Sweet treats after a hike in Harpers Ferry
This new batch of events and activities contains all kinds of awesome. But if you want even more ideas for family fun, check out the Everyday Play page, too. Happy Weekend!
Harry Potter Symphony
Where: Strathmore
When: Friday, 8pm
Tickets: $35-65
The Harry Potter film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. This concert will feature the Baltimore Symphony performing every note from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the film in high-definition on a giant screen while hearing the orchestra perform John Williams’ unforgettable score.
Fairfax 4-H Fair & Carnival
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park
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.
BrickFair ’16
Where: Dulles Expo Center
When: Saturday & Sunday
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. Over 800 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!
Slide the City
Where: Tyson’s Corner
When: Saturday, 12-7pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
A 1,000-foot slip ‘n’ slide will be the centerpiece of Slide the City, an all-day party in Tyson’s Corner that also offers live music, entertainment, and vendors. Sliders must be 5 years old and 46″ tall. There are several ticket options available, and prices vary, so visit the website for details.
Peach Daze Fuzztival
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/adult, $10/child
Great Country Farms is teaming up with Bluemont Vineyard and Dirt Farm Brewing to celebrate the peach picking season! 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! Kick off each morning with a Peach Pancake Breakfast at Great Country Farms, then later on get the whole family involved in a peach eating and spitting contests and family water games. The playground of farm attractions will be open, and there will also be live music to entertain the crowd. Over at Bluemont Vineyard, enjoy peach wine slushies, and Dirt Farm Brewing will showcase its Som Peach Craft Brew.
Walking Stick Weekend
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrating the exhibition “Kay WalkingStick: An American Artist,” this weekend festival will features special activities the whole family can enjoy. Navajo and Nez Perce cultural specialists will talk about designs that inspired WalkingStick’s recent paintings, plus an array of hands-on art activities for all ages inspired by WalkingStick’s art will be offered.
Fair Play
Where: Howard County
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races. Yes, it’s county fair season, and it’s kicking off in the area at the Howard County Fair. This post has the scoop on all of the county fun.
Rock Creek
Where: Rock Creek Nature Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy special programs along with the ongoing offerings at Rock Creek’s Nature Center. “Buffalo Soldier” presentations will take place Saturday. Take a Centennial Hike to celebrate the 100 years of the National Park Service. Do some nature crafts. Explore the night sky with the planetarium movie Zola Patrol Down to Earth. You can also pop over to the nearby Horse Center to visit the stables and treat the kids to a pony ride! Read more about Rock Creek programs in this KFDC post.
Nats vs. Giants
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a weekend of home games for the Nats as they host the Giants. There are games tonight and Saturday evening at 7:05pm, and on Sunday at 1:35pm. Check for special promos here. And before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.
STEM Across Cultures
Where: Steven C. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free (parking is $15)
Jet out to the Chantilly arm of Air & Space for this some STEM focused fun! Celebrate the global feats in the fields of science, math, technology, and engineering. Meet scientists and engineers who are active in fields such as robotics, aerospace design, and aviation, and develop your own skills through hands-on activities.
DC United: Family Fun Night & Talon’s Birthday
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 7pm
Admission: Starts at $25 (look for a deal)
Family fun, futbol action, and a birthday celebration for Talon will make this DC United match extra special. Photos with Talon and other area mascots, face painting, food trucks, and games are part of the birthday festivities. And pregame fun includes live music, corn hole, sand drink specials for adults. Even better, Certifikid has a deal for a discount on all of it (look under Activities & Events).
‘Tis the Season
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Take advantage of the host of activities that only occur this time of year. Enjoy an open air concert at one of the many series in the area. 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…
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Dive into the magical world of Cirque Italia!
* Go on a wild journey to Jumanji at Adventure Theatre
* See the Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could is wrapping up the Children’s Theatre in the Woods series at Wolf Trap
* Imagination Stage and The Washington Ballet bring you The Little Mermaid
* Peter and the Wolf is running at The Puppet Co.
* And Penguin’s Playground is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* Born for This: The Bebe Winans Story is playing at Arena Stage this summer
* Enjoy a KidFree evening out at a performance of Tweflth Knight at Synetic Theatre
* The Phantom of the Opera is on stage at the Kennedy Center, and its recommended for ages 6 and up (look for discount tickets)
Hiking & History
Where: Harper’s Ferry
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free ($10 if you park in lot)
Get some fresh air and exercise as you take in beautiful vistas and historic sites. Harpers Ferry is an easy day trip or weekend destination from DC, and summer is a great time to go. For more about a visit there, see this KFDC post.
Open Studio: Welcome to Murad Khani
Where: Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Witness how artists from Afghanistan are transforming their lives and their country during an afternoon of free family-friendly activities. Take a tour (12:30pm or 2:30pm) of the special exhibition Turquoise Mountain, then head to the ImaginAsia classroom to get creative with family and friends. All ages are welcome with adult companions.
Pixar Shorts
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, 10:30am & 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.
Full STEAM Ahead!
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free for little ones, $5/adult, $3/ages 6-17
The amazing Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, MD, injects creativity and fun into STEM by adding Art, and turning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into STEAM! The program, designed for toddlers and preschoolers, uses hands-on investigations and challenges as children explore, observe, ask questions, and make predictions about the world around them as they create and play. Drop in Sunday for a Groovy Geology session, then plan to explore the rest of the grounds and exhibits while you’re there – it’s seriously fantastic! Read more about Annmarie in this KFDC post.
Hit the Harbor
Where: National Harbor
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Make a family day of it at National Harbor! There are a bunch of activities and attractions to keep the whole gang amused and entertained for hours. Go for a spin on the Capital Wheel, paddle (or pedal!) on the Potomac, climb around gigantic art, ride whimsical creatures on the carousel, grab a bite to eat and have a sweet treat, catch a free outdoor movie, and even more. This post has details about a KFDC experience there.
Target Family Night: Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Sunday, 6pm
Admission: Free
Grammy Award®–winning musician Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets bring their indie-pop dance party to the Millennium Stage. Their most recent album, Home, is full of songs about togetherness and is a celebration of the small moments in life spent with family.
Shop Tax Free
Where: Leesburg Premium Outlets
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free, but plan to buy (and save)
It’s tax free time in Virginia, and Leesburg outlets are celebrating. Stock up on all of this season’s back-to-school trends, as the shopping center offers sidewalk sales featuring additional savings on top of the regular 25-65%. As an added bonus, you can unwind and sing-along with a performance from Darcy Down. Catch the live music and electric atmosphere in Courtyard C, near Kate Spade and Vineyard Vines on Saturday from 1-3pm.
