A daytime balloon drop to ring in the new year, family-style
The countdown to 2023 is on, and if you’re looking for ways to ring it in with young revelers, you have many options! There are a bunch of family-friendly ways to celebrate around the area, from organized events to plan-it-yourself activities. Here are details and inspiration for your gang to get in on the fun — all of them taking place on December 31 unless otherwise noted. Happy New Year!
Rocknoceros New Year’s Eve Party
Where: Jammin Java | Vienna, VA
When: 11am (doors open 10am)
Admission: $10
The widely popular band that always gets kids rockin’ will be back at Jammin Java to play a special New Year’s Eve concert. The hour-long program will include live music from the favorite area family-jam band, interactive New Year’s resolutions, the Ball Drop, and a complimentary apple juice toast. Doors open at 10am and general admission seating is on a first come, first served basis.
Noon Yards Eve
Where: The Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
[Note: The event page says tickets are sold out, but @theyardsdc IG post implies that tickets are not needed.] The Yards is once again hosting its annual Noon Yards Eve festival to ring in 2023! The event will transform the park’s Sun Deck into a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with fun for both kids and adults. Free festivities include whimsical train rides, an inflatable slide, glitter tattoos, carnival games, music from DJ Alex Love, crafts, a magician, and more. It all culminates in a big balloon drop at noon!
Family New Year’s Party
Where: metrobar | Northeast DC
When: 4-7:30pm
Admission: Free, but reserve a spot
Jump aboard the “way-before-midnight” train at metrobar’s family-friendly celebration starting late afternoon, with festive cocktails from the new winter menu and kids activities and games. Don’t worry about the cold…they have fire pits, patio heaters, and plenty of deck heat lamps to go around. That, along with a selection of hot cocktails, will keep you warm as you celebrate 2023.
First Night Alexandria
Where: Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Starting at 6pm
Admission: Free – $75
The largest family-focused and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region. See more than 100 performances on indoor stages throughout Old Town Alexandria. Entertainers include blue grass musicians, honky-tonk bands, clowns, magicians and classical musicians. End the evening with a spectacular fireworks display on the Potomac River at the foot of King Street! See the website for pricing as it varies by age and timing.
Freedom’s Eve
Where: NMAAHC | National Mall, DC
When: 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
[Note: Tickets to this event are currently sold out, but there’s a chance more may become available, and you can sign up to be notified if they do.]. The National Museum of African American History & Culture is hosting an afternoon of festivities to honor the day. New Year’s Eve has been a cause for celebration since December 31, 1862, when enslaved people in the Confederate States stayed up until midnight to watch and wait for the freedom granted by the Emancipation Proclamation. Join the museum to celebrat with activities that invite you to consider your hopes and dreams for the future, learn about the past, and dine on foods that will bring luck and good fortune.
New Year’s Eve Around the World
Where: Children’s Science Center Lab | Fairfax, VA
When: 10am, 1pm, & 3:30pm
Admission: $15 (adults, too)
Ring in 2023 STEM-style and enjoy New Year’s Eve fun without the late night! At this activity spot in Fair Oaks Mall known for hands-on, STEM-based activuities, the day’s fun will include kid-engineered sound shakers, sparkly slime, a Ball Drop at ‘Midnight,’ and a sparkling cider toast! Three, two-hour time slots are available, so you can celebrate at the Lab at a time that works for your family. Read more about the LAB in this KFDC post.
Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DC area
When: Times vary by show
Admission: Ticket prices vary by show
Make the last day of the year special with some live entertainment. Many local stages will be presenting all kinds of shows on New Year’s Eve. See Naked Mole Rate Gets Dressed at Imagination Stage, A Soldier’s Play at the Kennedy Center, Beauty and the Beast at Olney Theatre, Into the Woods at Signature, or a A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre. There are even a (very) few tickets left for Wicked at the Kennedy Center. More details for all of them are in this round-up of local live entertainment.
Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
Where: 100 Block of West Broad Street | Falls Church, VA
When: 7pm – Midnight
Admission: Free
Ring in the New Year with free, family-friendly festivities at Falls Church’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy food, music, singing, dancing, entertainment, performances and interactive festivities that appeal to all ages. Highlights include inflatable bouncy fun, a climbing wall, balloon art, karaoke, face painting, puppet shows, and special Watch Night menus at local restaurants. All events take place within a four-block area that begins on the 100 Block of West Broad Street.
