Tag Archives: Kids Concerts

September 5, 2018 · 3:09 pm

Liven Up Your Fall with a New Season of Entertainment Around the DMV

Catch an electrifying performance by the Flying Steps at Warner Theatre in October

With fall comes a whole new season of live entertainment around DC. Musicals, concerts, dance performances, puppet shoes, storytelling sessions, ice skating extravaganzas, and more great acts will be on local stages over the next few months. This round-up has the line-up, ordered by opening date, so you can snag your tickets and plan ahead!

Peter and the Wolf
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo PArk, MD
When: Through September 30
Tickets: $12
Staged with half life-size marionettes, Peter and the Wolf is one of the Puppet Co.’s best-loved stories. Over a million children and adults have seen this one-man show, based on Prokofiev’s popular tale of good versus evil, performed by Puppet Master Christopher Piper. An introduction to the instruments in the orchestra precedes this story of Peter and his animal friends, and their attempts to capture wily “Old Lupus.” Recommended for ages 4+.

South Pacific
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: August 30 – October 7
Tickets: $42-84 (look for a discount)
With songs like “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “Bali Ha’i,” South Pacific is one of the most beloved of American musicals. Set on a remote Pacific island during World War II, South Pacific gave us the unforgettable love story between nurse Nellie Forbush and French expatriate Emile de Becque, a love threatened by war, as well as the dark corners of Nellie’s soul. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1950 Pulitzer Prize-winner was ahead of its time with its unflinching look at racism and prejudice that maintains its relevance today. The theater gives it a “PG” rating.

Turn Me Loose
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: September 6 – October 14
Tickets: $41-105
This intimate and no-holds-barred drama chronicles Dick Gregory’s rise as the first Black comedian to expose audiences to racial comedy. His comedy spared no one including politicians, celebrities and the white supremacists who were part of his regular audience. In confronting bigotry head-on with biting humor and charm, Gregory turned his activism into an art form, risking his own safety at each performance. Turn Me Loose is an exuberant and raw tribute to Gregory’s life as a civil rights activist, comic genius and unapologetic provocateur.

Voytto Tech: a scifi fable
Where: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center | Silver Spring, MD
When: September 14-29
Tickets: $12.50/age 12+, $10/age 4-11, free/3 & under
Voytto Tech: a scifi fable combines science and technology with a story exploring the tough topics of bullying and social inequity. Klipp Casey travels from a planet far, far away to study at Voytto Tech, the most famous science magnet school in the galaxy. Right away, Klipp has trouble fitting in at his new school, and becomes a target for bullying. What can Klipp do? Who can he go to for help? And what can anyone do about the huge energy crisis threatening the planet? This highly interactive play is performed by three actors who become a variety of characters. The entire audience participates from their seats, becoming characters in the story and brainstorming possible solutions for Klipp’s problems. Recommended for ages 4+.

Saturday Family Story Sessions
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: September 15 – October 20
Admission: $10-12
This fall, families gather once a week for fun and creativity, enjoying diverse and dynamic programs with the very best storytellers in the area who engage young audiences and instill a love of learning with every word.

Blueberries for Sal
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: September 21 – October 21
Tickets: $19.50
Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother are picking delicious blueberries to can for the long winter months ahead to make delicious desserts. On the other side of Maine’s Blueberry Hill, a mama bear and baby bear are filling up for the long hybernation. But somehow Sal and a baby bear have a mixed up adventure and lose their mothers! Recommended for all ages.

Cri Cri The Mexican Singing Cricket
Where: Atlas Perfroming Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: September 22
Tickets: $12
Cri-Cri, the iconic Mexican radio character, has been popular all over Latin America since the 1930s. Joined by a zany announcer and two gifted musicians, Cri Cri brings students back to the age of radio in this interactive program. Come dance, play, and sing along to classic songs in Spanish and English. Recommended for ages 3-8.

The Comedy of Errors
Where: Lansburgh Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: September 25 – October 28
Tickets: $44-102
Two sets of twins, each with the same name—what could go wrong? Everything, apparently. Leave logic behind and delight in the confusion of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, where servants misplace their masters, wives overlook their husbands, and sons forget their fathers. The blunders double, triple and cube until chaos reigns—and everyone is pretty sure that everyone else is completely insane.

Tot Rock
Where: Jammin’ Java | Vienna, VA
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $5/weekdays, $10/weekends
Tot Rock is Jammin’ Java’s super-popular kids music concert series, providing wholesome family entertainment at one of the DC Metro area’s finest music clubs. Local acts perform every Thursday and Friday, and touring performers drop by on many weekends. Check the calendar often to see when your favorite act is performing, and for other calendar updates.

Boogie Babes
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Thursdays, 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for sibling 6 months and under
Little ones can boogie along with their favorite local musicians at Eastern Market’s North Hall on Thursday mornings. Even better, proceeds from all shows benefit DC Diaper Bank! Go for the entertainment, then grab lunch in the market or at one of many nearby eateries after.

Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Most Wednesdays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $5
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.

Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Ongoing daily, 6pm
Tickets: Free
The Kennedy Center presents these free, no-tickets-required performances every day at 6pm, and the public is welcome to enjoy them. The acts span the genres — you can see everything from contemporary dance to folk music to puppetry to comedy shows to opera scenes. Millennium Stage showcases everyone from local youth choirs to internationally known bands (They Might Be Giants performed there a few years ago). This is a great series to keep in mind for whenever you’re looking for some free, easy entertainment.

Rise+Rhyme
Where: BusBoys & Poets | Brookland, DC & Hyattsville/Takoma Park, MD
When: Mondays
Tickets: $5
The weekly series welcomes children 5 and under with their caregivers to enjoy a morning of performances and stories from 9:30-11am. Go to one of three locations: Brookland in DC or Takoma Park or Hyattsville in MD. Plan on breakfast, too — full service is available while the little ones are grooving.

Children’s Arts & Entertainment
Where: BloomBars | Columbia Heights, DC
When: Ongoing
Tickets: Varies by show/activity
The arts center in Columbia Heights offers a variety of enriching, entertaining, and cultural activities and performances for children. From Harambe sessions to puppet shows to musical theatre to sing-a-longs, there’s something going on for little ones just about every day of the week.

Saturday Morning at the National
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Most Saturdays
Tickets: FREE!
The free theatre program runs on select Saturdays with performances at 9:30am and 11:30am. Musicals, plays, storytelling, and comedy shows are all part of the live entertainment line-up. See the complete schedule of performances here. Tickets are distributed day of performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone must be in line to receive a ticket.

Sleepy Hollow
Where: Synetic Theater | Crystal City, VA
When: October 3 – November 4
Tickets: $20-60
This adaptation of Sleepy Hollow pulls together all the elements that made Synetic famous: Gothic horror, iconic characters and imagery, an emphasis on surreal, wordless storytelling that transcends spoken language and makes our productions something akin to live-action dreams (or nightmares, depending on the story). Recommended for ages 13+.

Hansel & Gretel
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: October 4 – November 16
Tickets: $12
Humperdink’s children’s opera, full of magic, music and dazzling special effects. The puppets, lights, music and effects, are all operated by Christopher Piper, who also performs all the live vocal characterizations. The production has long been a favorite of children and their parents, and is an excellent introduction to musical story for children. Recommended for ages 4+.

Disney On Ice: Mickey Search Party
Where: Eagle Bank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: October 3-7
Tickets: Start at $20 (look for a discount)
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party brings the magic closer to fans than ever before through dynamic and immersive moments that take place on the ice, in the air and in the seats. Produced by Feld Entertainment Inc., the worldwide leader in live touring family entertainment, Disney On Ice is once again elevating the ice show experience with brand-new engaging elements that will fascinate both newcomers and seasoned guests alike.

African Roots Latino Soul
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 4, 24, 25
Tickets: $3-8
How many cultures can we be? This vibrant play explores what it means to be Latino, African American, and proud. The spirit of Celia Cruz’s songs infuses this delightful show, in which the warmth of mama’s kitchen and the bustle of city life play parts in demonstrating that the pulse of the music is the heart of the people. Written with the Young Playwrights’ Theater, this is a story of the triumphs of today’s multicultural kids. Recommended for ages 6-12.

Cuentos Muy Magicos! Magical Stories!
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 5, 12, 23
Tickets: $3-8
This delightful Discovery Theater original offers a fresh take on three classic tales. The Little Red Hen asks the question “Who will help?” Jack and the Beanstalk proves that small is mighty. And The Gingerbread Man… well, he’s just one bad cookie. Filled with delightful songs, puppets, and audience participation, this bilingual story-time spectacular is not to be missed! Recommended for ages 3-7.

Sailing on String
Where: The Lab at Convergence | Arlington, VA
When: October 6 & 8
Tickets: TBA
Get a sneak peek of Arts on the Horizon’s production that will run later in May 2019. A simple piece of yarn can become so many things! Follow a curious explorer on a voyage into a world made entirely of string! Yarn birds fly through the air passing crocheted clouds. This gentle, engaging performance features object transformation, dance, live string music, and captivating design. Follow the twists, turns, and eventual tangles of this special immersive performance for our youngest audience members! Recommended for ages 0-2.

American Revolution
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 12-14
Tickets: $20
Can the history of the American Revolution be told in 21 square feet of space? Chicago’s award-winning Theater Unspeakable returns to take on the challenge, telling a big story on an impossibly tiny stage. Using only 7 actors and their bodies, the show recreates the entire American fight for independence in 50 minutes. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, American Revolution displays the company’s signature imaginative physical theater. Recommended for ages 9+.

Beetlejuice
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 14 – November 18
Tickets: $54-114 (look for a discount)
It’s showtime, folks! Beetlejuice is ruder, raunchier and frankly, more repellant than ever in this original musical based on Tim Burton’s wonderfully demented film. Beetlejuice tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, her new house is haunted by a recently deceased couple and a degenerate demon who happens to have a thing for stripes. When Lydia calls on this ghost-with the-most to scare away her insufferable parents, Beetlejuice comes up with the perfect plan, which involves exorcism, arranged marriages and an adorable girl scout who gets scared out of her wits.

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Venues throughout DC
When: October 20 – November 4
Tickets: FREE
Enjoy European enterntainment without leaving DC! Now in its 11th year, Kids Euro Festival is one of the largest performing arts festivals for children in America, bringing Europe’s most talented children’s entertainers to the DC metro area each fall for two weeks of free performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling sessions, puppetry, dance exhibitions, magic shows, and cinema. All free!

NSO Pops: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 23-25
Tickets: $34-149
The National Symphony Orchestra presents John Williams’s iconic Oscar®-nominated score from The Empire Strikes Back performed live along with the full feature film. The show is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes long.

The Fever (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Woolly Mammoth | Penn Quarter, DC
When: October 23 – November 4
Tickets: $20-35
Performed in complete collaboration with the audience, The Fever begins as a simple story about an ordinary party and evolves into a spellbinding examination of how we assemble, organize, and care for the bodies around us, testing the limits of individual and collective responsibility and our willingness to be there for one another.

The Tiniest Tempest
Where: Atlas Perfroming Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: October 24-28
Tickets: $12
The Tiniest Tempest is an interactive play, based on some of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The play includes three big body puppets worn by three actors, shadow puppetry projected on a screen, and two actors playing three roles. It includes both live music and recorded music created especially for the play. Recommended for ages 4-10.

Flying Bach
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 26-27
Tickets: $32-77
Flying Bach, starring Germany’s four-time world champion Flying Steps breakdance troupe, interprets the music of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier”, widely regarded as one of the most important works in the history of classical music. The story follows seven dancers and one teacher, rehearsing for their big day as arguments, fights, disappointments and delights ensue. A mysterious woman joins the story and the conflicts climax: contemporary dance meets breakdance, man meets woman, desire meets refusal, and arrogance meets curiosity. The result is an entertaining and electrifying production for people of all ages and demographics.

