Halloween has already begun, as far as Boba Fett is concerned
So, it’s not officially Halloween this weekend, but given all the events going on — and the fact that my kids are practically living in costumes — for all intents and purposes, it’s Halloween. So, I’m going with the theme. If you’re spooked by the idea of celebrating early, there’s still plenty more to do: a family day at the Newseum, theatre performances on local stages, museum exhibits, book readings, and more. And I’m not even going to mention the “s” word that’s supposedly on it’s way tomorrow (ignore it and it’ll go away, right?), but cooler weather is coming. Fingers crossed that it’s of the crisp, sunny fall day variety. Happy Weekend!
Halloween Happenings – You don’t have to wait until Monday to get the Halloween festivities started. Catch a concert in costume at National Geographic Live; design a pop-up haunted house at the Building Museum; trick or treat at Old Town Boutiques; put some air in your scare at the Udvar-Hazy Center or College Park Aviation Museum; enjoy kids festivities at the MLK Library, Discovery Theater, GW University, and the Crime Museum. Find details for all of these events in this KFDC post about the many Halloween happenings around town.
Go “Around the World” at the Newseum – Saturday is a special Family Day at the museum dedicated to all things news and media. Take a trip across the globe with journalist Nelly Bly through a variety of activities geared especially toward kids, a scavenger hunt, front page news games, a historical enactment of Bly, and a 3-D short film among them. This all starts at 11am – see the schedule for activity times. Admission to the museum is still the regular price (21.95/adults, $12.95/ages 7-18, free for ages 6 and under), but you’ll get to experience the special activities along with all the permanent collections. And, as mention in this KFDC post about the Newseum a couple of weeks ago, tickets are good for two consecutive days, so you can go back Sunday for even more.
Fall Frolic– Glen Echo Park’s annual Halloween-themed event is a seasonal fave for all ages. The public is invited to explore the park through hands-on crafts, Halloween activities, and performances. Decorate trick-or-treat bags, make a spooky spider or a friendly ghost, and color Halloween pictures for free. Pay a small fee $1-2) for pumpkin decorating and face painting. The Park’s studios and galleries will also be open for visitors to view the works of resident artists. And a costume parade will conclude the fun at the end of the day. This all happens on Saturday from 1-4pm.
Hansel & Gretel at the National – The free Saturday morning theatre fun continues. First up is Barrymore Eagle’s Costume Parade, so bring the kids in their charming or wild Halloween get-ups. Afterwards, kids will revel in the not-too-scary Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel, which is brought magically to life by the enchanting marionettes from Baltimore’s Black Cherry Puppet Theater. These performances at National Theatre take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!
Go Nat Geo – Families can enjoy more than just the aforementioned Halloween concert going on at the National Geographic Museum this weekend. On Sunday at 1pm, join Dig Deeper, a free archaeology workshop being presented in conjunction with the exhibition Anglo-Saxon Hoard: Gold from England’s Dark Ages. Email NatGeoMuseum@ngs.org to register. And while you’re there, don’t miss Animal Grossology, a new exhibit for kids featuring some of the slimiest, stinkiest, yuckiest creatures on earth. Admission to the exhibit is $8/adults, $6/ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under and includes the fun Weird But True exhibit as well as entrance to Ocean Soul: Photographs by Brian Skerry, a beautiful collection of images from oceans around the world that will captivate any photography buff or wildlife lover.
Take the Fall – This is the last weekend for many area fall festivals, so if you still have yet to pick out pumpkins, zip down lofty slides, bounce on giant pillows, and have fun down on the farm, see this KFDC post to find out where you can go to squeeze it all in. And if you have been.. hey, go back for more!
Book it to the JCC – Enjoy a morning of crafts, folktales, and fun with children’s book author Vicki Weber. Her award-winning book, It’s Too Crowded in Here!, is a collection of Jewsish folktales and midrashic stories enlivened by colorful illustrations. The event starts at 10am and is part of the Jewish Literary Festival that runs through November 2. Admission to this Sunday’s family program is $10 and includes a copy of the book.
Stage Delights – See Gustafer Yellowgold, the small, yellow, cone-headed fellow, who came to the Earth from the Sun, at Jammin’ Java. Catch the final performances of Alladin’s Luck at Imagination Stage. Watch the Three Billy Goats Gruff on strings. These shows, plus a few more, will entertain audiences at local theatres this weekend. This KFDC post has more details on all of them.
Potrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery from 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about Girl Scouts founder, Juliette Gordon Low.
And as always, these posts are worth checking out once the forecast is firm:
Owen and his friend, Amelia, ham it up at last year's Hilloween
Why wait until the actual day to celebrate one of the best — no, the best in my book — holidays of the year? Besides the bonuses of getting more mileage out of costumes and having extra excuses to indulge in sweets, Halloween festivities are a treat any day. If you agree, there are loads of ways to get into the spooky spirit during the days leading up to the grand event. From skeletons at the museum to creepy train rides through the woods to costume concerts and dance parties to jack-o-lanterns on the farm, these local events will have Halloween-goers screaming for more.
Boo at the Zoo Where: National Zoo When: October 21-23, 5:30-8:30pm Admission: $20/members, $30/non-members (note: Saturday is sold out)
This annual event is the wildest trick-or-treat in town. Kids ages 2 – 12 can get costumed up for after-hours Halloween fun at the Zoo. Get ready for tasty candy, delicious snack foods, and other goodies from more than 40 treat stations. Plus, animal encounters, keeper talks, and festive decorations are yours to enjoy. And this year Boo guests get to take home a complimentary reusable treat bag. Boo at the Zoo takes place rain or shine.
Halloween at the Medical Museum: Serious Fun with Skulls Where: National Museum of Health and Medicine When: October 22, 10:30am – 12:30pm Admission: FREE
The National Museum of Health and Medicine invites little ghouls and their families to get into the Halloween spirit by learning about skulls. The theme of the program is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a holiday that celebrates the human cycle of life and death. Learn about the traditions associated with Día de los Muertos by decorating your own sugar skull (for 1st graders and up); participate in story time with books about Day of the Dead and skeletons; make your own skull mask; and more. Halloween costumes are welcome! The National Museum of Health and Medicine is now located at 2500 Linden Lane in Silver Spring, just outside of the Fort Detrick-Forest Glen Annex. A designated visitor parking lot is located off Linden Lane in front of the Museum (do not enter the Annex gates). Adult visitors will need to present photo ID upon entry to the Museum.
“Eye Spy” Halloween Train Where: Cabin John Regional Park When: October 20-23, October 27-30 (see schedule for times) Admission: $6/person, $5 with canned food donation, free for kids 2 and under
Hop on board the Halloween! Cabin John’s “Eye Spy” features just enough “boo” power for kids age 8 and under. Along the ride through the woods on the train, kids can try to find Halloween friends hiding along the way and mark them off their “Eye Spy” game cards that they receive with admission. Guests can also enjoy Halloween movies every night, face painting on Saturdays and Sundays, and light refreshments for sale.
Haunted Train & Creepy Carousel Where: Wheaton Regional Park When: October 20-23, October 27-30 (see schedule for times) Admission: $6/person, $5 with canned food donation
Wheaton Regional Park’s Haunted Train and Creepy Carousel are back and scarier than ever! This annual Halloween attraction is designed for people 8 years old and above, because they do their best to make it VERY SCARY (and this is the website description, so take their word for it). Admission includes one ride each on the train and carousel, plus entrance to the Hall of Jack o’ Lanterns movie theater presenting scary films every night.
BooStravaganza and Hardly Haunted Hayrides Where: Frying Pan Farm Park When: October 28, 5:30-8:30pm & October 29, 12-6:30pm Admission: $8/child on 10/28, $5/child on 10/29
Make reservations for BooStravaganza on Friday, where children ages 2-8 can dress in their favorite costumes and enjoy fun, games, and a wagon ride. They’ll finish the evening with treats and a small pumpkin. On Saturday, kids of all ages can take Hardly Haunted Hayrides along with other farm fun. Reservation are recommended.
BB2 BOO – Boogie Babes Halloween Happy Hour Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center When: October 26, 5:15-6:30pm doors open at 5pm Admission: $10/family
The Boogie Babes are growing up with BB2, musical get-togethers that are cool for older kids, too. They’re kicking off the fun with a Halloween dance party. Kid and parents are invited to come in costume for entertainment, light snacks, and photos taken by Maya’s Eye Photography. Adult beverages will also be available for purchase. An RSVP is appreciated, though not required: email dcboogiebabes@gmail.com.
