Some events are worth clearing the calendar for weeks ahead of time. A few annual favorites that merit advance planning are coming up in the next couple of months. Tickets are on sale for all of them, and I’ve found a couple of discounts and special offers, to boot!
Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
When: March 24 – 27, various times
Where: Verizon Center
Tickets: $14 – $100 (read below for special offers)
The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to the Verizon Center for five days of circus thrills. Barnum 200 – Barnum’s Funundrum features 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids — a super-sized spectacle so massive you just can’t miss it. This monumental, once in a lifetime event celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the legendary P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, and can only be experienced at The Greatest Show On Earth, Barnum’s living legacy. Goldstar currently has a half-price offer on select seats and dates. You can also get a $5 promo code if you follow @RinglingTweets on Twitter.
NatsFest and Opening Day
When: March 30, 4pm – NatsFest & March 31 – Opening Day
Where: Nationals Park
Tickets: NatsFest $10/adults, $5/children, packages also available (see below); Opening Day – starting at $20, but cheaper seats are going fast
Celebrate the start of the Nationals 2011 season on Wednesday, March 30, the afternoon before MLB Opening Day. The Third Annual NatsFest will be open to fans of all ages and will include opportunities to watch the Nationals practice, enjoy a meet-and-greet with players and coaches, and much more fun for fans, especially young ones. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. You might also consider buying the NatsFest 3-Pack, which includes tickets to NatsFest and two other games. And if you want to experience America’s pastime on Opening Day, tickets are still available for the Washington Nationals’ home opener against the Florida Marlins.
Day Out with Thomas
When: April 29 – May 1 & May 6-8
Where: B&O Railroad Museum
Tickets: $19
All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine™ is chugging into the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour 2011. Thomas fans are invited to come spend the day with their favorite No. 1 engine and experience a day full of locomotive fun, including a ride on a full size Thomas the Tank Engine™, a meet and greet with Sir Topham Hat, storytelling, live music, and even more museum activities.
Guppy Gala
When: May 13, 6 – 8:30pm
Where: The National Zoo
Tickets: $20 for FONZ members only
Note: This annual family-friendly event is now for FONZ members only! Dive into an ocean of fun at Guppy Gala. Bring the whole gang for a night of tasty treats, silly songs, and fun. Plus, dinner provided by Subway. In addition to exciting animal encounters and yummy food, a variety of spectacular activities such as rock climbing, face painting and specially designed, kid-friendly obstacle courses are all free with the cost of your ticket. You can also see the lion cubs at dusk — the entire pride will be on exhibit during Guppy Gala.
