
Strawberry picking, a seasonal fave
There’s a lot to celebrate this first weekend of June, with big annual events showcasing everything from local communities to children and the arts to trucks to trails to jazz to green living. Or, just revel in the days off from the grind with a seasonal activity or one of many possibilities for family fun. Happy Weekend!
Summer Fun
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts al fresco, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun, and much more! Activities exclusive to the season can be enjoyed all around the area, several taking place on Friday evening – a perfect way to kick off the weekend. The Summer 2015 guide has the whole scoop on all of them.
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 (Kongos, Three Doors Down, and The Outlaws 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.
Friday Night Drive-In
Where: Union Market
When: Friday 8-10pm
Admission: $10/car
Union Market is bringing back their Drive-In series through the month of June, with a “Flashback Fridays” theme that salutes the ‘80s and ‘90s decades. Jurassic Park is on the big screen tonight — your brood can view it from the comfort of your car in the UM parking lot. Get there as early as 6pm, and the film starts at 8pm.
Keep on Truckin’
Where: RFK Lot 7
When: Saturday, 8am – 1pm
Admission: Free
The Truck Touch event that easily takes the title as Mac Daddy of them all is happening this Saturday for its 8th year. The DC Department of Public Works welcomes guests to climb aboard and explore all kinds of cool vehicles that are used to clean and repair streets, change traffic lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile health care, and more. There will also be opportunities to test ride Segways, test drive hybrid and electric cars, spec out a helicopter, and sit atop police horses. Read more about it and see images from a past Truck Touch in here (and be sure to note that it was posted a couple of years ago, so the dates don’t confuse you).
Imagination Bethesda
Where: Auburn & Norfolk Avenues
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Bethesda Urban Partnership to celebrate children, art, and all things fun at the 21st annual Imagination Bethesda. Where Woodmont Avenue meets Elm Street, activity tents will line the streets, face painters will bring butterflies and pirates to life, and a stage of live entertainment will have the whole street dancing. Activity details and the entertainment line-up are available on the Imagination Bethesda website.
Nats vs. Cubs
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a chance to try out the just-posted tips on how to save on a Nats game! Our home team is hosting the Cubs this weekend with an evening game tonight (7:05pm) and afternoon match-ups on Saturday (12:05pm) and Sunday (4:05pm). Stay after on Sunday for Kids Run the Bases when children ages 4-12 can loop the infield after the final out.
It’s Easy Being Green
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $12/adult, free for 16 and under
The nation’s premier sustainability event is where you will see the best in green. Enjoy loads of exhibits and activities — renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; a green marketplace; and delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. A Family Fun Pavilion sponsored by DC Department of Parks and Recreation and Savers will feature entertaining and enriching activities, including eco-crafts, yoga, story time, trivia and more (Saturday & Sunday only)! And if you bike there, show your helmet to the box office attendants and receive FREE admission.
Walk the Museum Walk
Where: Throughout Dupont-Kalorama
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get off the Mall and explore the many museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood during its 32nd annual Museum Walk Weekend. See the exhibits and enjoy special programs for free at seven diverse museums, including The Phillips Collection, Dumbarton House, Heurich House, and Woodrow Wilson House. If you don’t want to use the shoe leather express, there will be a free shuttle running between sites.
Jazz ‘n’ Families Fun Days
Where: The Phillips Collection
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Leading up to the DC Jazz Festival starting next week and part of The Phillips Collection’s Museum Walk events, there will be special performances and activities for guests, especially young ones. There will be live jazz throughout the museum, including musicians improvising to paintings in the galleries. Kids can join a scavenger hunt, visit an instrument petting zoo, create their own masterpieces to take home, and enjoy the permanent collection, too.