Long Way Down
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 27 – November 4
Tickets: $25-35
Sixty seconds. Seven floors. One elevator. Fifteen-year-old Will’s brother has just been shot, and Will is ready to follow “The Rules”: 1) “No Crying.” 2) “No Snitching.” 3) “Get Revenge.” But on the ride down, with his brother’s gun in his pocket, his plan is interrupted by a few visitors. DC-area native Jason Reynolds’s New York Times best-selling book comes to the stage in a compelling and timely production. Told entirely in free-form poetry, Long Way Down captures the potent minute Will contemplates retaliation. As mysterious guests appear at each floor, Will realizes there might be a bigger story to be told. He knows who he’s after. Or does he? Recommended for ages 12+.

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts | Germantown, MD
When: October 27, 1pm & 4pm
Tickets: $18-25
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot who just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical provides a colorful history lesson for everyone.

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 28
Tickets: $15-18
An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when the NSO performs new and old classics to celebrate Halloween, which this year also marks the Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) with ghoulishly attired musicians. Arrive early for trick-or-treating and a special Haunted Hall Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo.” Recommended for ages 5+.

Billy Elliot: The Musical
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: October 30 – January 6
Tickets: $65-99
All 11-year-old Billy wants to do is dance. While the 1984 miners’ strike squeezes his family and splits his town, Billy’s passion for ballet first divides, then ultimately unites, the community—and changes his life in extraordinary ways. Based on the powerful and acclaimed film, Billy Elliot swept the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier awards for Best Musical, by combining a dynamic score by the legendary Elton John with sensational dance to create a heartwarming, inspirational and triumphant experience for the entire family.

Anastasia
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 30 – November 25
Tickets: $59-179
Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey to Washington at last! From the Tony Award®–winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Anything Goes
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: November 3 – December 23
Tickets: $66-115
The SS American has set sail from NY to London. Aboard, the lovelorn Billy has stowed away on a mission to stop the marriage of his mystery muse, countess Hope Harcourt, to the millionaire Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Now, it is up to Billy with the help of showgirls, sailors and public enemy #13, to find, woo and win back his true love. Unlikely alliances arise as mischief and mayhem ensue in this madcap musical by beloved composer and Tony Award winner Cole Porter.

Cinderella
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: November 3 – January 6
Tickets: $17-35
This wacky retelling of the beloved fairy tale takes Cinderella on a royal adventure complete with a wisecracking rat, evil stepsisters, and a smitten prince. When Cinderella’s stepmother forbids her from attending the ball, her fairy godmother convinces here that if the shoe fits- wear it! True love may await her if only she can put down her sword. Just the right fit for the holiday season! Recommended for ages 4+.

Lessons from the Animal Peoples
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 8-9
Tickets: $3-8
Native American stories are playful, funny, and wise. Dovie Thomason shares her culture with understanding, sly humor, and astonishing vocal transformations to become characters who weave magic with every word. Her captivating collection of stories explore some age-old questions (Why do bears hibernate? Why don’t rabbits have tails?) that reveal timeless truths about the Earth and her animal children—and all of us, too! Recommended for ages 4-8.

Native Pride Dancers
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 13-14
Tickets: $3-8
Dancers, drumbeats, and stories celebrate the spirit and beauty of First-Nations peoples in a dynamic, one-of-a-kind cultural heritage program. Actor, educator, and world-champion fancy dancer Larry Yazzie brings together artists who share the rich heritage and customs passed down from generation to generation—and a history of bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. Recommended for ages 6-16.

The Hollow Stump
Where: The Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: November 14-18
Tickets: $12
Seven very different animals seek shelter from the winter cold and snow in a large hollow stump. The cuddly, hand-crafted rod-puppets will enchant any child as the characteristics of each animal are revealed through a unique and descriptive poem and song. When the animals let newcomers enter and the space inside the stump grows tighter, these songs interweave. Adapted from the popular tale, The Mitten, this tale celebrates community, as the animals learn to share one space. Recommended for ages 3-9.

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Visit
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 15, 16, 19, 20
Tickets: $3-8
Last Fall’s sold-out show returns! Grandma has arrived for the holiday—and that can only mean making puppets, cooking together, washing the car, and learning lots of fun new things. This musical play with a great big heart brings the whole audience into the family with singing, finger play, and call-and response as we all give thanks for being together. Recommended for ages 3-6.

Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: November 16 – January 6
Tickets: $19.50
What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles-and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Oohlala! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, Nancy has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? Recommended for all ages.

How to Catch a Star
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 20 – December 18
Tickets: $20
Once there was a boy who dreamed a star could be his new friend—if only he could catch one. He tried climbing to the top of the tallest tree. He tried flying in a paper rocket ship. But nothing worked. Just when the boy was about to give up, he discovered something as dazzling and special as the star he was seeking! Best-selling author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers’s beloved children’s book about chasing your dreams comes to vivid life in a production created and directed by Jared Mezzocchi. Featuring colorful projections and choreographed movement, How to Catch a Star is a whimsical tale of discovery, friendship, and delightful surprises. Recommended for ages 3+.

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Filed under 2018, All ages, DC, Fall, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Music, Seasonal, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as DC Kids Shows, DMV Children's Theatre, Fall 2018, Family Friendly Shows, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Fun Things to do with Kids in Northern Virginia, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Kids Concerts, Live Entertainment for Kids Around the DMV, Maryland Kids Shows, November 2018, October 2018, Plays Coming to DC, September 2018, Washington DC Children's Theatre, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Live Entertainment for Kids

June 19, 2018 · 9:33 am

Live Entertainment Around DC this Summer

You can follow the yellow brick road to Synetic Theatre this summer

New season, whole new line-up of live entertainment! And there is something to indulge all ages and interests, from musicals to puppet shows to dance performances to concerts to comedy acts, and even more in between. Here’s where to catch it all this summer (listed in order of opening date). Now go save your seats!

Hamilton
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through September 16
Tickets: $99-625
Lin Manuel-Miranda’s musical about the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton is the hot ticket in DC this summer! Initial sales sold out, but tickets are being released daily for upcoming performances. Recommended for ages 10+.

Sleeping Beauty
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: Through June 24
Tickets: $12
Yet another elegant production created by the Puppet Co., “Sleeping Beauty” combines romance and adventure in a story of fairies, frogs, kings and queens, and of course, a sleeping princess and the gallant prince destined to find her. Told with rod puppets and wonderful special effects, the show is a real treat for princesses and princes, big and small!

Camelot
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through July 8
Tickets: $44-110(look for a ticket discount)
Amid mystical forests and grand castles, Camelot tells a beloved tale of a leader’s integrity, courage and empathy—a chronicle of the struggle for civilization and goodness in a world accustomed to violence and hate. With the legendary story of King Arthur’s Round Table, doomed romance and a stunning score, Camelot has won the hearts of generations of musical theatre lovers. Recommended for teens and up.

The Second City’s Generation Gap
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: June 16 – August 12
Tickets: $49-69 (look for a ticket discount
Chicago comedy institution The Second City will present a new show created for Kennedy Center audiences. From the Greatest Generation to the latest generation, The Second City’s twelve-week summer run of Generation Gap…Or, How Many Millennials Does It Take to Teach a Baby Boomer to Text Generation X? takes you on a satirical crash course spanning miscommunications, careers, dating, and more in this two-act, interactive new spin on the age-old battle of the ages. Recommended for teens and up.

Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna Virginia
When: June 19 – August 4
Tickets: $8-12
From late June through early August, Wolf Trap presents Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods, over 70 family-friendly performances at 10:30am Tuesday through Saturday. Amidst 117 rolling wooded acres and nestled in a shady grove, the stage is set for lively adventures in music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater. The productions welcome all ages, though most are geared toward younger children. The full schedule of shows is available on the Wolf Trap website. And you can read a KFDC review of the series from a previous summer here.

UniverSoul Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: June 21 – July 22
Tickets: $13+ (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 23rd 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!

Outdoor Summer Concert Series
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: Various day and times
Tickets: Almost always FREE
Free music in the fresh air has become a staple of the season, and there are opportunities to enjoy just about every genre regularly at outdoor venues all around the DC-Metro. From Jazz on the National Mall to riverside entertainment to music amid the nature of local parks to shows in local shopping centers, the 2018 KFDC Summer Guide has a round-up of where and when you can enjoy the sounds of summer.

Tinker Bell
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo,MD
When: June 22 – August 19
Tickets: $19.50 (loo for a ticket discount)
Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan. Or, at least, everyone thinks they do. But unless you have heard it from Tinker Bell’s point of view, you really have not heard it at all. A new twinkling light shines on all the characters you love including, Wendy, the Lost Boys, Peter Pan, Smee, and the nefarious Hook from a feisty fairy’s point of view. Recommended for all ages.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: June 23 – August 12
Tickets: $20-30 (look for a ticket discount)
Don’t miss your chance to see the comic strip characters of the lovable “Peanuts” gang comic brought to life in Summer 2018! This hit Off-Broadway musical is directed by acclaimed playwright and director Aaron Posner (Ford’s Theatre, Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and many more!). Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally, and Schroeder as they sing and dance their way through the timeless struggles of childhood. This show features catchy songs, including “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,”and is the perfect family outing for the young and young at heart! Recommended for ages 5+.

Paper Dreams
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: June 23 – August 12
Tickets: 12
In a brand-new collaboration with Mons Dansa Dance Company Barcelona, Spain, Imagination Stage brings to life their first DANCE performance based show, perfect for ages 1-5 that explores the many facets of creativity. A fun, interactive production that tells the story of two delightful creatures who live inside a wastepaper basket. Can our greatest mistake actually turn out to be the next greatest innovative idea?

Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets
Where: McLean Central Park | McLean, VA
When: June 24
Tickets: Free
Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets are helping welcome summer back to McLean! Their Grammy Award-Winning album, Home, weaves together childhood memories with textured pop tunes which is sure to turn the gazebo into a dance party. When he’s not touring, you can catch Tim every weekday morning on NBC Universal’s Sprout Channel in the only live morning show for preschoolers or as the “tambourine guy” with Postmodern Jukebox! Recommended for ages 3+.

Around the World with Yosi
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: June 27-30
Tickets: $3-8
Award-winning children’s songwriter & recording artist, Yosi, brings songs, dances & instruments from around the world to you! Don’t miss this multicultural, interactive, and educational concert. Children will learn to say “hello” and count in various languages. They’ll participate in two dances from other cultures and most importantly, learn about tolerance and acceptance of people from different parts of the world. REcommended for ages 3-8.

Snow White and the 7 Dwarves
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: June 29 – August 5
Tickets: $12
When Snow White meets seven vertically challenged bachelors, she discovers that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and that friendship and teamwork make any challenge smaller. Based on the Grimm fairytale, this production takes the Puppet Co.’s usual sideways view of the popular story, giving it timeliness and humor for adults as well as kids.

Boogie Babes
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Thursdays, 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for sibling 6 months and under
Little ones can boogie along with their favorite local musicians at Eastern Market’s North Hall on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Even better, proceeds from all shows benefit DC Diaper Bank! Go for the entertainment, then grab lunch in the market or at one of many nearby eateries after.

Backyard Theater for Children
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Thursdays, July 5-26
Tickets: $8-10, free/under 2
Enrich your little ones’ summer mornings with sunshine, music, and laughter at Strathmore’s Backyard Theater for Kids. This eclectic program is the perfect summer escape for busy families. Pack a picnic and enjoy live performances by highly esteemed and innovative family-friendly entertainers. From folk and jazz to the amazing sounds of the steelpan, Backyard Theater makes it easy to engage kids at every stage. They promise to keep both kids and parents entertained, so bring your family for a morning of inspiration and celebration!

