Jamming in the woods at the Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival
Fingers crossed that the weather forecast is off and Saturday will turn out be be as lovely as it was in the photo above. If not, be sure to check ahead that outdoor events are still on — there has already been some rescheduling due to anticipated downpours – though there are plenty of great indoor activities happening, too. And the silver lining to the rain and clouds: It’ll make the sunshine on the special day Sunday that much brighter. Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
National Public Gardens Day
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
In honor of the day, entry is free all day to the historic, 5½-acre garden in Georgetown. Stroll among spring blooms at leisure or join free guided tours. Shop the Garden Sale for gifts, seeds, and live plants cultivated from heirloom specimens on the estate.
Celebrate Mom
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re still in need of plans to celebrate mom’s big day, there are so many great ways to celebrate. The are activities and offerings especially for the occasion, special events that coincide with the date, and everyday outings that can be made special with a few extra touches and great company. See this post with a bunch of ideas to help plan your day.
Kingman Island Bluegrass & Folk Festival
Where: Kingman Island | Hill East, DC
When: Saturday 12-9pm
Admission: $30, free for ages 13 and under
The 8th Annual Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival will feature bluegrass entertainment and plenty more revelry. The celebration of local music, food, and culture as well as the revitalization of the Anacostia River features a whole day and evening of performances by local bluegrass and folk acts on five stages. Fuel up with DC’s favorite food trucks and Sierra Nevada beer. For kiddos, Living Classrooms and a Kids Zone will have activities just for them, including Washington Nationals treats and giveaways, plus a show by the Great Zucchini at 5pm. Kingman Island is located on the Anacostia River at 575 Oklahoma Avenue NE (at the entrance to RFK Stadium).
Shortcut to Europe
Where: EU Embassies | Embassies Throughout DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Avoid the hefty airfare and jet lag and explore the Continent from this side of the pond. Passport DC invites you to join European Union embassies and the EU Delegation for a day of international food, dancing, kids entertainment, exhibitions, vacation planning, and more. Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the embassies, some of which are among Washington’s historic and architectural treasures. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies will conduct security checks. Get an idea of what to expect in this post about one of our experiences at an Around the World Embassy Tour.
Children’s Ball
Where: Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm & 1-3pm
Admission: $15/adult & child together, $10 members
It may be called a Children’s Ball, but this event for the whole family will make it a special Mother’s Day weekend at the Textile Museum. Dress in your best and enjoy fun and fancy treats, dancing beats by GW Ballroom, and a kid-centered visit to the exhibition Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. There are two time slots for this, 10am – 12pm and 1-3pm. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Register online or call 202.994.7394.
Spring Family Day
Where: Renwick Gallery | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am-2pm
Admission: Free
Help the Renwick celebrate the joys of spring! Check out the two exhibitions, June Schwarcz: Invention & Variation and Voulkos: The Breakthrough Years, then try your hand at a clay-related craft. Listen to live music performances, take a spring scavenger hunt through the Renwick galleries, and enjoy the changing colors of Janet Echleman’s work, 1.8 Renwick, hanging above you in the Grand Salon.
Neighborhood Day
Where: Throughout Arlington, VA
When: Saturday
Admission: Varies by activity
On Saturday, neighborhoods across Arlington are organizing fun community events as part of Neighborhood Day 2017. The beloved Arlington tradition brings communities together to enjoy the great outdoors (or indoors) and strengthens ties between neighbors. This year’s events include the Turtle Trot 5K race, International Migratory Bird Day Festival, home tours, a yard sale, and more! View the Web page for details.
Bee an Architect
Where: District Architecture Center | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $15/members, $20/non-members
Bees and other pollinators are more important to our parks and our food supply than you might imagine. They are responsible for one in every three bites of food we take according to a White House study. Come learn about different kinds of bees and how you can help them survive better in the city. You’ll learn about honey bees and the bee hive the District Architecture Center’s roof from DAC’s Beekeeper, Heritage Honey. You’ll also learn some amazing facts about native bees from Executive Director Mary Fitch, that she learned while working on the Bees and the City exhibition which opened in the gallery on April 10. The session will conclude with a hands-on activity to build your own bee house for native bees to take home.
