Easy breezy Yacht Rock vibes at The Yards
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to posts full of ideas for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Sail Into Summer Yacht Rock Concert
Where: The Yards | Navy Yard, DC
When: Friday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
The Yards is welcoming summer with the return of its fan-favorite Sail Into Summer Yacht Rock Concert on Friday evening. Enjoy waterfront views, nostalgic hits from Got Yacht?, complimentary themed giveaways, and drinks for purchase from District Winery. The event will also feature pop-ups from retailers including Pacers and VIDA Fitness, plus to-go offerings from restaurants throughout The Yards.
Drive-In Movie: Barbie
Where: Union Market | Northeast, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-10:30pm
Admission: $20/car, walk-ups are free
Catch an outdoor screening of Barbie at Union Market. Watch the film from the comfort of your car (or walk up and sit in the fresh air) in the UM parking lot. Get there early to enjoy delicious foods from market vendors. The lot opens at 7:30pm and the film begins at 8:55pm. Advance purchase is recommended.
Open Swim
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It’s going to be a hot weekend so you may want to seek out some cool spots to go for a swim. This round-up has details on where to do that. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip.
Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Got the Moves
Where: Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA
When: Friday, 2pm & 6pm
Tickets: $47+
Families will discover fun and playful ways to move—from yoga and jumping rope to cartwheeling and silly dance moves, all in a welcoming environment that brings the magic of Sesame Street from the screen to the stage. More than just a show, Elmo’s Got the Moves is a shared moment of laughter and learning, an experience to treasure long after the final song.
Spirit of Independence Festival
Where: National Archives | National Mall, DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
The home of the Declaration of Independence is hosting this multi-day event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its signing. Festivities will take pace in front of the museum on Constitution Avenue. On Friday there will be historical reenactors, Disney music, a chance to discover family roots with Ancestry, digital activations, face painting, and a selfie station. On Saturday, bring furry family family members for pet-themed caricatures, music, face painting, photo ops, treats, and swag giveaways. There will also e a Salute to Service. Be sure to reserve free-timed-entry passes.
Block Party
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
This month’s First Saturday program at the NGA is a big Block Party to celebrate 250 years of art and creativity/ Taking place in both the East and West Buildings as well as on the 4th Street Plaza, the free event will have lots of hands-on activities, including many especially for kids, a public art project, live performances, special talks, refreshments, and even more throughout the museum’s campus.
Dare to Dream Jr.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center | Arlington, VA
When: Friday, 7pm | Saturday & Sunday, 3pm
Tickets: $16/adult, $13/child
This production is a high-energy musical revue that follows a group of trainees on their first day at the Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. Featuring songs from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II, the trainees discover the power of dreams to unite and inspire as they journey through iconic Disney moments. It’s a magical celebration for all Disney fans! Recommended for ages 4 and older.
Bethesda Big Train Baseball
Where: Shirley Povitch Field | Bethesda, MD
When: Friday & Saturday, 7pm
Admission: $15
While the Nats are out of town (or even when they’re home), enjoy some on a smaller scale. Local summer collegiate baseball team, Bethesda Big Train is playing games at Friday & Saturday evenings. Friday is Orioles Bird Night and on Saturday, there will be a pre-game concert starting at 6:20pm.
Family Walk in the Woods
Where: Woodend Nature Sanctuary | Chevy Chase, DC
When: Saturday, 9-10am
Admission: $12/member family; $16/nonmember family
Join expert naturalists on a leisurely walk through the habitats at Woodend. Explore the wonders of trees, meadows, streams, insects, birds, and everything Woodend has to offer! Read more about Woodend in this KFDC post.
Joys of Summer
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts in the open air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, crab feasts, and SO much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed this weekend, and the 2025 KFDC Guide to Summer Around the DC Area has the whole scoop on all of them.
Kids Workshop: Goalie Game
Where: Home Depot locations
When: Saturday, 9am
Admission: Free
Join Home Depot to make a Goalie Game at their monthly workshop series for kids. All supplies are provided, including a little apron, and kids get to keep their craft along with a certificate of achievement and collectible pin. All attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. Be sure to register in advance.