Midnight Noon
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: 10am – 2pm
Admission: $26.95/adult, $20.95/3-12, free/2 & under
Join the MSC for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration, Midnight Noon, where kids can enjoy the ball drop before bedtime. There will be fun New Year’s festivities throughout the day, including a live concert by Marsha and the Pistrons . And, of course, the rest of the museum will be open to explore — read all about here. All activities are free with paid admission (and completely free to members).
Noontime New Year
Where: Port Discovery | Baltimore, MD
When: 10am – 5pm
Admission: $21.95 ages 2+
The children’s museum in Baltimore is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve celebration! The day will feature special hands-on, winter-themed activities such as Snow Fun and a Polar Bear Party. And the multi-level space offers tons of ongoing fun for kids and families. And at 12 noon, Port Discovery’s first ever New Year’s ball will be lowered! Read more about the wonderful spot for kids here.
New Year’s Night Lights
Where: Around the DC area
When: After dark
Admission: Varies by locale
Start your own family New Year’s Eve tradition with a seasonal treat: Bundle up for a stroll or take a drive through one of several spectacular light displays! Most of the light shows that dazzle this time of year are open on New Year’s Eve. If you’re enjoying it from the comfort of a car, pack a thermos of hot chocolate, yummy snacks, and prepare a festive playlist for the ride.
Glide into 2023
Where: Ice rinks around the DC area
When: Throughout the day & evening
Admission: Varies by rink
Skate under the stars to celebrate the start of the new year. Gliding on ice surrounded by twinkling lights, art sculptures, and/or the hubbub of people in festive spirits is a fun, active way to revel. Be sure to check times for each rink, as hours may change for the holiday.
Swoosh into 2023
Where: Ski Liberty | Carroll Valley, PA
When: 9am – 10pm
Admission: Lift tickets start at $80/child
Hit the slopes to ring in the new year! Ski Liberty’s celebration will include food samples, family games in the courtyard, a torchlight parade when the sun goes down, as well as the live music of Mark English in McKee’s Tavern and Freddie Long Band in the Eagle & The Owl! And if you’re not keen on skiing, there’s snow tubing, too, with special NYE festivities from 6-10pm.
Know of any New Year’s Eve events or activities that you don’t see here? Leave a comment and let us know!
Stay warm and entertained at the American History’s Museum’s new Culture Wing
1. In case you haven’t heard, there’s winter weather on the way — just in time for the official start of winter. You’ll likely be seeking inside things to do and places to go, so keep The Great Indoors list handy. It has over 100 ideas for outings around the area that take place in the warm comfort of, well, the great indoors.
3. I’ve heard and read great things about this game — and finally found it for a reasonable price! (It was sold out for awhile and only available from third party sellers for much more.)
4. Just a reminder about the KFDC Holiday Gift Guide. If you still need ideas for presents, you’ll find plenty that you can buy with the click of a button or a quick trip to a local shop, many of them supporting area businesses and people that help make DC the amazing, dynamic city it is.
1. Even the most wonderful time of the year can sometimes feel chaotic and overwhelming. The round-up of peaceful places in DC is a good one to keep handy for if/when you need a break from all the holiday hoopla or just want to go someplace to chill out — with or without kids.
2. A couple of fun workshops coming up this weekend… On Saturday, Silver Oaks Cooperative School is hosting a Drop-Off Winter Workshop for kids ($40). You can leave your kids with them for three hours of crafty fun and have some time to yourself.Children ages 5-12 are welcome to join the school to make four lovely gifts, which they’ll wrap so they can stay a surprise until it’s time to open them. Register in advance! And on Sunday, Lea Craigie, the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Artist, designer, and muralist, is hosting a Miniature Putz House Workshop for kids and adults in Takoma Park ($25). All supplies will be provided to create a sweet mini holiday house. Drop in anytime from 10am – 3pm, but be sure to get tickets ahead to reserve your house!
A classic holiday tale and a historic DC theatre is a fantastic combo for holiday season entertainment in this city. And A Christmas Carolat Ford’s Theatre is as delightful and engaging as it is a quintessential holiday activity.
The kids and I recently caught a performance, our first time seeing it in all these years. Why we hadn’t been sooner, I’m not sure. Ford’s has been presenting the holiday production for nearly 40 years, and it always gets great reviews. So, when we received an invitation to see the show, I was excited for the opportunity to find out what the raves were all about.