Space Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
This annual favorite Family Day welcomes visitors to enjoy STEM-inspired hands-on activities, meet an astronaut, and learn about space from experts from the Museum and NASA. And all of it takes place amid the awe-inspiring collection of historic aviation and space artifacts in the much-loved museum on the National Mall.
Spring Farm Day
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $7/advance, $8/at door
Have a super fun day getting the farm experience at Frying Pan Farm Park’s annual spring fest — milk a cow or goat, visit baby animals, see farm equipment demos, and watch some sheep lose their wool. Along with the farm-y stuff, there will be carousel and wagon rides, plus crafts, games, and fair food for all to enjoy.
DC Green Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mt. Vernon Square, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $12/one day, $22/weekend
Go green and enjoy family time at the nation’s premier sustainability event. As a Mother’s Day treat, moms get 50% off admission (kids 16 and under are free). Explore over 250 exhibitors, hear from inspirational speakers, indulge in delicious vegan or vegetarian food, and the PG County Parks and Recreation Family Fun Pavilion will host interactive educational activities and entertainment for kids all day.
Neighborhood Design Day (RESCHEDULED for May 20!)
Where: Next to Richard England Clubhouse 14 | Benning, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Building Museum, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Community Forklift, and DC Public Library for the transformation and unveiling of a new community space in the Benning neighborhood–designed and built by teens in the Design Apprenticeship Program. Plant a butterfly-friendly flower, learn about landscape architecture, or make something for your own garden. Bring a picnic and your friends and family to enjoy the afternoon in the newly redesigned space. The park is located next to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Richard England Clubhouse 14 4103 Benning Road, NE.
Spring Fair
Where: Concord-St.Andrew’s Nursery School | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $5, free for under 2
All are invited to join Concord-St. Andrew’s Cooperative Nursery School Community (CSA) for the first annual CSA Spring Fair! Bring the whole gang for performances by The Great Zucchini (11am) and Groovy Nate (1pm), bounce houses, Construction Zone” and “Bang and Clang” play areas, a petting zoo, face painting, games, and more! Rolling Brick pizza will be baking personalized pies on site and sweet treats can be purchased from the CSA Bakery. Vendors from local sports, camps, and arts program will also be there to showcase their offerings.
Heroes for Moms Blood Drive
Where: Alexandria Library | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free (requested donations – see below – appreciated)
Join Heroes for Moms on Mother’s Day weekend for a blood drive and maternal health awareness event dedicated to saving the lives of mothers. The free, family-friendly event will have exciting giveaways, activities for kids, and support for women, moms and families from local maternal health organizations. It’s free and open to the public, but donations of diapers, clothing, baby items for moms and babies in need for My Grandmother’s House are appreciated.
Milkshake Celebrate Moms Concert
Where: Creative Alliance | Baltimore, MD
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: $10, $8/members in advance (+ $3 at door) free for 2 and under
The Milkshake Band is hosting a mini-activist fair as part of their Celebrate Moms Concert. Kids can have their face painted, make Mother’s Day cards for mom, and even get their picture taken with Moo, Milkshake’s mascot. Every mom will get a flower and some chocolates, and they can also Moms can connect with some great non-profit organizations. Bring a diaper and/or diaper ointment donation for Share Baby and get a free Milkshake CD!
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres | Throughout the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Head to Glen Echo Park to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre
* The Kennedy Center presents Nearly Lear, a one-woman tour-de-force for ages 9 and up
* Go wild for The Jungle Book at Imagination Stage
* Cinderella is on the Main Stage at The Puppet Co.
* And World on a String is this week’s featured Tiny Tots show there
* Ragtime is still running at Ford’s Theatre, a historic DC etertainment venue
* Make it a date night at Fun Home at National Theatre (look for a discount)
* Shakespeare Theatre’s Macbeth would also make for a good KidFree outing (look for a discount)
* See The Secret Garden performed by Fauquier Community Theatre
* Experience Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live at the The Hylton Performing Arts Center on Sunday
International Migratory Bird Day
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday, 10am through the afternoon
Admission: Free
With a theme of “Stopover Sites: Helping Birds Along the Way,” finsd out at the festival what a flyway is and how you can help birds during spring migration! Family fun activities will include beginner bird walks, educational bird games, and crafts throughout the day! There will also be exhibitors, a dance performance, and raptor shows in the afternoon. Visit the website for the day’s schedule.