Red, White, and Blue Reptiles Alive!
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: July 5-6
Tickets: $3-8
Red scales, white tails, and blue tongues – a variety of colorful live reptiles from the USA and all over the world will be featured during this wildly exciting show! An engaging, kid-friendly Wildlife Educator will educate and entertain with exciting animal stories and fun animal facts.

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azakban – In Concert
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: July 6-7
Tickets: $40-60
Relive the magic of your favorite wizard in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ – In Concert. Based on the third installment of J.K. Rowling’s classic saga, fans of all ages can now experience the thrilling tale accompanied by live music from the National Symphony Orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen.

Capital Fringe Festival
Where: Various venues in DC
When: July 7-29
Tickets: Varies by show
Filling the city with non-stop theater, dance, music, visual art, and everything in-between, the annual Fringe Festival presents an eclectic mix of performances — from all genres, for all ages. Family-friendly shows are always among the lineup; other acts would make for a great date night or adult evening out. Check out the calendar to plan your Fringe experience.

Culture Shock DC Celebrates Hip Hop
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: July 10-13
Tickets: $3-8
Culture Shock DC shares the power, beauty, and energy of hip-hop in an interactive performance guaranteed to get you up on your feet. Find out what makes hip-hop such a unique and vibrant form, and cheer these amazing dance artist-educators in action. Get into the act as you learn some of the group’s choreography, and take the stage to show off your best freestyle moves! Recommended for Ages 5 to 16.

The Future is Now! with the Science Guys of Baltimore
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: July 10-13
Tickets: $3-8
Discover the engineering marvels, new and old, that make our world great and explore new technologies that will make it even stronger! We will ride on a futuristic hover board and fire projectiles using one of the most basic engineering defenses: a catapult! We will learn about renewable solar and wind technologies and try to demolish a building to better understand earthquake construction and natural disaster protection! Recommended for ages 5-12.

Damned If You Do (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Woolly Mammoth | Penn Quarter, DC
When: July 10-29
Tickets: $30-48
What if you finally try moonlight rock climbing? What if you call your Uncle Ted out on his godawful toupee? What if you call in drunk—sorry, sick—to work on Friday? What if you get up the courage to tell your mom you actually hate her meatloaf? How different could your life be because of one seemingly innocuous choice? Before you decide, let The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre—the world’s most audacious improv troupe that launched the careers of Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon, Ellie Kemper, and Bobby Moynihan—play out your potential futures in front of your eyes… just to be sure it won’t make your life a complete and total disaster.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Where: Synetic Theatre | Crystal City, VA
When: July 11 – August 12
Tickets: $15-30
A wizard stuck in a land far away from home-A Scarecrow tied to a pole-A Tinman rusted in a forest-A Lion afraid of his own shadow…their world as they know it is turned upside down and inside out when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Join Synetic Theater’s brand new adaptation of one of the most important cultural texts of the twentieth century, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The production is an environmental and spectacular adventure where verbal and nonverbal communication embrace each other in this innovative and heartfelt story of community, perseverance, and magic. The journey down the Yellow Brick Road to brings to life L. Frank Baum’s characters in a way only Synetic can do and you won’t see anywhere else.

The Pirates of Penzance & HMS Pinafore
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: July 11 – August 13
Tickets: $30-54
Chicago’s most innovative theatre company, The Hypocrites, returns with an encore engagement of their critically-acclaimed, immersive and family-friendly version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. To complete the repertory, they will also be introducing Olney Theatre audiences to their zany take on H.M.S. Pinafore. Enjoy either show from the promenade, where you sit onstage and move around the set as the action dictates. And don’t forget to bring the kids! They can hang out in the ball pit and experience these Gilbert and Sullivan classics in a way they’re sure to love and never forget.

Dave
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: July 13 – August 19
Tickets: $76-140 (look for a ticket discount
From a Tony and Pulitzer Prize award-winning creative team, comes the world-premiere musical comedy Dave, adapted from the Oscar-nominated film. Dave tells the story of high school teacher (and presidential lookalike) Dave Kovic, who is hired by the Secret Service as a stand-in for the Commander-in-Chief. When the President falls ill under less than “presidential” circumstances, Dave is thrust into the Oval Office to avoid a national scandal, and must find a way to gain the trust and love of the American people.. and the First Lady.

SWAGFUNK Band
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: July 24-27
Tickets: $3-8
You can’t spell funk without “fun”—and that’s what guaranteed when SWAGFUNK takes over the stage. The D.C. band’s musical mix of funk, jazz, rock, pop, R&B, and reggae celebrates the joy of classic styles, and their high-energy grooves will have you singing and dancing along at a summer party you won’t want to miss! Recommended for Ages 5 to 16.

Arts on the Horizon: To the Clouds
Where: Strathmore | North Bethesda, MD
When: July 28, 9:30am & 11:30am
Tickets: $8-10
A magical, interactive adventure of a day in the life of a raindrop! Kids will love a close-up look at the amazing things along the raindrop’s journey: colorful flowers, the warm sun, perhaps even a whale! Through movement, puppetry, and found object animation, this interactive world-premiere for babies and toddlers is driven by a soundtrack of classical music and creates a captivating world of transformation. Perfect for kids 0-3.

Soul in Motion
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: July 31 – August 3
Tickets: $3-8
This explosive company from Montgomery County shares the richness of African American culture by dancing the heritage of the African homelands. In a spectacular performance that blends chest-pounding drumming and foot-stomping leaps and steps, these performers create an infectious joy that captures hearts and sprits. Recommended for Ages 5 to 16.

Peter and the Wolf
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: August 9 – September 30
Tickets: $12
Staged with half life-size marionettes, Peter and the Wolf is one of the Puppet Co.’s best-loved stories. Over a million children and adults have seen this one-man show, based on Prokofiev’s popular tale of good versus evil, performed by Puppet Master Christopher Piper. An introduction to the instruments in the orchestra precedes this story of Peter and his animal friends, and their attempts to capture wily “Old Lupus.”

Disney’s Broadway Hits
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: August 9
Tickets: $25-65
In celebration of 20 years on Broadway, audiences can experience the magic of Disney’s Broadway Hits with an unforgettable night of music. Performed by a live symphony orchestra, this major concert event features beloved songs from nine Tony and Academy Award-winning scores by some of the greatest composers and lyricists in the world performed by Disney’s own world-class Broadway singers, bring the sounds of Disney’s Broadway Hits to life, as you’ve never heard them before.

Music of Gustafer Yellowgold
Where: McLean Central Park Gazebo |McLean, VA
When: August 12
Tickets: Free
Two-time Grammy® Nominee, Morgan Taylor and his band will play perennial favorites and dig deep into the wild and hip back catalogue for this rare, non-video version of his nationally heralded Gustafer Yellowgold show. Tasteful, smart and FUN songs for everyone! This is part of the free Sunday Summer concerts in the Park series.

Free For All: Romeo and Juliet
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: August 21 – September 5
Tickets: FREE!
Shakespeare Theatre’s Company’s annual program that brings free performances to the public is featuring a favorite this summer: The most famous love story in the world and one of Shakespeare’s early poetic masterworks, Romeo & Juliet follows two star-crossed lovers from love at first sight to eternal life hereafter. Caught tragically between two feuding families, alike in dignity and in enmity, Shakespeare’s immortal young lovers try to fashion a new world amid the violence of the old, but cataclysmic choices and tragic twists propel them toward a final confrontation with fate.

KIDZ Bop Live 2018
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: August 25
Tickets: $30-70
KIDZ BOP Live 2018 is the ultimate family concert experience, “sung by kids for kids.” The KIDZ BOP Kids headline this new show, performing some of today’s biggest hit songs that have also kept them at the top of the US Kids charts for over 15 years.

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Tagged as August 2018, DC Kids Shows, DMV Children's Theatre, Family Friendly Shows, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Fun Things to do with Kids in Northern Virginia, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, July 2018, June 2018, Kids Concerts, Maryland Kids Shows, Plays Coming to DC, Summer 2018, Washington DC Children's Theatre, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Live Entertainment for Kids

March 20, 2018 · 1:46 pm

Live Entertainment Around DC During Spring 2018

Thrills galore under the Big Top at the Big Apple Circus!

With a new season comes a whole new line-up of live entertainment. Here’s a go-to list of shows on stages now around the area or coming to local venues this spring. They’re listed in order of start date and include a few KidFree recommendations, too. Happy viewing!

Big Apple Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Through April 1
Tickets: $25-59 (look for a discount)
The Big Apple Circus is in town and celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season, featuring stunts never before seen under the big top. Known for its one-ring, artistic, European-style, no seat is more than 50 feet from the performers. That’s perfect for viewing some first-ever feats for the Circus along with fan favorites. Hire wire acts, contortionists, bicycle acrobatics, hilarious clowns, and doggie dances are some of thrills and fun you can expect. Read a review of one of our past experiences at a Big Apple Circus show.

Beauty and the Beast
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: Through March 25
Tickets: $12
A romantic tale of a handsome prince, and his love, Beauty, set in a great forest in old Russia. There are curses, conflicts, hopes, wishes, dreams, and exciting adventures, all the things that make a happy ending that much sweeter. Imaginative settings and beautiful costumes support this large-scale marionette version of the classic love story. Recommended for ages 5+.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Through March 31
Tickets: $19.50
Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities but—he does. And just when it can’t get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and —yuck!—kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Uuuugggghhh. Recommneded for all ages.

Balloonacy
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Through April 8
Tickets: $12
The story of a lonely man who is revived by a visit from a red balloon is reminiscent of the silent films of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. The playwright has imagined the man as an older version of the boy in the movie The Red Balloon, now grown up and grown old, having forgotten his youthful adventure. The red balloon returns to rescue its boy! Recommended for ages 1-5.

Peter and the Wolf
Where: THEARC | Anacostia, DC
When: March 24-25
Tickets: $30+
The children’s orchestral classic comes to life in an engaging artistic collaboration with The Washington Ballet Studio Company and the DC Youth Orchestra Program. Best known as a children’s introduction to music and instruments, the addition of dance enriches the story as the tale of Peter comes to life in a tantalizing visual and musical tale that will inspire and enchant those of all ages. The program will also include a performance by The Washington Ballet @THEARC Performance Ensemble.

Waves, all that Glows Sees
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 24 – April 1
Tickets: $15
Experience the joy of theater in this carefully crafted experience for the very young, written by Véronique Côté! Adults with their little ones follow a pathway of shells and stones into a warm, serene tent on the stage, where a gentle seaside scene awaits. One man makes music, while another dreams of the ocean. Through sand shaping, shadow puppetry, and inventive sound effects, the two performers create tender, magical moments of sea turtles, seagulls, fish, dune grass, ships, and sky. As time passes, one of the men plays at diving into the water in search of treasure, bringing a poetic undersea adventure to life before your eyes. Recommended for ages 18 months – 4 years.

Little Red & the Pigs
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: March 29 – May 12
Tickets: $12
What’s so bad about the Big Bad Wolf? At last B.B. (Big Bad) Wolfe tells his side of the story, in rap, no less. Has the notorious pork poacher and grandma impersonator gotten a bum rap, or is he truly deserving of his moniker? You be the judge! This is one of our funniest productions and includes lots of audience participation.

Boogie Babes
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Thursdays, 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for sibling 6 months and under
Little ones can boogie along with their favorite local musicians at Eastern Market’s North Hall on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Even better, proceeds from all shows benefit DC Diaper Bank! Go for the entertainment, then grab lunch in the market or at one of many nearby eateries after.

