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    • Survive Daylight Savings
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    • July 4th
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    • Splash parks
    • Trains!
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    • Summer camps
    • Mid-winter break camps
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Ultimate guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

October 20, 2022

We have it all– dogs parades, date nights including frights and of course family-friendly Halloween events! If you are looking for orchards and fall festivals you can find that here. We have been crossing off items from our list of 12 things to do in October.

Halloween and fall events:
Creepy Climb at Summit Ropes: Weekends October 7th – 31st
A nighttime haunted house filled with spooky creatures and scary heights.  Explore the darkened world of Summit Ropes like you’ve never experienced before.  The Ropes Course transforms into a scary world of zombies, goblins, ghouls, and ghosts.

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at The Puppet Co: through October 31

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: through October 30
Halloween Eye Spy Train event returns in October. Online tickets are now available for purchase. Tickets are $6 each and our train will be running every weekend in October from 11am to 6pm, weather permitting of course. Purchase tickets for Cabin John’s Eye Spy Trains or Wheaton’s Eye Spy Trains.

Halloween Hunt at The Mansion on O Street: October 14 -31
Decorated for Halloween just for this hunt – come celebrate the BOO season on this zany treasure hunt. Have fun searching for Autumn & Halloween themed items found only at The Mansion. Prizes additional. There are over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors (yes 70!). They guarantee you can see at least 60 of our legendary rooms — but be warned secret doors are tricky to find — if you find 2 or 3 you are an above average sleuth.

DPR Halloween Events: October 19-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2022 Halloween season! Sign up today and make plans to attend one of our themed events taking place throughout the District.  It’s all tricks and no treats in the place. Browse the events and sign up today….if you dare!

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 21-22
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own. Soul Strolls take place over four nights, October 14-15 and October 21-22. Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6pm and 9:30pm.

The Pumpkin Patch Express at B&O Railroad: October 22-23 & 28-31
Join us for a ride to the First Mile Stable as passengers deboard for photo ops and pumpkin decorating.  Come as you are or in your best Halloween costume to match the décor onsite. There will even be an opportunity to meet the horses and enjoy autumn snacks before boarding the train back to the Museum. 

Mystery Mansion: October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30
A ten-room haunted house packed with chills, thrills, and a smidge of Maryland history, Mystery Mansion has scares that are just right for younger children. This is a 100% “No Contact” haunted house!  Older students and adults will enjoy the stories, special effects, and devious characters. If you are 10 years or older (no exceptions) you can visit The Crypt, a slightly scarier experience for those who dare. Before and after Mystery Mansion, enjoy Bonfire Bash!  Bonfire Bash is a Fall Festival with fire pits, Halloween movies, live entertainment, food, beer & wine, face painting, and s’mores! Mystery Mansion & Bonfire Bash take place at 7931 Connecticut Avenue, one mile inside the beltway. Free parking is available behind the club house. Tickets are available now on the web site.

DPR Halloween Events: October 19-31
It’s Halloween in DC and DPR is hosting events in all eight wards this 2022 Halloween season!

Grief and Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 21, 22, 28, & 29
Explore Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair jewelry, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tours will be offered every half an hour starting 7:00 with the last tour at 9:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person. Tours will be limited to 12 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance. Face masks are recommended.

My Gym Halloween Party: October 21 4:00pm-4:45pm and 5:00pm-5:45pm
Looking for not too spooky family fun this Halloween?  Find it at My Gym’s Halloween Party!  Join for circle time, games, costume parade, and loads of fun!  Each child leaves with a My Gym Halloween treat. Book your spot today!  Must sign up ahead of time.

Kids Night Out at Confetti: October 21 from 5:30-8:00pm
A fun-filled Halloween I SCREAM Party (drop-off) for 1st-6th graders! Your child will enjoy an evening full of creating memories with friends, pizza, age-appropriate Halloween games, a costume contest, a glow-in-the dark dance party and, of course, ice cream!

Halloween in the Garden: October 22 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween festival at our beautiful 30-acre park. With timed-entry tickets and activities spread across the park, there will be lots of room for everyone. More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! So dress up the whole family and enjoy a spooktacular day at Annmarie! Click here for detailed event and safety information.  

Fall Festival at Halley Rise: October 22 from 11am-2pm
This first-ever festival will feature fun family-oriented activities like a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting and lawn games like corn hole will be accompanied by local bluegrass band, The High and Wides. Festival goers can also purchase food from José Andrés’ Pepe Food truck. 

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House: October 22 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Enjoy some fall themed family fun in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during our Fall Frolic event! Join us for activities catered to children ages 3-12. Activities include a “ghost” hunt, crafts, a costume parade, and more! Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Sessions start at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM and are limited to 20 children each. Tickets are $15 per participating child ages 2-12. Accompanying adults are $5 each and infants under 2 are free.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 22 & 23
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Día de los Muertos at The Wharf: October 23 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf. Live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC.

Montgomery Parks Spooktacular: October 23 from 10am to 1pm 
Calling all little goblins and ghouls, celebrate the spooky season at Montgomery Parks Spooktacular. This free kids’ Halloween event features several attractions and performers to get your little ones in the Halloween spirit! Check out some magic tricks at the magician’s corner, add to your costume at the face painting area, and create a Halloween art project at the craft station.

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf: October 25 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Join us to celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf on Sunday, October 23. We’re bringing live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC.

35th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 26 from 6:30pm-9:00pm
The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment, a parade, and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition, co-hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis and Citrine the Queen.

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 26 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Bring your ghosts and goblins for an evening of fun, treats, bites and retail scare-apy. Tickets are required per child (not adult) and all proceeds go directly to Manna Food Center.

Art Cart Halloween at Hirshhorn: October 27 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Get inspired by Kusama’s creativity for Halloween and create your own wearable work of art. Together we will learn about Kusama’s life and process (including her love of pumpkins), explore monochromatic materials, and get into the holiday spirit. 

Spooktacular at Color Burst: October 27 from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Happy Halloween! Join us for happy haunts, trick-or-treats, and more at Spook-tacular at Color Burst Park! Spook – tivities will include: Pick your own pumpkin and give it a spooky makeover, Get creative with haunted craft stations, Listen to spooky storytimes, Trick-or-Treat around Color Burst Park, Enjoy Halloween cartoons on the big screen. Costumes are highly encouraged! Giveaways and crafts are first come, first served. Event is free and family friendly. All activities are first come first served. Picnic blankets and snacks for movie night are welcome.

Glow in the Park: October 28 & 29
Enjoy a magical experience climbing and ziplining through the trees lit up with neon colored lights, rockin’ music, and exciting themes! Reserve your tickets in advance for this fan-favorite event! Ages 5 and up are welcome.RESERVE TICKETS

Hill-O-Ween: October 28 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Spooky Season Virtual Party with The Story Pirates: October 28 at 7 pm
Eric from the Story Pirates Podcast has been interviewing monsters, ghouls, and ghosts on the Story Pirates Spooky Season bonus episodes to try to choose the most fangtastic Halloween costume. What will Eric decide to wear for Halloween?! And most importantly: what will Story Pirates fans wear to the FREE spooktacular virtual Halloween party?! RSVP is required by clicking HERE. Free admission.

Boo at the Zoo: October 28, 29 & 30 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
It’s no trick, only the sweetest treat: Boo at the Zoo, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s beloved family-friendly Halloween event. Tickets include special after-hours access for animal viewing at the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House and Think Tank, dance party, a souvenir tote bag and around 30 trick-or-treat stations around the Zoo.

Dia de Lose Muertos at Smithsonian American Art Museum: October 29 from 11:30am-3:00pm
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum in celebrating Día de los Muertos! Bring the whole family to see exciting live performances from Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana, Mariachi Aguila DC, and Sol y Rumba. Enjoy face painting and our featured Día de los Muertos–themed crafts for all ages. If you are unable to make it in person, or want to continue the celebration online, visit our Family Zone for more crafts, coloring pages, and performance videos.

