Skate amid art at the National Gallery of Art Ice Rink!
Happy Weekend!
Ice It
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
With sunny skies and cool temps in the forecast, conditions this weekend should be perfect for outdoor ice skating. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Canal Park, and Washington Harbor Ice Rinks are opening for the season, and most other local rinks are welcoming skaters to glide the day — and night — away. This post has details on all of them (and indoor venues, too), including bonus activities while you’re there. (UPDATE: The National Gallery of Art Ice Rink opening has been pushed back to Monday, November 19. The Canal Rink opening has also been postponed.)
Savor Autumn
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Don’t let a little snow have you thinking fall is over! There’s still some autumn left in the area, and there are a bunch of great ways to enjoy it. This post has 10 great recommendations for where to go (that aren’t farm festivals.)
Night Lights
Where: Around the DMV
When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Admission:
Brookside Garden’s annual Garden of Lights opens on Friday, and a few other seasonal light displays around the area — LightUp Fest Loudon, Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights, and Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point — are welcoming visitors to their twinkling wonderlands. Get details on all of them in the 2018 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC.
A Gem of an Event
Where: George Mason University | Fairfax, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $6/adult, $3/ages 13-17, free/12 & under
Kids (and adults!) who like fossils, rocks, and/or gems are in for a treat. Northern Virginia’s 27th Annual Mineral, Gem, & Fossil show will have all that and then some. More than 20 dealers will be selling collectibles, plus there will be demonstrations, exhibits, door prizes & kids activities, including mini-mines and a fossil dig.
Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Where: Silver Plaza | Downtown Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The streets are being overrun with turkeys, dinosaurs, penguins, and reindeer! No, the zoo hasn’t opened their gates — it’s the Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade! With marching bands an Latin dancing groups, floats, giant characters and balloons, and over 120 units, the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the metro DC area. Held in downtown Silver Spring, the exciting parade traditionally heralds the start of the holiday season. The parade steps off from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and proceeds south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.
Holiday Happenings
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With so many ways to celebrate the holidays around the area, you may as well get started early, so you can enjoy all those you want. Shows and special events that embrace — and emit — holiday cheer have begun. Start your holiday shopping, attend a tree lighting, stroll or drive through a light display, visit Santa, and much, much more. The 2018 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC has ALL you need to help make the season merry and bright.
Tiny Tinkerers
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square DC
When: Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: $5/member, $10/non-member
Practice fine motor skills with your young learner as you twirl and whirl to fasten with screwdrivers. Toddlers and up explore different types of screwdrivers, learn about tool safety, and listen to a story to help build literacy and language skills. Adults do not need separate ticket.
Flight Festival
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 12-4
Admission: $24.94/adult, $18.95/age 3-12
Let imaginations soar at the Maryland Science Center during Flight Fest! Get up close with airplanes and birds and learn about the science of aerodynamics and wings. Participate in aeronautic challenges and test out your own flying contraptions. Enjoy all of the ongoing exhibits and offerings while you’re there — museum hours are 10am – 6pm. Read more about the Maryland Science Center in this KFDC post.
Park Grand Opening
Where: Swampdoodle Park | NoMa, DC
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
Join DC Councilmember Charles Allen, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, the DC Department of General Services, the NoMa Parks Foundation, and the Friends of NoMa Dogs for the grand opening of Swampoodle Park. Festivities will include the official ribbon-cutting, an inaugural playground climb, a dog park procession, and fun swag. Everyone is welcome!
Nibble + Squeak
Where: Maketto | H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $58
DC area parents and their pipsqueaks are meeting up to chow down at Maketto, Erik Bruner-Yang & Will Sharp’s super-cool Restaurant/Retail/Cafe featuring their interpretation of Cambodian and Taiwanese cuisines. FYI: Adult tickets include alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, and all taxes, gratuities etc. Infants are free, but RSVP by selecting Infant Supplement. A child menu is available as a $15 supplement too.
Holidays on the Stage
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Througout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
If you’re looking for holiday-inspired entertainment to get into the spirit, it’s starting! Have some holiday fun with Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas at Adventure Theatre. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead Scrooge on A Christmas Carol journey at Ford’s Theatre. Go Jingle ARRGH the Way! with Encore Stage & Studio. Get details on these shows and see what else is coming up in the 2018 Holiday Guide.
Sensory Friendly Screening
Where: Regal Rockville Center Stadium | Rockville, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: $6.50
Catch a Sensory-Friendly Screening of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald on Saturday morning. The newest My Way Matinee from Regal gives everyone the opportunity to experience a movie once a month with the sound turned down and the lights turned up. Watch the trailer for the movie here.
Hopi Tribal Festival
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Festivals at this museum always include interesting hands-on activities and great entertainment, and this one will follow suit! Since time immemorial the Hopi people have lived in Hopitutskwa, knowledge and respect for the earth, and they continue to maintain a sacred covenant with Maasaw, its ancient caretaker, to live as peaceful and humble farmers. Over the centuries Hopi endures as a tribe, retaining its culture, language, and religion despite influences from the outside world. During their festival, the Hopi people will share artist demonstrations, history presentations, and performances of music and dance.
Fall Festival
Where: Right Proper | Brookland, DC
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $5/adult or $10/family
Join the brewery for a family-friendly festival of fall fun! There will be carnival games, a DIY candy apple station, bounce house, and more. The cheese counter at Right Proper Shaw will be on site with some delicious eats, and they’ll be serving up fresh apple cider from Distillery Lane Ciderworks! Admission gets you unlimited access to all games, the bounce house, and the DIY candy apple station!
