Celebrate Valentine’s Day & Black History with flowers at the NMAAHC
Happy Long Weekend!
These go-to posts will lead you to tons of local fun:
* Indoor Places Around DC
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Kid-Friendly Dining
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Ice Skating
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Love is in the DC Air
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Love is in the air — and at places all around DC! You’ve got your pick of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day through the weekend. And they’re sure to be especially sweet. This post has details on all of them.
Celebrate Black History
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout February (and beyond)
Admission: Varies by activity
February is Black History Month, and there are all kinds of great events and activities throughout the DC area to celebrate it. Museum programs, guided and self-guided tours, visits to significant sites, story time sessions, special exhibits, and more will be enlightening, enriching, and entertaining for all.
Freckleface Strawberry The Musical
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday,7pm | Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Tickets: $28
Freckleface Strawberry The Musical, based on the beloved, best-selling book by actress and author, Julianne Moore, is a fun and touching family musical. Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles, from scrubbing them with soap to caking on makeup… and even wearing a ski mask to school! Will her schoolmates realize that it’s her under the mask? Will Freckleface be brave enough to finally face her complexion in the mirror? With the help of her loveable schoolmates, including an amazingly talented ballerina, a cutie jock, a charming ditz and a totally kooky teacher, Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special. Recommended for all ages.
Little Miss Perfect
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Fri, 7:30pm | Sat, 1:30pm & 7:30pm | Sun, 1:30p
Tickets: $47-96
See this just opened show at Olney Theatre… Joriah Kwamé became a viral TikTok star with his song “Little Miss Perfect,” which garnered millions of views and launched this new musical with Broadway aspirations. High school kids are under a lot of pressure. Just ask Noelle, who has lived up to expectations of perfection her whole life, even as she’s attempted to blend in as one of the few Black students at a predominantly white school. But now it’s senior year, and a scholarship to Howard University is within her reach —if she can demonstrate leadership skills. With an irresistible mix of hip-hop, showtunes, and pop sounds, Little Miss Perfect distills Noelle’s journey as she seeks to escape her small Midwestern town. If this were a film, it would be rated PG.
The Connective Power of Orchids
Where: NMAAHC| National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free with timed passes
One gallery at the National Museum of African American History & Culture is flourishing as the Smithsonian Garden and U.S. Botanic Garden’s annual orchid exhibition is on display. More Than a Flower features over 150 live orchids, and you can explore the ways they connect individuals, communities, and nature through video demonstrations and an interactive orchid discovery station. Of course, plan to see the rest of the museum in honor of Black History Month.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Where: Outdoors around the DC Area (or anywhere)
When: Friday – Monday
Admission: Depends on where you go
Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. Over these days, people are invited to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and report them to the Great Backyard Bird Count. The observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. Participating is easy — learn more about it here.
Reach for the Stars: African Americans in Space
Where: Nature Center & Planetarium | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Families are invited to explore African American contributions to space science at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium. Learn about trailblazing astronauts, scientists, and innovators through colorful pop-up panels, hands-on activities, and connections to science and exploration during Black History Month.
The Story of Chocolate
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Bring the whole family or your Valentine to enjoy a day of chocolate history, culture, and food. Watch Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum’s Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day!
Saturday Morning Live!: Words, Beats, & Life
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am & 11:30am
Tickets: Free
Join National Theatre’s free entertainment series for some family-friendly beats from friends at Words, Beats & Life! WBL is a transformative Hip-Hop performance experience, rooted in the music and dance culture of Washington, DC, that aims to transform individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop culture in all its forms. There are two performances, at 10am and 11:30am. Be sure to register for free tickets!
Open Studio: Painted With Love
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Hirshhorn on Valentine Saturday and draw inspiration from Sam Gilliam’s huge artwork Light Depth. Using materials like watercolors, paint, and coffee filters, create colorful heart-shaped installations.
Family Day: Happy Birthday, George Washington
Where: Library of Congress | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the Library for activities and collections to mark George Washington’s Birthday as they celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Explore The Two Georges exhibition and learn about the parallel lives of George Washington and George III. Make your own sculpture to take home inspired by the exhibition.