Two Trains Running
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: March 30 – April 29
Tickets: $56-81
It’s 1969 and the Civil Rights Movement is sending tremors through Pittsburgh’s Hill District. At the center of the community is Memphis Lee’s diner, slated to be demolished — a casualty of the city’s renovation project. Confronted with a rapidly changing world, Memphis and his regular customers struggle to maintain their solidarity and sense of pride. From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson comes this masterpiece about everyday lives in the shadow of great events, and of unsung citizens who are anything but ordinary.

Potted Potter
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: April 3-15
Tickets: $59-95 (look for a discount)
Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favorite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic! Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

NSO Pops: Black Violin
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: April 4-5
Tickets: $39-79
Violinist Kevin Sylvester (“Kev Marcus”) and violist Wilner Baptiste (“Wil B”) have shared the stage with such top names as Kanye West and Aerosmith, and collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean, and Alicia Keys. Now they join the NSO to showcase their dynamic performance style, bridging infectious Hip Hop beats and lyrical melodies with classical instrumentation and searing technique in a unique blend that defies expectations and shatters stereotypes. Recommended for ages 5+.

James & the Giant Peach
Where: Gunston Arts Center | Arlington, VA
When: April 6-15
Tickets: $10
Encore’s Musical Theatre Intensive (MTI) presents James and the Giant Peach. When James is sent by his aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach – among human-sized insects with equally over-sized personalities – but, after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces a series of mishaps and adventures. Thanks to James’ quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. We recommend this musical for ages 6 and older.

Apr. 6-15, 2018

Bubble Guppies Live!
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: April 8, 2pm & 6pm
Tickets: $29-59
What time is it? It’s time for Bubble Guppies! Jump into a bubbly world of learning and laughter with Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies Live! – “Ready to Rock.” Put on your water-wings and dive in to a swimsational musical underwater adventure! The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock n’ roll with everyone’s favorite tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on! With help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on a musical expedition as they search every corner of their bubbly world for their friend!

Mother Earth and Me
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: April 10-13
Tickets: $3-8
The magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater original as we explore the origins of our planet, the water cycle, and our important role in protecting the ecosystem, as well as folklore about the “big blue marble” we call home. Kick off Earth Month by pledging to become an Earth Warrior—and find out some great ways to start right away! Recommended for ages 5+

Theatre for the Very Young: Balloonacy
Where: Atlas Perfroming Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: April 11-16
Tickets: $12
Balloonacy tells the story of a lonely old man who discovers an unlikely friendship that floats into his life unexpectedly through the window: a red balloon. Set in his solitary ways, the old man begrudgingly encounters the friendly balloon that seems intent on becoming his friend. Packed with physical comedy that will charm and delight young audiences of all ages, this award-winning play shows how with a little imagination and acceptance, companionship can come from the most unlikely of places. Recommended for ages 1-5.

Disney on Ice: Follow Your Heart
Where: Eagle Bank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: April 12- 15
Tickets: $15-80 (look for a discount)
Follow your heart straight to adventure at Disney On Ice! Just keep swimming with Dory and new pal Hank from Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory as they set out to find her parents and discover the devotion of family. Cheer with Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the Emotions from Disney Pixar’s Inside Out as they work together to boost Riley’s spirit and win the big hockey game. Venture to wintery Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite royal sisters Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen and learn love is the most powerful magic of all. See Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel and the Disney Princesses make their dreams possible through virtues of bravery, kindness and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and the Toy Story gang.

Outside the Lines
Where: The Lab at Convergence | Arlington, VA
When: April 12-28
Tickets: $9
Arts on the Horizon presents this show about two pen pals, Bud and Vi, who brighten each other’s lives from afar. Bud lives in a straight-line world of tall, tall buildings. Vi lives in a curvy-line world of rolly, rolly hills. Bud and Vi have never met, but they create a world together by exchanging lines…through the mail. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Snow Child
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: April 13 – May 20
Tickets: $65-100
Eowyn Ivey’s debut novel The Snow Child, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, is reborn as a magical new musical featuring a score that combines Alaskan string-band traditions and contemporary musical theater. The 1920 Alaskan wilderness is a brutal place to try to save a marriage. Reeling from the loss of an unborn child, Mabel and Jack struggle to rebuild their lives even as the fissures between them continue to widen. But everything changes suddenly when they are visited by a wild, mysterious girl who embodies the dark woods that surround their cabin. In this beautiful and violent land, things are rarely as they appear, and what the snow child teaches them will ultimately transform them all.

Robin Hood
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: April 14 – May 20
Tickets: $12-30
In this story from the traditional English folklore, Chris Dinolfo (JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC) plays the title role! Our hero sides with the townsfolk against the cruel Sheriff of Nottingham and the even crueler, greedier King John. With his band of Merry Men and the lovely Maid Marian, Robin robs the rich to help the poor. Experience all the fun in Sherwood Forest—sword fighting, bows and arrows, and miraculous escapes! Recommended for ages 4+.

Waiting for Godot (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: April 17 – May
Tickets: $59-118
Lingering by the side of the road, killing time with hat tricks and half-remembered stories, Estragon and Vladimir dawdle through one of the greatest dramas of the 20th century. In Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett’s absurd, anarchic exploration of time, life is vaudeville and tragedy, philosophy and confusion, teetering on the edge of despair, yet tuned with Beckett’s unique blend of poetry and humor.

Tot Rock: Alex & the Kaleidoscope
Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: April 19-20
Tickets: $3-8
Take a new look at our beautiful world through the kaleidoscope of Emmy Award-winning children’s arts educator Alex Mitnick, your musical guide for an Earth Day celebration of the treasures of the planet. Clap along, sing, dance, and improvise with Alex in this delightful interactive concert of original songs about nature and all its creatures—including us. Recommended for ages 2-6.

PJ Masks LIVE! Time To Be A Hero
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: April 19
Tickets: $27-57+
PJ Masks Live: Time to Be a Hero is a super-heroic, brand new live show, featuring the heroic trio from your favorite series: The PJ Masks! Watch Catboy, Owlette and Gekko as they try to save the day from their sneaky villains – Romeo, Night Ninja and Luna Girl! Fluttering Feathers! Leaping Lizards! What a CAT-tastrophe! You’ve NEVER seen the PJ Masks like this before – leaping, flipping and climbing – live on stage! Complete with your favorite music and brand new songs you’ve never heard before! Don’t sleep through it – watch the PJ Masks save the day, live on stage!

Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: April 20 – June 3
Tickets: $19.50
Third grade has put Judy Moody in a mood. She’s got to figure out what to include in her “Me” collage, and her know-it-all little brother Stink keeps getting in the way. When the Moody family drops anchor on “Artichoke” Island, they meet Cap’n Weevil with a secret treasure map, launching them on a mad dash across the island in search of gold. But they’re not the only salty dogs lookin’ for loot! Can Judy Moody and Stink outwit their competition in time? Will Judy finish her project? Come aboard as we launch this world premiere and find out! Recommended for ages 4+.

Wild Kratts LIVE!
Where: DAR Constitution Hall | Downtown DC
When: April 21
Tickets: $32-52+
Animated Kratt Brothers Martin and Chris “come to real life” in a classically Wild Kratts story. The Emmy nominated duo will activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits to confront a comic villain. Through hilarious pratfalls and amazing animal “wow facts,” the Wild Kratts team rescues their favorite invention from Zach’s clutches so the animals of the creature world are safe once again.

NSO Music for Young Audiences: The String Thing
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: April 21-22
Tickets: $20
Attention: kids, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, rubber chickens—but especially kids and rubber chickens—step right up to this daring double act of classical fun! Bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green take a break from the NSO to introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written. You’ll never hear a word out of them during the concert, but with instruments in hand and a trunk full of gags, this “silent” comedic tag-team presents a hilarious program of music and mayhem. Recommended for ages 3+.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center | Manassas, VA
When: April 22
Tickets: $15/adult, $5/child
Bedtime is approaching, and this team of construction vehicles needs to get their rest. But Crane Truck is getting cranky, Cement Mixer takes too long with bath time, and Dump Truck just isn’t sleepy! Excavator and Bulldozer find that preparing for bed is a job in itself! Will they ever get some shut-eye before tomorrow’s day of work? A world premiere musical based upon the New York Times best-selling picture book about construction vehicles by author Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrator Tom Lichtenheld demonstrates the importance of teamwork, follow-through, hard work, and bedtime rituals. Founded in 2004, the Bay Area Children’s Theatre works to enrich children’s lives, inspire their imagination, and introduce them to lifelong enjoyment of theater.

Happy Habitats
Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: April 24-25
Tickets: $3-8
In order to survive, animals need air, food, water, and shelter, all of which create a habitat—nature’s home for creatures of the air, earth, and water. Follow a horticulturist from Smithsonian Gardens through the paths of the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Garden to discover habitat stations and learn how plants, animals and humans live together and support each other. Leave with new insights about what makes successful habitats and how you can help protect them. Recommended for ages 5-10.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center | Manassas, VA
When: April 28-29
Tickets: $15-20/adult, $12-15/child
Pied Piper Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid follows the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, who longs to leave the ocean and walk in the world above the sea. Against the wishes of her father, King Triton, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and meets Prince Eric on her first adventure on land. With the help of her best friends Flounder, Sebastian the crab, and Scuttle the seagull, Ariel attempts to break the curse of the sea witch.

Theatre for the Very Young: Outside the Lines
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: May 2-6
Tickets: $12
Two pen pals from different parts of the world brighten each other’s lives from afar, but when they magically switch places one day, an amazing adventure begins! This vibrant, nonverbal performance uses movement, tango music and projected images to celebrate our interconnected world. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Under the Baobab Tree with Iya: Tales of Africa and the Caribbean
Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: May 3-4
Tickets: $3-8
The smash-hit show from last year is back! Gather round the iconic tree of life for traditional, songs, stories, and dances from “Iya” Bashea Imana and her talented troupe of Kuumba Kids. This highly participatory show features puppets, movement, and motivational music that rouses the spirit and moves the heart. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Snow White
Where: Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center | Rockville, MD
When: May 12
Tickets: $24/adult, $19/child
This Mother’s Day weekend, experience the exciting adventures of Snow White! Scared and lost in the forest Snow White takes refuge in the house of the seven dwarfs to hide from her stepmother, the wicked Queen. Filled with forest friends and creatures, MYB’s adaptation of the classic fairy-tale is perfect for audiences of all ages!

Waitress (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: National Theater | Downtown DC
When: May 15 – June 3
Tickets: $48-93
Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker – who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

Jojo’s Trip to the Zoo
Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: May 3-4
Tickets: $3-8
It’s field-trip day and Jojo can’t wait to get to the zoo! But when he finds a little lost furball, what can he do? Asking for help for his new animal friend leads to a behind-the-scenes adventure, meeting some favorite animals, and learning about our wonderful Earth and its creatures. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Sleeping Beauty
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo,MD
When: May 17 – June 24
Tickets: $12
Yet another elegant production created by the Puppet Co., “Sleeping Beauty” combines romance and adventure in a story of fairies, frogs, kings and queens, and of course, a sleeping princess and the gallant prince destined to find her. Told with rod puppets and wonderful special effects, the show is a real treat for princesses and princes, big and small!

NSO Music for Young Audiences: The String Thing
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: May 19
Tickets: $20
Brass instruments make a BIG sound! But when Brass of Peace takes the stage, children might be surprised to see that these musicians behind this powerful playing aren’t much bigger than they are. Comprised of 13 D.C.-area high school students, this ensemble plays a selection of pieces that just might blow the roof off the Kennedy Center. Retired NSO hornist Sylvia Alimena conducts these concerts that bring together the city’s finest young brass musicians to teach audiences all about how this family of instruments makes music out of metal and wind. Recommended for ages 3+.