Trick or Treat at Tudor Place: October 29 from 10:00am-1:00pm
Wear your Halloween costume and search for treats (not tricks) in every corner of the garden. Enjoy crafts, activities and period games amid lovely autumn plant life. This outdoor event will take place rain or shine.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 29 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Join us for our annual Halloween event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to explore the spooky side of air and space. This year, the event will take place both inside and outside at the Museum. The tickets required for outdoor activities are sold out, however you’re welcome to enjoy our indoor activities without a ticket. Air & Scare will take place rain or shine. Some outside activities may be curtailed, but many will scream on. Bring rain protection if it’s gloomy.  We will also host an online costume contest you can enter from home or from the event. This is your chance to win some extra Halloween treats.

Halloween Storytime & Party with Arts on the Horizon: October 29 from 10:30am-11:30am
Join us for a fun and festive Halloween party and interactive storytime! We will explore the wonders of the fall season and all things Halloween! Together we will use music and creative movement to explore new and exciting stories. After the storytime, stick around to create some fun Halloween and fall themed crafts. Wear your Halloween costumes (adults too!) and get ready to move and groove with stories, music, and movement. The event will be held outside on the front lawn. In the case of rain, the event will be moved inside.

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 29 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 2:30 & 4:00 p.m. on the Bowling Green. Watch and Learn about 18th century magic in the Upper Garden at 3:30 & 5:00 p.m. See an 18th-century chocolate-making demonstration and sample a chocolate treat (while supplies last) in the North Grove. Learn about 18th-century Wool Carding along the South Lane. Watch sparks fly at the Blacksmith Shop. Enjoy musical entertainment on the Bowling Green. Find out about our Hog Island sheep, a breed dating back to Washington’s time, at the Stables.

Halloween Spooktacular: October 29 from 1:00pm-10:00pm
The St. James Halloween Party is a great way to enjoy a fun-filled, safe Halloween day inside our complex. 2 events in 1 day! 1:00 PM-4:00 PM: Pumpkin Plunge, Pumpkin Carving and Water Inflatable Obstacle Course. 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Trick-or-Treating, Field Games and Inflatables 8:00 PM-10:00 PM: Hocus Pocus 2! – Movie in the Field House (Bring your blanket!). 2 separate tickets will be available for purchase, and can also be bundled into one!

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 30 from 11:00am-1:00pm
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns for Halloween! This October we’ll be getting (slightly) spooky, outdoors under the sun, so put on your costumes and come dance with us! Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Relive your night-life glory days and show off those rusty moves with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor and Halloween classics, all at a kid-friendly volume.

Halloween at the Harbor: October 30 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
Enjoy trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving competition, pet pawrade and more. This family-friendly party is sure to be a wicked good time!

Van Ness Spooktacular: October 30 from 10am-3:00pm
Everyone’s favorite kid-friendly Halloween event is returning to Forest Hills Playground this year. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and gather at Forest Hills Playground for spooky-inspired activities followed by Trick or Treating at small businesses along Connecticut Ave in Wakefield, Forest Hills and Van Ness. Click the link for the schedule of events.

PIKEkids Trick-or-Treating: October 30 from 10:00am-2:00pm
PikeKIDS annual Trick or Treat is back! Bring your little ones for a fun morning of Trick or Treating around the neighborhood and stay for brunch. Tickets required and all proceeds benefit Manna Food Center.

Fall Festival at City Ridge: October 30 from 12:00pm-4:0pm
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities from painting pumpkins to jumping around the Halloween bounce house. Local DC food truck favorite, Reba’s, will also be on-site serving up funnel cakes and other sweet treats for attendees to enjoy among Halloween hits played by a local DJ. Registration is completely free and can be accessed via this link.

Halloween Spooktacular at Mosaic: October 30 from 9:00am-8:00pm
From store open to store close, stop by your favorite shops for trick-or-treating! Shop around at our FRESHFARM Farmers Market from 9 AM – 2 PM, and get your face painted at the Vienna Singing Princesses pop-up tent from 12 PM – 6 PM in Strawberry Park. Lay out your blankets, spread out your candy, and enjoy The Addams Family on our big screen in Strawberry Park, starting at 6 PM.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo: Mexican Geniuses: November 2
Celebrate Día de los Muertos surrounded by the artwork of two of Mexico’s most celebrated artists – Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Mexican Geniuses, the immersive experience celebrating this iconic duo, will host an all day Dia de los Muertos celebration honoring the symbolic relationship between the living and the dead with programming for families in the morning, and an adult fiesta in the evening. 

Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center: November 4 at 7:30pm
Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Side Yards at The Yards: November 5 from 5:30pm-8:30pm
Guests are invited to enjoy contortionists, magicians, escape artists, sword swallowers, aerialists, lollipop lyra performers and other spook-tacular performances. Attendees are also able to take part in interactive activities including tarot card and palm reading, balloon artistry, and glitter tattoos, and warm up with hot cocoa and bites from Agua 301 and Due South Dockside. You can find photos from last year’s event linked here.

Corn maze at Winterbrook Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Grief & Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 21, 22, 28 & 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair mementos, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tickets are $15 per person. Tours groups will be limited to 10 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Vampire Ball at Synetic Theater: October 28
Festivities start with a performance of Dracula at the theater. Then, guests head one floor up to the Marriott for an exclusive Halloween bash featuring a costume contest, dance party, and all the snacks and drinks that a ghoul could ask for. Gather all your Basic Witches for a party to wake the dead! Costumes very strongly encouraged. 21 and over please. 

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober
Laurel’s House of Horror
Haunted Hayrides

Pups:
Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration: October 22 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Hightail it to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden with your four-legged friend for some Halloween fun! Inspired by Marjorie Post’s affection for dogs and the memorial dog cemetery she created at Hillwood, we welcome you and your four-legged friend to join us for Halloween fun! Explore the gardens and participate in the annual costume competition. Strut your mutt and size up the other canine contestants. 

Howl-O-Ween at Gateway’s Interim Dog Park!: October 28 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
There will be a variety of pet-themed vendors, raffles, and giveaways to share with your pups. Dog costumes are strongly encouraged as we will be hosting our annual Halloween dog costume contest. To enter, you must register on-site at the Rosslyn BID table between 3:30-5:30pm.

Hirshhorn Howl-O-Ween: October 29 from 10am-11:30am
Join with your well-behaved costumed dog for a morning of dress-up and art in the Hirshhorn’s outdoor Sculpture Garden. Advance registration is required.

Halloween Best in Show at The Boro: October 29 from 3:00pm-8:30pm
Join The Boro for the ultimate dog costume contest at Boro Park! Pets will be able to strut the doggy catwalk and pose for judges with one winner crowned “Best in Show”. The top three looks will take home a prize-packed doggy gift basket. Don’t have a dog? Join us anyways for some fall family fun! This spooktacular day will be filled with trick-or-treating, games, and Halloween crafts. It is guaranteed to be a paws-itively wonderful day! The show doesn’t end there! Join us at 6:30pm in The Sandlot for a spooky screening of Scooby Doo (2002) on the big screen complete with a popcorn bar!

sPETacular Halloween Parade: October 30 from 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Shepherd Park Citizens Association is hosting its second popular Spet-tacular Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at the dog park at The Parks at Walter Reed. Start prepping your doggie (and human) costumes. We hear the judges are serious and the competition will be fierce! Dress up your dog to impress and win a prize in each weight category: Small (up to 24 lbs), Medium (24-55. lbs.), and Large (55+ lbs.). Prizes courtesy of One Leg Up Pets, Big Bad Woof Pet Store, and other local businesses. Celebrity judges include Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, Vicki Davis of Urban Atlantic, and Ashley Mercado of One Leg Up Pets. Master Heath Bryan Leone is our Honorary Master of Ceremonies.

