Do a little dancing in Annmarie Sculpture Garden’s lovely Fairy Lolly at their annual festival
As this goes live, the forecast looks a little stormy for the weekend, so there’s a chance some events might be postponed or canceled. I’ll keep you posted the best I can — the KFDC Facebook Page is the best place to stay updated — but it’ll be a good idea to check websites or call ahead, especially for outdoor events. Rain or shine, Happy Weekend!
Eggcellent Adventures
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, and more spring fun to celebrate Easter and the season have started around the area. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs that will have the whole fam hopping with joy. Find a list of them to plan for it all here0..
Baseball (+ Bobblehead!)
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Root for the home team as the Nats host the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend. Be sure to check out special promos — Friday is the Juan Soto Bobblehead giveaway (first 25,000 fans), Saturday they’ll recognize the year-round charitable work of the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation in the local community by selling Myster Grab Bags in the Center Field Plaza. And on Sunday, little fans can run the bases after the game! Don’t forget to sign up ages 4-12 for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club and check these KFDC tips on how to save on a day at the ballpark.
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Avenue, 7th – 17th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The Cherry Blossom Festival comes to a close after this weekend, but there are still several events taking place to celebrate the season — the biggest the annual parade. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the procession of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers roll through the city. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially if it’s a pretty spring day.
Sakura Matsuri
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-7th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 6pm
Admission: $10/ages 13+, free/12 & under
Following the Cherry Blossom parade, many folks head over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. The 59th annual event will feature live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.
Auto Focus
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 and under
The 2019 Washington Auto Show is in its second and final weekend. If there’s any “grown-up” event that is equally fun for all ages, this is it. More than 700 cars and trucks are on display for guests to check out. And especially for kids will be appearances by some of their favorite characters along with the auto-fun. See this post from last year and this one from earlier KFDC days years ago for more about the event.
Cherokee Days Festival
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Friday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates Cherokee history during the sixth annual Cherokee Days Festival. Three days of festivities include the installation of the original Treaty of New Echota (1835) with the Cherokee Nation, two banner exhibitions “The Cherokee Culture” and “A Story of Cherokee Removal,” and a festival full of cultural demonstrations and performances. Storytelling, traditional flute playing, weaponry, wood carving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, plus music and dance performances will showcase the culture and life-ways of the Cherokee.
NSA Family Day
Where: National Academy of Sciences | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am -4pm
Admission: Free
Take the whole fam o this special Family Day with the National Academy of Science… Head to DecisionTown in the World of Genomics — where your choices matter! Visit to see how the decisions you make every day are influenced by science, engineering, and medicine. Each stop in town, more than 17 in all, offers a different activity centered on an issue facing DecisionTown as it plans for the future. Complete several activities and become a DecisionTown Citizen at Town Hall and receive special giveaway prizes. Visit the website for more details about this program geared for ages 3 and up.
Dog Days Bloom Festival
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $10/adult, $8/child
Great Country Farms is going to the dogs! Bring your furry friend for a day that is all about them.
Watch competition-level canines from Appalachian Air Canines fetch Frisbee’s and novice and veteran competitors can join in on the fun! Meet vendors with specialty pet products, receive training tips and lessons, and compete in our Doggy Olympics for prizes! Our beer and wine garden will be open serving Dirt Farm Brewing beer and Bluemont Vineyard wine. All dogs must remain on a leash sporting their finest rabies certification tag. Please bring a water bowl to keep Fido hydrated, and pick up whatever they leave behind.
After a fun day on the farm, bring your dog up to Bluemont Vineyard for their Dog Days Yappy Hour!
More Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
* Join Winnie the Pooh and friends at Adventure Theatre.
* Take tweens and older to see The Me I Want to Sing at the Kennedy Center
* Squirrel Stole My Underpants will bring puppet entertainment to BlackRock Center for the Arts
* Jack and the Beanstalk is current Main Stage production at The Puppet Co.
* Bunny Business is the featured Tiny Tots performance at The Puppet Co. on Saturday.
* Aquarium is on the Imagination Stage.
* Spend Saturday morning with The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java.
* Venture Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre.
Into The Woods
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the season trekking on Frying Pan’s nature trail to experience the changes of spring. Visit stations peppered throughout the trail to build a fairy house, help tally migratory and year round resident birds, and search for critters in the soil and water. Enjoy Japanese teas at the historic Frying Pan Meeting House. Stop by the Indoor Arena first for a map and instructions.
Family Day
Where: NMAAHC | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2m
Admission: Free
Head to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for a Family Day inspired by the Museum’s first children’s book, A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book written by Anna Forgerson Hindley and illustrated by Keturah A. Bodo. Drop -in activities will be available on the 2nd floor throughout the day for children ages 0-8 will include “All the Things I Am!”- inspired Art Making, plus Story Time in the library – kids can celebrate all the things that make them special by joining an interactive and empowering story time — held at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm, readings last approximately 20 minutes, and a new book will be read at each story time. Registration is encouraged.
Root (root, root) for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats aren’t the only baseball team in town. The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Harrisburg Senators all weekend, and there’s always extra fun and games especially for kids — read more about Baysox games in this KFDC post. And a head’s up that Sunday is Kids Opening Day with pony rides, a petting zoo, and more special treats for young fans.