The Doubtful Sprout with Liz Joyce
Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: May 31 – June 1
Tickets: $3-8
Get ready to explore the world under your feet in this underground puppet adventure. Tunnel down with Worm and Sprout as they discover the mysterious life found in soil. Along the way, kids help figure out the secrets that help Sprout grow. Acclaimed master Puppeteer Liz Joyce, brings this ecological wonderland to life with several styles of puppets, projections and song. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Pinnocchio
Where: Gunston Arts Center | Arlington, VA
When: June 1-10
Tickets: $15/adult, $10/child
Travel with Pinocchio on his road of misadventures, meeting many kooky characters along the way. From Pleasure Isle, to his showdown with the Great Fish, Pinocchio tries to find his way back to his father, Geppetto. Will he learn to choose truth and kindness on his quest to become a “real boy?” Come and see! Recommended for ages 4+.

Ever in the Glades
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: June 8-10
Tickets: $20
On an isolated island deep in the heart of the Everglades, five teenagers struggle to survive in a land where the adults are as dangerous as the gators. When one of the kids returns from juvenile detention to help the rest escape to the mainland, it seems their prayers have been answered. There’s only one problem: they need a boat, and they need it before the adults catch wind of their plan and end it—or end them. Recommended for ages 12+.

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Tagged as DC Kids Shows, DMV Children's Theatre, Family Friendly Shows, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Fun Things to do with Kids in Northern Virginia, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Kids Concerts, Maryland Kids Shows, Plays Coming to DC, Spring 2018, Washington DC Children's Theatre, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Live Entertainment for Kids

November 20, 2017 · 1:16 pm

Live Entertainment Around DC Through Winter 2018

See a classic come to life as Imagination Stage presents ‘Charlotte’s Web’

This is a great time to reserve your seats for live entertainment on local stages. Not only is an outing to see a performance an ideal wintertime activity, tickets to shows make for terrific holiday gifts! This compilation of musicals, puppet shows, plays, concerts, dance performances, even a monster truck jam and display of hoops magic will inspire both cold season adventures — and ideas for stocking stuffers. Shows are listed in order of opening date, and just about all tickets are on sale now!

Holiday Shows
Looking for live entertainment to celebrate the holiday season? The 2017 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC includes details on all kinds of festive performances around the area.

Me…Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 18 – December 8
Tickets: $20-25 (look for a ticket discount)
Before she was a renowned humanitarian, conservationist, and animal activist, Dr. Jane Goodall was a little girl with a very special toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. Together, Jane and Jubilee went on outdoor adventures and observed all the miracles of nature around them. As they learned more and more on their expeditions, Jane dreamed of spending the rest of her life living with and helping animals. And one day, she would go on to do just that. In this brand new musical adaptation, join young Jane and her special friend as they learn about the world around them and the importance of protecting all living species. With anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall’s autobiography, this adaptation makes this very true story accessible for the young—and young at heart.

Charlotte’s Web
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: November 18 – January 7
Tickets: $10-32
In this beloved classic (now infused with live music!), Fern, a soft-hearted farm girl, forms an unlikely bond with Wilbur, a charismatic pig. At the Zuckerman Farm, Wilbur meets a silly goose, a moody sheep, a selfish rat, and Charlotte, a clever spider. In an effort to save her friend, Charlotte weaves flattering messages about him into her web that cause a sensation in the small town. Fall in love with your favorite characters all over again as they bring this “radiant” tale from page to stage! Recommended for age 5+.

Nina Simone: Four Women
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through December 24
Tickets: $40-119
Velvet-throated songstress Nina Simone hypnotized audiences with her signature renditions of standards from the American songbook. But on September 15, 1963, a devastating explosion in Birmingham, Alabama rocked our entire nation to the core, and from the memory of the four little girls that were lost in this unimaginable tragedy came “Four Women” — along with Simone’s other activist anthems like “Mississippi Goddam,” “Old Jim Crow” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Through storytelling and song, Nina Simone: Four Women reveals how this iconic chanteuse found her true voice — and how the “High Priestess of Soul” helped define the sound of the Civil Rights Movement. Recommended for teens (and mature tweens) and up.

Twelfth Night (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Sidney Harman Hall
When: Through December 20
Tickets: $25-118 (look for a ticket discount)
Stranded on the coast of Illyria, the quick-witted Viola assumes the disguise of a page boy for Duke Orsino and finds herself at the center of an explosive love triangle in which identity, passion and gender all threaten to come undone. Bursting with vitality and romance, Twelfth Night gives us one of Shakespeare’s most remarkable heroines matching wits with a host of captivating characters—from the love-struck Olivia to the puritanical Malvolio.

NSO Pops: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 24-29
Tickets: $29-99
The Harry Potter film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. This concert will feature the National Symphony Orchestra performing every note from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high definition on a giant screen while hearing the orchestra perform John Williams’s unforgettable score. Recommended for age 5+.

Gobsmacked!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 24-26
Tickets: $29-79
This mind-blowing, next-generation vocal show—the latest sensation from the UK—features reigning world champion beatboxer Ball-Zee and an international cast of vocalists. Gobsmacked! weaves stories through all forms of a cappella, guaranteeing audiences will leave with a song in their hearts and smiles on their faces.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Where: Theater J | Downtown DC
When: November 29 – December 31
Tickets: $30-69 (look for a ticket discount)
Set in Atlanta in 1939 during the holiday season, this Tony Award-winning play is an achingly beautiful, comedic and bittersweet romance by the writer of Driving Miss Daisy. The Freitag family hopes that the party of the year will be the chance for their daughters to meet their future husbands—but when their uncle brings home his new employee, a handsome Eastern European bachelor from Brooklyn, everyone must confront their own prejudices, desires, and beliefs.

Hansel & Gretel
Where: Synetic Theater | Crystal City, VA
When: December 1 – 23
Tickets: $20
Follow the trail of white pebbles and breadcrumbs to Synetic Theater for this magical production of the Brothers Grimm well-known fairytale, Hansel and Gretel. In this wordless production, viewers young and old will be transported to the house in the woods built of bread and cakes with windowpanes of sugar. It is here where Hansel and Gretel must outsmart the half-blind and hungry Witch in order to return to their family. This wordless Synetic Family Theater production is suitable for all ages.

Duke Ellington’s Neighborhood
Where: GALA Theatre at Tivoli Square | 14th Street NW, DC
When: December 9-10
Tickets: $25/adult, $23/senior, $15/youth
Come groove along with the Duke’s jazz piano! Take your kids on an interactive journey through Duke Ellington’s DC and discover how a local hero championed African-American musicians, influenced the Harlem Renaissance, shaped the cultural history of D.C., and became an international star. Written by Mattias Kraemer and directed by Angelisa Gillyard. Jazz combo & singers with Stanley Thurston at the piano.

A Mini-Summer Night’s Dream
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter DC
When: December 10 & 16
Tickets: Free
Part of Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Family Week, Mini-Summer transports audiences of all ages to the court of Athens and the world of Puck’s magical forest. Watch the lovers chase each other through the woods and the rude mechanicals perform a hilariously silly play. After the performance, audiences will get dramatic themselves through group activities and a discussion with the cast.

An American in Paris
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 12 – January 7
Tickets: $59-129
Inspired by the Academy Award–winning film and featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin, An American in Paris has captivated both audiences and critics. Its stunning combination of classic music, timeless story, breathtaking dance, and state-of-the-art design results in a spectacular production the New York Times declares “outshines anything else currently on Broadway.” Recommended for ages 8+.

Les Misérables
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: December 20 – January 7
Tickets: $48-98
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption –a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Featuring the thrilling score and beloved songs “I Dreamed A Dream,”“On My Own,”“Stars,” “Bring Him Home,”“One Day More,” and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

The Illusionists
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 27 – January 7
Tickets: $49-139
This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions. Recommended for ages 7+.

Michael Carbonaro Live!
Where: DAR Constitution Hall | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 31
Tickets: $37-148+
New Year’s Eve with the family! Ever wondered what it feels like to be on the other side of Michael Carbonaro as he works his magic to make people believe the unbelievable? This is your chance to find out! From his hit television series “The Carbonaro Effect” on truTV, magician Michael Carbonaro brings his signature blend of bizarre antics, audience interaction, hilarious video clips, and mind-blowing magic, live on stage! Don’t miss out on your chance to feel the effect of Michael Carbonaro… LIVE!

Shear Madness
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $54 (look for a ticket discount
Set in present-day Georgetown, Shear Madness engages locals and visitors alike as armchair detectives to help solve the scissor-stabbing murder of a famed concert pianist who lives above the Shear Madness unisex hairstyling salon. The show combines up-to-the-minute improvisational humor and a mixture of audience sleuthing to deliver a unique performance each night.

Boogie Babes
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Thursdays, 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for sibling 6 months and under
Little ones can boogie along with their favorite local musicians at Eastern Market’s North Hall on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Even better, proceeds from all shows benefit DC Diaper Bank! Go for the entertainment, then grab lunch in the market or at one of many nearby eateries after.

Around the World in 80 Days
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: January 6, 2pm & 5pm
Tickets: $15-30
A Daring Race Against Time! No one thinks Phileas Fogg can do it. But this eccentric adventurer won’t be stopped. He believes he can achieve the unthinkable and sets out on a race against time. Told through songs from the great American songbook, this world premiere production revisits Jules Verne’s timeless classic Around the World in 80 Days, in a musical adventure for all ages.

On Your Feet!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 9 – January 28
Tickets: $59 – $149
From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you inside their real-life story, with some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter century. Recommended for ages 8+.

Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: January 11-12
Tickets: $3-8
Learn and play with wacky Professor Wingnut and Seymour the Seagull as arts educator Ryan Sellers ignites an excitement for aeronautics and the joy of flight. With the amazing artifacts of the Air and Space Museum soaring above them, little aviators explore the science of how things take to the air—from birds’ hollow wings to the first aeroplanes. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Marcee’s Fruity Vegetable Party
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: January 17-18
Tickets: $3-8
Mom’s birthday is coming up and Marcee is planning a very special party with her favorite foods—fruits and vegetables. Mirth and mayhem ensue as Marcee and the audience create zany recipes that turn out especially yummy—and healthy, too! Songs, follow-along play, and some great ideas for fun food make this a party you won’t want to miss. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Sovereignty (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: January 12 – February 18
Tickets:
Some wounds refuse to heal. Mary Kathryn Nagle’s daring new work, which debuts as the fourth production in Arena Stage’s Power Plays initiative, travels the intersections of personal and political truths, historic and present struggles. Sarah Ridge Polson, a young Cherokee lawyer fighting to restore her Nation’s jurisdiction, must confront the ever-present ghosts of her grandfathers. With shadows stretching from 1830s Cherokee Nation (now present-day Georgia) and Andrew Jackson’s White House to the Cherokee Nation in present-day Oklahoma, Sovereignty asks how high the flames of anger can rise before they ultimately consume the truth.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: January 13
Tickets: $25-75
The grr-ific musical for little tigers has your favorite characters hopping back on board Trolley and coming to town with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day! Daniel and all of his friends invite you for a brand-new adventure in Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. The beloved characters come alive on stage to captivate you with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and SURPRISE guests along the way! It’s an event filled with tigertastic fun, teaching the valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend.

Hamlet (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: January 16 – February 25
Tickets: $59-118
In the wake of his father’s abrupt death, Hamlet returns home from university to find his personal and political world changed as he never imagined it could—his mother remarried, his uncle on the throne and a world seemingly gone insane. When his father’s ghost appears and demands vengeance, the increasingly desperate Danish prince must decide: submit or resist. Accept or avenge. Live or die.