Bark Social Fall Fest & Puppy Parade
Various activities and themes throughout October. Click link above for more details.

Bonus:
Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar. Taking the classic fall favorite,  apple cider doughnuts, and remixing it with a uniquely Milk Bar spin, a brand new cake and truffle combo is meant to transport you to your favorite fall memory.

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Filed Under: Date Night, Fall, Holiday Options, Weekend Picks Tagged: DC, Fall, Halloween, haunted houses

Theatre and musical productions for families in and around Washington, DC

October 10, 2022

Kennedy Center Performances:

Air Play – November 4-6

Sleepover at the Museum – Saturday, October 15 at 2:00pm & 4:00pm
The National Symphony Orchestra will perform Karen LeFrak’s Sleepover at the Museum. It combines music and adventure to tell the story of a boy named Mason and his birthday party and scavenger hunt at a natural history museum. It’s sure to keep the kids excited!

Jacqueline and Jason’s Block Party! – Sunday, October 16 at 1:00pm
Join us for a FREE outdoor family event hosted by Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson and Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran. There will be exciting performances, fun-filled games, and activities. A jazz performance with Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Moran and the Bandwago, DC’s Second Line band DuPont Brass, Go-go and jazz artist Sweet Cherie, The Duke Ellington School of the Arts Show Choir, Fly Zyah and DJ Malcolm Xavier, Double Dutch demos and lessons from DC Retro Jumpers, Roller Skating demo with Our Family Skate Association, Hopscotch, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, fort building, and more. Inspired by Jacqueline Woodson’s book The World Belonged to Us.

Finding Rhythm: Grow Your Brain with Go-go Music – October 29 at 11:30am & 1:30pm
Take a journey through the musical brain with Mother Dance, Father Rhythm, and the Curious Scientist! D.C.’s own Go-go music and brain science come together for this lively show that’ll have kids singing and dancing to the beat. Learn the origins of human rhythm, how rhythm grows the brain, and where children find the source of their own power AND connection. Music neuroscientist and show creator Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver draws together a team of master musicians and teaching artists to tell this powerful, unifying story. This isn’t the Mozart Effect—it’s the Go-go Effect!

Air Play – November 4-6
Umbrellas fly, fabrics soar over the audience, balloons swallow people, and snow swirls, filling the stage. Air Play transforms ordinary objects into uncommon beauty through a wordless, magical adventure as two siblings journey through a surreal land of air. Created by circus performers Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone in collaboration with kinetic sculptor Daniel Wurtzel, this enchanting spectacle combines comedy, live sculpture, circus, and theater to fill both the young and young at heart with wonder.

The Day You Begin – November 19 – December 18
It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet…but somehow you do it. This world premiere commissioned musical is based on one of Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson’s most popular picture books, a #1 New York Times bestseller illustrated by Rafael López and featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices. Adapted by Woodson with music and lyrics by Toshi Reagon and direction by Charlotte Brathwaite, The Day You Begin is a poignant and heartening musical about finding courage to connect, even when you feel afraid.

Bluey’s Big Play – November 22-27
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theater show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life!

This Season of Broadway at The National


Imagination Stage Performances:
In the Year of the Boar – October 15-22

Adapted from the award-winning novel, this play tells the touching story of a young Chinese American girl and her family moving from China to the United States in 1947. Using humor and a rich multimedia staging, the play celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who bring new perspectives to our country.

S.P.I.E.S. 2 – October 29-November 20
Join S.P.I.E.S. in person, where it is more interactive than ever! This follow-up to the online hit S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis combines live theatre and taped adventure scenes to create a collaborative and exciting experience where each audience gets to be the hero and solve the puzzles–and no two performances are alike.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed – November 16-January 8
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? Mo Willem’s beloved picture book explores what can happen when we have the courage to be ourselves.

Aquarium – January 14-February 12
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.

The Hula Hoopin’ Queen – February 15-April 8
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.

Wake Up, Brother Bear – March 11-April 8
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.

Olney Theatre Center Performances:
Dance Nation – Through October 31
Clare Barron’s explosive off-Broadway smash kicks off Olney Theatre Center’s 2022-23 season! In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, about a tweenage dance team from Liverpool, Ohio, more is at stake than a first-place trophy. It’s a play about the puberty years, but leave the kids at home — adult actors of all ages portray the adolescent girls (and one boy) amidst their tween confusion, as well as their future adult selves. As the competition heats up, literal fangs come out, and the blood, sweat, and tears get very real in a drama about friendship, rivalry, and girls becoming women.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – November 9-January 1

Last winter our internationally acclaimed production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast inspired thousands of theatergoers: as People Magazine said, it’s “a tale as old as time [that] feels refreshingly new.” Now Jade Jones (Belle) and Evan Ruggiero (Beast) are back in a revival of the production that won hearts and attracted the admiration of audiences from around the country. Be our guest along with other returning cast members Bobby Smith (Lumiere), Dylan Arredondo (Cogsworth), Michael Burrell (Gaston) 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.

A Christmas Carol – November 25-January 1
In a season stuffed with varied versions of the classic yuletide tale, Paul Morella’s solo performance stands apart for its devotion to Dickens’ original language and storytelling genius. One extraordinary performer brings to life Scrooge and his specters, the whole Cratchett family, and celebrants of Christmases past, present, and future – more than 40 different characters in all. It’s why this production is a treasured annual tradition gathering more devotees than ever as it enters its 13th iteration

The Puppet Co at Glen Echo Performances:

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular – October 1-31
Witch Wartsmith (the sister of Witch Wartsmith from our Legacy show “Rapunzel”,) hosts the annual Halloween Spooktacular and you get to vote on the winner! Part contemporary competition show, part vintage telethon, and part punpalooza, this spooky variety show will tickle your funny bone. Don’t miss this year’s performances, because some of our contestants will change year to year! With a special evening performance on Halloween! More shows coming soon!

The 34th Annual Nutcracker – November 25- January 1
Join the Puppet Co. for our 34th annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins – December 1-January 1
Hershel just wants to celebrate Hanukkah with the community, but the Queen and King of the Goblins have forbidden the lighting of the candles. Can Hershel save the day and lift the curse for this shtetl (village)? With a special performance at 7pm on the first night of Hanukkah, December 18th!

Arts on the Horizon Productions:


Sneakers & Gumdrop – December 2-January 1
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.

Fitting In – March 10-April 2
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!

Acro Iris – June 9-July 1
Iris is excited about taking a trip to el parque with Abuela! But while getting ready, Iris has a hard time deciding what color shirt to wear. As Iris and Abuela explore each of the colors, they discover the different ways colors appear in the world and their own unique beauty. Abuela reminds Iris that each color lives inside everyone, so even if we choose one, the rainbow is always a part of us. Told through vibrant imagery, dynamic movement, and a beautiful soundscape created by each of the performers, this sensory-rich production is inspired by a Zapoteca myth and Quechua legends about the rainbow.

Saturday Morning Live! at the National Theatre
Fun takes center stage at the National Theatre for Saturday Morning Live! Join us in the Helen Hayes Gallery space on select Saturday mornings at 9:30 and 11:00 AM for wow-inspiring children’s entertainment of all sorts, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music – all designed to light up imaginations and celebrate a world of wonder. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s a great way to Saturday.

Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center presents free performances everyday, no tickets required! Shows typically begin at 5:30pm.

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre

Add to your calendar:
Disney on Ice: October 6-10
Masters of Illusion: October 22-23
Disney Junior Live: October 22
The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays: November 9
A Christmas Carol: November 23-December 31
The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker: November 25-December 30
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show: December 9-18
Capital City Symphony: Annual Holiday Concert and Sing Along: December 18

Additional venues:
Atlas Performing Arts CenterArts for Young Audiences

BlackRock Center for the Arts
Bloombars
Busboys + Poets
Encore Stage and Studio, Theatre for Kids, By Kids
Jammin Java
Other Voices Theatre
Strathmore
The National Theatre Saturday Morning Live!

