Presidents, Valentines, Chinese New Year, black history, and more…there is plenty to celebrate — and love — about this weekend. And since the weather is doing a 180 from last Sunday’s gloriousness, The Great Indoors list is a must-browse along with these choice recommendations. Happy weekend!
Party at George’s Place!
Where: Mount Vernon
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $17/adult, $9/ages 6-11, free for 5 and under
Join “General Washington” for a sample of his favorite breakfast, hoecakes swimming in butter and honey, on Saturday & Sunday from 9am – 12pm. Afterwards, mingle with more costumed characters from Washington’s world and enjoy other activities, including some dancing with the 18th-century stars on the Bowling Green. On Monday, there will be syrup-making and dance demos along with ceremonial wreathlayings to honor Washington. Note that admission is free on Monday, 2/16, but I can tell you from experience that a lot of folks show up to take advantage of the complimentary entry and to celebrate George’s big day.
More Presidential Pursuits
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
In DC, this weekend’s holiday is kind of a big deal, and there are plenty of events to reflect that. View portraits of all 44 POTUS and enjoy related activities at the Portrait Gallery, drop by Abe’s vacation home, watch a parade in Old Town, join a celebration at Tudor House, wax presidential at Madame Tussauds. This post has more details about all of these activities and more.
Disney on Ice
Where: Verizon Center
When: Through the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Experience the magical world of Disney on ice. The beloved ice skating show returns with four favorite stories brought to life by world class skaters and imaginative sets. Tickets are still available for all remaining shows.
Brunch Box
Where: H Street Country Club
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: $23/ages 9 and up, Free for 8 and under
Bring the whole family for some Valentine’s Day amusement at this pop-up brunch
from the host of the DC area’s Baby Loves Disco events. Along with a buffet of brunch fare, admission includes entertainment by DJ Louie Flaco and Premiere Dance DC, photo booth fun, balloon art, face painting, and the venue’s awesome indoor DC-themed mini golf and shuffleboard.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Wiley and the Hairy Man opens at Imagination Stage this weekend
* Catch a performance of Petit Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Adventure Theatre
* Join the Circus! at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park
* Winter Wonderland is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* The Great Zucchini with Charlie & Checkers is performing at Avalon Theatre Saturday morning
* Catch the NSO Family Concert Casey at the Bat at the Kennedy Center on Sunday
* Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure is on stage there, too
* SteveSongs is playing the Saturday morning show and Rocknoceros is doing a special President’s Day performance at Jammin’ Java
Chinese New Year Family Festival
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
American Art is opening its doors to the Chinatown and DC community in celebration of the 2015 Lunar New Year! Join them to ring in the year of the sheep with fun craft activities, traditional performances, artists, and demonstrations.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks
When: All weekend long
Admission: Free
There’s no entrance fee to national parks that usually charge admission this weekend, so if you don’t mind a little (or a big) chill in the air it’s a good time to hit the trail at Great Falls, take a ride on Skyline Drive to see the mountains covered in snow, tramp at Harper’s Ferry, or enjoy free recreation at another area park.
Black History at the Postal Museum
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Celebrate Black History Month at the Postal Museum, where they just debuted the exhibit “Freedom Just Around the Corner: Black America from Civil War to Civil Rights.” The museum’s first exhibition devoted entirely to African American history marks 150 years since the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery throughout the United States chronicles the African American experience through the perspective of stamps and mail. More than 50 items from the museum’s collection, plus pieces on, are on display in 16 themes and historical periods of time. View letters carried by enslaved Americans, mail sent by and to leaders of the civil rights movement, original artwork for numerous stamps issued by the USPS among the displays.
Creating a Resilient World
Where: Koshland Science Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
How can individuals and communities better prepare and plan for, absorb, respond, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events? Find out at a free community event featuring special hands-on activities and resources to enhance our resilience. Learn about research projects that steward local natural resources such as the Anacostia Watershed and Chesapeake Bay. Play the life sciences card came “Cycles” to understand how ecosystems are naturally resilient. Test your knowledge of extreme events with interactive weather safety games from NOAA and the National Weather Service. All this and more will be part of the educational fun. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up.
Build & Grow
Where: Area Lowe’s Locations
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
The home improvement store hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and this session will bring some Valentine’s spirit as guests construct a Sweetheart Picture Holder. Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store to make the free wooden project (with parent help). Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.
Love in Every Language
Where: Free|Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
All ages are welcome to enjoy a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art from the Freer|Sackler collections. In the classroom, use prints that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages to create a Valentine’s Day card to take home, and learn how to fold heart-shaped origami.
Sunday Fun Day
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Sunday, 10:30am
Admission: $6
Join a fun, interactive musical experience for little ones! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) will explore a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments. Continue the fun beyond the class with a list of all the songs to sing at home. Best for ages 1 month – 3 years.
College Hoops
Where: Local universities
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by game
Shoot for some fun at a college basketball game! Several local teams have home court advantage this weekend: The GW men are hosting VCU Saturday afternoon (tickets here), and the women play St. Bonaventure on Sunday (tickets here). The lady Hoyas host Xavier tonight and Butler on Sunday (tickets here). Homecoming at George Mason pits the men against Richmond and the women versus VCU on Saturday (tickets here). And the American University men play Lafayette on Saturday (tickets here).
Lego Party
Where: JCC of Greater Washington
When: Monday, 9:30am – 1pm
Admission: $8/member, $10/non-member, $30/family (free for adults)
School is out for President’s Day and the JCC of Greater Washington is hosting a Lego Party for families! The program will include a PJ Library Story time, a Lego Party featuring Duplos and Legos, a viewing of The Lego Movie, and a family gym and recreation station. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase a pizza lunch for $6 (includes slice of pizza, fruit, bag of chips/pretzels, and a drink).