Halloween Harvest Family Special Where: Discovery Theater When: October 27-28 10:15am & 11:30am, October 29, 11am & 1pm Admission: $12/adults, $10/ages 2 and up, $3/children under 2, $10/resident members
Dress up in a costume and join Oran (“Chef FONZ” and “Professor Wingnut Wants to Fly”) Sandel at the Discovery Theater pumpkin patch for songs, games, and more. He’ll spin an American Indian harvest story; guests will look inside Mr. Jack O’ Lantern (what really makes him tick?) and create a pumpkin face for Discovery Theater. Bring in YOUR design, and they’ll post it on their Facebook page. On Saturday, 10/29, be sure to stop by the Ripley concourse for Discovery Theater’s First Annual Harvest Halloween Festival from 11am-2pm, where families will find lots of fabulous fall fun together.
Halloween Monster Jump Where: Pump It Up in Lanham, Md When: October 28-31, various times (See below) Admission: $13/child, $5/adult
Halloween is simply spook-tacular when you’re at a bouncing, laughing, sliding, howling, so don a costume and jump on over to Pump It Up for freaky fun and frightening food. There will be a prize for best costume and a chance to win a free birthday party. For guest safety, costumes may not include: masks, jewelry, capes or other hanging items, or heavy make-up , and 100% polyester is strictly prohibited. Must include socks. Halloween Monster Jumps will take place at the following times: 10/28 6-8pm & 8-10pm, 10/29 8:30pm-10:30pm,,10/30 is TBD, 10/31 6-8pm & 7:45pm-9:45pm. The admission fee includes 2 slices of pizza and a drink, plus goodies for everyone.
Glow Night – A Magical Evening on the Farm Where: Great Country Farms When: October 28-29, 6-9pm Admission: $10/child, $12/adult, free for ages 2 and under
See a spectacular display of over 2000 lighted jack-o-lanterns carved by local school children. The magical moment when they cut the lights (7pm) will take your breath away. Bring your carved Jack-o-lantern to enter in a carving competitions — Jack-o-lanterns are judged for Best in Glow, Scariest and Funniest. Along with the light show, warm yourself by the bonfire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy apple cider.
Haunted Halloween Pop-Ups Where: National Building Museum When: October 29, 10am-12pm Admission: $10/members, $15/non-members, adults are free
Celebrate the spirit of Halloween as you design your very own pop-up haunted house. Learn the pop-up architecture technique from guest artist Carol Barton. Decorate a spooky haunted house scene to take place on your window sill. Fun for the whole family, the festivities include crafts, treats, and ghosts stories (more silly than spooky!) about the Museum. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Prepaid registration required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Trick or Treat with the Boutiques Where: Old Town Boutique District in Alexandria When: October 29 during store hours Admission: FREE
Bring your ghosts and goblins for a day of trick or treat in the Old Town Boutique District. The OTBD’s annual Trick or Treat with the Boutiques event is a great way for families to enjoy a safe and fun Halloween day in Old Town Alexandria. All of the participating OTBD stores will offer treats. Some may also offer family friendly tricks. Halloween costumes are encouraged. Tricks and treats will be available during the day and during store hours.
Halloween Fun with the Jimmies Where: National Geographic When: October 29, 1pm Admission: $16/adults, $12/kids 12 and under, $40/family four-pack
“Gimme Jimmies” is the rallying cry of this NYC-based kindie rock band, a Parents’ Choice award winner whose clever, creative music gets kids rocking. The heavy guitar groove hooks in parents as well. Dress in your Halloween costume—maybe a lion, leopard, or tiger, to support NG’s Big Cats Initiative—and get ready to rock-and-roll.
Halloween Festivities in Penn Quarter Where: MLK, Jr Memorial Library, 8th Street NW, & Calvary Baptist Church When: October 29, 2-6pm Admission: FREE
Save the date for an afternoon of fun Halloween festivities for families of boooys and ghouls living in Penn Quarter and the surrounding DC area. From 2-4pm, costumed children can enjoy Halloween story time, light refreshments, and trick-or-treating throughout the Library. After that, join a costume Parade for a Playground as kids make their way to Calvary Baptist Church for a Creepy Crawly Fun Filled Halloween Party from 4-6pm, where there will be crafts, treats, a costume contest with prizes, a creepy guessing game, a dance party, and a moon bounce.