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Filed Under: Date Night, Education, Fall, Holiday Options, Indoor Play, Music, Theatre, Weekday Adventures, Weekend Picks, Winter Tagged: Musicals, plays, Productions, theatre

Six The Musical hits the stage at The National July 5

June 9, 2022

Six the Musical is hitting the stage at Broadway at The National Tuesday, July 5th and will be there through September 4! For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. 

From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over. The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for! The Broadway season got supercharged!” 

Written by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss 

SIX opens July 5, 2022, and is a theatrical event recommended ages 10 and up. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre but Don’t Lose Ur Head; we love our Queens of all ages! The show runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.  

Instagram: @broadwaynatdc 
Twitter: @BroadwayNatDC 
Facebook: @BroadwayAtTheNational 
#SixAtTheNational 

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Filed Under: Date Night, Music, Theatre, Weekday Adventures Tagged: musical, national, six

Valentine’s Day treats, gifts and events in and around Washington, DC

January 30, 2022

Pictured: Fudgy Frosting Squares from Milk Bar

Milk Bar: Logan Circle & Online
Send treats so decadent they’re proven to get you a second date. Try the red velvet cheesecake cake, fudgy frosting squares, better than roses truffles and more.

Artisan Confections: Arlington, VA
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste. These truffles are beautiful and definitely are a treat for the eyes as well as the palate. 

The Capital Candy Jar: NE, DC
We continue to make all of our candy by hand in small batches.  It’s sold in gourmet grocery stores, gift shops and coffee shops all over the United States but you can also have them shipped to you from their website. They have a large assortment from chocolate dipped strawberries, gummy candy and chocolates.

Neuhaus: Bethesda Row & Union Station
For over 100 years, ever since Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the Belgian praline in 1912, all Neuhaus chocolates have been made entirely in Belgium. You can find Valentine’s boxes, truffles and chocolate collections.

Fleurir Chocolates: Alexandria, VA
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches. You can purchase truffles, caramels and chocolate bars.

June B. Sweet: Chevy Chase, DC
They have a selection of Brigadeiro flavors, mini cakes and Brazilian Mousse available every day at Chevy Chase Stationary (formerly Write for You).

Henry’s Sweet Retreat: Bethesda, MD
Hot cocoa bombs, truffles, dipped chocolates and candies in addition to all of the old school candy from your childhood.

Velatis: Silver Spring, MD
Velatis has been making small batch gourmet handcrafted caramels since 1866. You can purchase caramels and toffee.

The Chocolate House: DuPont Circle, DC
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 400 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world. You can purchase chocolate gift baskets, truffles and a variety of chocolate bars.

Harper Macaw: Various locations
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation. They offer a large assortment of chocolate bars, some even being aged in whiskey barrels.

SPAGnVOLA:Gaithersburg, MD
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA. She was raised in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic and has a passion in land cultivation and agriculture and now grows her beans there. They offer gift boxes, truffles, bonbons, hot chocolate, caramels and more. 

Chocolate Chocolate: Downtown, DC
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, since 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.

Godiva: Various locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order.

Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses. The selection of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.

Henry’s Sweet Retreat in Bethesda will have Valentine’s goodies; likely cookies to decorate.

Gifts:
Mad Libs Dear Valentine Letters

Pop-it Crossbody heart bag
Mad Libs
Giant pop-it heart
Wooden heart magnets
Decorate your own wooden heart box
Pete the Cat Valentine’s Day is Cool

Decor and games:
Year Cheer creates fun family moments instantly with holiday celebrations in a box.

46 fun and easy Valentine’s crafts from PureWow

5 Handmade Valentine’s Day gifts from KiwiCo

Spread love:
Eliana’s Light invites you and your family members, friends, and/or colleagues to participate in “Spreading Kindness”, their 7th Annual community service program in advance of Valentine’s Day. Due to the pandemic, this year’s program will again be virtual, and you can participate where you are. They welcome photos of homemade cards, poems, printable artwork for coloring pages, and songs that give uplift, hope and encouragement to children with serious illnesses and complex medical conditions. Please email items to Eliana’s Light before Feb. 10th. They also welcome donations to purchase art supplies for these families in financial need. Please make a financial donation by clicking here. Questions? Please email!

Events:
Jan. 30 & Feb. 6: Virtual Valentine’s Card Workshop
Feel the love with some Valentine fun at our latest handmade cards workshop. Perfect for virtual hang out with your gals or some cozy solo crafting time. Make one-of-a-kind cards that you can gift to your significant other or your bestie on Valentine’s Day.

Feb. 11: American Girl Valentine’s Cake Decorating
Your girl will enjoy this extra-sweet Valentine’s-inspired cake-decorating class in our store. After learning the basics of this tasty craft, girls can take their creative masterpiece home to admire—and eat with family! Each class will have an on-trend cake-decorating theme as well as two facilitators to help girls with any decorating questions they may have. Girls will leave with their personalized cake, plus each girl will receive the “American Girl Baking Cookbook.”

Feb. 13: Laurie Berkner Virtual Valentine’s Day Concert
2 shows: 12p & 5p ET! Join Laurie Berkner for an 80+min LIVE interactive, virtual performance (plus pre-show!) for the whole family! Sing, dance, & play games through your device with Laurie as she performs fan favorites and Valentine’s songs, interacts with you through the screen, & brings in a few surprises – from her house to yours! Your ticket gives you access to BOTH shows (12p & 5pET) and helps the LBB team continue operations while we can’t tour! You can purchase a meet & greet add-on above. Group rates available, email  to inquire. Please note there will now be a 15% service fee added to tickets, which supports the wonderful folks at the platform that hosts our events.

Feb. 13: Paint & Sip at AU Prosper
When was the last time you did something special with your children just to make memories? There’s going to be free food & drinks, music (DJ) , love, and happiness. The event space is made up into two sections one will be the Dance floor and the other will be holding the Paint and Sip. Come and make memories with us!! You’ll have a blast!!!

Feb. 14: All Fired Up
Reserve a table for two on February 14 to paint with your sweetie. Bring your wine and enjoy a relaxing and fun experience being creative at All Fired Up. When you visit us you can choose from pottery painting, mosaics, fused glass, and acrylic painting.

Local:
Chaia Tacos For one day only, our tacos will be served in our fresh, home-made tortillas made Valentine’s Day-festive with a dash of beet root powder! 

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Filed Under: Date Night, Holiday Options, Products I Love Tagged: celebrate, chocolate, gifts, sweets, valentines, valentines day

Christmas trees, lights and holiday markets in and around Washington, DC

December 7, 2021

National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse

Lantern Light Tour at Tudor Place– December 7, 9, 14 & 16, 2021
Join us in celebrating the holiday season at Tudor Place! Alongside friends and family, explore the Historic House by candlelight to discover celebrations of winters past. Then, journey through the lantern-lit gardens on a guided-tour as you learn about the Peter family’s Christmas traditions. Visiting with children? Check out our Kid’s Night on December 16th!

Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park– December 10,11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 (closed 12/24 and 12/25)
Photos with Santa Claus from 6:00-8:00pm, Christmas arts & crafts room, live animal encounters, holiday photos with live animals, kid’s indoor play zone and more, bonfire & marshmallow roasting, thousands of outdoor holiday lights, nativity scene, animal petting & feeding, Christmas tree & wreath sales from local farms.

Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon– December 17 & 18, 2021
Kick off the holiday season with sparkling fireworks overlooking the Potomac River. Event tickets without Mansion Tours are still available.

