Keeping cool by a waterfall in Shenandoah National Park
The weather will likely be a major factor in your weekend planning, so keep The Great Indoors list handy along with these ideas. Happy Weekend!
All’s Fair
Where: Montgomery, Prince William, & Howard Counties
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Montgomery and Prince William kick off their annual fests that are chock full of amusement for everyone in the fam. Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. You can also find it in Howard County, where the fair is on for its final couple of days. This post has the scoop on all of the county fun.
High Wheelin’
Where: Frederick, MD
When: Saturday, 1-7pm
Admission: Free
Get a curbside seat to America’s only high wheel race in historic downtown Frederick, MD. The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race is a unique event that celebrates the history of bikes with an antique bike display and more festivities throughout the day at the Best Fest — live music, face painting, bouncy fun, beer garden, and more.
Anatomy of Sports
Where: National Museum of Health & Medicine
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Play a sport? Learn how your body works and stay off the sidelines! Bones and muscles need to work together for optimal performance. Athletes of all ages should know how their bodies work in order to compete and stay healthy. During the event, athletes will demonstrate their sport while medical illustrators and physical therapists reveal how muscles and bones work together. Anatomy of Sports is perfect for families with children playing sports, the recreational athlete, or the practiced sports enthusiast.
May the Force Be with the Nationals
Where: Nationals Park
When: Saturday, 7:05
Admission: Ticket prices vary
How about some Star Wars with your baseball? You might run into Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Storm Troopers, or Princess Leia before you even enter the ballpark, and more of their crew await inside. Along with roving characters, the game will feature lots of Star Wars themed fun. FYI: Fans are encouraged to dress in Star Wars garb! Get there early — the first 20,000 fans to enter Nationals Park will receive a special giveaway. And if you can’t make it to Star Wars Saturday, you can catch the Nats Friday (7:05pm) or Sunday (1:35pm).
Star Wars Marathon
Where: Warner Theatre
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: Tickets (get a deal here)
Dress up in your galactic best and join fellow fans at the theatre for an all-day viewing fest of the Star Wars films. Alamo Drafthouse is hosting this celebration of the movie trilogy, with a rare digital screening of the special edition versions of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi. Doors open at 1pm.
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Go on a wild journey to Jumanji at Adventure Theatre
* Imagination Stage and The Washington Ballet bring you The Little Mermaid for the final weekend
* Peter and the Wolf is entertaining at The Puppet Co.
* And Bedtime Buddies is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Born for This: The Bebe Winans Story is still running at Arena Stage
* The Phantom of the Opera is on stage at the Kennedy Center, and its recommended for ages 6 and up (look for discount tickets)
* Enjoy an evening of ukelele entertainment at Strathmore’s annual Uke Summit
Summer Fun
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The summer break from school may be starting to wind down, but summer fun around the area continues. Catch a concert outdoors to start the weekend on a musical note — Jazz in the Garden on the National Mall and Rockin’ on the Riverfront at Yards Park are local faves. Keep the seasonal pursuits going with a variety of options: Head to a farm for peach picking. Enjoy some water fun, either at an outdoor pool or a spray park. Take advantage of free admission for kids at the Newseum or see ICEBERGS at the Building Museum. Feast on crabs by the water. This post has all the details you need on all these summer joys.
Arts of Afghanistan
Where: Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday, 1-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Afghanistan’s Independence Day with a fun-filled afternoon making art, tasting Afghan food, hearing from artisans, watching musical performances, listening to traditional stories, and exploring the arts of the country. The day’s finale will be PechaKucha-style presentations by social entrepreneurs working with artisans in Asia and beyond, who will share how they got involved and the lives they’ve seen changed.
National Bowling Day
Where: Alleys around the area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
It seems there is a “national day” for just about everything these days, and this Saturday it’s for bowling. But it also has a charity angle to it — help knock down a million pins in the Million Pin Challenge and half a million meals will be donated to Feeding America. So, hit a local lane and have fun knocking down some pins. Everyone can bowl free at participating centers – go here to find one near you.
Serve Up Some Tennis
Where: Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center
When: Saturday, 5pm (USTA Family Day starts at 1:30)
Admission: Tickets start at $12
The last home match of the Washington Kastles’ season is also USTA Family Day. Along with the exciting tennis action, there will be fun activities outside the court for all ages to enjoy. We know from experience these matches are a really good time — and the extra festivities make it even more fun for kids!
Irish Festival
Where: Waterfront Park in Alexandria
When: Saturday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Head to Old Town for a day of fun and music to celebrate Irish history and culture. Along with lots of live Celtic music and Irish dancing, shop the vendor booths featuring a variety of Irish items, arts & crafts, and traditional festival foods.
The Great Zucchini
Where: MLK Library
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
The Great Zucchini is back at the library. The popular children’s performer is bringing his wacky and zany antics to the Great Hall. It’s fun entertainment for kids ages 0-12 and an accompanying adults.
Pixar Shorts
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Sunday, 11:30am
Admission: Free
Celebrate 30 years of animated shorts from Pixar Animation Studios. Beginning with the delightful Luxo Jr., the first computer-animated film nominated for an Academy Award, this collection of shorts showcases Pixar’s contributions to the art of filmmaking. The 45-minute series will include hilarious favorites For the Birds, Mike’s New Car, and One Man Band.
Day Trip from DC
Where: Around the region
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Get out of dodge for a day for some cool fun in areas that require a bit of a drive, but not one that requires an overnight stay (though you could consider it). Explore the spectacular underground world of stalagmites and stalactites at Luray or Shenandoah Caverns (look for a deal here). Take an ice cream making tour at Turkey Hill in Lancaster, PA. Or venture out to the Calvert Marine Museum to experience fascinating exhibits that highlight the history of the Chesapeake Bay.
Indoor Playgrounds
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
When it’s just too darn hot to play outside, but the kids still have a lot of energy to expend, this round-up of play spaces where, in some cases, they can literally bounce off the walls will come in handy.
Test the Waters
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Cool off and enjoy some water fun beyond the local pool. Make a day of it at a lakeside beach, hike to a hidden waterfall, or find a swim spot tucked away in the woods to chill out and spend quality time with the fam. This Washington Post article about lakes, swimming holes, and waterfalls within a fairly easy drive from DC has some great suggestions.
