Happy Weekend!
Friday Night Fishing
Where: Diamond Teague Docks | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the weekend with some catch and release as Anacostia Riverkeeper and Earth Conservation Corps kick off their summer Friday fishing program. Families and kids of all ages are welcome to join for a few hours of fishing. All essentials are provided: rods, reels, bait, and lessons for those who want to fish for the first time. Staff will be present the whole time to answer any questions and help with casting, tips, tricks, and any other fishing help you may need. When you’re done, head right down the boardwalk to Yards Park for the Friday Night Concert or get a bite to eat at one of the many nearby restaurants. (KFDC Tip: All Purpose Pizzeria is great for families!)
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Where: National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The 2019 Smithsonian Folklife Festival is a bit different than previous years. Celebrating the social power of music, the event will only take place over this weekend! On Saturday, learn about local music culture and stay for the evening performance featuring Ruby Ibarra and sets curated by Quetzal and GoldLink. On Sunday, celebrate the heritage of Pete Seeger with a family concert and hands-on music activities. To close out the weekend, hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash offers a sonic tour of the genre’s history. All Folklife Festival events are free and open to the public and will take place on the National Mall near 12th Street. Food and local beers will be available for purchase.
Lovin’ Summer
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Get your summer on this weekend with a host of activities exclusive to this time of year. Kick it off with an outdoor concert or free fishing. Enjoy some water fun at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Check out a special seasonal exhibit. Do some crabbing (the feasting kind). Catch a flick under the stars, and so much more. See the 2019 KFDC Guide to Summer in DC for the full scoop on these and even more summer favorites.
Lotus and Lilies Sneak Peek
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Garden | Northeast DC
When: Daily, 7:45am – 4pm
Admission: Free
You heard it hear first: The annual lotus flower and water lily bloom has begun, and it is gorgeous! It’s not even at the very peak, and still spectacular to see. Go get a glimpse of it before the crowds get there. But do keep in mind the annual festival celebrating them is July 13-14 — and it’s a fun one for families. See scenes from a past bloom here and read more about the gardens here.
Kids Obstacle Challenge
Where: Bull Run Special Events Center | Centreville, VA
When: Saturday, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: $52/child, parents are free
The nation’s premier obstacle course race series for kids ages 5-16is coming to the DC area this weekend. The course is a fun and challenging 1.5-2 miles, specially made for this DC kids event. It includes 13 to 15 distinctive obstacles that range in difficulty, so KOC is just as fun for a 5-year-old as it is for a 16-year-old — and, of course, for parents. Families will enjoy traversing rock walls, army crawling through mud pits, rope swinging over water, scaling up rugged cargo nets, and much more.
One Journey Festival
Where: National Cathedral | Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Admission: Free, but tickets required
All are welcome to join this timely event that celebrates the talents, stories, and contributions of refugees and other displaced people around the world. This family-friendly festival brings people together through our modern-day shared languages of humanity: art, food, music, dance, storytelling and technology.
Heritage Days
Where: Various locales | Montgomery County, MD
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. Learn about the history of dairy farming, railroads, and trolleys; African American communities, astronomy, local arts & culture, and outdoor recreation. Check the online brochure for participating locations and activities.
DC Tennis Festival
Where: Banneker Recreation Center | Shaw, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Calling all Tennis players, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning! Join DC DPR at Banneker Recreation Center to meet the DPR citywide tennis staff and their long-standing Tennis at Shiloh partners. Enjoy a full day of tennis activities, lessons, and more! RSVP in advance.
L’homme Cirque: The One Man Circus
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: June 27 – July 7
Tickets: $30-33/adult, $20-23/youth
Enter the magical world of David Dimitri. Lauded “Lord of the Wire” by The New York Times, this world-famous high wire dancer and veteran of Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus epitomizes innovation as he alone performs an entire circus. Creating what he calls “a unique magic” in the intimate setting of a one-of-a-kind tent, his L’homme Cirque—or one-man circus—balances dramatic feats like high wire flips and a human cannon launch with humor, poetry, and an accordion serenade. It’s as gripping as it is charming—and with grand flourish, you will be awestruck as he exits the tent on his high wire, crossing above at 150 feet and into the sky.
Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Enjoy fun and antics with The Cat in the Hat at Adventure Theatre
* See a storybook character come to life in Matilda the Musical at Olney Theatre (look for discount tickets)
* The Ballad of Mulan is now on the Imagination Stage
* It’s opening weekend for Circus! at The Puppet Co.