Holidays on the Harbor– Through December 31, 2021
Whether you prefer an extravagant holiday display or a cozy experience, there are seasonal activities for every moment. Nightly tree light show, festive fireworks and I Love Christmas Movies at the Gaylord National, Cirque Dreams Holidaze and so much more!

National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse– Through January 1, 2022
This year’s design includes a background of warm white lights with a delicate sprinkling of sparkling red and warm white sphere ornaments placed in a cascading pattern from the top all the way down the newly planted White Fir tree, with a cluster of sparkling red and white spheres on the lower branches. A simple, yet elegant star topper finishes off the design. Hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Light Yards– Through January 1, 2022
The Yards is bringing back Light Yards for its fifth year at The Yards Park! Light Yards will continue its tradition as an opportunity to safely celebrate the holidays in a fun and socially-distant way during a time when many holiday traditions and events are not possible. The annual holiday installation will feature the premiere of the installation “Stars” by Australian-based immersive light design sculptors Amigo & Amigo. The larger-than-life stars constructed from metallic mesh feature dancing lights and play festive music, making for a perfect socially-distanced stroll for guests of all ages who want to safely experience some holiday cheer. This free-to-all installation will be illuminated nightly from 6-10pm at The Yards. Head to the Christmas Bar before or after- reservations required.

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens– Through January 2, 2022
Bring the family to enjoy the magical Winter Walk of lights in Vienna, Virginia. The garden is transformed into a half-mile, animated walk of lights. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family to experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition. Purchase tickets online.

Outdoor holiday display at The U.S. Botanic Gardens– Through January 2, 2022 (closed on December 25)
The United States Botanic Garden will feature an outdoor holiday display in 2021. Festive adornments, winterberries, lighted trees and shrubs, and conifers and greenery will be placed throughout the Garden from Nov. 24, 2021, through Jan. 2, 2022, closed on Dec. 25. An outdoor train display can be visited in the gated outdoor gardens during these dates between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tickets are not required. The Conservatory and restrooms remain closed, due to the closure of buildings on the U.S. Capitol campus. While the full outdoor holiday display will officially begin on Nov. 24, some elements of the displays will be viewable at earlier dates, as they are installed.

Holiday Festival of Trains at B&O Railroad Museum– Through January 2, 2022
This holiday season, the B&O Railroad Museum is proud to announce the opening of a new Model Train Gallery, sponsored by Bank of America and featuring a painstakingly crafted HO Scale model layout of Baltimore in 1997. And as Holiday Festival of Trains returns to the B&O, we’ve transformed the Museum into a wonderland of festive fun with joyful traditions both new and old. With holiday offerings for kids from 1 to 92, the B&O’s Holiday Festival of Trains is sure to become your family’s favorite way to greet the season! See our full list of Holiday Festival of Trains events below. 

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens– Through January 2, 2022, (closed December 24-25, 2021)
Brookside Gardens has transformed into a magical winter wonderland for the 23rd year of Garden of Lights. Walkthrough the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds throughout the 50 acres in Wheaton. More than one million dazzling and colorful LED lights are handwoven into original works depicting animals, flowers, and other natural elements. You will be dazzled by the computerized light display matching lights with music, fog bubbles, and there will be great opportunities to get that perfect selfie.


Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park

Drive-through lights-

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park– Through December 31, 2021 (closed December 25, 2021)
The City’s Winter Lights Festival is getting ready to welcome visitors for another spectacular season. The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 450 illuminated displays and beautifully lit trees that light up the night. The park is located at 11950 Clopper Road, conveniently accessible from I-270.

Bull Run Festival of Lights- Through January 2, 2022 (closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1).
Experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn out your headlights and just follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, and of course, photos with Santa Claus.

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park– Through January 2, 2022
The Winter Festival of Lights will shine bright this holiday season with 3 miles of drive-through whimsical lights! Experience dazzling scenes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season from the comfort of your own car. This season, they are offering a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride for the first time. Create unforgettable memories with a unique experience while you sit cozied up with your loved ones through the Winter Festival of Lights. Experience dazzling scenes that celebrate the magic of the holiday season. LIMITED SPOTS. Preregistration required. Don’t forget your hats, gloves, and blanket. 

Merriweather Symphony of Lights– Through January 2, 2022 (ALSO A WALK-THROUGH OPTION)
The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition set in historic Merriweather Post Pavilion. Made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations. With the addition of new lights and a refreshed course, your time through the twinkling, winding path will surely be a night to remember! You can even celebrate New Year’s Eve with the entire family at the Symphony of Lights + a final walk through the light displays!

Holiday Market at Enchant

Holiday Markets-

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show– December 11, 2021
Just in time for the holidays, come check off your shopping list! From arts and crafts to jewelry and baked goods, to body and hair care, our vendors have everything you wish to surprise your loved ones with! Happy Shopping!

Park View Holiday Market at Hook Hall- December 4, 11, & Dec 18
 The market will feature local artisans, makers, and food vendors. You will find hand-crafted gifts and holiday cheer.

Holiday Market at Victura Park at The Kennedy Center– December 10-12 & 17-19, 2021
Just in time for the gifting season, Victura Park is once again transforming into a festive holiday market! For two special weekends on December 10th – 12th, & 17th – 19th, Victura Park will feature an amazing lineup of local artists, craftspersons, and other amazing vendors.

Holiday Market at the Four Seasons– Every Friday-Sunday, through December 19, 2021
Shop the Holiday Market on the front courtyard of Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC. With market stalls that feature unique gifts and culinary offerings created by our Hotel ’s craftspeople and local artisans, now is the time to indulge. A percentage of each purchase is donated directly to Children’s National Hospital. Stop by on Fridays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm.

Downtown Holiday Market– Through December 23, 2021
This year’s retail lineup will feature more than 70 exhibitors including Black-owned and minority-owned businesses from the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development’s (DSLBD) Made in DC program. Six food vendors will provide tasty treats and hot beverages, spread across the market.  Additional exciting and entertaining new features include a live stage of exceptional regional performers. Other programming and enhanced items of the market will be announced soon. Hours are12 p.m. to 8 p.m. DAILY.

Enchant Market– Through January 2, 2022
Spoil yourself with gourmet holiday treats and other local favorites at the Enchant Eatery. Then stroll through the Enchant Market filled with artisan vendors and a magical Christmas spirit.

Virtual party-

Laurie Berkner’s ‘holiday party’– December 18, 2021 at 12:00pm & 5:00pm
Join Laurie Berkner for an 80+min LIVE interactive, virtual performance (plus pre-show!) for the whole family! Sing, dance, & play games through your device with Laurie as she performs fan favorites and Holiday songs, interacts with you through the screen, & brings in a few surprises – from her house to yours! Your ticket gives you access to BOTH shows (12p & 5pET) and helps the LBB team continue operations while we can’t tour! You can purchase a meet & greet add-on above. Group rates available, email katie@twotomatoes.com to inquire. Please note there will now be a 15% service fee added to tickets, which supports the wonderful folks at the platform that hosts our events. Thanks so much for understanding!

Related posts-

2021 guide to holiday shows, ballets and concerts in and around Washington, DC
Winter bucket list
Gift guide
Hanukkah celebrations
Holiday light displays
Ice skating
Holiday gift guide and stocking stuffers
Toys & games that are educational
Indoor & outdoor must-haves
Subscription boxes for children
Holiday tea
Stuff the stockings with music lessons

Dates passed-

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights– Dec. 4, 2021
Tenley WinterFest– Nov. 27 – Dec. 4, 2021
Festival of Trees– Nov. 27 – Nov. 28, 2021
Georgetown Glow– Through Nov. 30, 2021
Hanukkah lightings have passed but were listed here
Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple– Cancelled
Movies at the Wharf– No info

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Filed Under: Date Night, Holiday Options, Winter Tagged: lightings, Lights, markets, trees

2021 guide to holiday shows, ballets and concerts in and around Washington, DC

December 1, 2021


NSO at the Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert

Winterfest at Adventure Theatre: Nov. 19, 2021- Jan. 2, 2022
Get three winter-themed shows for the price of one! Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at The National: Nov. 23, 2021–Dec. 5, 2021
DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theatres in New York. Since then, more than 2.1 million theatregoers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming holiday musical, which The New York Times praised as “100 times better than any bedtime story” and the Gannett papers hailed as “A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults.”  

