Happy Weekend!
Quick links to loads of DC activity ideas:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Wicked Fun
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Halloween may not be for a few more weeks, but you can get the party started with activities and events that celebrate the spooky spirit. A few are listed in this round-up, and this post has details on where even more tricks and treats are happening.
Fall for Festival Season
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It’s just starting to look and feel like fall, so get out and enjoy some quintessential seasonal fun. Pick out pumpkins, whiz down giant slides, get lost in corn mazes, go on hayrides, bounce around on jumping pillows, and so much more. There are activities galore to help you embrace the autumn spirit, and the KFDC guide to fall festivals has details on all of them.
T(w)een Monuments Bike Ride
Where: Capitol Hill to National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Free
Kids in 6th grade and up can join Hill Family Biking for a majestic ride down to the Mall for a tour under the stars. The monuments at night are truly stunning, and what better way to see them by bike with friends? This 8.8-mile ride is for adventurous t(w)eens; parents welcome, but not required. Lights, water bottles, and helmets required. HFB will supply reflective vests, snacks, and adult guides.
Disney on Ice: Spotlight Magic!
Where: EagleBank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: Fri, 10:30am & 7pm | Sat & Sun, 10:30am, 2:30pm, & 6:30pm
Tickets: $29+
Lights. Camera. Magic! Step into the spotlight as Mickey and his friends welcome you to a star-studded gala experience. All on ice!
Caps x 2
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm & Sunday, 7pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for deals)
The Caps take over Capital One Arena twice this weekend — Friday night against the Rangers and Sunday evening against the Kraken. Grab your crew, rep your red, and get ready for fast, loud, family-friendly hockey action!
Capitol Hill Porch Fest
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm (rain date October 11)
Admission: Free
It’s a neighborhood-wide day of music at the first-ever Capitol Hill Porch Fest! More than 170 bands will perform on over 55 porches, turning the Hill into one big, walkable music festival. Bring the whole family and stroll from porch to porch to enjoy live music, discover local performers, and get into the community spirit.
Drive-In Movie: The Addams Family
Where: Union Market, DC
When: Friday, 7pm (lot opens at 5:45pm)
Admission:
Catch an outdoor screening of The Addams Family at Union Market. Watch the film from the comfort of your car (or walk up and sit in the fresh air) in the UM parking lot. Get there early to enjoy delicious foods from market vendors. The lot opens at 5:45pm (closes at 6:45pm) and the film begins at 7pm. Advance purchase is recommended.
Saturday Morning Live: Rompe Cajón
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: FREE!
At National Theatre’s free program that presents shows for children on select Saturday mornings, join Rompe Cajón in exploring the African roots of Peruvian culture! This interactive program will include live performances of traditional music and dance, including Peruvian tap-dancing. Audience members will have the opportunity to play Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments, sing songs, and learn dance steps. Pre-register through the link.
“Eye Spy” Halloween Trains
Where: Cabin John & Wheaton Parks | Bethesda & Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $9
Hop on board the Halloween Trains! All ages can take a “Día de los Trenes” ride on Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train. They run every Saturday and Sunday in October, and it’s best to purchase tickets in advance online to guarantee a ride (only a limited amount are available onsite.) Purchase for Wheaton here and Cabin John here.
Maybe Happy Ending
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Tickets: $87+
We saw this show in NYC earlier this year and it’s fantastic! Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), Maybe Happy Ending has been called “one of the best musicals in years” (USA Today) and even “The best musical in eons!” (Observer). Don’t miss the totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they’re not. Recommended for ages 8+.
More Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Beatrice Likes the Dark at Adventure Theatre
* Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure at The Puppet Co.
* Chicka Chicka Boom Boom the Musical at Imagination Stage
* Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre
* The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Olney Theatre
* Monsters of the Villa Diadati at Creative Cauldron
* Frida: A Self Portrait at Klein Theatre
Haunted Lab
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $15
The Lab will be decked out in our not-so-scary Halloween best, and we’ve got STEM fun with a seasonal twist, from a supernatural scavenger hunt to the spider launcher and spooky slime piano! Visit in costume and get your very own treat bag! Read more about the Lab (during non-Halloween) in this KFDC post.
The Phillips Plays
Where: The Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: $20/adult, free for kids
Drop in at the Phillips monthly program designed for kids and families. Explore the creative processes of artists as you take a close look at an artwork and do some of your own art using similar techniques and materials. You can also join a kid-friendly tour at 11am or 12pm and enjoy the carpeted, creative-play area with blocks, books, toys, and games.
Open Studio: Art is Better Together
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Hirshhorn for their weekly Open Studio session. This session, draw inspiration from Aliza Nisenbaum’s painting Mis Cuatro Gracias (Brendan, Camilo, Carlos, Jorge) and experiment with bright colors and lively compositions to create vivid scenes that reflect togetherness with friends and family.
Family Day
Where: House of Sweden | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This fun, family-friendly event at the Swedish Embassy will have arts and crafts, storytelling, entertainment, and a special puppet show performance about Matilda “Tillie” Anderson, a young Swedish immigrant who arrived in Chicago in 1891 and grew up to become one of the fastest women cyclists in the world — it’s a fascinating story! She’s also featured in a current exhibition there.