Flight Fest Where: College Park Aviation Museum When: October 29, 12-4pm Admission: $4/adults, $3/seniors, $2/ages 2-18, free for under 2
Wear your costume and enjoy the fun, fall-themed activities. There will be a costume contest and pumpkin bowling. Arts, crafts, hayrides, and spooky fun are waiting for kids and families.
Air and Scare Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum When: October 29, 2-8pm Admission: Free, but parking is $15 until 7pm
Discover the spooky side of air and space at the Udvar-Hazy Center’s 7th Annual Air & Scare! Arrive in costume for safe indoor trick-or-treating. Participate in creepy crafts, spooky science experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities. Bring the tiniest visitors by the Tot Zone to play dress-up and hear a story. Don’t forget to stop by the face painting station or pose for a photo with your favorite Star Wars character!
Crime Museum Halloween Kids & Candy Where: National Museum of Crime & Punishment When: October 30, 1-6pm Admission: $10/costumes child, $10/adults accompanying children
Batman, Wonder Woman, police officers, and all other costumed characters can enjoy a day of Halloween fun at this Penn Quarter museum. Festivities include a regular museum tour, Police Academy Jr. Activity Sheet, McGruff the Crime Dog appearances, finger print identification cards, candy, and more.
Kidsfest Where: George Washington University When: October 30, 11am – 3pm Admission: Free
GWU is hosting this event for families to celebrate Halloween in a safe environment. The festival will include activity booths, where kids can play games and complete arts and crafts projects; a trick-or-treating route through a Residence Hall; and a Witch’s Kitchen. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Kidsfest will take place in the Hippodrome on the 5th floor of the Marvin Center located at 800 21st NW.
Historic Halloween Spooktacular: Trick or Treat at Tudor Place Where: Tudor Place When: October 31, 3-6pm Admission: Members are free, $7/children, $3/non-member adults
Children don their Halloween costumes to trick or treat through Tudor Places enchanting gardens. The fun continues as children of all ages create tasty Halloween treats to take home. Register online.
Hilloween
Where: 7th Street SE in front of Eastern Market
When: October 31, 5:30-7:30pm
Admission: FREE
Capitol Hill’s annual event is legendary for little ones. The block of 7th Street SE next to Eastern Market will be closed to traffic for one of the best community Halloween celebrations in the city. Hayrides, moon bounces, goody giveaways, and even a mini carousel will add to the excitement. The best part is seeing the masses of jubilant kids in all kinds of costumes indulging in the neighborhood extravaganza.
Operation Disguise Where: International Spy Museum When: October 1-31 Admission: Take $5 off these fees with a disguise – $18/ages 12 and up, $15/ages 5-11
Celebrate Halloween at the Spy Museum all month long. When you wear the right disguise, you get $5 off the regular admission price. Go covert October 17-23 with a pair of glasses, and don a moustache from October 23-31. And if you’re looking for help with a Halloween costume, there will also be a disguise/makeup event in the Spy Museum Store on Saturday, October 29th, from 12-7pm.
Sample fare at the Taste of DC, delight in seasonal fun on a farm or at a festival, connect with your inner artist, take in a performance or special museum program, listen to live music, get out and enjoy the delicious weather… these are just some of the ways you and the kids can relish in the next few days. Read on for details and even more ideas. Happy Weekend!
Taste of DC – The annual festival celebrating food, wine, and culture in the city will take place through the holiday weekend – Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Along with the obvious, samples from more than 60 DC restaurants, there will be cooking demos, and live entertainment, including performances especially for kids (read: Rocknoceros). See the schedule to find out who’s playing when.
Fall Fun – Celebrate the season at one of many area festivals or farms. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities galore to help folks embrace the autumn spirit. This post has details on many fall festivals happening around the region.
Peep the Weekend – Start the weekend with Peeps! At 4pm today, the Peeps store at the National Harbor is ushering in the fall season with delicious free treats, mascot appearances, coupons from neighboring retailers and chances for savings on some great new store items. This all kicks off their DC Monumental Weekend – on Saturday and Sunday, PEEPS & COMPANY® Brand Ambassadors will take the Peepster Chick Car on a tour of D.C. and the monuments, spreading sweetness around town.
Alexandria Arts Safari – On Saturday from 12-4pm, the Torpedo Factory will host a free day of hands-on arts and crafts activities for kids and their families. Kids can get creative with fun new art activities and old favorites, including painting, clay sculpting, paper-mache, origami art, block printing, fabric collage, and much more. The Art League will present the popular Gallery Scavenger Hunt and fiber activities. And the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, located on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory, will present The Potter’s Art, where children can draw or paint patterns on paper inspired by designs on salt-glazed stoneware pottery shards excavated from local archaeological sites.