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre: Nov. 24-Dec. 27, 2021
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Experience Charles Dickens’ beloved Yuletide story of transformation and redemption at Ford’s Theatre. Director of Artistic Programming José Carrasquillo directs a reimagined production based on Michael Wilson’s beloved Radio Play adaptation, featuring traditional caroling and new staging throughout. Craig Wallace returns as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who encounters the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future on a memorable journey. Length: 75 minutes. No intermission.. Recommended for ages 5 and older.

A Christmas Carol at Olney Theatre: Nov. 26-Dec. 26, 2021
It wouldn’t be the holidays without Olney’s favorite Christmas tradition. Paul Morella’s captivating solo performance of the Dickens classic keeps audiences coming back season after season. They come for the masterful storytelling and come back for the way Paul keeps this tale fresh, year-after-year. Experience the unforgettable characters and vivid imagery as Charles Dickens originally intended  – in his own words – and rediscover this timeless classic presented in a masterful solo performance. Adapted from Dickens’ original novella and reading tour, Morella’s solo version will transport you back to Victorian England and into the heart of this classic morality tale. This critically acclaimed production has become a holiday must-see. 

The Nutcracker on Strings at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo: Nov. 26, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022
Join the Puppet Co. for our 33rd annual The Nutcracker! This time honored seasonal celebration includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar story of Clara and her prince, with some Puppet Co. nursery rhyme spin.

Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker at Warner Theatre: Nov. 27-Dec. 26, 2021
Set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, this celebrated classic comes to life with intricate, stunning set designs, Experience the magic of The Washington Ballet’s charmingly-DC The Nutcracker! This celebrated production is set in historic 1882 Georgetown with George Washington, King George III, and other historical figures. Join us again with family and friends or start a new holiday tradition with your loved ones. Set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, this celebrated classic comes to life with intricate, stunning set designs, original period costumes, and over 100 dancers including students and trainees from The Washington School of Ballet. It has become the signature Nutcracker of the nation’s capital. With 30 scheduled performances, The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker will transport audiences of all ages into a winter wonderland that has become a lasting holiday tradition not to be missed.

Christmas with Cantus Lessons and Carols for Our Time at Wolf Trap: Dec. 3, 2021
The ethereal vocal ensemble Cantus returns to The Barns for an evening of holiday favorites. From Latin hymnody to Spanish folksong, from Sacred Harp to Irving Berlin, this is the perfect way to kick off your holiday season.

Encore Stage & Studio present- Enchanted Bookshop Christmas: Dec. 3-5, 2021
It’s four days before Christmas and Miss Margie, the scatterbrained owner of the shop, is thrilled to have two very special guests — her serious-minded sister Ellen and book-loving niece Annabelle. Ellen was recently laid off from her position as an astronomy professor, and she’s certain she’ll never find a job again. Her luck changes, however, when high-tech billionaire Philip Brantley stops in at the shop and Margie convinces him to hire Ellen for his new space project. With Ellen out shopping, Margie has a brainstorm to wrap the bookmark that Philip wrote his phone number on and give it to Ellen as a Christmas present. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Messiah- G. F. Handel at The Washington National Cathedral: Dec. 4-5, 2021
Join Washington National Cathedral for Handel’s beloved “Messiah,” and experience this Christmas classic in a space as Handel would have intended. The Cathedral’s soaring architecture and Gothic splendor offers a space unlike any other in Washington to experience Handel’s masterpiece. There is a family show at 12:00pm on December 4 is an abbreviated performance of “Messiah” highlights, perfect for busy families with young children. Experience the best of “Messiah” with the whole family.

Holiday Sing-A-Long (from home) at Wolf Trap: Dec. 4 &18, 2021
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is pleased to continue the longstanding community tradition of the Holiday Sing-A-Long, this year with a virtual twist! Traditionally, this event combined a festive instrumental performance by the United States Marine Band and a sing-a-long of traditional holiday carols led by more than 500 local singers. This year’s event will be presented in a digital format and we hope that you will participate from the comfort of your home. The program will feature performances by some of The Barns at Wolf Trap’s favorite artists and will commence with a program of festive songs pre-recorded by the USMB at the Barns at Wolf Trap and conclude with a festive at-home sing-a-long. Join for the virtual performances on December 4 and 18, 2021, gathered safely with family, cocoa, and cookies.

Manheim Steamroller Christmas at Strathmore: Dec. 4, 2021
Do you remember the first time you heard Mannheim Steamroller Christmas? This classic album has become synonymous with the season and become a treasured holiday tradition for millions over the past 35 years. For this special 35th anniversary performance, Mannheim Steamroller will perform the album that started it all, Christmas, live, in its entirety. Experience the magic as the spirit of the holiday season comes alive with dazzling multimedia effects and the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.  

NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas featuring Gerald Clayton, Patrice Rushen, and Eric Reed. at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 4, 2021
Your favorite holiday classics as you’ve never heard them! The Kennedy Center and NPR present A Jazz Piano Christmas, the annual sell-out event featuring today’s best jazz pianists performing the most loved seasonal music.

NSO at the Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert: Dec. 8, 2021
Join the NSO in an exciting new atmosphere as the musicians ditch traditional tuxedos and evening gowns—deconstructing the concert experience without deconstructing the music. Don your favorite holiday sweater (ugly or not) and join us for an evening filled with holiday spirit (and holiday spirits). This performance takes place at The Anthem.

Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military A Holiday Pops with Ingrid Michaelson at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 9-11, 2021
Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military invites all current, retired, veteran, and prior service members to a special FREE performance of A Holiday Pops with Ingrid Michaelson!

Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at Atlas Performing Arts Center: Dec. 9-19, 2021
As the world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping, the Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is a feast for the eyes and ears. Fabulous and furry friends from the Arctic Kingdom – Popper the Penguin along with polar bear twins, Pinky and Polo-ensure a fun and exciting experience for the entire family! Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is the most vibrant holiday celebration in town! This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats from Step Afrika! Why celebrate the holidays sitting still when you can step with Step Afrika!

The Christmas Revels: A French-Canadian Celebration of the Winter Solstice: Dec. 10-12 & 17-19, 2021
Magic is just around the corner in a rustic village in Europe! As the Winter days grow short, three wandering performers from far-off lands weave music, dance and stories from their cultures into an enchanting and dramatic tale of the Winter Solstice. But when the sun finally sets on the longest night — and darkness seems to stretch on without end — these “Celestial Fools” lead us on a journey into the heavens to reclaim the light and restore its warmth to the world. The cast of over 100, ages 9-90, invites you to join tradition bearers Karim Nagi, Shizumi Shigeto Manale and Mark Novak for this timeless fable. Sing along and dance through the aisles to eclectic instrumentals by Seth Kibel, Vladimir Fridman and Bob Abbott, with the glorious tones of the Washington Revels Brass. And as we prepare to call back the Sun, let’s light a candle, deck the hall, and revel in this exuberant blend of seasonal celebrations from around the world and across the centuries. Welcome Yule!

An Irish Carol at Keegan Theatre: Dec. 10-31, 2021
An original work by Keegan company member Matthew J. Keenan, AN IRISH CAROL is an homage to Dickens’ classic – told as only the Irish can. This comic and touching play, set in a modern Dublin pub, follows one evening in the life of David, a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity in the interest of self-protection and material success. But on this Christmas Eve – challenged by a voice from the past, provoked by those in the present, and faced with the reality of a lonely future – David’s life may change forever.

