An unexpected sweet moment at the National Gallery of Art
Happy Weekend!
Easy links to ideas for ongoing local fun:
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Ice Skating
* Baltimore with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Stunning Spaces
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Bike Rides
Feel the Love
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Love is in the air — and at places all around DC this weekend! Events and activities to celebrate and prep for Valentine’s Day range from art making to nature programs to museum exhibits to cupcake baking. And they’re sure to be especially sweet. A few are listed below and this post has details on all of them.
Kids Workshop: Swan Sweetheart Note Holder
Where: Lowe’s locations around the DC area
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Bring your mini-DIYer to Lowe’s for a workshop hosted by a Red Vest expert. This month is Valentine’s-themed, and kids will build their own Swan Love Note Holder — a perfect gift for someone they love. All participants will receive a kit with materials. Be sure to reserve a time slot! Walk-ins are welcome, but space is not guaranteed.
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 many 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.
Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration
Where: Capital Turnaround | Southeast DC
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Park Service for this annual event celebrating Frederick Douglass’s Birthday! The program will include music by the Jubilee Voices of the Washington Revels, performances by the student winners of the Douglass Oratorical Contest, and a light-hearted debate style program that asks the question: “What place did Frederick Douglass call home?” Douglass lived in three states and the District of Columbia during his lifetime, and while it is impossible to ask Douglass this question, our panelists will support their positions in the debate, and we will let the audience decide! Doors open at 12:30pm and include music by DC Strings, exhibitors, info about about Frederick Douglass’ interest in DC’s streetcars, and photo ops with Frederick Douglass. Capital Turnaround is located at 770 M Street SE.
The Inside Scoop
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
The glorious weather is going away over the weekend, so you may be specifically seeking indoor fun. This post has over 100 suggestions, and a few specific recs: Wander among the works at the National Gallery of Art, bounce off some energy at Flight Trampoline Park, explore the local environment at Rock Creek Nature Center, catch a flick and a meal at The Alamo.
Maker Morning: Art from Your Heart
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Color your February with love at the Hirshhorn’s self-guided drop-in program geared toward kids. Look for stations throughout the museum, all love-themed and hands-on. Try out Valentine’s Day activities including writing a love letter, magnet poetry, and a love library — all inspired by art in the museum. Stroller parking is available in the Lobby and Lower Level.
123 Andrés
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am & 1pm
Admission: $20
The Latin Grammy-winning music duo is back by popular demand! Join Andrés and Christina on an exciting cultural exploration of Latin America through an introduction of language, music, and dance. The 11am show is a sensory-friendly performance. Recommended for ages 3+.
Rock the Rink
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: $10-13/skating, free to spectate
Join fellow and sister hockey fans to show your Caps pride. The Wharf Ice Rink is in on it with a DJ, Caps gear giveaways, and more. At 3:30pm, they’ll broadcast the Capitals’ away game against the Boston Bruins on a jumbotron located on the Transit Pier floating stage. Be sure to wear Caps gear and receive $5 off admission to Ice Rink!
Peter and the Wolf
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $15
This weekend is the last chance to see this Puppet Co. Legacy favorite with a new spin! This English and Russian bilingual production will incorporate the classic music in this two-person small marionette romp of the classic fairytale. Run time approximately 40 minutes. Recommended for ages 4+.
Dinos Alive
Where: Rhode Island Center | NoMa, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Starts at $22 (get discount)
This family-friendly experience transports you back millions of years, allowing visitors of all ages to journey through the jungle, interacting with the largest creatures to have ever walked the earth. Dinos Alive showcases more than 80 life-sized animated dinosaurs, from the iconic to the lesser known, featuring species such as the T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, and Suchomimus. Guest will have opportunities to ride a dinosaur (IRL and virtually with VR), swim alongside prehistoric sea creatures in the mesmerizing digital aquarium, become a paleontologist, and explore the natural habitat of these ancient creatures.
Valentine Makers Market
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Find thoughtful and handmade gifts for all the sweeties in your life at this Valentine Maker’s Market. Shop a variety of options, including small batch chocolates, jewelry, leather goods, pottery, clothing, and much more! You will find vendors offering a wide selection of homemade, handmade or homegrown products, and every vendor is from the DEL-MAR-VA region. Be sure to tour the grounds, check out the Arts Center inside, and take kids to play in the Fairy Lolly while you’re there — it’s all fantastic (admission is a suggested $5 donation). Read more about Annmarie Sculpture garden here and here.