The Enchanted Mermaid
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Sat & Sun, 11:30am & 2:30pm | Mon, 10:30am
Tickets: $16
Once upon a time, our hero John Cobbler stumbled upon a hidden castle. A beautiful maiden has been transformed into a mermaid! Can John use his wits to free the mermaid and escape from the wicked Lord Fish? Based upon the Walter de La Mare short story “Lord Fish” written in 1927, this show features elegantly crafted Bunraku-style puppets with elaborately built miniature castle and interior sets.
Black History Month Family Day
Where: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
For a bonus to an Underground Railroad Experience Trail hike, go on February 14 for a special Family Day celebrating Black History Month. Drop in to the Manor House for hands-on activities, including compass making, share what freedom means to you, map your own family tree, and more. There will also be story times at 11:30am and 1:30pm.
250th Festival: A Celebration of Our Story
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary at the National Portrait Gallery. We’re bringing the past to life in a festival for all ages that commemorates 250 years of art, history and culture. Dance along with live performances and take guided tours through the galleries. Enjoy story times, games and more! Participants can create art with friends and family and take home a booklet to celebrate the 250th all year long. This free community festival will highlight joyful moments and heroic stories that have shaped the nation.
Frederick Douglass 208th Birthday Celebration
Where: Capital Turnaround | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 1-2:30pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a 1.5-hour program featuring music by the Jubilee Voices of the Washington Revels, performances by student winners of the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, keynote remarks by Jeffrey Rosen (author of The Pursuit of Happiness and President & CEO of the Constitution Center), and Black History Month Jeopardy with audience participation.
Havana Hop
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 1pm & 4pm
Tickets: $15-45
A charming, dynamic tale of culture and originality, created by award-winning DC and IStage artist Paige Hernandez, using her childhood as inspiration. What if you were invited to dance for President Obama? You’d want it to be the best dance ever! Meet young Yelia who visits her grandmother in Cuba to add a salsa flavor to her own hip-hop style! Journey with Yelia as she discovers the fun of her multi-cultural heritage. Recommended for ages 5-10.
Hearts and Arts – A Valentine’s Day Party for Kids
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm
Admission: $30/chid ($15 for siblings)
Make it a Valentine’s Day date — without the babysitter scramble. While parents enjoy the heat and sound of Chez Joey’s 2pm matinee, kids ages 6–12 can have a Valentine’s celebration of their own, filled with creativity, play, and imagination. This drop-off party will have theater games, hands-on art-making, music, movement, and sweet treats, so everyone gets an experience made just for them. A Valentine’s Day win-win!
George Washington’s Birthday Parade
Where: St. Asaph & Pitt Streets | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Alexandria hosts the largest parade in the country celebrating George Washington’s birthday with marching bands, historic re-enactment troops, and more. Watch the procession as it travel through Old Town Alexandria. See the website for more info and route details.
Chez Joey
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2pm & 8pm | Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: $83-133 (look for discount)
The year is 1940-something, and Chicago’s night scene is sizzling. Enter Joey Evans. A slick-talking, velvet-voiced songster with dreams bigger than the bandstand. But in a city where the right connections mean everything, he is caught between a bright-eyed chorus girl and a wealthy baroness who can bankroll his big break—for a price. As the lights dim and the music swells, Joey’s got a choice to make: play it straight or risk it all for the spotlight. Recommended for teens and older.
The World to Come
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday 8pm | Saturday & Sunday, 2pm & 8pm
Tickets: $41+ (look for discount)
The residents of the SeaBreeze Hebrew Home for the Aging carry on as usual: knitting, playing Scrabble, fighting, and falling in love. As the apocalyptic outside world threatens their way of life, Fanny, Barbara, Ruth, and Hal fight to protect the community they’ve built together. Even while battling armored nurses, a wild ostrich, strange prophecies, and their ailing bodies, they find joy in each other’s company. The World to Come is a surprising new epic that reveals how powerful friendship can be as a form of resistance. Recommended for ages 16+.
NCAA B-Ball
Where: Colleges around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by game
Basketball season is going strong, and with so many universities in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on around town. Here are some games to catch this weekend:
* GW men vs George Mason on Friday at 7pm
* GW women vs LaSalle on Saturday at 2pm
* American men vs Army on Saturday at 2pm
* Howard women vs Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 2pm
* George Mason women vs Rhode Island on Saturday at 3pm
* Howard men vs Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 4:30
A Monumental Experience
Where: Washington Monument | National Mall, DC
When: Daily, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
For a presidential pursuit this holiday weekend, the Washington Monument is super fun to tour. You can go up inside to check out interesting exhibits and take in DC views. most tickets needs to be booked in advance, but there are some same-day, free tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis daily starting at 8:30am at the Washington Monument Lodge, located on 15th Street NW, between Madison Drive NW. Get a glimpse from the inside here.
