The bright and beautiful National Gallery will be full of art and play all weekend
Did your invitation get lost in the mail, too? Luckily, there are plenty of royally great ways to enjoy the next few days on this side of the pond. (Or is that in the pond with the weather we’ve been having?) Keep in mind some events may be cancelled due to rain — I’ll update on the KFDC Facebook Page as best I can. Happy Weekend!
Español para Niños
Where: Union Market | Northeast DC
When: Friday, 10am
Admission: Free
Bring kiddos for a free interactive Spanish classes — for toddlers & kids ages 2-5, accompanied by their parents (and siblings). The 45-minute session will include live music, puppets, games, dance, stories and more, all authentic to the Spanish-speaking world. Join the fun inside Union Market in front of Bidwell restaurant.
Jazz it Up
Where: NGA Sculpture Garden | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 5–8:30pm (weather permitting)
Admission: Free
Start the weekend with live entertainment in the fresh air. The free, outdoor summer music series kicks off this weekend with The JoGo Project. Spread out a blanket, pack a picnic dinner or purchase food and drinks there, and enjoy the tunes and the “summer” vibe. Note: BYO alcohol is not permitted, but adult drinks are available from the pavilion.
Shake it Up
Where: Brookland’s Finest | Brookland, DC
When: Friday, 5-10pm & Saturday, 3-10pm
Admission: Free, but plan to buy milkshakes!
Celebrate patio season as Brookland’s Finest and local ice cream purveyor Moorenko’s Ice Cream team up to serve boozy milkshakes on the restaurant’s patio. Three flavors of spiked milkshakes will be available for $12 and flavors include Green Apple sorbet with Altos Tequila and ginger beer, Salted Caramel ice cream with Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Coconut Pineapple ice cream with Cotton and Reed Spiced Rum. For kids and adults who want to skip the spirits, alcohol-free milkshakes will be available, too!
Art + Play Community Weekend
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Kick off “summer” with a festive weekend at the Gallery! The East Building will be transformed into a large-scale game room — with an artistic twist. Play classic board and parlor games, go on a scavenger hunt through the galleries, enjoy the the drum beats of Batalá Washington, move to the sights and sounds of DC-based dance company Heart Stück Bernie, make some of your own art, get creative with a large-scale collaborative sculpture, and much more. Bring family and friends and see where art and play meet at the National Gallery of Art! See more about the East Building in this KFDC post.
Train Day Celebration
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Chug on over to the National Postal Museum as they celebrate the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. (The tracks connecting the coasts allowed the Post Office Department to quickly move mail across the entire country.) At the Train Day Celebration, both days, museum-goers and little locomotive buffs can enjoy a variety of educational activities with opportunities to learn, engage, and play!
Take Your Pick
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Strawberries are ripe and ready for harvest, and many area farms are now welcoming guests to pick their own. It’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended — or maybe an umbrella this weekend.
SerbFest DC
Where: Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church | Potomac, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Presented by Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church of Potomac, MD—the epicenter for Serbian culture in and around Washington, DC—this three-day festival has something for everyone, including traditional Serbian dishes, beverages, dance and music performances, gifts and boutique items and family-friendly activities. In addition, admission and parking are free, an indoor setup has been arranged in case of inclement weather and all a la carte food item proceeds benefit Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church.
Colonial Spring Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: $8/adult, $4/child, free/under 3
The seasonal Colonial Market Fairs at the local living history working farm make for great family outings! Play games, listen to music and interact with staff and volunteers in 18th century costume and character. Watch a children’s puppet theater and make your own corn husk doll. See spinning and candle making. Enjoy the heritage breed animals on site including Ossabow pigs, chickens, geese and turkeys. Herbs and flowering plants available for sale as well as soaps, candles, 18th century clothing and jewelry. And if you haven’t heard, Claude Moore is in danger of being closed by the National Park Service — please sign this petition to help save it!