Just like Charles Dickens’ tale, the show follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, starting on Christmas Eve, as he journeys with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and finally waking up a changed, more optimistic and likable, man on Christmas Day. While the story is well known, it’s the execution of it — the stellar acting, lively musical numbers, period costumes, transportive set– that makes this show so appealing.
The cast, fantastically led by Craig Wallace as Scrooge, brings the characters to life with sincerity and charm — or in Scrooge’s case, bah humbug-ness, but perfectly so. Several children are in the show, all of them very talented (and I think kids in the audience enjoy seeing their peers in this context). The set evokes an industrial London — juxtaposed with the coziness of Scrooge’s home — and the transitions between scenes are seamless. The scenes with the ghosts are particularly riveting, the Ghost of Christmas Present especially outstanding in her role. The song and dance rounds everything out perfectly, bringing extra merriment and holiday magic to it all.
I also have to note that seeing the show in the storied theatre is fascinating in itself. While I’ve been to performances there, it was the kids’ first time (though they toured the theatre when we visited the museum and Petersen House across the street, a venture I highly recommend), so that was a treat, too.
If you’re looking for a holiday show for the family to see together, A Christmas Carolat Ford’s Theatre is one that everyone will enjoy! It’s recommended for ages 5 and older, and I’d agree with that — it’s two hours long with one intermission. Note that the December 11 at 2pm performance is sensory-friendly. And if you’re planning to see the show, pair it with a stroll (and shop) around the Downtown Holiday Market, just a couple of blocks away, like we did.
A Christmas Carol Where: Ford’s Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC When: Through December 31 Tickets: $25-104
Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to see A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre, but all views expressed here are entirely my own.
See the Broadway classic, Cats, this winter! (Photo courtesy of National Theatre)
As cooler weather sets in, local stages are heating up with all kinds of shows for everyone in the family. Here’s the lineup to help you stay warm and entertained the rest of fall and through winter. Shows are listed in order of start date with most descriptions coming straight from from their sources. Keep in mind that tickets make for great holiday gifts. Happy Viewing!
Holidays on the Stage
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the holiday season
Tickets: Vary by show
If you’re looking for holiday-inspired shows to celebrate the season, you can find them all listed here. There are several productions of The Nutcracker, plays especially for children, shows about Chanukah, festive concerts and singalongs, dance performances, and more!
The Day You Begin
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through December 18
Tickets: $20-25
This musical is based on the bestselling children’s book by author Jacqueline Woodson. The plot: the first day at a new school with diverse new people; the setting: a familiar, yet more vividly modern elementary school classroom. The message? The day you truly “begin” is when you discover what makes you unique, but also the same as people who may seem so different.
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD When: Through January 8 Tickets:$12-39
It’s a new, high-energy musical to rock the holiday season! When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring is caring and skin is in, can Wilbur find the courage to rock to the rhythm of his own electric guitar? Based on Mo Willem’s beloved picture book, the show explores what can happen when we have the courage to be ourselves. Recommended for ages 4-10.
Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Most Wednesdays & Saturdays at 10am
Tickets: $8
The series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). Run times are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Through January 1
Tickets: $37-74 (find discount)
Last winter, Olney’s internationally acclaimed production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast won hearts and attracted the admiration of audiences from around the country. This year, be Olney’s guest along with several returning cast members and the rest of the gang in the Beast’s cursed castle for an escape to a world where beauty is more than skin deep and happily ever after is just a rose petal away.
Into the Woods
Where: Signature Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Through January 29
Tickets: $40-109 (find discount)
Escape into a fantastical fairytale adventure where dreams come true, but not free. A trove of storybook characters’ paths intertwine as they chase their deepest desires through an enchanted forest. However, once they receive their happily ever after, the unintended consequences of granted wishes unravel their worlds. Weaving a euphoric score with a darkly humorous book, Into the Woods is a sophisticated musical twist on beloved childhood fables. Running time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including one intermission. Parents should use discretion about what is age appropriate for their children.
Much Ado About Nothing
Where: Sydney Harman Hall | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Through December 11
Tickets: $35-125 (find discount)
The course of true love never did run smooth, especially when the ON AIR sign is lit. Shakespeare’s cherished romantic comedy lands in a cable newsroom, where sparring co-anchors Benedick and Beatrice trade barbs behind the news desk. This version of Much Ado About Nothing is promised to be the perfect blend of sparkling screwball comedy and revelatory romance. Recommended for teens and older.