Rock (Creek) It
Where: Rock Creek Park | Northwest DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The urban oasis of nature is full of opportunities for family recreation. Visit the Nature Center, see a Planetarium Show, and stop by the stables at the Horse Center all in one outing. Take a hike through and savor what’s left of fall color. Check out Peirce Mill and enjoy a special program. See what other activities are on the calendar here.
Show Time
Where: Venues around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Get the holiday fun started with Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas at Adventure Theatre
* Reserve free tickets for Traveling Lantern’s Sherlock, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* Take kids to see The Hollow Stump at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* See a fairytale come to life with Cinderella at Imagination Stage
* BlackRock Center for the Arts presents the Wizard of Oz on Sunday
* Spend Saturday morning with The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
* Enjoy a performance of Billy Elliot: The Musical at Signature Theatre
* Start enjoying holiday entertainment with Elf the Musical at Olney Theatre
* Anything Goes is on the Arena Stage
* The Wheaton Family Theatre Series presents Jack and the Beanstalk at Highland Elementary School in Wheaton, MD on Saturday
* This weekend is the last chance to see Beetlejuice at National Theatre
* Anastasia is enchanting audiences at the Kennedy Center
* Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra, a professional unconducted orchestra in DC, is performing on Sunday at St. John’s Church at Lafayette Square — families welcome!
Feel the Pulse
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
This new exhibit that just opened at the Hirhhorn will capture your heart, kind of literally. It’s comprised of three large-scale installations that use heart rate sensors to produce audiovisual experiences from visitors’ own biometric data. It’s beautiful, thought provoking, and unlike any exhibit I’ve experienced before. With interactive elements, cool visuals, and an interesting combination of science and art, kids and adults alike will be wowed. While you’re there, enjoy the museum’s Check It Out Library+Art Pop-Up and DRAW sketch sessions on Saturday, and Story Time on Sunday.
Fall Harvest Celebration
Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum’s Urban Waterways team and gardening expert Derek Thomas to harvest vegetables in the garden while learning how to plant winter cover crops. The harvest will be followed by a family style meal and celebration. The workshop will conclude with a fall vegetable produce giveaway, prizes, and recipe exchange. Dress casually, and bring a pair of gardening gloves (not required) and your favorite Thanksgiving recipe to share! Sign up in advance for this event!
Model Trains and Thomas
Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Stop by the Historic Vienna Train Station where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s a great family fun and activity for the young and young at heart. The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose.
Fall Bazaar
Where: Washington Waldorf School | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free
For 49 years, the Washington Waldorf School has been offering one of the highest quality bazaars in the DC area. The Bazaar has unique crafts and activities for children of all ages, including woodcraft, felt craft, candle making, plus and many fun games. They welcome 30 local artisans and offer an array of beautiful handcrafted items made by parents. There will also be live entertainment, coffee, delicious baked goods to munch on while you shop, and a delicious organic lunch for you to sit and enjoy. Entrance is free, but activities require tickets to be purchased.
Menorah Workshop
Where: Home Depot | Northeast DC
When: Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm
Admission: Free
Get into the Chanukah spirit at a Menorah Workshop building with American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) . Kids can build and paint their very own Menorah at the Home Depot in Northeast DC. There will also be dreidel fun and gelt (chocolate coins). Space is limited so be sure to sign up in advance! RSVP to shana@jewishwashington.com.
Canstruction
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
It’s the kick-off of Canstruction, a nationwide program that aims to raise awareness about hunger through a design-build competition that benefits the Capital Area Food Bank with donations of canned goods. Teams from architecture and design firms from DC use their skills to build sculptures out of cans of food. You can watch them at work in the Great Hall (and plan to check out some exhibits, too — admission fee for that.) The nutritious shelf-stable food is donated to the Capital Area Food Bank for distribution to those in need after the event.
Kidz Graffiti Party
Where: Art Jamz | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Sunday, 12:30-2:30pm
Admission: $10
Get messy like a street artist at our Art Jamz! Children of all ages are invited to paint their very own master pieces on the ArtJamz walls.The lounge will be open for accompanying parents, and they’ll be playing jamming tunes to inspire all the little artists. Afterwards, families can purchase additional studio time and canvas and let your visions come to life off the wall!
Park It in Fairfax
Where: Parks in Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Take littles for a history lesson at Go on a Family Owl Outing at Huntley Meadows. Ride the Turkey Train at Lake Fairfax. Take a sunset cruise at Burke Lake. Details and registration links for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Cool Hikes
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It might be cooling down, but the weather will still be good for getting out, so take advantage with some time on the trail. Peep the autumn leaves, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and enjoy a day of active fun. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good walks in the woods with the kids.
The Nutcracker and the Four
Where: Theaters around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by theater
Start getting the kids excited for the season with holiday movie! The Nutcraker and the Four is a great film for kids, a re-imagining of the classic story that is usually presented through ballet. And while there are some ballet scenes (with Misty Copeland!), most of the film follows Clara on a wondrous adventure in magical world.
Fall isn’t over yet – get out and savor it while you can!
***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Shutterfly is still offering 50% off Holiday Cards and Stationery through November 18 with the code SPECTACULAR at check out.
* Small Business Saturday is on November 24, and local shops in Georgetown and Capitol Hill are offering special promos to celebrate.
* This is something inspired by our fossil hunting excursions!
* These comments from Cup of Jo readers about parenting are really great — some had me LOL-ing, others in tears.
* Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill recently opened in Georgetown with delicious food, great service, and a family-friendly vibe, to boot!