DC Day of Archaeology Festival
Where: Catholic University | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Local families are invited to discover the past and learn about the clues under our feet at this family-friendly event that brings history to life through hands-on activities. Archaeologists and other heritage-related professionals from across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region will share the stories, science, and the discoveries that shape our understanding of the past. It all t takes place on University Lawn outside the Pryzbyla Center.
Picnic Day
Where: Kreeger Museum | Foxhall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Pack up your favorite snacks and head the Kreeger Museum on Saturday when they are welcoming guests to enjoy a picnic in the lovely Sculpture Garden. BYO picnic blanket or use one of the benches to enjoy your lunch amid the art. Note that no lawn chairs or glass beverages are allowed in the garden. Plan to view art inside, too — admission to the Museum will be free from 11am – 1pm. Read more about the Kreeger in this KFDC post.
Pride Family Day
Where: Amerian Art Museum | PEnn Quarter, D
When: Saturday, 11:30 – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Amerian Art to celebrate Pride Month in DC. Enjoy performances by DC’s Different Drummers, GenOUT, the youth chorus of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and Les The DJ. This event highlights LGBTQ+ artists represented in the museum’s collection with crafts, coloring sheets based on artworks, and an I Spy close looking activity in the Nick Cave: Mammoth exhibition. Pride-themed food and beverage specials will be available for purchase from the Courtyard Café.
Walk the Museum Walk
Where: Dupont-Kalorama Neighborhoods, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get off the Mall and explore the many museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood during the annual Museum Walk Weekend. See the exhibits and enjoy special programs for free at several diverse museums, including The Phillips Collection, Andersen House, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Dupont Underground, and the President Woodrow Wilson House.
Cheers to this Grand Opening
Where: The Boro Biergarten | Tysons, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
The Boro Biergarten officially opens with a three-day kick-off that includes a family-friendly celebration on Saturday. Spend the afternoon at a lively outdoor festival featuring entertainment and hands-on activities for all ages, including live music; tattoos, bubbles, chalk art, and a magician; activations rom Boro venors; and raffles & giveaways.
State of the Arts Night
Where: Eaton DC | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 6-10pm
Admission: Free
Join a celebration of EU and US collaboration in the arts at this evening of performances, talks, and new works. Experience an immersive installation exploring the stories of 5 award-winning EU film directors alongside exhibits from Alaska, Minnesota, Wyoming, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Music in a range of genres newly written by EU and Philadelphia artists will be performed in back-to-back sets throughout the evening. A pop-up gallery will reveal the inaugural art works of the Transatlantic Stars Collection, and guests can also enjoy a European Street Market with live music. Food and drinks available for purchase. Art overs of al ages welcome! Be sure to reserve free tickets.
RiverFest & Craft Show
Where: Historic Downtown Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This festival celebrates Occoquan’s rich history and heritage on the river. The town will close its streets and fill up with more than 250 artisans, makers, and creators — and festival-goers can shop for everything from accessories to wood crafts to fine art to children’s items. Boat tours, a beer garden, a butterfly experience, live entertainment, and the annual Duck Splash will add to the fun. No admission fee at the gate. There is a shuttle, and the fee is $8 round trip, or 2 for $15. Shuttle passes can be pre-purchased here.
Cleveland Park Day
Where: Connecticut Ave. NE | Cleveland Park, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the vibrancy of the Cleveland Park neighborhood. With an outdoor vendor market, live music, and a Kids Zone, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit the website to see the schedule of events, activities, vendors, participating eateries, and more.
Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There’s a quick link to bike routes above, but this is a stronger recommendation to get out for a family ride — it should be great weather for it! And you’ve got your pick of good rides around the area. Take in the summer scenery, get some exercise, and enjoy some QT together. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The round-up of regularly occurring museum programs for kids was just updated with the most current programs and logistics.
* Levi and I had a nice, casual brunch (and watched the Champions League) on the patio of the back of Lulu’s Wine Garden last weekend.
* Jose Andres talk about some of his favorite things to do around DC and a bit beyond.
* A lovely, family-friendly town in the South of France.
* Amy Poehler’s Good Hang with Tom Holland is such a fun listen!
* The cutest kids sale section around!
* Amazon’s next Prime Day, when you can score great deals on loads of products, will take place June 23-26 — but there are some early deals happening now.
* A pretty necklace to complete summer outfits.
* Le Diplomatay 🤣
* Sunday!