Squeakers & Mr. Gumdrop
Where: Theatre on the Run | Arlington, VA
Alexandria Country Day School | Alexandria, VA
When: Dec 2-4, 14-18 (Arlington) | Dec 10-11 (Alexandria)
Tickets: $10
Arts on the Horizon presents this holiday show for little ones… One snowy winter morning, Mr. Gumdrop prepares for his annual holiday party! When an unexpected and curious mouse appears, Mr. Gumdrop’s routine is thrown for a loop. Can these two wildly different characters work together to get the holiday preparations done in time? This nonverbal, imaginative production captures the magic of making new friends and sharing ideas to accomplish big goals. Recommended for children ages 2-5 and their families.
Wicked
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: December 8 – January 22
Tickets: $59-349 (find discount)
The Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships… until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” Recommended for ages 8+.
Bat Boy: The Musical
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: December 9-11
Tickets: $12
Inspired by a series of tabloid headlines published in 1992 by The Weekly World News, the award winning show Bat Boy: The Musical is a musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal” boy by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him, prodded by the schemes of Dr. Parker, who secretly despises Bat Boy. Shelley and Bat Boy, who have fallen in love, run away together from the ignorant town folk, but their happiness is shattered when Meredith arrives and reveals a secret. Soon the entire town arrives and hears the shocking story of Bat Boy’s origin. Funny, quirky, but also touching and poignant, Bat Boy’s story spans an incredible score encompassing the styles of rock, gospel, and musical theatre. Recommended for ages 11+.
A Soldier’s Play
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: December 13 – January 8
Tickets: $45–135 (find discount)
The Pulitzer Prize-winning thriller has rocketed back into the spotlight thanks to this 2020 Tony-winning Best Revival. In 1944, on a Louisiana Army base, two shots ring out. A sergeant is murdered, triggering a gripping barrage of questions about sacrifice, service, and identity in America. Broadway’s leading man Norm Lewis stars in the show Variety calls “a knock-your-socks-off-drama.” Recommended for ages 13+.
No Excuses, No Limits
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: January 13-15
Tickets: $20
Be inspired by ILL-ABILITIES™—the international all-star breakdance crew of seven of the world’s best differently-abled dancers. No Excuses, No Limits takes audiences on a journey of each dancer’s story through dance, music, audience interaction, and a gained understanding of the limitless possibilities that any person can hold. Recommended for ages 7+.
Ride the Cyclone
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: January 13 – February 19
Tickets: $66-115
Part comedy, part tragedy and wholly unexpected, this wildly imaginative story delivers surprises at every turn. The lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. A mechanical fortuneteller invites each to tell their story of a life interrupted, offering the chance to come to terms with their fates. At once quirky and smart, edgy and beautiful, Ride the Cyclone ultimately reveals the resilience of the human spirit in spite of senseless tragedy. Recommended for teens and older.
Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: January 13-22
Tickets: $15/adult, $13/child
Encore Stage & Studio presents this “by kids for kids” show… The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, meeting a Beast, who is the young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed to his former self. If the Beast does not learn his lesson before the last rose petal falls, he and his household including Mrs. Pots, Lumiere and Mr. Cogsworth will be cursed forever. Join us for a tale as old as time in Encore’s production of Beauty and the Beast Jr!
Aquarium
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: January 14 – February 12
Tickets: $16.50
Enter a fantastical island world where fish soar through the air, lemons light up the sky, and sheep go parading by. With gentle music, puppets, and props, actors lead children and caregivers in an interactive exploration of a magical place of play. Recommended for ages 1-5.
Cats
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: January 17 – 22
Tickets: $55-105 (find discount)
Tony Awards winning musical CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.
Peter and the Wolf
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: January 19 – February 12
Tickets: $15
A Puppet Co. Legacy favorite with a new spin! This English and Russian bilingual production will incorporate the classic music in this two-person small marionette romp of the classic fairytale. Run time approximately 40 minutes. Recommended for ages 4+.
Monster Jam Where: Capitol One Arena | Downtown DC When: January 28-29 Tickets: $25+
The world’s largest and most famous monster truck tour featuring the biggest names in monster trucks will thunder its way into DC. Gravedigger, Magolodon, Dragon, Just Get-Er-Done, Terminal Velocity, and Wild Side are among the vehicular beasts that will be tearing up the indoor terrain this year.
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Beauty and the Beat
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: February 4-5
Tickets: $20
See NSO principal second violinist Marissa Regni and NSO assistant principal timpanist/percussionist Scott Christian in an exciting program exploring the magic created when the violin and percussion join forces. This melodic and rhythmic ride proves that no matter how different the instruments are, they can come together to make some beautiful music. Recommended for ages 3+.
