Enjoy the works at the National Museum of Women in the Arts at a Free Community Day!
Happy Weekend!
Fairfax County 4-H Fair & Carnival
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Depends on activities (details below)
Head on down to the 4-H fair! Through Sunday, enjoy carnival rides, amusements, treats, farm animals and rabbits, rides and displays, horse and dog shows, the tractor pull, kids crafts and face painting, plus plenty of good food, drinks and live music. Held at Frying Pan Farm Park, hours for the many activities vary by day, so be sure to check the website before you go. Carnival ride tickets are $1 or 24 for $20 (most rides take 3-5). Unlimited carnival ride tickets are $25.
‘Tis the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Make the most of quintessential summer activities around DC! Hit the beach. Enjoy an open air concert at one of the many series in the area. See a movie under the stars. Enjoy a special museum program. Get wet at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. Feast on crabs. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And so much more…
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Friday, 8:30pm
Tickets: $40
Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on huge HD screens!
Jaws at the Drive-In
Where: Union Market | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 8:45pm (lot opens at 6pm)
Admission: $10/car, free for walk-ups
Jaws is this month’s featured film at Union Market’s outdoor movie series. See the classic film (that will make you never want o go in the ocean again) on the big screen from the comfort of your car in the UM parking lot. Get there as early as 6pm and have a bite to eat in the Market or bring food back to your car. The lot closes at 8:15pm, and the film begins at 8:30pm. Advance purchase is recommended.
BrickFair
Where: Dulles Expo Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $15+, free for ages 3 and under
The nation’s largest LEGO Fan Festival will be enthralling guests of all ages this weekend. BrickFair brings together LEGO enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their amazing brick constructions, from tiny intricate works to elaborate, towering creations. Hundreds of exhibitors will be there to display their designs, along with vendors selling all things LEGO — T-shirts, hats, mini figures, models, and more. And guests can use it all as inspiration to do some building there themselves, plus enjoy all kinds of fun hands-on activities.
Arcade
Where: American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: Free
This free, family-friendly event invites gamers of all levels to test out new games and replay some of the classics. SAAM Arcade features arcade cabinets, console games, and a selection of indie games. Join a weekend of games, good times, and more at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Friendship Firehouse Fest
Where: Friendship Firehouse | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free
This annual family event hosted by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association invites the public to enjoy the history of the fire department at the historic Friendship Firehouse. The popular event features antique fire apparatus, craft booths, displays by Alexandria merchants, and live music. In addition to the day’s outdoor events, festival participants will enjoy visiting the Friendship Firehouse Museum, originally built as a firehouse in 1855.
Anyone for Tennis?
Where: Rock Creek Park Tennis Center | Rock Creek, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Enjoy the on-court excitement along with other fun activities as the Citi Open Tennis Tournament wraps up. With the quarterfinals on Friday, the semis on Saturday, and the championship matches on Sunday, the event is sure to serve up some excellent tennis.
Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Enjoy fun and antics with The Cat in the Hat at Adventure Theatre
* Go on a Treasure Island adventure at Synetic Theatre (look for a ticket discount)
* Legally Blonde opens at Keegan Theatre this weekend (for tweens and up)
* Reserve free tickets to see musical duo Fox & Branch, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National show
* Disney’s Aladdin brings magic for the whole family to the Kennedy Center
* Experience the moon landing in Earthrise at the Kennedy Center (look for a ticket discount)
* The Ballad of Mulan is on the Imagination Stage
* And little ones will love Balloonacy at the Bethesda theater
* It’s the final weekend for Circus! at The Puppet Co.
* Penguin’s Playground is the featured Tiny Tots show there on Sunday
* Take ages 10 and up to The Band’s Visit at the Kennedy Center
Cirque de Soleil: Volta
Where: Under the Bog Top| Tysons II, VA
When: Through September 6
Tickets: $49+
Energetic, urban and contemporary, VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, VOLTA is about finding yourself and unveiling your personal powers. VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgement of others.
Pizza Paradiso in the Park
Where: Waterfront Park | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free, but you pay to eat & drink
In celebration of Virginia Craft Beer Month, Pizzeria Paradiso in Old Town will host a free beer festival along the Alexandria waterfront. There will be thirty breweries for parents and those family members over 21 to enjoy, in addition to two mobile pizza ovens, live music, lawn games, and splash golf for the whole family! Tickets for beer are $6 and food tickets are $5 each and can be purchased with cash or credit card at the event.