Celebrate Petworth
Where: 800 block of Upshur Street NW
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: Free
This festival in the heart of the Petworth neighborhood will celebrate creativity, diversity, culture, people, and quality of life, the core components of what make Petworth a vibrant and wonderful place to live. Anchored around four main themes — Art, Music, Food and Healthy Living, and Kids/Family — Celebrate Petworth will bring residents of the community together, not just for the day of the event, but through the creation of new opportunities for collaboration, partnership and engagement amongst residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations. See the schedule of activities here.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Potted Potter, a hilarious show condensing all seven Harry Potter books, is at the Lansburgh Theatre (look for a ticket deal)
* See a show on strings at The Puppet Co. where Cinderella is the current main stage production
* And Merlin’s Magic is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* DC-area “kindie” band Here Comes Trouble is celebrating their “Goo on My Shoe” CD release with a show at FNDTN Gallery & Liveroom on Saturday
* Creative Cauldron presents The Little Prince for it’s first weekend of performances
* Spend Saturday morning withThe Great Zucchini at Jammin’ Java
Happy Trails
Where: Around the area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Saturday is National Trails Day, and you can celebrate by taking part in one of many special events around the area. Take a hike, do some volunteer trail maintenance, go bird watching, and more. Find an event for your family on the National Trails Day website.
Active-Kidz Family Fun Day
Where: Leesburg Premium Outlets
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the beginning of summer with a day of activities for the whole family at the outlets! Shoppers of all ages can enjoy complimentary glitter tattoos and balloon animals, and there will also be a showcase of groups from around the community such as TopKick Martial Arts, Renewal by Andersen, Ha’Penny Montessori School, Sportrock Climbing Center, c3 cyberclub, Loudon Soccer and Patrick Henry College Teen Camps. Plan to stock up on summer wear, too — retailers like Claire’s, Banana Republic, and Under Armour will be offering special discounts all day!
Savage Fest
Where: Historic Savage, Md
When: Saturday, 10am – 6:30pn
Admission: Free
The annual Savage Fest has fostered a sense of community by bringing together over 2,000 Howard County residents each June for a daylong celebration. This 28th year will feature live music from local bands, pony rides, a petting zoo, jugglers, magic shows, local history reenactments and tours, dancing, demonstrations and other entertainment throughout the day. It will also be bigger than ever with over 50 food, craft, retail and information vendors! The event will be held in Historic Savage, MD on Baldwin Common (9035 Baltimore Street, Savage, MD 20763).
Colors of the Caribbean
Where: Strathmore
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
You don’t have to go to the islands to experience the culture of the Caribbean. On Sunday, Strathmore presents a day of free music and dance performances, workshops, artistic presentations, food demonstrations, and hands-on art activities celebrating the vibrant diversity and rich cultural heritage of the 42 countries that comprise the Caribbean Basin. Families are invited to explore the campus and join in the celebration by visiting each staging area for unique experiences and kid-friendly activities that will ignite all the senses with the sounds, sights, and tastes of the Caribbean.
Tenleytown Block Party
Where: Tenley Gastropub Parking Lot
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Friendship Hospital for Animals is celebrating the unveiling of its new 16,345-square -foot renovation with a community block party and special pet adoption event. The Washington Humane Society’s Adopt Force One mobile adoption center will be on-site for pet-lovers looking to bring home a new furry friend. Guests at the family-friendly event will be treated to complimentary carnival-like entertainment including cotton candy and popcorn, a moon bounce and photo booth. And Tenley Sport & Health will offer free Zumba classes throughout the event. Light fare and refreshments will be available for purchase from Tenley Gastropub, the area’s brand-new sports bar. Friendship Hospital for Animals will provide pet treats for all four-legged family members in attendance.
Storytime & Dinner
Where: Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase
When: Sunday, 4:30-6pm
Admission: $5
Embark on an interactive storybook adventure on June 7 at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase, MD, as we travel across Israel with Hare and Tortoise! This unique event is especially for children ages 0-6 and their families. Hear author Laura Gehl read her book Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel, then recreate Hare and Tortoise’s journey. Make art in a Tel Aviv museum! Visit the desert! Relax at the Dead Sea! Play soccer in Independence Park in Jerusalem! Buy delicious Israeli foods at the shuk! We recommend a tortoise’s pace for this storybook adventure—you won’t want to miss a thing along the way. Pre-registration is $5 per person (with a max of $20 per family) and includes dinner and a copy of the book for your family.
Take Your Pick
Where: Area Farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Strawberries are ripe and ready for harvest, and many area farms welcome guests to come PYO. However, it’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.