There’s a nice mix of special events this weekend — library and museum programs, live entertainment, holiday fun, sports, park celebrations, and more. All of these along with the DC mainstays, many of which you can find on the Everyday Play page, will keep the whole family entertained over the next couple of days. Happy Weekend!
Game Time
Where: MLK Jr. Library
When: Saturday, 9:30am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
All ages are invited to celebrate the joy of playing games during International Games Day at at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday. Learn how to play a variety of board games, video games, and trading card playing games with family and friends. There will be a Mario Kart Wii tournament in the Teen Space from 12-2pm to win fabulous prizes, then engaging in online races against other DC Public Library branches at 2pm. Participants can also learn how to play the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game and receive free cards from the game thanks to Konami’s sponsorship of International Games Day this year.
Straw Into Gold
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $3/adult, $2/ages 3-12 & seniors
The Claude Moore Colonial Farm family harvested their flax in July. Now you can help them transform bundles of the dry stalks into gleaming fiber. Learn what it means to rett, brake, skutch, and hackle. Card some tow for the Farm wife, who will spin coarse linen thread before your eyes. It’s a fun and educational event for the whole family!
Celebrate Stead Park
Where: Stead Park Playground
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s the 60th Anniversary of Stead Park! All are welcome to enjoy children’s performers, face painting, balloon art, hot beverages and more festivities to celebrate the occasion and the upcoming renovation that will include a jogging track, splashpark, performance stage, improved playing field, and more trees and benches. Stead Park is located on P Street between 16th and 17th Streets NW).
Wizards Kids Day
Where: Verizon Center
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Washington Wizards are hosting the Cleveland Cavalier on Saturday evening, a match-up that’s being touted as a big rivalry game. And along with the action on the court, there will be special activities for kids to prior to the game – arrive early to enjoy them!
Forward, 54th!
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday, various times
Admission: Free
This dramatic interpretation honors the rich stories behind the people and events remembered in Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial. Recommended for ages 8 and up, performances take place in the East Garden Court of the West Building on a first-come, first-served basis.
Show Time
Where: Local Theaters
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Here’s where you can find live family entertainment over the next few days: The annual Capitol City Symphony Family Concert is at the Atlas Performing Arts Center for two performances on Sunday. Encore Stage & Studio presents the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — performed by kids for kids! The Twelve Days of Christmas is opening at Adventure Theatre. Peter and the Wolf and Tiny Tots shows are on at The Puppet Co. Michael Schwedick’s Reptile World is this week’s free Saturday Morning at the National show. See The Northern Virginia Players’ version of Dr. Dolittle. And Rolie Polie Guacamole is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java.
Resilience In Your Neighborhood: A Community Event
Where: Koshland Science Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $7/adult, $4/child & active military
Did you know that pizza boxes can be used as solar cookers? Find out how during this special event at the Koshland Science Museum.
Take part in more than 10 hands-on science activities to learn how to build a resilient home and community. Equip yourself with tools to respond to and thrive in extreme conditions in activities led by the American Red Cross, FEMA, and the National Defense University. From 1-3 pm, meet fire fighters and paramedics from the DC Fire and EMS Department. They will provide tips for what to do in an emergency and talk about careers in emergency response. The Museum is located at 525 E Street NW.
Re-Imagining the Holidays
Where: Downtown Silver Spring
When: Saturday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
The 2nd Annual “Re-Imagining The Holidays” event is Downtown Silver Spring’s official Tree Lighting and Unveiling of Playtime Jubilee, a holiday art installation created by Karl Unnasch. The work features a metal tree armature structure standing 30 feet tall adorned with hundreds of indoor and outdoor toys and youth sporting goods of all shapes, colors and sizes. Other festivities of the evening will include the National’s Racing Presidents, live music, entertainment, photo station, games, food tastings, a beer garden, merchant activities, and contests and prizes.
Holiday Cheer
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by locale
If you think it’s too early to start celebrating the holidays, think again! Shows and events that embrace — and emit — the holiday spirit are beginning around the area. The 2013 KFDC Guide to the Holidays in DC has ALL you need to help make the season bright.
Innovation Explorations in Sound
Where: American Indian Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Explore innovations in sound around the world and around the Smithsonian at this special Family Day. Discover the sounds of stars, hear frog mating calls, listen to recordings of oral histories, and learn about a research project that lets you see and feel sound vibrations. This preview event offers a taste of the programming planned for the Arts and Industries Building, scheduled to open late 2014.
Annual Book Fair
Where: Oyster-Adams Bilingual
When: Saturday, 8am – 8pm
Admission: Free
Get started on your holiday shopping and support a local school at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School’s 19th Annual Book Fair. There are books for children and adults alike. The school is located at 2801 Calvert Street NW.
Stuff a Leaf for the Holidays
Where: Dulles Town Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
NRG eVgo, Nissan, and Dulles Town Center invite you to join electric vehicle drivers and enthusiasts to celebrate the holidays and the growth of DC-fast charging CHAdeMO stations in the DC area at this family-friendly event. Activities will include Nissan LEAF test-drives (for the grown-ups, of course), face painting, ballon artists, appearances by the Redskins cheerleaders, raffle prizes, and more. And of course, for those wanting to see Santa, he is currently at the mall.
Interview with a Mad Scientist
Where: Arlington Planetarium
When: Sunday 3:30pm
Admission: $7/adult, $3/child
Reporter Lois Lane hosts a double-feature of classic Superman cartoons featuring thrilling clashes with evil scientists bent on destruction. Lois will interview one fiendish scientist who thinks that he and his comrades are victims of bad publicity! Suitable for all ages.
Portrait Story Days
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. On Sunday, learn about Native American leader Chief Joseph. Read more about the program in this post about our experience there.