A Celtic Christmas with Seán Heely Celtic Band at Strathmore: Dec. 11, 2021
Join award-winning Irish fiddler Seán Heely and a cast of nationally-acclaimed Celtic performers on a magical journey through Scotland and Ireland during the holidays. The fiddle and bagpipes will sweep you away to Christmas time and Winter Solstice celebrations along with featured dancers from Scottish and Irish traditions that are sure to lift your holiday spirits and warm your heart. Kilts and tartan abound as the show travels through ancient Gaelic carols and songs, tucked in perfectly with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies with a Celtic twist.

Joy of Christmas at The Washington National Cathedral: Dec. 11-12, 2021
From all corners of Washington National Cathedral, voices rise, filling the arches with echoes of holidays past and the wonder of things to come. It’s time to surround yourself with feelings of comfort and warmth that come when the weather is cold and the music is bright. It’s time to restart the tradition of singing together in a space of beauty and community. Washington, D.C.’s holiday tradition since 1976 is back. Seraph Brass and Cathedral organist George Fergus join Maestro Steven Fox and the Cathedral Choral Society for an unforgettable return to choral music.

Holiday Cheer at The Performing Arts Factory: Dec. 11 & 12, 2021
A Cabaret of Holiday Songs from some of your favorite Other Voices Theatre performers!

The Mini-Nut at Montgomery College

The Mini-Nut at Montgomery College: Dec. 11 & 12, 2021
The Mini-Nut is MYB’s abbreviated version of The Nutcracker geared towards younger audiences. This one hour version is a great introduction to ballet for our youngest theatre goers. The performance is approximately one hour long with no intermission. A perfect holiday mini-treat!

Corduroy at Imagination Stage: Dec. 11, 2021-Jan. 24, 2022
We all need a friend, and Lisa is instantly drawn to the perfectly imperfect teddy bear on display at the department store. If only she can convince her stressed-out mother to buy Corduroy for her! Meanwhile, Corduroy is determined to find his missing button and become worthy of going to a real home. After the store has closed, he goes on a hilariously destructive search–with the Night Watchman in comical pursuit. Full of mischief and clowning, this story of unconditional love captures both the humanity and the merriment of the holiday season. ASL-Interpreted performance: January 2 at 1:30 p.m. Sensory-Friendly performance: January 16 at 11:00 a.m.

Noseda conducts Handel’s Messiah (Part I) & Bach’s Magnificat at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 16-19, 2021
Don’t miss the glorious return of Washington, D.C.’s favorite holiday tradition! For the very first time, Gianandrea Noseda conducts the NSO in selections from the quintessential musical crown of the season: Handel’s Messiah. Experience the beauty of “Rejoice,” “For unto us a Child is born,” “Comfort Ye,” and more iconic music of Messiah’s Part I—coupled with Bach’s celebratory showpiece Magnificat.

The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas at Strathmore: Dec. 16-17, 2021
Jingle all the way! Join two-time Grammy winners—the DC region’s dynamic Washington Chorus—for a festival family holiday concert like nothing else. “A Candlelight Christmas” features The Washington Chorus (Eugene Rogers, Artistic Director) with brass, organ, and special guests in this spirited holiday music experience. Delight in our signature candlelight processional; raise your voice in our audience carol sing-along; and leave humming with a candy cane and a heart filled with holiday cheer. “A Candlelight Christmas” is among the DC region’s most treasured holiday traditions—join The Washington Chorus in community and song for this unforgettable holiday experience. This event is not presented by Strathmore. 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at MGM National Harbor: Dec. 16-19, 2021
Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in this popular and dazzling family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.

The Nutcracker at Montgomery College: Dec.17–27, 2021
Magical dolls, life-sized mice, dancing snowflakes, and an enchanting kingdom of sweets return to stage this holiday season for Maryland Youth Ballet’s LIVE production of The Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, the incredible dancing and dazzling costumes bring to life the story of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince. Join us back at the theater for the full-length classic choreographed by Artistic Director, Olivier Muñoz.

Christmas with the King’s Singers at The Washington National Cathedral: Dec. 17, 2021
Celebrate the magic of the Christmas season with one of Britain’s most beloved vocal ensembles, The King’s Singers, in their only Washington-area appearance. With Christmas favorites to lesser-known gems to some brand-new surprises, there’s no better way to embrace the warmth of the season than with these six talented singers. Featuring songs from their albums “Finding Harmony,” “Christmas” and “The King’s Singers Christmas Songbook.” You are invited to come home to the Cathedral this Christmas to embrace everything that Christmas and the Cathedral have to offer.

A Family Christmas at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 18 & 25, 2021
Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them!

A Candlelight Christmas at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 19-22, 2021
Jingle all the way! Join two-time Grammy winners – the DC region’s dynamic Washington Chorus for a festive family holiday concert like nothing else!

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Strathmore: Dec. 20-22, 2021
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns to Strathmore. This contemporary dance spectacle is a remixed and reimagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set. Grab your family and friends and let the dynamic performers of The Hip Hop Nutcracker take you on a journey that celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.

Christmas Music at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 20 & 24, 2021
Awaken your holiday spirit with a concert of festive musical treats performed by the Choral Arts Symphonic Chorus and Youth Choir accompanied by a full orchestra in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Film: Elf (Part of December Traditions) at The Kennedy Center: Dec. 22, 2021
Join for FREE film screenings in the Justice Forum every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and FREE performances in the Grand Foyer Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 6 p.m. A limited number of advance reservations are available, but most seats will be be available for walk-ups on the day of the performance. 

Christmas Day Organ Recital at The Washington National Cathedral: Dec. 25, 2021
Cathedral organists Thomas Sheehan and George Fergus present a program of festive Christmas music on the Cathedral’s Great Organ. Make a cup of cocoa, wear your holiday-appropriate ugly sweaters and socks, and celebrate Christmas with us! If you’re planning to attend the recital in person, the concert is free and is not ticketed.

Related posts:
Winter bucket list
Gift guide
Hanukkah celebrations
Holiday light displays
Ice skating
Holiday gift guide and stocking stuffers
Toys & games that are educational
Indoor & outdoor must-haves
Subscription boxes for children
Holiday tea

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Filed Under: Date Night, Holiday Options, Music, Theatre, Virtual, Winter Tagged: ballets, holiday, music

Ultimate guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

October 13, 2021

We have it all– dogs parades, date nights including frights and of course family-friendly Halloween events! If you are looking for orchards and fall festivals you can find that here. We have been crossing off items from our fall bucket list and hope you are starting to enjoy the fun that comes with fall too. 

Halloween and fall events:
Creepy Climb at Summit Ropes: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October
Special Halloween Night Event Sunday October 31 and BONUS Days just added for November 1 & 2. Over 120-HAUNTED obstacles and special effects. 1-hour or 2-hr Passes available with a 15-min Harnessing & Training session.

DC Party Box: spooktacular drive-in movies through October 31

Movies on the Potomac: Featuring Halloween favorites on Sundays through October 31

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at The Puppet Co: through October 31

Eye Spy Halloween Trains: through October 31
Saturdays & Sundays in October mean the popular Eye Spy Trains are back for Halloween. Great for families of all ages, Montgomery Parks’ Cabin John Miniature Train and the Wheaton Miniature Train will take a ride through “Trainslyvania.” Purchase tickets for Cabin John’s Eye Spy Trains or Wheaton’s Eye Spy Trains.