Step Afrika! Step Xplosion
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: January 21
Tickets: $35-75
Step Afrika!’s fourth annual showcase at Strathmore is going to be big! Percussive dance styles historically practiced by African American fraternities and sororities plus African traditional dance and art forms from around the world come together as Step Afrika! integrates songs, storytelling, and humor into a highly entertaining, interactive show. Watch as the top step teams from across the country showcase the kind of technique and agility that inspires audiences everywhere, and see how Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, promoting teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.

Laurie Berker
Where: Gordon Center for Performing Arts | Owings Mills, MD
When: January 21, 11:30am & 3pm
Tickets: $15/child, $25/adult in advance; $20/child $30/adult at door
Bestselling children’s recording artist and preschool television favorite Laurie Berkner welcomes the New Year as she brings her Greatest Hits Solo Tour to The Gordon Center for Performing Arts on the campus of the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC. A true pioneer in children’s music, beloved by generations of children and parents for over twenty years, the legendary Laurie Berkner will bring such well-loved hits as “Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz),” “Victor Vito,” “We Are The Dinosaurs,” and “Pig on Her Head” to these performances, along with songs like “Bicycle,” “Bubbles,” and “I’ve Got So Much To Give” from her recent album, Superhero. Laurie will showcase many fan favorites, including an array of tunes that encourage kids and grownups alike to get up and dance. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads).

Monster Jam
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: January 27-28
Tickets: $15-45
The world’s largest and most famous monster truck tour featuring the biggest names in monster trucks will thunder its way into DC. Blue Thunder, El Toro Loco, Grave Digger, Max-D, Megalodon, Monster Mutt Rottweiler, Wonder Woman, and Zombie are among the vehicular beasts you’ll see tearing up the indoor terrain this year.

Digging Up Dessa
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: January 31 – February 18
Tickets: $20
From dinosaur bones to hidden memories, the world is filled with buried treasures just waiting to be uncovered. One 21st-century girl sets out to dig up some super-sized discoveries with help from a remarkable friend—the pioneering English paleontologist Mary Anning. Recommended for ages 10+.

Riverdance
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: February 2-4
Tickets:
The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand with Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Marking the eagerly awaited return of the show to North America the anniversary production features new costumes, new lighting, new projections and the addition of a brand new number, “Anna Livia,” featuring the female members of the Irish dance troupe in an acapella hard-shoe number.

Familiar (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Woolly Mammoth | Penn Quarter, DC
When: February 5 – March 4
Tickets: $20-41
It’s winter in Minnesota, and an immigrant Zimbabwean family is preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter, a first-generation American. But when the bride insists on observing roora, a traditional bride-price ceremony, it opens a deep rift in the household. Rowdy and affectionate, Familiar pitches tradition against assimilation among the members of one devoted family. Which will prove stronger: the customs they keep… or the secrets they’ve kept buried?

How Old is a Hero?
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 6-9
Tickets: $3-8
Everyone can make a difference! This Discovery Theater original play infused with archival music of the Civil Rights era celebrates three young people who helped change the nation by their heroic actions. Meet Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, the first black student to graduate from an integrated high school; Claudette Colvin, who months before Rosa Parks, also refused to give up her seat on a bus; and Ruby Bridges, who was only six in 1960 when she stepped into first grade—and into history—as the first student to desegregate an all-white school in New Orleans. Their inspiring stories demonstrate that hope begins with the courage of young people. Recommended for ages 6-11.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: February 9 – March 31
Tickets: $19.50
Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities but—he does. And just when it can’t get any worse, there are lima beans for supper and —yuck!—kissing on TV. It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Uuuugggghhh. Recommended for all ages.

The Princess and the Pauper — A Bollywood Tale
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: February 10 – March 18
Tickets: $10-32
Set in long ago India, this Bollywood-inspired adaptation of the classic Mark Twain novel shows how the common people work long hours to support the luxurious lifestyle of those in the palace. As a corrupt Wazir plots to steal the throne from the Sultan’s heirs, a spoiled Princess Razia forces a shy dressmaker’s daughter, Zainab, to exchange places with her. Razia gradually discovers how unfairly the people are treated, and resolves to become a just leader. But, can she expose the Wazir’s villainy before he is crowned? In a madcap finale, Razia, Zainab, and all of the people of Dehli rise up to crash the coronation. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Goodnight Moon & Runaway Bunny
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts | Gaithersburg, MD
When: February 10-11
Tickets: $15
Adapted from Margaret Wise Brown’s sixty-year-old classic, Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both performances feature the endearing animal puppets, stunning scenic effects and evocative music that have earned international recognition for Mermaid Theatre. The hour-long staged adaptation brings a fresh appreciation of the stories and images that have delighted several generations.

Meeting Mr. Lincoln
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 13-14
Tickets: $3-8
What would you say if you got to meet one of the greatest presidents of all time? While on an errand for seamstress Elizabeth Keckley, young Eliza finds a barefoot, uneducated country boy sneaking through the White House. Caleb wants to meet his idol Honest Abe—someone who was once like him but who rose to lead the nation. Eliza can help him, but what should he ask when he meets his hero? The audience helps them figure it out, and then in a surprise visit, everyone gets to talk to the president (who’s in the process of writing the Emancipation Proclamation) in this interactive play about identity, equality, and following big dreams. Recommended for ages 7-12.

Disney On Ice presents Frozen
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: February 14-19
Tickets: Start at $20 (look for a ticket discount)
The complete adventure of the Academy Award winning tale Frozen will be told live for the first time in this production, capturing the dynamic of two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear. Audiences will get to sing along with such musical masterpieces as “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

Tot Rock: Percussion Party with Uncle Devin
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 15-16
Tickets: $3-8
Are you ready to make some noise and learn some beats? Early math and numbers add up to plenty of fun when everybody’s favorite musical uncle returns and invites young audiences to hear and play a world of percussion instruments. Through all the bang-up interactive enjoyment, kids also learn why percussion is the easiest, oldest, and most diverse form of musical creativity.

NSO Family Concert: Let’s Remix the Classix!
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: February 18
Tickets: $15-18
What would the classics sound like with a Hip Hop beat? How about as a mashup with some cool rockin’ rhythms? Find out when the NSO reunites with beatboxer and multi-instrumentalist Christylez Bacon and wildly original electric cellist/composer Wytold for a crash course in the fundamentals of remixing! Through beatboxing, improvising, and other creative techniques, these D.C. favorites take Pachelbel’s Canon and Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1—plus other classical masterpieces featured everywhere from movies to TV to weddings—and make them completely their own. Recommended for ages 5+.

Black Diamond
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 20-23
Tickets: $3-8
Score a home run with a spirit-rousing musical play about the “other” major league! This updated hit from nationally recognized arts leader Michael Bobbitt and tunesmith John Cornelius chronicles the struggles and triumphs of pioneering African American baseball players. The all-star lineup of heroes includes Moses “Fleet” Walker, who became the game’s first black pro in the 1880s; Andrew “Rube” Foster, hailed as the father of black baseball; power hitter Josh “Spitfire” Gibson; athlete-philosopher Satchel Paige; and young Jackie Robinson, who first integrated the major leagues. You’ll stand up and cheer for the players who made sports history—and American history, too!

INTERSECTIONS 2018
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: February 23 – March 10
Tickets: Vary by perfromance
The annual INTERSECTIONS Festival presents work that impacts our society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining. INTERSECTIONS is about showcasing excellent art that inspires a connected community, engaged artists and audiences alike, and creates a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. In addition to the main festival performances, INTERSECTIONS 2018 also includes Family Fun Days on Saturday, February 24 and March 3, and a Youth Summit, which features performances by youth groups on Saturday, March 10.

Theatre for the Very Young: Inside Out
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: February 24 – March 4
Tickets: $12
Things can get a little messy when playing dress-up. But imaginations also go wild when scarves become birds, t-shirts become monsters, and a sock dance rocks the closet! In this interactive show, discover the joy of turning things inside out. Recommended for ages 1-5.

Tot Rock: The Not-Its
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: March 1-2
Tickets: $3-8
In their signature pink ties (on the guys) and pink-and-black tutus (on the girls), the Not-Its! rock kids and families with their up-tempo albums and performances that give children their first “rock show” experience. The Seattle-based quintet delivers on-your-feet, action-oriented songs like “Green Light Go” and “Skateboard,” and uses music to empower kids to be innovators, protect the environment and wildlife, and be proud of who they are—even if, as they sing about in “Participation Trophy,” they get third or fourth place at something.

Pinkalicious the Musical
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts | Gaithersburg, MD
When: March 3
Tickets: $18-24
Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. This show will be followed by a Pink Cupcake Tea Party at 2:30 PM — buy tickets here!

NSO Music for Young Audiences: Two Divas and a Bear
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 4
Tickets: $15-18
What happens when you bring together a concert violinist, an opera singer, and everyone’s favorite stuffed animal? You get Two Divas and a Bear! Join NSO violinist Marissa Regni and soprano Kari Paludan as they explore the human voice. As it turns out, the violin has a voice, too! As you listen to Schubert’s The Trout, Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, and Rossini’s Two Cats, you’ll discover that the strings of the violin are very similar to our very own vocal cords. Recommended for ages 3+.

Big Apple Circus
Where: National Harbor, MD
When: March 8 – April 13
Tickets: $27.50-109
This critically acclaimed program features the famous seven-person pyramid on the high wire with 10-time record-holder Nik Wallenda and the Flying Wallendas, daredevil roller skating, a flying trapeze act, and fan-favorite comedian Grandma the Clown. The nearly two-hour performance also includes live orchestra music and amazing performances by beloved rescue dogs, horses, and ponies cared for by their certified trainer, Jenny Vidbel. Make memories and begin a new tradition this spring when the Big Apple Circus comes to Washington, DC!

Harlem Wizards Basketball Game
Where: Freedom High School | Chantilly, VA
When: March 9
Tickets: $15-30
The Harlem Wizards brand of “Trick Hoops & Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for 50 years! Come see them play our local team Friday, March 9th. This is a family friendly event for all ages and proceeds will support Freedom High School Athletics.

Sam and BG’s Accidental Day
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: March 15-16
Tickets: $3-8
Five-year-olds BG and Sam are aspiring junior soccer stars and best friends on the field and off. They score a big goal in a match, but a mishap (seen in hilarious slow motion) sends them right off the field and into the clinic. There they discover that helping people is really cool, thanks to a friendly team of medical (and musical) stars who make everyone feel great. Letters, numbers, and sing-along songs make this super sports saga extra special.

Harlem Globetrotters
Where: Capital One & Eagle Bank Arenas | Penn Quarter, DC & Fairfax, VA
When: March 17-18
Tickets: $25 and up
The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to DC with their unrivaled family show, featuring some of the greatest athletes on the planet. With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy, and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family.

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Tagged as DC Kids Shows, DMV Children's Theatre, Fall 2017 Events, Family Friendly Shows, Fun Things to do with Kids in Maryland, Fun Things to do with Kids in Northern Virginia, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Kids Concerts, Maryland Kids Shows, Plays Coming to DC, Washington DC Children's Theatre, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Live Entertainment for Kids

September 21, 2017 · 9:36 am

The Fall Line-Up of Live Entertainment

Art on the Horizon’s “Drumming with Dishes” – a fave during Sasha’s preschool years

A new season means a new line-up of live entertainment around DC. With everything from children’s plays and puppet shows to music and dance performances to classics on ice to options for KidFree outings, there’s something for everyone coming to local stages. Here are all the details, listed in order of opening date.

The Legend of Pufferfish Pat
Where: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center | Silver Spring, MD
When: Through September 23
Tickets: $10-12.50
Pufferfish Pat is a legendary cowboy hero who can outride, outrope and outrun just about anything — except his own hair-trigger temper. He wants to be a friend to everyone and stay cool as a cucumber…he just doesn’t know how! And with the little town of Gravy Gulch heating up for the annual Great Gravy Cookoff and Fashion Festival, it’s more important than ever that Pat keep his cool! Where can he get help with this ornery problem? And what happens when black hat cowboy One-Eyed Jack rolls back into town, looking to get Pat run out of town for good? Will Pat be able to get a hold of his mean temper in time, or is it adios, Gravy Gulch?