Last Call for Infinity Mirrors
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Saturday is your final chance to see Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, the uber popular exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum. If you follow social media of any kind, then surely you’ve seen images of the installations — lots of polka dots! — at some point. If you don’t have passes already, free same-day walk-up timed passes will be available at the museum’s front desk starting at 10am for times throughout the day. It’s guaranteed to be crowded, so check out my review of the exhibit to for tips and idea of what to expect.
Tot Rock Festival
Where: Mount Vernon Community Center | Del Ray, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Join the Rainbow Rock Collection and community partners for an amazing day of movement, music, and making a difference! A great line-up of kids entertainment (see the schedule here), will be accompanied by food, fun, games, and more! Donations will be collected for Now I Play Along Too, which provides music instruments and instructions to kids in Haiti, Florida, and DC with the DC Dream Center. So, bring any new or used instruments to donate — they’ll also accept cash and credit donations on-site.
Market Days
Where: Rhode Island Row | Brentwood, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Check out a city market, as the popular Community Foodworks’ Farmers Market returns to Rhode Island Row for its second year. Residents can shop for freshly picked produce, specialty baked goods, and prepared foods as well as other locally sourced products. The streets around Washington Place will be closed for the Market, creating more opportunity to shop, mingle, and meet up with favorite local vendors.
DC Bike Ride
Where: Throughout Washington, DC
When: Sunday, 8am – 1pm
Admission: $70/ages 8 and up, $50/ Girl Scouts, free for 7 and under
Celebrate the day, our communities and amazing city, and life on two wheels! In its second year, the DC Bike Ride is a closed-roads, car-free, 20-mile bike ride through DC. The inaugural ride had over 7,000 participants and raised more than $38,000, and this year they hope to do even better. There will be entertainment on the course for a lively atmosphere, plus kids ages 3-7 ride for free (though they need to be in a bike seat, tagalong, trailer, or tandem). Admission fee includes a sling backpack.
La Bella Strada
Where: Mount Vernon Avenue | Del Ray, VA
When: Sunday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free (donation to the school welcome!)
Del Ray’s main street, Mount Vernon Avenue, will come alive with vibrant chalk art on Saturday as Del Ray Montessori School hosts its second annual La Bella Strada Street Painting Festival. Modeled after an ancient Italian art form, the event will bring artists from around the region to create masterpieces up and down the sidewalk. La Bella Strada, reviving the street painting tradition of Renaissance-era Europe, will offer patrons of the Del Ray main street an afternoon of interactive public arts programming. It’s a great time to explore the vibrant community and watch artists work on their craft! Pair this event up with the Tot Rock Festival, as the two events are close by. (Note: This was originally scheduled for Saturday, but moved to Sunday due to weather.)
Nats vs.Phillies
Where: Nationals Park | Navy Yard, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a weekend at home for the Nats as they host the Phillies. There are games Friday at 7:05pm, Saturday at 7:05pm, and on Sunday at 1:35pm. Stay after on Sunday for Kids Run the Bases, and be sure to check these KFDC tips for doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.
Washington Torah Experience
Where: TheSHUL DC at the Lubavitch Center | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: $7
TheSHUL DC – Chabad welcomes all for the unique opportunity to watch a sofer at work writing the Washington Torah, the first Torah to be exclusively written in DC — with portions written in some very intriguing Washington locations. There will even be the chance to participate in the actual writing of it! The event will also feature Torah Unwrapped, an exciting, interactive workshop about how a Torah is made, as well as a balloon artist and other children’s entertainment. There’s a giveaway for a chance to win free admission for your family – enter by 2pm on Friday!
The Ins and Outs of DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
If you’re looking for things to do outdoors or inside, depending on the weather or simply your preference, these posts are chock full of evergreen pursuits:
The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids
The Great Indoors
