Weekend July 16-17 | KidFriendly DC

Taking in a spectacular scene at the Lotus & Water Lily Festival

Mid-summer magic comes in the way of fantastic events galore this weekend. Enjoy a dazzling display of flowers at a cultural festival. Dig a celebration of archaeology. Time trip back to the 18th century at a colonial market fair. Meet a new local author and make a cool craft with her. Catch a movie under the stars. Take your pick of awesome live entertainment. Do the polka at a Polish fest or enjoy Celtic music at an Irish one. Shop a few local fashion and beauty brands. And so much more! This round-up highlights the special events, and you can find tons of ideas for ongoing fun on the Everyday Play page. Happy Weekend!

Lotus & Water Lily Festival
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The lotus and water lilies in full bloom at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are such a ravishing sight it calls for a celebration, and the public is invited to join in. And while the striking flora is the highlight of the event, the 2016 Lotus & Water Lily Festival will also feature activities for all ages — traditional Asian and African dancing performances, gardening workshops, lotus tea tastings, arts & crafts, face painting, and other family-friendly pursuits. If you haven’t visited the Gardens yet, this is the best time to do so; the blossoming flowers are absolutely spectacular. Read more about Kenilworth in this KFDC post.

Do You Dig Archaeology?
Where: Dumbarton House
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Be part of a celebration of archaeology, at the annual Day of Archaeology Festival. Talk to archaeologists in person and learn about the science and art of archaeology. Kids can enjoy engaging activities, including mock‐excavations, hands‐on artifact displays, crafts, and demonstrations. The archaeology of local prehistoric and historic inhabitants will also be featured — a great way to learn about local history! Live music, face painting, and visits from some of DC’s best food trucks will also be part of the day’s festivities.

Finding Nemo
Where: Gateway Park in Rosslyn
When: Friday evening
Admission: Free
Make a family evening of it at Rosslyn Cinema, the summer outdoor movie festival, where Finding Nemo is this week’s featured film. Enjoy kids’ activities and story time before the movie. Grab dinner from food trucks, open from 5pm until the film starts, along a glass of beer or glass of wine at the Pub in the Park. BYO blanket or low chairs and enjoy a night under the stars. And furry family members welcome, too!

18th Century Summer Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: $8/adults, $3/ages 3-12 & seniors: $3, free/2 and under
Take a little time trip back to the 18th century at Claude Moore Colonial Farm’s seasonal fair. Watch colonial Virginia tradesman such as the blacksmith and cabinetmaker, and try your hand at crafts like spinning, dyeing, watercolors and writing skills. Turkeys, pigs, and chickens are among the heritage breed animals to visit. Music, games, and dancing as well as opportunities to interact with colonial family members in costume and character are unique festivities, too. Savor grilled chicken, sausages, cheese and breads, seasonal vegetables, watermelon, roasted olives, fruit pies and more. Cask ale, beers, and authentic ginger ale will also be available at the Colonial Tavern.

On the Fringe
Where: Theatres around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performances
It’s the first weekend of the Capital Fringe Festival, and the lineup of shows includes a bunch that kids can enjoy. Barry Beaver’s Adventures in Happy Valley will keep tots engaged with activities and singing as they learn about giving, sharing, and accepting differences. See a fairytale come to live through opera and dance in Once Upon a Bedtime. And 1! A Dansical is a dance parody that will have the whole fam chuckling. Lil Women: A Rap Musical combines the classic story with rap music. Those are just a few shows with the all-ages tag; there are many more for ages 13 and up to entertain tweens and teens. More details and ticket sales are on the Capital Fringe Festival website. And, parents, consider catching a performance for a KidFree night out!

Comcast Outdoor Film Fest
Where: Waterfront Park in Alexandria
When: Friday & Saturday, 8:30pm
Admission: Free
You’ve got some bonus outdoor movies to enjoy along with the rest of summer film series. Friday, take the fam to see Inside Out. Saturday, catch a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both for free!

Summer Staples
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Celebrate summer with a host of activities exclusive to this time of year — outdoor swimming, sprayground play, concerts under the stars, museum programs, special exhibits, and so much more. Go here for the full scoop on these seasonal joys.

Annapolis Irish Festival
Where: Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds
When: Friday, 4-10pm & Saturday 11am – 10pm
Admission: $20/adult, free for kids 12 and under
Magical Celtic traditions and music are just part of the celebration at the 5th Annual Annapolis Irish Festival. Along with a lively lineup of Celtic music acts, there will be over 90 vendors selling everything from food to art to clothes and accessories. Little Leprechaun Land, an area especially for kids, will offer pony rides, face painting, balloon art, cultural activities, bouncy fun, music and magic shows, and Irish dancing – and it’s all part of admission.

Maryland Polish Festival
Where: Timonium Fairgrounds
When: Saturday, 11am – 10pm & Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: $8/adult, free for kids under 12
Celebrate all that is Polish! From homemade pierogies to traditional dancing and from polka music to learning the Polish National Anthem, there is something for everyone at the 41st Annual Maryland Polish Festival. Expect entertainment and live music throughout the day, authentic Polish food and drinks, storytelling, a children’s area, a trivia contest, Polish arts & crafts, and much more.