Family Mindfulness & Meditation
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Beat the heat with your little ones during this summer meditation series. Take a moment to pause and reflect in front of artworks in the Freer’s permanent collection. Then, admire nature’s beauty in the courtyard with a series of facilitated activities to help deepen self-awareness. Finally, slow things down and experience guided breathing, storytelling, and other beginner-friendly mindfulness techniques led by instructors. Come ready to move in comfortable clothes. For ages 4+ with adult companions. No registration required. First-come, first-served.
Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Landover, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats may not be in town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch some baseball. The Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Portland Sea Dogs all weekend, and there’s extra fun and special promos to enjoy, too — Navy Night, Truck Touch Day, Copa de la Diversion & Pinata Party,fireworks, and more. Plus, there are always fun and games especially for kids. Read more about Baysox games in this KFDC post.
World’s Fair
Where: DAR Museum | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Experience the excitement, innovation, and wonder of a c.1900 World s Fair. Do you know what foods debuted at these fairs? Or what games children played? Learn about inventions that thrilled fairgoers and taste the snacks made popular by these grand events. Celebrate cultures around the world by exploring the booths of local embassies and cultural centers. Fun for children and adults alike, this event is not one to miss!
Peach Daze Fuzzitval
Where: Great Country Farm | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $10/child & $12/Adult
Celebrate peak peach picking season with Great Country Farms, Bluemont Vineyard, and Dirt Farm Brewing! Along with tons of fun activities, you can also learn how the peaches are grown and used in food and drink and enjoy the results as well. Kick off each morning with a Peach pancake breakfast, then later on get the whole family involved in peach eating and peach pit spitting contests and family water games. All the fun farm attractions will be open, and there will also be live music to entertain the crowd. And across the way at Bluemont Vineyard, enjoy special peach drinks and wine.
Art Investigators
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
It’s the final summer weekend of Art Investigators, the National Gallery of Art’s drop-in program for kids ages 4-7. Young art museum-goers will explore the art of Thomas Moran, use that as inspiration to create a work of their own. TherSign-in takes place in the West Building Rotunda, starting at 10am on Friday and Saturday, and 11am on Sunday. Be aware that you may not get an early time slot and will have time to fill before your session, so plan accordingly. Read a KFDC review of the series back when it was called Stories in Art (it’s an older post, but still relevant, as the program is very much the same).
Howard County Fair
Where: Howard County Fairgrounds | West Friendship, MD
When: Begins Saturday (through August 100
Admission: $5/ages 10 and up, $2/seniors, free for under 10
The 74th annual fair begins this coming weekend, and you have through next Saturday to enjoy rides, magic shows, musical entertainment in the evenings, pig races and pony rides, the Kids & Critters barn, Demolition Derby, a pro rodeo, and more. Most of the rides cost extra, and packages are available, so be sure to check out the website to see what’s available if you plan to go.
Free Community Day
Where: National Museum of Women in the Arts | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The first Sunday of every month is a great opportunity explore the National Museum of Women in the Arts when admission is FREE! Works span the centuries, from the 16th to the present in a variety of mediums, highlighting women artists all over the world. Current exhibitions include More is More: Multiples and Betsabeé Romero: Signals of a Long Road Together, plus there are many more wonderful works in the permanent collection.
Tax Free Shopping
Where: Throughout VA
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free (but plan to spend, obvi!)
Are you ready to do some back-to-school shopping? This weekend will be a good time to start! Virginia is taking a sales tax holiday August 2-4. During that time, all school supplies that is $20 or less per item and qualifying clothing and footwear that is $100 or less per item will be tax free!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* County fair season is starting, and there’s a new post with the scoop on where and when they’re all taking place around the DMV!
* I love Little Free Libraries, and found this post about one really moving.
* A friend just launched The Local Edit, a consignment experience in the SF Bay Area with an online shop that ships everywhere. Even better, she’s offering KFDC readers 10% off with the code KFDC10! (PS: It can be combined with the new customer 20% off!)
* A really great and honest reflection on parenting from Dad and Buried.
* We’ve been traveling in Croatia, and it’s incredible! I’ve been posting about it on Instagram for anyone interested.