123 Andrés
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: February 11, 11am & 1pm
Tickets: $20
The Latin Grammy®-winning music duo is back by popular demand! Join Andrés and Christina on an exciting cultural exploration of Latin America through an introduction of language, music, and dance. The 11am show is a sensory-friendly performance. Recommended for ages 3+.
Sunset Boulevard
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: February 4-5
Tickets: $59-299
Alone in her Hollywood mansion with little more than celluloid memories, former silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond remains what she has always been: the greatest star of all. For Broadway Center Stage, Tony-winning powerhouse Stephanie J. Block takes on the iconic role. Based on the 1950 film noir, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece—winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical on its release—weaves a compelling tale of romance, obsession, and faded glory. Recommended for ages 12+.
How Old is a Hero?
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 7-10
Tickets: $3-9
Everyone can make a difference! This Discovery Theater original play infused with archival music of the Civil Rights era celebrates three young people who helped change the nation by their heroic actions. Meet Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine, the first black student to graduate from an integrated high school; Claudette Colvin, who months before Rosa Parks, also refused to give up her seat on a bus; and Ruby Bridges, who was only six in 1960 when she stepped into first grade—and into history—as the first student to desegregate an all-white school in New Orleans. Their inspiring stories demonstrate that hope begins with the courage of young people. Recommended for ages 6-12.
Girlhood
Where: Roundhouse Theatre | Bethesda, MD
When: February 17-19
Tickets: $25
A show from the Round House Theatre Teen Performance Company… A patch of land beneath an abandoned overpass serves as a common, yet sacred, ground for a group of teenage girls as they navigate adolescence. Identity, sexuality, and their unique upbringings all play a part in how they transition from childhood to young adulthood and figure out what comes next. Girlhood explores the dreams, fears, humor, and heartache of coming of age in an intimate series of vignettes. Recommended for teens and older. Students age 13+ can request free tickets through their Free Play program.
Laurie Berkner Band
Where: Gordon Center for Performing Arts | Owings Mills, MD
When: February 19, 11am & 3pm
Tickets: $$45-70
Best selling children’s music artist Laurie Berkner is returning to the DC area for two shows. A true pioneer in children’s music, beloved by generations of children and parents for over twenty years, she’ll be playing well-loved hits like “Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)” and “We Are the Dinosaurs” along with newer songs. Kids should plan to bring their dancing shoes and a stuffed animal (for their heads). FYI: We took a toddler Owen to one of Laurie’s shows years ago, and it was a blast!
Aladdin!
Where: Hylton Performing Arts Center | Masassas, VA
When: February 19, 3pm
Tickets:
Virginia National Ballet’s popular production of Aladdin!
VNB is reviving the extremely popular ballet “Aladdin” which was first premiered in 2018! Follow Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar, and the magic carpet on their adventures, with a fantastic orchestral score, gorgeous costumes and scenery, and great dancing!
Into the Woods
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: February 23 – March 19
Tickets: $45-159 (look for discount)
Here’s a reason to be happy ever after… Following a sold-out engagement at New York City Center and a hugely acclaimed transfer to Broadway, Into the Woods is coming to the Kennedy Center. Directed by Lear deBessonet (Hercules), this theatrical event honors Stephen Sondheim’s legendary memory and his Broadway masterpiece like never before.
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue
Where: Warner Theatre | Downtown DC
When: February 23-26
Tickets: $24-103 (find discount)
Description from Hippodrome website… Miami’s sassiest seniors have returned for one more hurrah. 2022 finds Sophia out on bail, having been busted by the DEA for running a drug ring for retirees. Blanche and Rose have founded CreakN, a thriving sex app for seniors of Miami. And Dorothy is trying to hold it all together, with help from a new young lover. Relive the heartfelt hilarity of four ladies who never stopped being your friends! (This may be more of a mom’s night out show, but all ages are welcome!)
King Lear
Where: Klein Theatre | Penn Quarter, DC
When: February 23 – March 26
Tickets: $35-110 (look for discount)
Shakespeare Theatre Company presents this production… Caught in a carousel of memory, the head of a dysfunctional royal family grapples with power-hungry children and the threat of losing the empire he created. Real and imagined worlds coalesce, creating a political and personal horror that threatens to swallow the mind of the monarch. The incomparable Patrick Page returns to STC as the once-revered king caught in an emotional hurricane ravaging his home, head, and heart. Recommended for teens and older.