All Aboard for a Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Depot of the W&OD Railroad
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to Vienna to watch model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC). Every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, Virginia just down the street from the red caboose.

Milestones in Aviation Family Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Explore the past, present, and future of flight and space exploration at the Milestones in Aviation and Space family day. Celebrate the amazing accomplishments in aviation and aerospace, from the glamorous early days of air travel to the future of commercial space flight. With presentations and hands-on activities, this family day will have something to offer everyone!

Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Go on a wild journey to Jumanji at Adventure Theatre
* See Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods at Wolf Trap where Dinorock are playing a concert al fresco
* Encore Stage & Studio presents the classic Mary Poppins by kids for kids
* Reserve free tickets to see Uncle Devin perform on Saturday Morning at the National
* The UniverSoul Circus is wowing audiences at National Harbor
* Imagination Stage and The Washington Ballet bring you The Little Mermaid
* It’s you last chance to see Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs at The Puppet Co.
* Enjoy a picnic and a play as Chesapeake Shakespeare presents The Three Musketeers at PFI Park in Ellicott City, MD (bonus: kids are FREE)
* Take your teen or make it a date night to see The Bridges of Madison County at the Kennedy Center
* MOXIE: a Happenstance Vaudeville closes at RoundHouse Theatre after this weekend
* Everybody cut Footloose at Alden Theatre.
* Little Ones will enjoy Inside Out, a performance geared toward ages 1-5, at Imagination Stage
* 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.

Tennis, Anyone?
Where: William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center
When: Saturday & Sunday, gates open at 9am
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Enjoy the on-court excitement along with some special events as the Citi Open Tennis Tournament swings into action this weekend. Saturday is the first day of qualifying rounds as well as National Parks Community Day featuring activities and entertainment for families, including tennis clinics, games, face painters, local mascots, and more.

Banish Boredom
Where: Kit & Ace
When: Sunday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Join Rebecca Green aka Not-So-SAHM and her kids, Kane and Cam, as they celebrate the launch of her book, Banish Boredom: Activities to Do with Kids That You’ll Actually Enjoy. The event will include mocktails for kids, cocktails for adults, munchies, and a chance to create a fab pop art portrait! RSVP here.

Open Studio: Crazy for Ceramics
Where: Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday and Sunday, 12–4 pm
Admission: Free
Explore the wonder of Chinese porcelain from past to present during this afternoon of free family-friendly activities. Discover contemporary artist Walter McConnell’s A Theory of Everything series through tours of the special exhibition Chinamania (12:30pm and 2:30pm), and then make art of your own. All ages welcome with adult companions.

Bubble Days
Where: Maryland Science Center
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $20.95/adult, $16.95/child
See the sudsiest spectacle of the summer at the 9th annual Bubble Days. The fun will be bubbling up all over the building—and outside too! Craft your own bubble solution and wand, create bubble art to take home, experiment with homemade bubble wands, and compete in a bubble blowing contest. World-renowned bubble artist Casey Carle will be there to perform his fantastic BubbleMania show!

Sip & Shop
Where: 52 O Street Artist Studios
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Moms, this one is for you! Four locally owned DC fashion and beauty brands – DeNada, Mint Lola, Kicheko Goods, and Be Clean – are an afternoon of shopping and socializing. With a nod to DC’s summer spirit, attendees will find new and sophisticated skincare, hair accessories, jewelry, and knitwear that are perfect for high temps and family vacations. In addition, attendees can meet the brand founders over handcrafted drinks and local bites.

Sibley Family Fun Festival
Where: Sibley Memorial Hospital
When: Saturday, 9am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Bring the family to Sibley for a morning of fun. There will be games, mini-golf, face painting, health screenings, zumba, entertainment, tech demonstrations by the Sibley Innovation Center, snacks, giveaways, music from 97.1 and more. Enjoy it all in parking lot 2, across from the medical building. Register online here.

The DC Scoop
Where: Union Market
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
DC’s sweetest event returns on National Ice Cream Day! This is a dayfor ice cream lovers and makers alike — there will be a wide array of ice cream products to sample and for sale. Local food trucks will also be there serving savory snacks. The event will be held at Union Market’s Dock 5 and the alley behind it.

Nats vs. Pirates
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a weekend at home for the Nats as they host the Pirates. There are games tonight, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. Check for special promos here. And before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.

Test the Waters
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Go beyond the local pool for some water fun. The Washington Post just published this article about lakes, swimming holes, and waterfalls within a fairly easy drive from DC. Make a day of it at a lakeside beach, hike to a hidden waterfall, or seek out a swimming spot tucked away in the woods to cool off and enjoy quality time with the fam.

*Plan ahead for summer weekends!* Check out Ruddy Duck Adventures packages that explore all kinds of cool fun in Solomons, MD. And KidFriendly DC readers can get a discount using the code KFDC!

