
Fun comes in all forms around DC!
There’s a great mix of special events and activities to enjoy around the area over the next few days. And for even more ideas for family outings, check out this compilation of the best outdoor places and this big list of indoor pursuits. Happy Weekend!
Seize the Season
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Enjoy summer fun with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Catch an open-air concert at one of several series in the area. Stay cool at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. See a movie under the stars. Check out a seasonal exhibit. Go berry picking. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Check the Summer 2016 guide for details on all of these great pursuits.
Celebrate Fairfax!
Where: Fairfax County Government Center
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Admission: $12/adult, $5/youth, free for 2 and under
The annual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival has something for everyone — live music (Plain White T’s, B-52’s, and Living Colour among the performers), carnival rides, children’s activities, art, food vendors, and much more to keep guests entertained throughout the weekend. For more details, along with the full musical line-up, see the Celebrate Fairfax website.
Astronomy Festival
Where: National Mall, 15th & Constitution NW
When: Friday, 6-11pm
Admission: Free
Get an eyeful of the night sky at the 7th Annual Astronomy Festival. This free public stargazing event will feature solar, optical, and radio telescope observations of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn; hands-on activities, demonstrations, hand-outs, posters, banners, and videos; a planetarium show with a portable blow-up dome, speakers from scientific and educational organization, and a chance to mingle with astronomers.
Nats vs. Phillies
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket Prices Vary
It’s a weekend at home for the Nats as they host the Phillies. There are games tonight, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday late afternoon. Check for special promos here. And before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.
Capital Pride
Where: Northwest DC & Pennsylvania Ave.
When: Saturday, 4:30-7:30pm & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate gay pride in our nation’s capitol at the 41st annual Capital Pride Parade and Festival that are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people. The procession on Saturday kicks off at 4:30pm at 22nd & P Streets NW and will wind its way through Dupont, Logan, and other areas of NW. It’s sure to be a spectacular extravaganza of ornate floats, street performers, music and dancing, glitter and beads, and plenty of reveling. Sunday’s family-friendly festival will feature three stages of live entertainment and will host 300 exhibitors, including local and community groups, national sponsors, local businesses, and food vendors. It’s all a fun and fabulous opportunity to show support for the LGBTA community and join the celebration.
Air Force Cycling Classic
Where: Clarendon & Crystal City
When: Saturday, 11:30am & Sunday, 11:15am
Admission: Free
The official race is for adults, but kids ages 9 and under can get in on the cycling, too – there are special races just for them along with the main event. The Ethan Klancnik Memorial Kids Race to support the Tay-Sachs Awareness and Prevention Organization will be raced in honor of Ethan Klancnik, who lost his battle with the disease. The Saturday kids races will take place in Clarendon at 11:30am, and Sunday’s will be held in Crystal City around 12:25pm. Multiple heats for different age groups will vary in distance; the older the kids, the further they ride. Participants must bring their own helmets and bikes, and trikes are welcome, too. For details and to register online, visit the Air Force Cycling Classic website.
Maryland Faerie Festival
Where: Darlington, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $5/ages 3-12, $15/ages 13-99
Indulge little faerie dreams at the annual festival inspired by faerie folklore and literature. Apparently, it’s kind of like Renn Fest on a much smaller scale with facets that will delight children, especially those who believe in faeries. Treasure hunts, craft projects, nature walks, and acrobats are some of the activities kids (and adults) will enjoy. Art, crafts, musical performances, and jewelry vendors will appeal to the bigger faeries in the crowd.
Family Day: Migration, My City
Where: Textile Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Textile Musuem in celebrating DC and the stories of how we arrived here. Create a watercolor city scene of Washington and enjoy a professional storytelling performance by Diane Macklin. Activities are fun for all ages and inspired by the exhibitions Stories of Migration: Contemporary Artists Interpret Diaspora and For the Record: The Art of Lily Spandorf.
National Parks Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Help the Postal Museum celebrate 100 years of our National Parks with a day of family fun! Visitors will have the chance to create their own stamp album, experience what it’s like on the mail mule train down the Grand Canyon, and so much more, including the chance to check out the new exhibit Trailblazing: 100 Years of Our National Parks .
Cherokee Days
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the NMAI for the 3rd annual Cherokee Days Festival on the National Mall. The three federally recognized Cherokee Tribes—the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians—will come together to celebrate their common heritage and showcase celebrated artists, storytellers, musicians, and dancers. Children’s make-and-take activities will delight little ones. And Tsa-La-Gi Dancers performing the Bear Dance, Bison Dance, Quail Dance, and Friendship Dance will entertain all ages.
Suncatcher Crafts
Where: National Building Museum
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: $5 (register ahead online)
Join a workshop at the Building Museum to celebrate the birthday of one of America’s favorite architects, Frank Lloyd Wright. Create a faux-stained glass suncatcher inspired by Wright’s geometric glass designs and take it home to hang a piece of architectural art in your own sunny window. Walk-up registration is based on availability, so sign up online to reserve a spot – registration for Musem programs closes at midnight the day before the scheduled program.