Artes de Cuba
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free (fee for some performances)
The festival is a celebration of the Cuba’s “artistic richness,” showcasing it through a variety of live entertainment, art exhibits, hands-on activities for kids, fashion, films, and more. Along with Millennium Stage performances, art exhibits are free to view, and they include amazing installations that all ages will enjoy.
Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre is a fun, fantastic adventure for young audiences.
* The Kennedy Center presents NSO Music for Young Audiences: Brass of Peace – get discounted tickets here
* Sleeping Beauty just opened at The Puppet Co.
* And little ones will love Panda-Monium, the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre in Glen Echo Park on Sunday.
* Snow Child is a wonderful musical for the T(w)een Scene and up at Arena Stage
McLean Day
Where: Lewinsville Park | McLean, VA
When: Friday, 2-7pm & Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
McLean’s annual festival to celebrate the city has something for everyone in the fam. Enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, live entertainment, a petting zoo, exhibitor booths, free field games, a tennis clinic, Bubble Ball, laser tag, balloon animals, and more that will delight all ages.
Migratory Bird Day & Kids to Parks Day
Where: Rock Creek Nature Center | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Learn about migratory birds through a variety of activities and special programs at the Rock Creek Nature Center. Find out why birds choose Rock Creek as a stopover, explore the causes of color differences, and hear star stories about animals, too. If weather permits, plan to hike around and visit the nearby Horse Center, too!
Asian Pacific Celebration
Where: Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center | Kensington, MD
When: Saturday, 7-9pm
Admission: Free
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the local Polynesian community and friends will be performing dances from around the South Pacific. Children welcome. Please be seated 15 minutes prior to the event. Empty seats will be released for stand-by. Extra tickets may be available one hour before the event. Saving seats is not permitted. Mahalo!
Nats vs. Dodgers
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Dodgers all weekend, with games Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday afternoon. The first 10,000 kids to arrive on Sunday will get a Nats Superhero cape! And don’t forget they can run the bases after the game, too. Be sure to check for cancellations or delays due to weather, and check out these KFDC tips on doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.
DC Bike Ride
Where: Throughout Washington, DC
When: Saturday, 8am – 12:30pm
Admission: $70/age 8+, $50/Girl Scouts, free/7 & under
This celebration of biking in DC, now in its third year, is a closed-roads, car-free, 20-mile bike ride through the District. Bicyclists ages 3 and up can pedal past monuments and memorials with the city’s two-wheelin’ community. End up at a Finish Festival in front of the U.S. Capitol with beats, eats, and fun activities for all ages.
Strawberry Jam Fest
Where: Norman’s Farm | Woodbine, MD
When: Saturday, 3-7pm
Admission: $10, free/12 & under
Join Waredaca Brewing Company on the farm to ring in the summer and kick off the season. Live music, tasty food, hay rides, pick-your-own strawberries, and more will be part of the fun for the whole family. Bring a blanket or chair and kick back for a fantastic afternoon. UPDATE: Cancelled due to weather!
Discover Occoquan
Where: Historic Downtown | Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 8pm
Admission: Free
The Town of Occoquan and the Occoquan Merchants Guild are hosting a day of free activities for everyone, including a boat parade, interactive classes and free demonstrations hosted by Occoquan businesses, historic tours, live entertainment, a photo booth, and children’s activities. Watch the Blessing of the Fleet Parade along the Occoquan River; browse unique shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and cafes; and enjoy free drop-in classes and demonstrations, including yoga in the park, painting for adults and kids, pen and ink drawings, massages, candle pouring, fiber art, jewelry making, puzzle making, SCUBA, pet CPR, and more!
Hawai’i Festival: He Lani Ko Luna
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am–5:30pm
Admission: Free
Navigation and wayfinding are the focus of this two-day festival. Activities highlighting the science of traditional Hawaiian practices include scientific and artist demonstrations, storytelling, navigation workshops, a pop-up planetarium, and creative hands-on activities. Learn about the Hawaiian star compass (hōkū pānānā); watch a planetarium presentation, Ke Ala Hōkū; try Hawaiian knot tying (ka hana kaula wa‘a); and discover star names in the Hawaiian Language (keiki star songs). Meet the Native Hawaiian scientists from the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i.