The Hula Hoopin’ Queen
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: February 25 – April 8
Tickets: $12-39 (look for discount)
Kameeka is confident that today she will finally beat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street in Harlem. But she has to prepare for Miz Adeline’s birthday party, and almost ruins the day. Until Miz Adeline confesses that she’s also got the itch–the hula-hoopin’ itch! Her fingers start snappin’. Her hips start swingin’. Soon everyone’s hips are swinging as the party spills out onto the street.
INTERSECTIONS Festival
Where: Atlas Center for Performing Arts | H Street NE, DC
When: February 25 – March 12
Tickets: TBA, vary by show
The Atlas’ signature event, this performing arts festival presents work that impacts our society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining. INTERSECTIONS is about presenting excellent art that inspires a connected community, engages artists and audiences alike, and creates a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. More details about the festival to come!
Kofi’s African Village
Where: Discovery Theater | National Mall, DC
When: February 28 – March
Tickets: $3-9
Drummer Kofi Dennis brings the vibrant life of a West African village to the Discovery Theater stage though music, storytelling, and dance. Using authentic instruments, the Ghanaian native leads lively call-and-response songs, games, and movement that gets audiences on their feet in a high-energy exploration of African cultural traditions. Recommended for ages 3-6.
War of the Worlds
Where: Synetic Theater | Crystal City, VA
When: March 3 – April 8
Tickets: $20-60 (find discount)
In a world premiere, Synetic Theater brings its stunning and immersive style to H.G. Wells’ renowned novel of devastation and faith in the midst of catastrophe. This multimedia fusion of acrobatics, music, and movement makes us question who we are and what is truly worth fighting for.
Admission: $59/ family 4-pack, $18.50/adult, $13.50/child, free/under 2
Everyone knows all the words to the soundtracks of “Frozen!” At this show, you can sing along to songs from both movies as they are performed by the classically trained opera singers Outcalls. It’s a show the whole family can enjoy, from the soaring high notes of “Let it Go” and “Into the Unknown” (for the kids) to subtle jokes about just how ridiculous both these movies are (for us parents). Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume! Photos with the princesses will be available for purchase before and after the show!
The Mortification of Fovea Munson
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom
When: March 4-19
Tickets: $20
Mary Winn Heider brings her uproarious book to musical life in this world premiere Kennedy Center commission. Fovea Munson is stuck working at her parents’ cadaver lab, but she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein’s snuffling assistant, Igor! That is, until three disembodied heads start talking. To her. Out loud. And they need a favor. March 18 at 11am is a sensory-friendly performance. Recommended for ages 10+.
Fitting In
Where: Theatre on the Run | Alexandria, VA
When: March 10-26
Tickets: $10
Arts on the Horizon presents this show for littles… Three siblings find themselves in a room full of possibilities and one not so simple task- to put things in their proper place. However, they soon discover that throwing this and that into a box is not the same as finding where it fits in. Through clowning, movement, and original music, three performers will transform everyday objects into something extraordinary. Is a blanket a blanket? Or is it the sail of a boat setting off on an epic voyage? Together, we can find the magic buried in the bottom of every box, and hidden inside the world around us! Recommended for ages 2-5.
Wake Up, Brother Bear
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: March 11 – April 8
Tickets: $12-39
Sister Bear and Brother Bear are back from hibernation to take little ones on an interactive journey through the seasons. Meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lightning bugs as the bears frolic through the forest in an unforgettable theatre experience. REcommended for ages 1-5.
Jagged Little Pill
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: March 14-26
Tickets: $55-105
Joy, love, heartache, strength, wisdom, catharsis, LIFE — everything we’ve been waiting to see in a Broadway show — is here in the exhilarating, fearless new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music. Recommended for ages 14+.
Harlem Globetrotters Where: Capitol One Arena | Downtown DC When: March 18 Tickets: $25+
The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour is coming with game like never before! Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team!
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Where: The Madeira School | McLean, VA
When: March 18, 1pm & 5pm
Tickets: $22-25
Take an adventure with Alice as she falls down the rabbit hole and embarks on a colorful and whimsical journey through Wonderland. Presented by Festival Ballet Virginia, this ballet is appropriate for audience members of all ages — runtime is approximately 1 hour with no intermission. Lap-sitters under age 2 may attend for free. Concessions and boutique items will be available before and after the show in the lobby.
Are there any great shows coming up this winter that we missed? If so, let us know in the comments!