Dino-Mite Dinosaurs – Have a dino-mite time with prehistoric friends at the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone. Celebrate International Dinosaur Month with fossil digs, skeleton puzzles, claw printing, and more. They guarantee a rex-citing time! Admission is free. Drop in anytime from 11am – 4pm.
Super Science Saturday – Head to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the Dulles arm of the National Air & Space Museum, for its monthly program for families on Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration, this month’s theme being balloons and blimps. Admission is free, though parking is $15.
Saturday Morning at the National – This week’s performance will feature beloved children’s author Pamela Duncan Edwards, author of Dinosaur Starts School, Clara Caterpillar, and Roar! A Noisy Counting Book. Edwards will make a special guest appearance and enchant children of all ages with an imaginative “spooky” story. Kids will be encouraged to help tell this morning’s tale, and afterwards Ms. Edwards will answer questions on how she creates her delightful stories. Performances take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!
That’s Entertainment – Even more live performances are gracing area stages all weekend. From plays to puppet shows to live music to a circus, this post has the details on this season’s shows.
Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday from 1-4pm and Sunday from 2-5pm, to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about Eleanor Roosevelt.
Ren Fest – The merriment continues in Crownesville, MD. On weekends through October 23, you can time trip at the charming medieval village that hosts the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival. For details on admission and what you will find there, check out this post about the event.
And for recreation beyond the special events, these posts list tons of recreational mainstays in the DC area:
Friday evenings at The Yards Park are fun for all ages
While I hate to sum up this weekend’s recommendations for family activities with just three general ideas, county fairs, museum programs, and outdoor fun really are the main special events happening over the next few days. If those sound good to you, read on for specifics on all of them. If not, then scroll down for links to some always-useful ideas. Happy Weekend!
All’s Fair – Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races. Yes, it’s county fair season. Four of them are happening right now; two have already started, two more kick off today. This post from a couple of days ago has the scoop on all of the county fun.
Music Al Fresco – Get the weekend started with free music in the fresh air at one of many outdoor concerts. Jazz vibraphonist Chuck Redd will entertain at Jazz in the Garden at 5:30pm, the soul band Quiet Fire will take the boardwalk stage at The Yards Park at 6pm, and the United States Air Force Band will perform Disney and Pixar favorites at the Air Force Memorial at 8pm. (My personal pick would be for The Yards, where there’s plenty of room to spread out, you can buy or bring food for a picnic dinner, and the kids can enjoy fountain play on a beautiful summer evening.)
Take Me to the River – Celebrate the Shenandoah at Riverfest, a family event designed to connect the community with the river. The festival will feature canoe rides along the South Fork off the Shenandoah River; live bluegrass music; fly fishing demos, environmental displays, and more. A kids’ area will have wild animals displays, gem/arrowheads, and face painting. Admission and activities are free. There will also be a silent auction and food for sale. The event runs from 10am – 3pm on Saturday.
Art-Stronomy Family Day –Reach for the stars at the American Art Musuem! See how American inventiveness, as depicted in The Great American Hall of Wonders exhibition, led to the great leaps of science and technology behind space travel and flight. Guests can try their hand at experiments and art activities, join a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and meet an astronaut from NASA. The free event runs from 11:30am – 3pm.
Bonsai! – It’s been awhile since I’ve suggested a visit to the U.S. National Arboretum (one of my favorite places to hang with the kids), mainly because it’s been so hot. But this weekend is supposed to see a dip in temps, so it should be a nice time to tour the collections, play among the old Capitol columns, and see the “Becoming a Bonsai” exhibit, which is only on display for a couple more weeks.
Oceanic Art – Head to the National Museum of Natural History for its Second Saturday Arts & Sciences program. Ocean animals and their environments will be this months’ theme. Guests can learn about the underwater world, while decorating a reusable cloth lunch bag with stamps and drawings of sea creatures. Just in time for back-to-school. The free event runs from 1-3pm.
Super Science Saturday: Energy – The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the Dulles annex of the Air & Space Museum, hosts its own special program on the second Saturday of every month. This weekend it’ll be all about energy. Visitos can enjoy hands-on demos and activities related to the subject. The permanent exhibits – the hangar full of air and space craft – are worth a trip out there themselves. The event runs from 10am – 3pm. Admission is free, but parking is $15.