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Where: Gaithersburg City Hall | Gaithersburg, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
The City of Gaithersburg welcomes you to their 7th annual literary event! Festivities will include the chance to see and meet some of the world’s best writers, from best-sellers to acclaimed up-and-comers; join in literary workshops; and a full day of fun at the Children’s Village. The Gaithersburg City Hall is located at 31 South Summit Avenue.
Powell Elementary Spring Carnival
Where: Roosevelt High School | Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free (fee for activities)
Enjoy a Saturday filled with fun activities for kids and adults while you support a local elementary school! There will be a dunk tank, moon bounce and obstacle course, carnival games and prizes, face painting, balloon animals, live music, and more. All proceeds go toward supporting Powell Bilingual Elementary student activities. And this has been moved form the football field to the gym, so it’s on rain or shine!
Commit to Be Fit
Where: Rhode Island Row | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Join friends and neighbors and commit to being the healthiest you at the Commit to Be Fit event at Rhode Island Row! Enjoy free fitness classes, health screenings, healthy food offerings, kids activities, giveaways, and more! This takes place outdoors at Rhode Island Row – 2300 Washington Place, NE. UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled for June 2.
May Fair
Where: Pine Crest Elementary School | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Everyone is invited to join the Pine Crest Elementary community for a May Fair celebration! Bounce houses, face-painting, food trucks, a DJ-led dance party, performances, carnival style games, awesome raffle prizes, and fun activities. The school is located at 201 Woodmoor Dr. in Silver Spring.
Capitol Hill Classic
Where: Stanton Park | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 8:30-11:30am
Admission: $10-40
Get some exercise and support DC public schools at this annual race, one of my personal favorites, through the beautiful Capitol Hill neighborhood. It’s fun and family-friendly with a couple of distance options — 10k and 3k — plus a fun run around Stanton Park for little ones. The 10k starts at 8:30am, the 3k about 10:30am, and the Fun Run at 11am.
May Fair
Where: Friendship “Turtle” Park | AU Park, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $20/first child ($10/child after), free/adults
The annual spring celebration and fundraiser is returning to Turtle Park after a few years’ renovation. All are invited to join for a day of fun. Bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, pony rides, face painting and balloon art, human hamster wheels, carnival games, concessions, and much more will keep the whole crew delighted.
Strawberry Festival
Where: Oatlands | Leesburg, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: $10/person, $20/family
Enjoy a day of family fun at the Oatlands Strawberry Patch! There will be U-pick Strawberries by Wegmeyer Farms, hayrides, crafts, games, and more!
Taste of Arlington
Where: Ballston | Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free, fee for tasting tickets
The 31st annual Taste of Arlington transforms Wilson Boulevard and neighboring streets into a family-friendly street festival with dining, music, and entertainment for all ages. This annual event features the cuisine of more than 50 Arlington restaurants, two concert stages with live music, a Beer and Wine Garden, a 5k race benefiting Girls on the Run, BarkPark, and a KidZone. This will all take place on Wilson Blvd. from Glebe Rd. to N. Quincy St.
***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* If you haven’t yet bookmarked the 2018 KFDC Guide to the Best of Summer in DC, go do it now. It has all you need to make the most of the season — which has already “unofficially” begun!
* There’s a Tiny Tinkerers Workshop for little builders coming up at the National Building Museum.
* Free Forest Schools, 1.5-2 hour sessions of outdoor time that consists of a snack, child-led play, and a story, are offered in the DC area every day of week!
* Be sure to read this before Saturday morning if you plan to watch the big wedding.
* Or read this if you’re looking for ways to celebrate around DC.
* And for LOLs, this.