* And Old MacDonald’s Farm is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* Take teens to see Byhalia, Mississippi at the Kennedy center
Dino Summer
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Through August 31
Admission: Free – $10
The Natural History Museum isn’t the only place to enjoy dinos this summer. The Zoo is presenting some programs that highlight the prehistoric beats as well. Travel back in time with “DinoRoars”—a self-guided safari around the Smithsonian’s National Zoo — and meet massive animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar. This summer, you can look up and listen as the roar of a 39-foot-long T. rex joins the symphony of Zoo animal chirps, squawks and chuffs. On exhibit will be Compsognathus, Dilophosaurus, Parasaurolophus and babies, Stegosaurus and baby, Quetzalcoatlus and babies and T. rex. Each dinosaur is fitted with electronic brains to activate and control movements and produce the sounds. Families can also catch “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live,” a ticketed theatrical show featuring incredible larger-than-life dinosaur puppets in an interactive show all about dinos. Tickets are $8/child, $10/adult. Admission to the Zoo and “DinoRoars” is free.
Sensory-Friendly Screening: Toy Story 4
Where: Regal Cinemas | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $6
Catch a Sensory-Friendly Screening of Toy Story 4 on Saturday morning. The newest My Way Matinee from Regal give everyone the opportunity to experience a movie once a month with the sound turned down and the lights turned up. Watch the trailer for Toy Story 4 here.
Infinite Space
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $16/adult, $8/age 2+
The latest exhibition at ARTECHOUSE, Infinite Space explores the concept of infinity and “invites visitors to open their senses to the endless transformation and infinite possibilities at the intersection of man and machine.” Six immersive installations will delight and amaze and some will make you feel like you’re floating in, well, Infinite Space. Family-friendly hours are 10am -5pm, and evening hours 5:30-11:30pm for ages 21+ when exhibit-themed cocktails are served make for a fun date night.
UniverSoul Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Through July 28
Tickets: $18+ (look for a ticket deal)
The world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families is celebrating its 24th year of FUN. UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world, embracing and celebrating the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music. A fresh, cool, and hip approach to live family entertainment!
Bookstore Birthday Celebration
Where: Solid State Books | H Street NE, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Solid State Books is celebrating one year in business with a variety of festivities over the weekend. Is begins Friday night with live music from friends of the store, Boom Town Wreck. Especially for kids will be a special birthday-themed story time with Bearsong on Saturday at 10:30am. There will also be hourly giveaways all day (must be present to win), evening events for adults, and Galley giveaways on Sunday. Plus, enjoy 20% off of Solid State merchandise and happy hour pricing on select beers and wines all weekend long.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks in Fairfax, 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. Celebrate Independence Day early at Lake Fairfax Park. Go on a firely walk at Huntley meadows. Visit historic Colvin Run Mill to learn about the milling process. Enjoy Dairy Days at Sully Historic Site. Get more details on these activities and see what else is going on here.
Family Open Studio: Musical Innovations
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
What kind of music did people listen to thousands of years ago? Be inspired by the exhibition Resound: Ancient Bells of China and learn about the technologies that led to innovations in Chinese music. Then, create your own cutting-edge music makers using twenty-first-century technologies. This program is designed for children aged six to twelve and adults to enjoy together, and is offered in conjunction with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Beachy Keen
Where: Several destinations in Maryland
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Do something quintessentially summer and hit the beach! You don’t have to go all the way to the ocean — there is sand and surf (and shark tooth hunting, in some places) within day trip distance from DC! Head a bit past Annapolis to Sandy Point, go to one of several spots in Calvert County, or make fossil hunting your main focus at Purse State Park in Charles, County. See the 2019 Guide to Summer in DC for details and links on all of these beaches.
Baltimore, Hon!
Where: Inner Harbor Area | Baltimore, MD
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Head up I-95 for a change of city scenery. Explore the exhibits and loads of hands-on activities at Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art ever at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at the newly renovated and reopened Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Tour the historic ships at the Inner Harbor. Or view history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
We’re going to have some hot days, so if you prefer to spend time indoors, or you just want more options for activities around town, this go-to post lists over 100 suggestions for things to do out of the sun. (If you’re an all-weather outdoors family, then check out the round-up of the best ways to enjoy the DC area outside.)
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* See what’s coming to local stages this summer in this seasonal round-up of live entertainment.
* Just included this in a camp care package to Owen for when he has down time.
* This blog post and the comments it sparked are really interesting. (For the record, I am not into GOOP.)
* As we’ve been booking stays for our upcoming vacay, we’ve noticed that rates are almost always less on VRBO than Airbnb for the same place. (Think it has to do with service fees?)
* LAWN, this year’s big summer installation at the National Building Museum, opens on July 4, and you can reserve tickets now.
* Way to go, Highlights!
* If you want to know what you can do to help migrant children at the border, this NYT Op-Ed offers several practical ways to assist.
* A book for every age, from 1 to 100.