Wheaton Family Theatre Festival
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
InterAct Story Theatre’s Season Four of Wheaton Family Theatre Festival welcomes Marian Licha on Saturday with a morning of stories and music for kids and families! The performance is free and open to the public (¡GRATIS y abierto al público!) — no need to reserve tickets, just drop in and join the fun! Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Washington Improv Theater Presents: The NitWITs
Where: Source Theater, 1835 14th St. NW
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Every NitWITs show is a high-energy, unique theater experience for families. You’ve never seen anything like it before and you’ll never see anything like it again…because it is all made up right on the spot with the help of your suggestions. Audience members guide the cast in making up spontaneous stories and playing fun theater games in a family-friendly, relaxed atmosphere. This show is recommended for ages 6 and up and lasts about an hour. Reserve a free ticket here.
Milling Day
Where : Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Families can see a 200-year-old grist mill in action and learn how a water wheel and giant gears turn corn into cornmeal. Children can also celebrate the new season by planting seeds and making birds’ nests up at the barn, and by looking for signs of spring in the orchard. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Cherry Blossom Ballet Performance
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate spring with The Washington Ballet at the National Arboretum. Enjoy cherry blossom inspired performances every half hour from 11am – 2pm on Saturday. Meet and take photos with some of the dancers, do a craft, and learn about The Washington School of Ballet. Families may also want to visit the Ikebana International Exhibit and Kids Class that day. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging.
Arlington Palooza
Where: Alcova Heights Park | Arlington, VA
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Join the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation for a day full of free fun at the third annual Arlington Palooza. The outdoor program will have inflatables, crafts, lawn games, live music, food trucks, face painting, and community exhibitors for all to enjoy!
John Wilmerding Community Celebration
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This Community Celebration marks the opening of Oliver Lee Jackson: Recent Paintings with a program that weaves the rich sounds, rhythms, and colors of jazz with visual art. Activities include in-gallery exploration, art making, and live performances. In conjunction with the community day, visitors are invited to view a specially installed photo mural at 7th Street and Madison Drive NW that celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Washington, D.C. Made possible by a grant from the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Happy Birthday to the Bard!
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
‘Tis Shakespeare’s 455th birthday, and the Folger Shakespeare Library is celebrating with its annual Open House on Sunday afternoon. In true Renaissance fashion, there will be song and dance, Elizabethan crafts, theatrical performances (including puppets for little ones), sword fighting demos, special tours, a giant birthday cake, an appearance by Queen Elizabeth I , and even more. The free event takes place rain or shine. Food trucks will be stationed in Puck’s Circle. The Folger Shakespeare Library is located at 201 East Capitol Street SE. Read more about the Folger in this KFDC post.
Fairy & Gnome Home Festival
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $7, free for member and under 2
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This annual festival at one of the most enchanting places will delight the whole family — and we know from experience. Festivities are scattered throughout the beautiful grounds, creating a charming journey of discovery for young (and young at heart) guests. Journey through magical realms including the Fairy Lolly, Stone Story Circle, Bubblelandia, Gnomeville, Treetopia, and more. Build your own fairy house or gnome home, make-n-take activities, and engage in a variety of imaginative activities! Visit the website for specifics. And read more about Annmarie Sculpture Garden and get a glimpse in this KFDC post and this one.
Rumpus Room
Where: Black Cat | 14th Street NW, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: $12/advance, $15/day of
DC’s only daytime dance party for families returns! Prepare for a dance floor filled with little ones, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and caregivers. The soundtrack for Rumpus Room is always a family-friendly mix of popular dance hits, classics, children’s songs and more, all at a kid-friendly volume.
Rumpus Room is designed for kids 8 and under, but older siblings are welcome! No adults are permitted without a child. Maximum 3 children per adult. Infants/crawling children enter free!
Sakura Sunday
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 8pm
Admission: Free
This year, National Harbor will be joining the DC region in the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Sakura Sunday will feature a wide array of fincluding traditional Japanese picnicking with food available for sale; a sake, rosé and beer garden; a Japanese Market; and Japanese-inspired music and entertainment. Restaurants and retailers will also participate in special offers and a cherry blossom store display window competition, and The Capital Wheel will turn pink during the festival. Muse Paintbar will feature cherry blossom art classes and a live painting demonstration as well.
Sesame Street Singalong
Where: Nordstrom | Tyson’s Corner, VA
When: Sunday, 11:15am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join a free sing-a-long sponsored by Sesame Street Live! Recommended for children ages 0-8, enjoy live music, including some Sesame Street songs. Save $5 on tickets to the sponsor’s show, Sesame Street Live! at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax May 4-5 with offer code BABYJAM at Ticketmaster.com.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Starting this weekend through May 3, enjoy free performances by The Washington Ballet every Friday evening on the Plaza at CityCenter.
* If you’re looking for a last minute activity (and coverage) for kids during Spring Break, check out DC Way Soccer Camp!
* Washingtonian magazine has good recommendations for Easter brunch around the area.
* Stellina Pizzeria just opened in the Union Market area and it’s molto buono!
* This is one of my favorite Instagram accounts.
* The documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley about Elizabeth Holmes and Theronos is fascinating. (I’ve heard the book is even better, isn’t it always?)
* The cherry blossom peak is winding down, but there are several other great flower blooms ahead!