City of Fairfax Fall Festival
Where: 10415 North Street | Downtown Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate fall at the 50th annual Fairfax Fall Festivalin historic Old Town Fairfax. Browse more than 400 arts and crafts vendors, enjoy live music and performances, grab some festival food, and let the kids check out family activities and rides. Free shuttles make getting there easy.
USNWT vs Spain
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2:30pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for deals)
It’s a big soccer showdown on Saturday afternoon! The US Women’s National Team takes on No. 1-ranked Spain at Audi Field in a highly anticipated showdown between the Olympic champs and reigning World Cup champs. Bonus: Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman is expected to be on the roster!
Preseason B-Ball: Wizards vs Pistons
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20 (check for deals)
Get a preview of the Wizards new season at a preseason game against the Pistons on Saturday night. Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter and plan on a pre or post game meal. Find recommendations for family-friendly restaurants here.
Spooky Science
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: $34.95/adult, $26.95/ages 3-12
Calling all witches, wizards, and warlocks—gather on over to the Maryland Science Center on Saturday, October 10, for an afternoon filled with magical science fun! Create your own wearable amulet. Learn about our favorite special effects using magic—well, science. Cast a spell to over a color-changing potion. And many more secrets hidden throughout the building!Read more about the Baltimore attraction here.
Latino Heritage Festival: Quinceañera Traditions & Coming of Age
Where: Glen Echo Park | Gleń Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 2-9pm
Admission: Free
Explore quinceañera traditions and coming-of-age experiences through fashion, dance, family activities, music and a community quince. From ritual and meaning to style, self-expression and memory, the festival will feature pop-up demonstrations, a fashion show, dance lessons, and activities for the whole family. The afternoon program will be followed by a Community Quince Celebration featuring music, dancing, and quinceañera cake.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Friday, 7pm & Sunday, 1pm
Tickets: $54-101 (find discount)
Recommended for ages 13+… Synetic Theatre bring this production to the Olney Stage… In the haunted village of Sleepy Hollow, the past refuses to stay buried. Years after a brutal Revolutionary War encounter leaves a Hessian soldier beheaded and his beloved horse slain, the fallen rider returns as the legendary Headless Horseman—an apparition stalking the shadowed forests in search of what was taken from him. Inspired by Washington Irving’s classic tale, Sleepy Hollow reimagines the familiar legend as a haunting story of love, guilt, revenge, and redemption. Blending supernatural horror with theatrical spectacle, it asks whether the true monsters are the spirits who haunt us—or the deeds we would rather forget.
Canal Day – CANCELED
Where: Georgetown, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the beloved C&O Canal with a day of free fun! Taking place at the Mule Yard and aboard a docked boat, you can meet the mules, decorate pumpkins, play lawn games, enjoy live entertainment, catch the Canal Boat Regatta, and more. Enjoy historic charm along with Georgetown’s community spirit.
Fall Family Fest
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Head to The Wharf on for an afternoon of fall fun, including live music, food and market vendors, face painting, pet adoptions, and the 5th Annual Mutt Strutt. Don’t forget to dress your four-legged friend for the pet costume contest!
Commanders vs Giants
Where: Northwest Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Sunday, 1pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for deals)
If you’re ready for some football, the Commanders are playing at home this weekend against the Giants. Head out to Northwest Stadium in Landover for an afternoon of sports and fun!
The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With rain on Sunday, look for activities indoors — ,you have plenty of options. This post pulls together all the KFDC round-ups with ideas for inside fun. From museums and special programs for kids to play spaces and venues for indoor action to theaters presenting live entertainment and movies to stores where you can shop secondhand, you’ll find loads of ways to stay cool, dry, and sane.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts even more events on weekends for guests of all ages. Join an Owl Campfire at Accotink Park. Play Goblin Golf at Burke Lake Park. Hike and sketch fall wildflowers at Huntley Meadows. And there are many other fun and 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 presents loads of special programs and activities for visitors of all ages. Go for a guided family walk to discovery mushroom at Brookside Gardens. Join AutumnFest at Maydale Nature Classroom. Enjoy Passport to SPorts Community Day at Wheaton Regional Park. Find details on these activities and more!
Walks in the Woods
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
It should be a beautiful weekend to get out on the trail for some early leaf peeping and active fun with the fam. A few recs for places that are especially great right now: Dumbarton Oaks Park in Georgetown; Potomac Overlook Park in Arlington, VA; Scott’s Run in McLean, VA; Patapsco Valley State Park near Columbia, MD; and Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, VA. Find even more walks in the woods here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Fall foliage mapped.
* A couple of recs for a great, autumn getaway within driving distance: Jim Thorpe, PA and Charlottesville, VA.
* How to get rid of clothes, books, furniture and more.
* And here’s another way to offload your stuff.
* The most fun restaurants in DC, per Eater.
* Highly recommend Gap’s CashSoft collection…soft, comfy, and so many styles.
* If you’re going to a Halloween party, you can find a perfect hostess gift here (on super sale, too!).
* Listening to this gripping podcast lately.