Native Cinema Showcase Screening: Encanto
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When, Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Catch a free movie at the National Museu of the American Indian… Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in a magical house in a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia. The magic of this wondrous, charmed Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift, from super strength to the power to heal—every child that is except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
Unshrink My Heart – Shrinky Dinks Workshop
Brentwood Arts Exchange | Hyattsville, MD
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Grab the whole family and let us help you make handcrafted Valentine keepsakes for your loved ones. Using super fun shrinkable sheets called Shrinky Dinks®, create original cards, jewelry, key chains, and more! This workshop is FREE and each participant will receive two sheets of blank Shrinky Dinks for crafting and creating.
Paragon Philharmonic POPS!
Where: Capital One Hall | Tysons, VA
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: $35
Chamber music meets improv comedy in this unique theatrical concert experience. Paragon Philharmonia’s String Quintet sets the scene with music from Mozart to Metallica while Dark Horse’s players tell the story of a romance like no other. Come for the music, stay for the laughs – the choices are in your hands! REcommended for ages 12+.
Winter Lantern Festival
Where: Lerner Town Square | Tysons, VA
When: Friday – Sunday evenings, 5-10pm
Admission: $15-23 with this discount
It’s the final weekend to experience this illuminated display in Northern Virginia. The Festival transforms Lerner Town Square into a brilliant world of light with over 1000 Chinese lanterns, all handmade by artisans with decades of experience. And you can do more than just look at some of them — interactive elements include light swings, see-saws, and tunnels for added fun.
Moonshot Studio xPhilharmonia Fantastique
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The Moonshot Studio within The REACH welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy all kinds of hands-on activities. Through March 20, there will be an array of arts projects inspired by the film, Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra, a 25-minute multi-media concerto for orchestra and animated film that follows a magical Sprite on a musical journey through the instruments of the orchestra.
Weekend Workshops
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to do some art making! All ages are welcome to get creative at Weekend Workshops. Learn about artists and changemakers, then create art inspired by their stories. Of course, explore the whole museum while you’re there. See more about the National Portrait Gallery here.
Dancing Our Way Through Books
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am & Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
In this installment of InterAct Story Theatre’s free Wheaton Family Theatre Seres, join Contradiction Dance Theatre founder Kelly King to explore a kid-friendly folk tale through creative movement and dance. Kids get to practice reading skills while moving, dancing, and sharing stories with families and friends. No prior dance training neede, just bring your body and get ready to move. Best for ages 3+.
Sunday Makebreak: Watercolor Heart Frame
Where: Michael’s locations around the DC area
When: Sunday 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in a Michael’s location to do some Valentines crafting. Make a watercolor heart frame to put a picture of your special someone in — or picture of yourself to give to someone special. All ages welcome, no reservations needed.
Caps vs. Sharks
Where: Capital One Arena
When: Sunday, 1:30pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (check for discount)
While you’re waiting for the big football game to start, get in some other sports spectating at a Caps game. They’re hosting the San Jose Sharks at home on Sunday afternoon. Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter — grab a meal or pop in to the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum before or after the hockey match.
Wizards vs. Pacers
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary (check for discount)
The Wizards are playing at home on Saturday evening — watch them work some on-court magic against the Indiana Pacers. Plan on a pre-game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Carmine’s, Daikaya, Shake Shack, and Hill Country BBQ.
(W)Hoop it Up!
Where: Universities around the DC Area
When: Throughout the break
Admission: Tickets start at $16
With so many universities in the area, there’s always some good college hoops action going on. Here’s where you can check out schedules and look for tickets:
* Georgetown men vs Marquette on Saturday at 12pm
* Maryland men vs Penn State on Saturday at 12pm (Go, Terps!)
* George Mason men vs Rhode Island on Saturday at 2pm
* American men vs Holy Cross on Saturday at 2pm
* Georgetown women vs UConn on Saturday at 5pm
* Maryland women vs Illinois on Sunday at 1pm (Go, Terps!)
* George Mason women vs UMass on Sunday at 3pm
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* How to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
* There’s a KFDC giveaway going on for a chance to win a virtual session with Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson (you can also reserve/guarantee time slots).
* Washingtonian has a round-up of places to get take out for the Super Bowl.
* If you prefer to make your own spread, here are 100 ideas for game day food.
* The Nationals have announced ticket promos for the 2023 season, and you can save your seats now.
* Sale on sale at Anthro!
* Can’t wait to try these that I just ordered for spring.
* This feature from the New York Times last week is a very interesting read.
* A heartfelt request from a friend of a friend…doesn’t hurt to try, so please share if you can.