Yesterday, a friend of mine posted a photo on Faceboook of the contents of her son’s pockets that she’d emptied before doing laundry. The random collection of sticks, bottle caps, coins, Legos, beads, and a AA battery made me laugh and drew a slew of comments and “likes”. Many of us likely have been there, finding odd items among our children’s treasures, wondering what kind of magic they held for our curious kids, and often feeling relieved we found them before the washing machine did.

This weekend’s recommended family fun is kind of like those pocket contents — a hodgepodge of events and activities with their own wonderful potential. Whether you take the kids to run through fountain sprays, enjoy carnival thrills, savor French culture, rock out at a concert, join an art workshop, or get outdoors for a hike in the woods, a “magical” experience is always a possibility. Happy Weekend!

Lovin’ Summer – Free concerts, outdoor swimming, garden play, sprayground fun. Activities exclusive to the season can all be enjoyed this weekend. This post has the full scoop on these joys of summer.

Tennis, Anyone? – See the sport played in a whole new way as the Washington Kastles take on the St. Louis Aces tonight. There will also be a special reception and exhibition by tennis legend Chris Evert. The match starts at 7pm, but gates open at 5pm. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online through Ticketmaster.

Seize the Beautiful Days – It’s supposed to be a nice weekend weather-wise, so these suggestions for enjoying a beautiful day outdoors with the kids are definitely worth a look.

DC Summer Carnival – While I can’t vouch for this fair in the parking lot behind RFK Stadium, I have driven by several times and it looks like it has all the trappings for amusement park fun. The Mega Drop, Merry-Go-Round, a Ferris Wheel and other big carnival rides are all easily visible, and game booths and food vendors round it all out. Open tonight from 5pm – 10pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm – 12am. Unlimited ride passes and wristbands are available for $25 and can be purchased at the carnival entrance every day. Individual tickets are 20-for-$20 or 4-for-$5.

Farm to Street Party – Celebrate local food at Washington, DC’s first ever Farm-to-Street Party. On Saturday from 12-3pm, enjoy scrumptious dishes made with ingredients from local farms, local craft beer, and wine. Local entrepreneurs, chefs, and non-profit organizations making local food available in Washington will be in attendance. Guests can enjoy music from local artists, participate in a local pie eating contest, cool off in a dunking booth, take part in children’s activities, and more. Purchase tickets online or pay with credit/cash at the door.

Backyard Campout – The National Children’s Museum is bringing outdoor adventure to the Launch Zone. In collaboration with REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc) Outreach, guests can feel like they’re in the great outdoors by discovering the uses of various camping equipment, maneuvering through tents, and learning the fun aspects of camping in nature. Kids can also take part in hands-on exploration of deer and black bear tracks from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The program has been held various days this week and will also run on Sunday as well as next Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This is a free event.

Jam with Rocknoceros – The local band adored by kids is playing two shows at Jammin’ Java on Saturday. Families can opt for a mid-morning performance at 11am or rock at for the 7pm happy hour show. Tickets for each are $10 and available for purchase online.

Show Time – Catch even more live entertainment on local stages this weekend. This post has the latest on what music, theatre, dance, even snake shows that you can see through the rest of the summer.

French Festival – Experience French culture the way it was 300 years ago at Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens. Children and adults can enjoy lively theatrics presented by the New York Baroque Dance Company and Opera Lafayette as they engage guests in music, dance, and fanciful history. Other activities will include traditional games like jacks and hoop-tossing, an art project where kids can decorate their own miniature furniture, gallery talks about the French collection, a “Kings, Queens, & Soup Tureens” audio tour. Admission is $18/public, $15/seniors, $12/ Hillwood and Alliance Française Members, $5/kids 6-18, free for children under 6. The festival runs on from 10am – 7pm and Sunday from 1pm – 5pm.

Good News – Take advantage of the Newseum’s “Kids Free Summer Fun Deal” that offers free admission to kids 18 and under through September 5 with one paid adult admission. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit a museum that you may have put off touring because of the entrance fee (we’re so spoiled by all of DC freebies) as well as a great way to beat the summer heat.

Stories in Art – On Sunday, the National Gallery of Art’s summer drop-in program welcomes kids ages 4-7 to explore Dutch art through storytelling, gallery tours, and hands-on projects. Sessions are hourly starting at 11:30am. Sign-up begins at 11am in the West Building Rotunda, and space is limited. Read a review of our experience at a session last summer. And for more details on this summer’s program and tips on signing up, see this post from last week.

Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm, to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about baseball player Roberto Clemente.

Family Films – There are a couple of movie series especially for families that run on the weekends. The Atlas Performing Arts Center hosts its Family Series on Saturdays at 5pm. This week’s showing will be “Chicken Run.” While tickets are free, there is a $2 per ticket booking fee. For a screening under the stars, head to National Harbor on Sunday for its free Movies on the Potomac series. This week, see “Despicable Me,” starting just after sunset.