Strawberry Fields in Petworth
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
When: Saturday, 4-8pm
Admission: Free
Okay, maybe not fields, but a Strawberry Festival is even better! St. Paul’s Episcopal Church welcomes all to enjoy free family to celebrate the season, including two bounce houses, face painting, crafts, pony rides, a rock climbing wall, and tours of Rock Creek Cemetery (where the church is located). Food, including strawberries and strawberry shortcakes, can be purchased there. St. Paul’s is located at 201 Alison Street NE.
Alice: A Wonderland Trip
Where: Fringe Theatre
When: Saturday & Sunday, 3pm
Admission: $20
ALICE: a Wonderland trip. Why does a girl need to create a Wonderland, and what happens there? This family dance and theater show offers a unique interpretation of a classic, starring young performers of Momentum Dance Theater’s Jazz Hip Hop Academy with professional performers in cameo roles.
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
– Reserve your free seats for Blue Sky Puppet Theatre’s
The Barker of Seville, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
– Catch a performance of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co.
– And mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots show
– See Creative Cauldron’s production of The Wind in the Willows
– Encore Stage & Studio presents Cul de Sac, theatre by kids for kids
– Gustafer Yellowgold, the friendly fellow who cam from the Sun is landing at Alden Theatre on Sunday
Woodlawn Opening
Where: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
When: Saturday, 12-4
Admission: Free
Watch history come alive as Montgomery Parks celebrates the opening of the Woodlawn Visitor Center. The opening ceremony will feature the Wahsington Revelers Jubilee Voices, and the festivities will continue with activities for kids, guided tours, blacksmith and farm demos, live music, and food truck fare.
Celebrate Mama
Where: Rockville Town Square
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This free family event features live entertainment, giveaways, a fabulous vendor marketplace, and much more! And even though moms are the honorees by name, there will be tons of activities for kids, plus great local resources for the family.
Market Days
Where: North Bethesda Market
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
North Bethesda Market’s first Home and Garden Market is an outdoor event for the entire family on Saturdays through June. Shop for plants and fresh cut flowers, find decor to refresh your home and garden, and enjoy live music and a fresh grilled lunch al fresco. Whole Foods will offer gardening items just for kids, and you can get tips on flower arranging and creating a succulent garden during free weekly seminars.
Bo Obama Storytime
Where: Walls of Books
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Head to Petworth for storytime about the First Pet! Hear Heather Patterson read her children’s book “Passing the Bone: America’s Next POTUS” at Walls of Books. Bo Obama, Pup of the United States, shares the dos and don’ts of being the First Dog as he prepares to pass the bone to the next White House pup. The entire nation is wondering – Who will be the next POTUS? May the best dog win!
Yoga in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Saturday, 10-10:30am & 10:45-11:45am
Admission: $10/adult & child
Get outside and enjoy the benefits of yoga and and quality time together, while relaxing and experiencing nature. This class is filled with yoga postures, partner poses, yoga games, breath and relaxation techniques, and lots of smiles. The 10am class is for ages 3-5; the 10:45am class for 6 and up. Dress for the weather, bring a mat or beach towel and water bottle. No yoga experience necessary. Afterwards, stay and play in the park or enjoy the artLAB!
Paint with Me: Kids Edition
Where: ReCreative Spaces
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: $50
Join Imagination Station and Camilla Schaeffer as they present Paint With Me: Kids Edition! Parents, grandparents, or close friends — enjoy an opportunity to bond with a special child in your life during an afternoon of creating beach-themed art while enjoying some delicious snacks! This event will also feature vendors, raffles, and more!
Health and Safety Summit
Where: Girard and 14th St. NW Park
When: Saturday, 12-3:30pm
Admission: Free
ANC 1B is hosting this family friendly, interactive event where community members can talk with local government and community organizations and get their questions and concerns addressed. There will also be free health screenings, hands on CPR demos, and a fire engine and police car for kids to explore.
Disc Golfin’
Where: Calvert Road or Seneca Creek State Parks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Hit the links, the chain links, that is! Disc golf is a great way to enjoy a day outdoors with the family. Read about one of our outings enjoying the Frisbe-golf combo here. We’ve also enjoyed it at Seneca Creek. Not only is it fun and challenging, the courses are set up in pretty parks with opportunities for more recreation at both.
Family Dance
Where: Glen Echo Park
When: Sunday, 3-5pm
Admission: $5 ages 4 and up
Take the whole gang to a Family Dance with Eric Maring & Friends. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington offers social dance events and classes at Glen Echo Park, including one on Sundays that all ages are welcome to enjoy.
Gluten-Free Expo
Where: Doubletree Bethesda Hotel
When: Sunday, 11am
Admission: $15/adult, $5/child
The Children’s National Health System Celiac Disease Program is hosting the sixth annual Gluten-Free Expo. The day-long event is aimed at educating children and families with celiac disease and gluten-free diets.