Concert, a cinematic live-to-film event that brings the beloved saga to life through live music. Featuring a breathtaking performance by a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians, this extraordinary experience allows fans to relive Bella and Edward’s epic love story in a way that is both intimate and mesmerizing.
NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 26
Tickets: $25+
An October tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians perform spooky fun classics—new and old. Join in the fun of this Halloween celebration concert. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace! Recommended for ages 5+.
Fábulas Fairytales
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 29-31
Tickets: $3-8
Three’s the charm in the newest version of this interactive Discovery Theater original. Start with three bears, three pigs, three little kittens, and three billy goats gruff. Add two languages, and what do you get? The perfect combination for a fresh and fun introduction to Spanish, literacy through storytelling, math, music, and more-and a fábulas new take on a quartet of familiar stories.
Pulse
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 1-2
Tickets: $25+
Pulse is a wondrous journey on, in, and with our living planet—a planet whose pulse is everywhere around us. From the cycle of the seasons to the heartbeat of an elephant or from a drop of water’s journey to the magical thump on your wrist, we all dance to the beat, to the pulse, of our world. Company | E will set your imagination alight in a world premiere production filled with dance, music, and storytelling.
Fiddler on the Roof
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: November 4 – January 25
Tickets: $47-133 (look for discount)
The iconic musical gorgeously staged like never before in Signature’s intimate setting. Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, his family and their tightknit community honor tradition but must contend with a changing world and a rise in anti-Semitism at their home in Czarist Russia. The glorious score with songs “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Matchmaker” unite with exquisite dance in this classic of the musical theater canon filled with humor, heart – and life. Recommended for age 13+.
Hello Dolly
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: November 6 – Januay 4
Tickets: $37-112
Dolly Gallagher Levi is a woman on the make. And what’s she making? Whatever you need. A husband? A wife? Dance lessons? Pierced ears? There’s never been a more indefatigable figure in American musical theatre, and perhaps that’s why the role has served as a vehicle for some of our greatest stars, from Carol Channing to Barbra Streisand to Bette Middler. Now, the DMV’s reigning musical superstar, Nova Y. Payton (World Goes ‘Round), takes on the title role of a musical that churns out laughs, songs, and over-the-top antics as fast as humanly possible…and then goes a little faster. Audiences of all ages are guaranteed a great time at this classic musical about love, second chances, and the magic of an adventure to the big city! Rated PG.
Peter Pan and Wendy
Where: Creative Cauldron | Arlington, VA
When: November 7-23
Tickets: $18/student, $20/adult, $65/family 4-pack
Second star to the right and straight on till morning! With that simple phrase we return to the imaginative world of J.M. Barrie’s Neverland with a fresh new musical adaptation. When Wendy meets Peter, the little boy who refuses to grow up, the adventure for the Darling children begins. With a few magical thoughts they learn to fly and Peter leads them on an adventure of a lifetime! Soon they meet mermaid divas, a brave band of Neverland warriors, and, of course, those rascally pirates led by the dastardly Captain Hook. Featuring a full musical score by Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith, and Spanish language infusion, this is a show that will capture the imagination of young and old alike!
Flutter
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 7-9
Tickets: $15
Gather around in Treehouse Shakers’ Flutter and enter a sensory experiential journey that introduces the very young (ages 0-2) to the four seasons. With soothing original music, this work establishes a nurturing, welcoming space through engaging visuals, soft sounds, hands-on textures, and an open concept of play. Three performers charmingly bring the seasons to life with glowing fireflies, dancing butterflies, and more. Babies and toddlers will have the freedom to crawl, walk, and move within the space.
New Squid on the Block with Barefoot Puppets
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 12-14
Tickets: $3-8
t can be hard to make friends. Especially if you have tentacles. Journey to Antarctica with a curious squid who seeks connection in the most unlikely of places. Penguins, orcas, and jellyfish abound in an icy landscape for this heartwarming tale of friendship. Beautifully handcrafted puppets, an original score by Ned Haskins, and a good dose of silliness combine to create a comedic, wordless performance that celebrates the ability to create connections, despite our differences.
Hadestown
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: November 18-23
Tickets: $89+
Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone == as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go. REcommended for ages 8+.
Are there any shows you’re excited to see this fall that you don’t see listed here? Let us know in the comments!
celebrating Valentine’s Day with your little (and big) sweeties? If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the occasion, leading up to it and on the day, here are some ideas with something for everyone to love. Happy V-Day!