Ahhh….SHARKS! – Today and tomorrow, the National Children’s Museum is celebrating all things sharks. Head to the Launch Zone at the National Harbor to join in all kinds of fun activities: Hunt for shark teeth at their “beach,” see and touch real shark jaws and other artifacts, and make a shark craft. The free event runs from 11am – 4pm on Friday, and 11am – 6pm on Saturday.
Facing History: Alexander Calder – This regular series at the National Portrait Gallery is designed for children with their families to explore portraiture in depth. Participants take a brief guided tour of the exhibition, this week focusing on Alexander Calder’s wire self-portrait; listen to a children’s story or short gallery talk; and create a piece of art using some of the same materials or concepts. The event is free, but space is limited , so registration is required. The class run from 2-4pm on Saturday.
Portrait Story Days: Wilma Rudolph – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday from 2-5pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about American athlete Wilma Rudolph.
For even more ideas for fun with the kids, check out these popular KFDC posts:
When I asked my husband what he wanted for Father’s Day, he told me without a tinge of sarcasm, “A nap.” Fair enough. (To be honest, I kind of wish I had thought of that for Mother’s Day.) But we’ll be doing some celebrating along with his special snooze fest and enjoying quality time with our little people who make him the doting dad he is. And with so many great things going on this weekend, we’ll have our pick of fun. From kids art events to a hometown baseball match-up to loads of seasonal activities all around the area, here’s where it’s all happening. Happy Weekend! And Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads!
World Children’s Festival– All weekend long, art and creativity will be just as prevalent on the National Mall as it is in the museums surrounding it. Occurring every four years, the World Children’s Festival is considered the “Olympics” of the International Child Art Foundation. Live performances, art exhibits and workshops, book readings and storytelling, and many more activities representing art and culture from around the globe can be enjoyed Friday through Sunday from 4th to 7th Streets on the Mall. And it’s all free to the public. Festivities will run from 10am – 5pm each day, and a schedule of events is available on the website.
Sculpt It! – This workshop at the Corcoran invites families to check out the variety of materials that artists use to create three-dimensional art and get in the studio to design their own creations. The artistic fun takes place on Saturday from 10:30am – 12pm. Registration is $8/child for members, $10/child for non-members.
Become a Pilot Family Day & Aviation Display – The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (the Dulles arm of the Air & Space) is hosting the 7th annual event on Saturday from 10am – 3pm. At least 50 aircraft, from vintage and recreational to military and homebuilt, will be on on display outside the Center. Visitors can get an insider’s view on flying by talking to pilots and other aviation experts, then test their own piloting skills in flight simulators. Story time and hands-on activities will also be held for kids. Admission is free, though parking is $15.
Baseball Battle of the Beltway – It’s the Nationals vs. Orioles this weekend with games this evening at 7:05pm, Saturday at 1:05pm, and Sunday at 1:35pm. On Saturday, the first 10,000 fans age 12 and under will receive a free kids jersey. On Sunday there’s even — the first 30,000 fans to arrive will get a Nats baseball cap in honor Father’s Day, select baseball players will be available for autographs at 12:15pm, and kids can run the bases after the game. Purchase tickets through the Nationals website.
Father’s Day at Mount Vernon – Spend the day with the father of our country! This weekend, the entrance fee for dads will include a meet-and-greet with “General Washington” as well as complimentary admission to George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill, located three miles from the estate on Route 235 South. Open both Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 5pm. Tickets are $15/adult, $7/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under.
ImaginAsia: Echoes of the Past – Kids can explore the art of Asia at the Freer and Sackler Galleries on both Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. A tour through the museum will include a look at Echoes of the Past, which showcases the art of Xiangtangshan caves. From there, guests will head to a classroom for a project that’s part archaeology, part art. This is a free workshop.
Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday or Sunday from 1 – 4pm to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. In keeping with the Father’s Day theme, guests can learn about founding father Benjamin Franklin.
Tiny Tots – Two puppet shows for the littlest ones will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend: Clowning Around on Saturday and Second-Hand Stars on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.
Moma Doni Band – Tickets are still available to see a free Father’s Day family concert on Sunday at 11am. The Mama Doni Band is performing at the DC JCC as part of the Washington Jewish Music Festival, and they’re giving away family tickets. They’re going fast, so get yours soon.