Hang Out at George’s Place
Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $30/adult, $16/age 6-11, free/5 & under
What better place to visit over Presidents’ Day weekend than our first POTUS’ former home? While Mount Vernon is neat to explore anytime, George’s 292nd birthday is a good occasion to go. Tour the expansive grounds with original buildings, the mansion where he lived, and the Education Center full of interesting exhibits about Washington’s life and colonial times. Enjoy the sunny weather outside as you take in views of the Potomac River from the backyard. To celebrate the holiday, admission is free on Monday, and tickets will be distributed on-site upon arrival (though limited). And FYI: There is also free admission on Sunday, February 22, (Washington’s actual bday). Read more about Mount Vernon here.
Learn about Lincoln’s Last Days
Where: Ford’s Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Daily, 9am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free – $3
Ford’s Theatre isn’t just a place to catch live entertainment. The site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination highlights its historic significance through exhibits about the president, the circumstances surrounding his assassination, and that fateful night at the theatre. The National Historic Site features a museum, theatre walk-throughs and a presentation, and guests are welcome to explore it all. Best for about ages 8 and up. Reserve tickets online in advance for $3 or get them at the Box Office for free.
Stop by Abe’s Old Digs
Where: President Lincoln’s Cottage | Petworth, DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 9am – 4:30pm
Admission: $10-15/adult, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 & under
Another great way to honor our 16th prez is with a visit to his “summer” house. Located on the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) campus in Petworth, the cottage was Abraham Lincoln’s country home and workplace, where he spent one quarter of his presidency. Take a guided tour and see the current installation or go on a self-guided tour of it all — pricing depends on what you opt for.
Black History Month Celebration
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $15
From MLK Day through the end of February, KID is honoring and celebrating Black innovators both past and present. Join every Sunday for hands-on activities and fun workshops with local organizations, scientists, musicians, and makers of all kinds!
Mardis Gras on H Street
Where: 12th-14th Streets | H Street NE, DC
Whem: Sunday, 12-8pm
Admission: Free
Let the good times roll at this family-friendly celebration along the H Street Corridor. There will be live music, including the Eastern High School band, DC Warriors Drumline, the Army Blues Band, and more. Fun for kids includes a puppet show, moon bounce, and face painting. And there will be dancing and more for all to enjoy.
School’s Out with Rocknoceros!
Where: Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
When: Monday, February 16, 2026, 11AM (Doors open 10:30AM)
Admission: $10
If the kids are bouncing off the walls by Monday, take them to rock out at Jammin Java. The kindie rock fave in the DC area will be playing a rousing set of classic singalongs and catchy original songs that will delight music fans of all ages.
Baltimore, Hon!
Where: All Around Charm City | Baltimore, MD
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The long weekend is a great time for a day trip (or even overnight) to Baltimore — there are so many great family-friendly attractions there, you may want an extra day to enjoy a few. Explore the exhibits at Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art around at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. View history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. And even more! This KFDC guide has the scoop.
Inside Out(ings)
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Weather might have you seeking indoor options this weekend — and you’ve got lots of options. From places that offer opportunities for active fun and games to all kinds of museums to live entertainment and more, there are plenty of great local outings that take place inside.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There’s a new giveaway going on for a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to Freckleface Strawberry The Musical at Adventure Theatre.
* How about visiting an off-your-radar museum in MD or VA?
* Sky Zone is opening a new location at Dulles Town Center.
* A new exhibit just opened at Glenstone, inspired by America’s 250th. (Read more about the museum here.)
* If this winter has you thinking about a warm Spring Break, here’s a great destination to consider.
* And this is another good one.
* A few great Presidents Day/Long Weekend Sales to check out: H&M (cutest kids clothes!) | Madewell (have and love this sweater) | Crate & Barrel (cheers to these coupes) | Brooklinen (upgrade to luxe sheets) | Backcountry (snag some winterwear)
* We just watch this movie, and it definitely deserves the Oscar nominations.
* Sarah McLachlan’s Tiny Desk concert is lovely.
* A few scenes from the Walk of Peace ☮️