Circus!
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: September 15 – October 1
Tickets: $12
In grand circus tradition, the “Greatest Show on Strings” features a collection of clowns, death-defying acrobats, and an amazing menagerie of fauna from the farthest reaches of the globe. Many of the acts were built more than 50 years ago by Christopher’s parents for “Len Piper’s International Marionette Circus.” Recommended for all ages.

Native Gardens (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: September 15 – October 22
Tickets: $56-111
Good fences make good neighbors…right? From the outrageous mind of playwright Karen Zacarías comes this hot new comedy about the clash of class and culture that pushes well-meaning neighbors over the edge. Tania, a very pregnant Ph.D. candidate, and Pablo, her rising attorney husband, move next door to Virginia and Frank, a deep-rooted D.C. couple with an impeccably trimmed backyard. But when a questionable fence line puts a prize-worthy garden in jeopardy, neighborly rivalry escalates into an all-out border dispute, challenging everyone’s notions of race, privilege and where to draw the line on good taste.

Jungle at Bungaloo
Where: Encore Stage & Studio | Arlington, VA
When: September 21 – October 6
Tickets: $10 (look for a discount here)
Characters come to life through the art of puppetry and rhyme!
Explore caves, lakes, and waterfalls on an adventure of a lifetime.
Discover the sounds and movements of the animals in the Bungaloo
–including a snake, a spider, and a bat too!
Meet our actors and play on the set,
this exciting performance will be your favorite yet!

How I Became a Pirate
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: September 22 – October 22
Tickets: $19.50 (look for a discount here)
Argh matey! It’s pirate’s life for me on the high seas! One day as Jeremy builds a sand castle on the beach, a pirate ship rows ashore in search of a place to bury the pirate’s treasure. Taken aboard as an honorary pirate, Jeremy learns the ropes of what it really means to be a swashbuckling (but smelly) pirate, and the pirates just might learn how to play soccer too. Recommended for all ages.

Death of a Salesman
Where: Ford’s Theatre | Downtown, DC
When: September 22 – October 22
Tickets: $20-33
Willy Loman’s career is over. During a pivotal 24 hours, he reflects on his life as a father, husband and traveling salesman. Truth and lies intermingle as Willy tries to reconcile the optimism of his youth with his unfulfilled dreams. As the full force of reality crashes down on him, he places his last hope of success in his two sons. Arthur Miller’s classic play challenges us to reconsider what it means to succeed and the cost of chasing the American Dream. Stephen Rayne (“Our Town,” “The Widow Lincoln,” “Sabrina Fair”) directs Craig Wallace as Willy Loman and Kimberly Schraf as Linda. Recommended for ages 13+.

The Adventures of the Extra Ordinary Super Heroes
Where: Georgetown Lutheran Church | Georgetown, DC
When: September 23, 24, 30, & October 1
Tickets: Free, but reserve in advance!
It seems like a regular Monday for these unlikely purveyors of justice but an emergency of global proportions changes all that. Join this band of improbable and lovable crime fighters as they utilize their decidedly ordinary skills to save the day! City Kids Theatre presents this smart and funny play recommended for ages 5 – 13.

Capoeira Angola with Skher Brown & The Dancing Warriors
Where: Publick Playhouse | Cheverly, MD
When: September 23, 2pm
Tickts: $5
The whole family will be dazzled by the spins, kicks, flips and live music of this unusual art form, which has its origins in Central Africa but evolved in Brazil. Learn a few words if Brazilian Portuguese as you join the call-and-response songs and stories, and go onstage to participate in the movement and drumming of this high-energy and interactive presentation.

Dave Chappelle (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: September 25-30
Tickets: $67-295
DC’s own is coming home to play a bunch of shows September 21-30, and there are still tickets available for some of the later date shows. It’s practically guaranteed to be a great time — and not just because of his shout-out to #dcpublicschools.

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream
Where: EagleBank Arena | Fairfax, VA
When: September 29 – October 8
Tickets: $20+ (look for a discount here)
Celebrate what’s possible as the adventures of five daring Disney heroines spark the courage inside us all at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! See how far Moana will go when she embarks on a quest to save her island. Anna’s devotion to her estranged sister Elsa sets her on a perilous journey to mend their bond and stop an eternal winter. Rapunzel breaks out of her tower and teams up with an unlikely companion, Flynn Rider. Armed only with courage, Belle befriends the enchanted castle staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s rough exterior. With help from her friends and a little magic, Cinderella is determined to make the wish in her heart come true.

Boogie Babes
Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for sibling 6 months and under
Little ones can boogie along with their favorite local musicians at Eastern Market’s North Hall on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Even better, proceeds from all shows benefit DC Diaper Bank! Go for the entertainment, then grab lunch in the market or at one of many nearby eateries after.

Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: Ongoing daily, 6pm
Tickets: Free
The Kennedy Center presents these free, no-tickets-required performances every day at 6pm, and the public is welcome to enjoy them. The acts span the genres — you can see everything from contemporary dance to folk music to puppetry to comedy shows to opera scenes. Millennium Stage showcases everyone from local youth choirs to internationally known bands (They Might Be Giants performed there a few years ago). This is a great series to keep in mind for whenever you’re looking for some free, easy entertainment.

The Lover & The Collection (KidFree suggestion!)
Where: Landsburgh Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: September 26 – October 29
Tickets: $44-102 (look for a discount here)
In The Collection, a jealous husband confronts a rival, whom his wife may or may not have met. In The Lover, a married couple calmly plans for their scheduled infidelities. In Pinter’s darkly comic world of revealing silences and pregnant pauses, the characters—and the audience—never know quite where they stand, embracing reality and fantasy with equal conviction.

Shear Madness
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: Through October 1
Tickets: $54 (look for a discount here)
Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 13,000 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Recommended for tweens and up.

The Velveteen Rabbit, Reborn
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center | Manassas, VA
When: October 1, 2pm & 4pm
Tickets: $15/adult, $5/child
The whole family will treasure this enchanting musical re-telling of a timeless storybook favorite! Through the power of love and nursery magic, a young boy transforms his beloved toy into a real rabbit. Together the Boy and his velveteen friend embark on exciting imaginary adventures, from deep dark caves to the wide open sea, and together they learn the true meaning of friendship. This show is presented by the Pushcart Players, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated theater company specializing in arts education for children. Recommended for ages 5-10.

Shopkins Live! Shop It Up!
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 3
Tickets: $27-123
All of Shopville is in a tizz as preparations get underway for the annual “Funtastic Food and Fashion Fair”. Shady Diva showcases her latest fashion designs; Lippy Lips gives colorful advice at the nail salon; Kooky Cookie tries to get in a beauty nap! But wait — no event is complete without a few hiccups! Who has high-jinxed the fashion pageant? Where is the super-secret celebrity guest? Will Slick Breadstick ever find a dance partner? The Shopkins and Shoppies need your help – the show must go on!

African Roots/Latino Soul
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 4,5,26
Tickets: $3-8
How many cultures can we be? This vibrant play explores what it means to be Latino, African American, and proud, growing up in the heart of the American melting pot. The story of Celia Cruz, the warmth of mama’s kitchen, and the bustle of city life all play parts in a show that demonstrates that the pulse of the music is the heart of the people. Written with the Young Playwrights’ Theater, this is a story of the triumphs of today’s multicultural kids. Recommended for ages 6-12.

Our Town
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: October 4 – November 12
Tickets: $54/adult, $49/child (look for a discount here)
In this new production, faithful to the script and sanctioned by the Wilder Family Estate, just seven actors portray the key characters in this intergenerational story set in the quintessential American hamlet of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. The actors will also manipulate and animate Bunraku-style puppets to represent the rest of the townspeople. Helen Hayes Award winner and OTC Artistic Associate Jon Hudson Odom (Angels in America) plays the coveted role of the Stage Manager, who guides us through this beloved and stirring story.

Pinnocchio
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: October 5 – November 17
Tickets: $12
Half life-size rod puppets, performed in the Italian “Comedia del Arte” style, tell Carlo Collodi’s story of what it means to be “real”. Share the trials and tribulations of the little live puppet as he finds in one adventure after another that the “easy way” isn’t always the right way. Recommended for ages 5+.

Night Train 57: A Sensory-Friendly Folk Opera
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 5-7
Tickets: $30 (look for a discount here)
All aboard the Night Train! Enter the freewheeling musical world of Grammy winner Dan Zanes, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Claudia Eliaza, and percussionist Yuriana Sobrino for an interactive folk opera that takes audiences on a far-out ride to the galaxies and back. During a joyous dusk-to-dawn trip through the stars, passengers on Night Train 57 will discover the power of friendship and community with the sounds of 21st-century handmade sing-along music. This world-premiere adventure welcomes travelers of all ages and sensory levels.

Drumming with Dishes
Where: The Lab at Convergence | Alexandria, VA
When: October 6-21
Tickets: $9
Arts on the Horizon brings back a classic! In a very special kitchen, a lively child and her shy imaginary friend cook up beautiful music using pasta box shakers, dishes, spoons and many more surprising instruments. Drumming with Dishes is a whimsical interactive performance, which celebrates friendship, play and imagination. As our heroine empowers her imaginary friend to create music, we discover just what wonders can be accomplished when we all play together. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Fábulas Fairy Tales
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: October 6, 20, & 25
Tickets: $3-8
They’ve added a fabulous new story to everybody’s favorites—told Smithsonian-style in both English and Spanish with lots of audience participation! The adventures of three bears, three little pigs, three billy goats gruff, and three little kittens are joined by a classic story about a lion and a mouse that’s also a guessing game. Spanish-language learning, literacy through storytelling, math, music, and more!

The Smartest Girl in the World
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: October 7-29
Tickets: $10-30
Studious Leo and his younger sister Lizzy couldn’t be more different. But, the two share dreams of becoming successful and making life easier for their overworked parents. When Mami and Papi forbid Leo to accept a place on his school’s TV Challenge team due to his chronic illness, Lizzy studies up to compete in his stead. But, the plan backfires when Leo feels jealous rather than grateful. Can Lizzy win the competition and regain her brother’s love? Recommended for ages 6+

The Cashore Marionettes: Simple Gifts
Where: Publick Playhouse | Cheverly, MD
When: October 7, 2pm
Tickets: $5
The internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes redefine the art of puppetry with marionettes that are astounding in the range of emotion they convey. In “Simple Gifts,” everyday episodes are transformed into humorous and sensitive stories that all ages will enjoy.

Saturday Family Jazz Sessions
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: Several Saturdays in October & November
Tickets: $10/advance, $12/at door
Junior jazz aficionados can spend Saturday mornings singing, playing, and preparing for a lifetime of music appreciation. Strathmore’s fun, creative, kid-friendly series features music by a different performer each session. These will take place during the fall October 14, 21, 28, and November 4. Recommended for ages 3-8.

Wilderness
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 12-15
Tickets: $29-35 (look for a discount here)
This pulsating new multimedia documentary theater work—derived from the real-life stories of six families exploring issues of mental health, addiction, and gender and sexual identity—features an evocative folk rock score, video projections, and emotionally charged movement. Recommended for ages 12+.

Peppa Pig Live!
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 15
Tickets:
Surprise! Peppa Pig is hitting the road for her all new theatrical tour, Peppa Pig’s Surprise! The brand new production features Peppa, George, and all their friends in an all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and surprises!

Adventures of Peter Pan
Where: Synetic Theatre | Crystal City, VA
When: October 18 – November 19
Tickets: $25-70 (look for a discount here)
Take flight to Neverland with Peter Pan, his Lost Boys and the Darling children! In this magical place filled with fairies, pirates, and mermaids, Peter Pan and crew will battle the delightfully sinister Captain Hook with acrobatics that will leave you on the edge of your seat! This production is recommended for ages 7+ for moments younger viewers may find frightening.

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Venues throughout DC
When: October 21 – November 5
Admission: Free
Enjoy European enternment without leaving DC! Now in its 10th year, Kids Euro Festival is one of the largest performing arts festivals for children in America, bringing Europe’s most talented children’s entertainers to the DC metro area each fall for two weeks of free performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, magic, and cinema. All free!

The Town That Cried Avalanche
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: October 21
Tickets: Free
InterAct Story Theatre kicks off a new season of its Wheateon Family Theatre Series with the premiere of a brand new play for young audiences. The tiny mountain town of Avalanche, California is rocked with controversy: how can they balance the need for progress with taking care of the environment? And how can they even talk about it when everyone is mad at each other? Can they come together to save the town–before the mountain comes tumbling down? Recommended for ages 4+.

Robert Post’s Comedy Theatre for Kids
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: October 21
Tickets: $20
It’s a one-man variety show—an act unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Once Robert Post takes the stage, you can’t take your eyes off him. One moment he’s a bungling burglar, the next a physics-defying stunt pilot. Audiences literally gasp in amazement at Post’s lightning-fast pace, flawless timing, and comedic grace. Post serves as his own witty master of ceremonies, improvising as he banters with people in the crowd. And when he ducks offstage, video clips take you on the road with him as he travels the world, visiting off-beat attractions and doing quirky interviews with the people he meets.

The Book of Mormon (KidFree Suggestion!)
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 24 – November 19
Tickets: $59-229
This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing-room-only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation.

Drumming with Dishes
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: October 25-29
Tickets: $12 (look for a discount here)
The Atlas’ Theatre for the Very young kicks off the new season with a classic from Arts on the Horizon! In a very special kitchen, a lively child and her shy imaginary friend cook up beautiful music using pasta box shakers, dishes, spoons and many more surprising instruments. Drumming with Dishes is a whimsical interactive performance, which celebrates friendship, play and imagination. As our heroine empowers her imaginary friend to create music, we discover just what wonders can be accomplished when we all play together. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Grey Skies Blue
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 25-29
Tickets: $20 (look for a discount here)
A young woman is forced to confront her past when her estranged mother suddenly appears at her doorstep. Two lifelong friends face a journey of cultural and self-identity together. A promising relationship is jeopardized by deception. Can any of them trust their friends or companions? And how well do they truly know themselves? The accomplished young dancers of SHAPESHIFT Theatrical tell these powerful stories of a summer of friendships in the ensemble’s trademark style of interwoven vignettes. Exploring emotional themes of family, race, love, and betrayal, this diverse collective combines styles of Hip Hop dance with the lyricism of contemporary movement. Recommended for ages 9+.

Primary Blues: Blues 101 for Families
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: October 28
Tickets: $14/age 13+, $5/12 and under
This multimedia concert gives kids and adults a crash course in the blues. Alumni of Strathmore’s Artist in Residence program foster an appreciation for the iconic artists, rhythms, and history of America’s enduring musical genre. These musicians and special guest artist Horace “Black Magic” Turner combine powerful stage presence and compelling musicality to introduce the roots of the blues in a fun, educational style.

NSO Family Concert: Halloween Spooktacular
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: October 29
Tickets: $20
When is it ever cool to “boo” the orchestra? On Halloween, of course! But watch out, because at this frightfully fun concert, ghoulishly attired musicians might “BOO” you from behind their instruments in return. Don your best costume, come one hour early to the Atrium for trick-or-treating plus a special Haunted Hall Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo,” and then take your seat in the Concert Hall for a program of goosebump-inducing favorites! Recommended for ages 5+.

Mean Girls
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: October 31 – December 3
Tickets: $48-203
After years of living with her zoologist parents in Africa, Cady Heron moves to Illinois and must find where she fits in the social hierarchy. A sweet, naive newbie, Cady quickly attracts the attention of The Plastics, a trio of popular frenemies led by the vicious and calculating Regina George. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.

The Amazing Max
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts | Gaithersburg, MD
When: November 4
Tickets: $9-27
Max Darwin earned the moniker “The Amazing Max“ for his extraordinary skills as a magician and also for his ability to entertain adult audiences while keeping the little ones spellbound. Max combines magic and comedy, making objects appear and disappear and generally defying the laws of physics inches from theatergoer’s faces. This high-energy, interactive and all-around silly show is recommended for audiences ages 3+. THere are also pre- and post-show VIP experiences!

Color’s Garden
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall
When: November 4, 5, 11, & 12
Tickets: Free
Inspired by the art of Henri Matisse, Color’s Garden is a play that celebrates the joys and discoveries of making a new kind of art. Featuring projections, playful animations, and a lively jazz score, this theatrical fantasy brings the elements of art to life and offers new understandings about their expressive power. Following each performance, families will be invited to make collages in our hands-on artmaking space and will be provided with self-guiding resources to explore the elements of art in the Gallery’s collection. All performances are free and will take place in the East Building Auditorium, which seats 450 people. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Recommended for ages 4+.

KIDZ BOP “Best Time Ever” Tour
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: November 5, 12:30pm & 4pm
Tickets: $33-187
KIDZ BOP records kid-friendly versions of today’s biggest pop music hits sung by kids, for kids. Over the past 15 years, KIDZ BOP has created the #1 music brand for kids, selling more than 16,000,000 albums. KIDZ BOP is proud to be a part of kids’ music “firsts.” For millions of kids each year, KIDZ BOP is their first introduction to pop music, and for tens of thousands of kids, the KIDZ BOP Kids Live Tour is their first concert experience.

Annie
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: November 8 – December 31
Tickets: $64-84
Annie has been the gateway for millions of kids to develop a love of live theatre, with this 40th Anniversary production, a new generation gets its shot. It’s the middle of the Great Depression in New York City, and hard-knocks abound, especially for Annie and her friends at the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan. But when billionnaire-celebrity Oliver Warbucks requires the presence of an orphan to soften his image, Annie unexpectedly finds a way into his heart. Along the way, Warbucks attempts to help Annie find her lost parents, prompting Miss Hannigan to concoct a scheme intended to get her hands on Annie and Warbucks’ cash.

Meeting Mr. Lincoln
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 8-9
Tickets: $3-8
What would you say if you got to meet one of the greatest presidents of all time? While on an errand for seamstress Elizabeth Keckley, young Eliza finds a barefoot, uneducated country boy sneaking through the White House. Caleb wants to meet his idol Honest Abe—someone who was once like him but who rose to lead the nation. Eliza can help him, but what should he ask when he meets his hero? The audience helps them figure it out, and then in a surprise visit, everyone gets to talk to the president (who’s in the process of writing the Emancipation Proclamation) in this interactive play about identity, equality, and following big dreams. Recommended for ages 7-12.

Black Violin: Classical Boom Tour
Where: Strathmore | Bethesda, MD
When: November 10
Tickets: $26-68
Black Violin is a marvelous modern mix of classical, hip-hop, rock, and R&B featuring the classically trained violin duo of Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester and Wilner “Wil” Baptiste. These exceptional young musicians offer a dazzling display of violin virtuosity as they joyfully create their own genre-bending style of music. It’s fresh and fun, full of funky musical surprises—a whole new way to experience the sound of the violin in all its iterations. At home on the world’s classical stages as well as festivals like Bonnaroo and SXSW, Black Violin offers an amazingly versatile program of groundbreaking compositions.

¡Cajas! ¡Cajas! ¡Cajas!
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: November 10 – December 3
Tickets: $14
Two friends use their imaginations to build bridges, birds, a train, a plane, and even a castle from cardboard boxes. Jump inside the world of a child’s imagination! Performances are followed by a “free play” session, allowing the audience to build their own creations using props from the show. Recommended for ages 1-5.

Madeline’s Christmas
Where: Encore Stage & Studio | Arlington, VA
When: November 10-19, December 1-3
Tickets: $15/adult, $10/child
“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” So begins this delightful story of Madeline’s Christmas! Miss Clavel takes the 12 little girls on a series of adventures when disaster suddenly strikes as everyone gets the flu! Everyone that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. Saddened that they may not be able to go home for Christmas, the girls and Miss Clavel take to their beds. A jolly visitor in red appears who reminds Madeline and her friends about the magic of the holidays.

Nina Simone: Four Women
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: November 10 – December 24
Tickets: $56-119
Velvet-throated songstress Nina Simone hypnotized audiences with her signature renditions of standards from the American songbook. But on September 15, 1963, a devastating explosion in Birmingham, Alabama rocked our entire nation to the core, and from the memory of the four little girls that were lost in this unimaginable tragedy, came “Four Women”—along with Simone’s other activist anthems like “Mississippi Goddam,” “Old Jim Crow” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Through storytelling and song, Nina Simone: Four Women reveals how this iconic chanteuse found her true voice—and how the “High Priestess of Soul” defined the sound of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Apple Tree
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: November 15-19
Tickets: $12
The Apple Tree features colorful felt puppets and enchanting live music to tell the story of a woman who lives in the countryside with her lively dog, her shy cat and her cuddly sheep. When she decides to plant an apple tree so she can make a pie for her birthday, the woman is surprised by an unexpected little helper. Don’t miss Beech Tree Puppet’s Atlas debut! Recommended for ages 2-8.

Me… Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 15 – December 13
Tickets: $20 (look for a discount here)
Before she was a renowned humanitarian, conservationist, and animal activist, Dr. Jane Goodall was a little girl with a very special toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. Together, Jane and Jubilee went on outdoor adventures and observed all the miracles of nature around them. As they learned more and more on their expeditions, Jane dreamed of spending the rest of her life living with and helping animals. And one day, she would go on to do just that. In this brand new musical adaptation, join young Jane and her special friend as they learn about the world around them and the importance of protecting all living species. Recommended fro ages 6+.

Twelfth Knight
Where: Sidney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: November 14 – December 20
Tickets: $44-102
Shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria, the quick-witted Viola assumes the disguise of a page boy for Duke Orsino and finds herself at the center of an explosive love triangle in which identity, passion and gender all threaten to come undone. Bursting with vitality and romance, Twelfth Night gives us one of Shakespeare’s most remarkable heroines matching wits with a host of captivating characters—from the love-struck Olivia to the puritanical Malvolio. Recommended for teens and up.

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Visit
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: November 16,17, & 21
Tickets: $3-8
Grandma has arrived for the holiday—and that can only mean making puppets, cooking together, washing the car, and learning lots of fun new things! This musical play with a great big heart brings the whole audience into the family with singing, fingerplay, and call-and-response as we all give thanks for being together. Recommended for ages 3-7.

My Father’s Dragon
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center
When: November 18
Tickets: $15/adult, $5/child
How does nine-year-old Elmer Elevator rescue a baby dragon held captive on Wild Island? With pluck, chewing gum, lollipop sticks, and rubber bands, of course! In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Ruth Stiles Gannett’s charming adventure book, My Father’s Dragon, Enchantment Theatre Company brings to life the story of a compassionate and courageous boy and his unlikely friendship with a splendid yellow and blue-striped dragon.

NSO Pops: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: November 24-29
Tickets: $29-99
The Harry Potter film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. This concert will feature the National Symphony Orchestra performing every note from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high definition on a giant screen while hearing the orchestra perform John Williams’s unforgettable score. Recommended for ages 5+.

*Know of a great upcoming production not listed here? Let us know in the comments below!