Halloween Hunt at The Mansion on O Street: October 14 -31
Have fun searching for Autumn & Halloween themed items found only at The Mansion. They have over 100 rooms and 70 secret doors (yes 70!). They guarantee you can see at least 60 of our legendary rooms — but be warned secret doors are tricky to find — if you find 2 or 3 you are an above average sleuth. Includes self-guided tour through our themed rooms and secret doors.

Soul Strolls: Twighlight Tours at Congressional Cemetery: October 15-16 and October 22-23
Trespass into the past and discover the secrets of some of Congressional Cemetery’s “residents.” Soul Strolls, the Cemetery’s annual twilight tours, explore the stories of individuals buried here through guided tours and costumed interpreters. Experience the history of this hallowed ground exactly the way it should be experienced in October – in twilight and darkness, happening upon vignettes and individuals under the guidance of one of our own. Soul Strolls take place over four nights, October 15-16 and October 22-23. Hour-long tours depart every 15 minutes between 6 and 10 pm.

Halloween Toddler Time at B&O Railroad: October 17, 22, 23, 24, 20, 30 & 31
Take a Halloween-decorated train ride out to the B&O’s pumpkin patch, located at the site of the First Mile Stable. After choosing their pumpkin, touring the stable, and meeting the horses, kids will take the train back to the B&O, where they can decorate their pumpkins, play carnival games, win prizes, enjoy a fall snack, receive tokens to use on our children’s rides! Trains are boarded 15 minutes prior to train ride time, so it is recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes early. 

Mystery Mansion: October 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31
A ten-room haunted house packed with chills, thrills, and a smidge of Maryland history, Mystery Mansion has scares that are just right for younger children. This is a 100% “No Contact” haunted house!  Older students and adults will enjoy the stories, special effects, and devious characters. If you are 10 years or older (no exceptions) you can visit The Crypt, a slightly scarier experience for those who dare. Before and after Mystery Mansion, enjoy Bonfire Bash!  Bonfire Bash is a Fall Festival with fire pits, Halloween movies, live entertainment, food, beer & wine, face painting, and s’mores! Mystery Mansion & Bonfire Bash take place at 7931 Connecticut Avenue, one mile inside the beltway. Free parking is available behind the club house. Tickets are available now on the web site. Plan ahead and enjoy Mystery Mansion!

Halloween Festival at Confetti: October 22 & 23 from 5:00pm-8:00pm
It’s spooky season and the party is brewing at Confetti! Get your child’s costume ready – they’re launching a series of community holiday parties with a fun filled Halloween Extravaganza! Kids will enjoy an evening full of creating memories with friends, sugar cookie decorating, pizza and spooky snacks (enjoyed outside), age-appropriate Halloween games, a costume contest, and a glow-in-the dark dance party.  Costumes are strongly encouraged! This drop-off event has two sessions, one for ages 6+ and one for ages 10+.

DPR Halloween Events: October 22-30
Movies, haunted houses, trick or treating and more!

Barracks Row OctROWberfest: October 23
Come out to support our local businesses this October to celebrate Munich-style. Join for live music from a traditional Oompah band and more fun.

Halloween in the Garden: October 23 from 10:00am-4:00pm
Join for a family-friendly Halloween festival at the beautiful 30 acre park.  With timed-entry tickets and activities spread out across the park, there will be lots of room for everyone.  More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be there handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more!   Dress up the whole family and come enjoy a spooktakular day at Annmarie! THIS IS A MASK-ON EVENT; masks are required for all guests over the age of 2.  Click here for detailed event and safety information and register in advance.

Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon: October 23 & 24
Celebrate the crisp autumn season with 18th-century activities & demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. Explore the Farm. Meet General Washington. Purchase food freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven. Watch an 18th-century cooking demonstration. Visit with the colonial surveyors to see how surveying was done. Witness an 18th-century Cooper and Wheelwright perform their craft. See how horseshoeing was performed in the 18th century with the Farrier. Watch 18th-century spinning demonstrations. Learn about 18th-century textiles and how they were dyed.

Día de los Muertos at the Wharf: October 24 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at The Wharf with live music, street food, a beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more to District Pier in partnership with Modelo and Fiesta DC. Plus, they will be giving out prizes for most authentic outfit!

Mask making at The Loft Collective: October 24 at 3:00pm or 4:00pm
They’ll supply the basic mask, fur and feathers, paint and pastels, glitter and glue. You bring your ideas! Ages 4-10, parent attendance encouraged with younger children. COVID safety policies in effect: please pre-register so we can manage numbers, and masks are required indoors at all times. 

34th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race: October 26 from 6:30pm-9:00pm
You’re invited to join Mayor Muriel Bowser and The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs for the District’s 34th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race hosted the Tuesday before Halloween. The High Heel Race is one of DC’s most unique events with a rich history. Join in as thousands of spectators pack the Dupont Circle Neighborhood to watch hundreds of costumed drag queens show off their extravagant outfits & race down 17th Street, NW. The event will be lively with entertainment, a parade, and much more! Parade Begins: 6:30 p.m Race Time: Begins at 9:00 p.m

Bethesda Row Trick or Treat: October 27 from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Bring your ghosts and goblins for an evening of fun, treats, bites and retail scare-apy. Tickets are required per child (not adult) and all proceeds go directly to Manna Food Center

Glow in the Park: October 29 & 30
Glow in the Park at the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is available on select dates but some are sold out. 2 hours of climbing & ziplining, additional 40 minutes for the initial orientation. Tickets available every 10 minutes starting at 6pm until 8:20pm.

Story Pirates Halloween Party and Costume Contest: October 29 at 3:30pm
Creator Campers are hard at work this month creating the New Halloween City, and you’re invited to visit during our FREE virtual Halloween party on October 29th! Wear your costumes for our Zoom parade and see what costumes the Story Pirates are wearing while we play games and celebrate at the silliest Halloween party there is! You can join at 3:30pm.

Hill-O-Ween: October 29 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Capitol Hill celebrates Halloween as a community each year in front of Eastern Market on 7th St.

Spooktacular at Color Burst Park: October 29 from 6:00pm-8:30pm
For one evening, The Merriweather District will be transformed into a festive Halloween space for the whole family to enjoy! Some of the Spook – tivities will include: Pick your own pumpkin at our very own pumpkin patch and give it a spooky makeover. Trick-or-Treat around Color Burst Park. Enjoy a Halloween themed movie night featuring Hocus Pocus complete with popcorn and candy. Costumes are highly encouraged! This event is free and family-friendly. Bring your picnic blanket and snacks to enjoy movie night.

Fall Frolic at Lee-Fendall House: October 30 from 10:00am-3:00pm
Enjoy some seasonal family fun in the garden of the Lee-Fendall House during the Fall Frolic! Put on your Halloween costumes and join for activities catered to children ages 3-12. Activities include a “ghost” hunt, crafts, and a costume parade. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance.

Haunted Halloween Hunt at Tudor Place: October 30 from 10:00am-11:00am
Experience Halloween at Tudor Place with a spooky one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt. Wear your costume and come with your friends and family. Create a creepy craft to take home, then explore the garden to discover bats, spiders and other outdoor Halloween secrets. Scavenger hunt finishers will receive a special prize. Suggested Ages: 7 – 12 years old. Pre-registration is required. Capacity is limited.

PIKEkids Trick-or-Treating: October 30 from 10:00am-12:00pm
PikeKIDS annual Trick or Treat is back! Bring your little ones for a fun morning of Trick or Treating around the neighborhood and stay for brunch. Tickets required and all proceeds benefit Manna Food Center.

Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: October 30 from 10:00am-5:00pm
Air & Scare Outside will feature: Trick or treat stations with free candy and snacks. Creepy crafts, spooky experiments, and other Halloween-themed activities for family members of all ages.  Special story times and puppet shows for the youngest Halloween revelers. Photo opportunities with your favorite Star Wars characters. This year many of our Star Wars friends can also be visited at activity stations. A chance to enter a costume contest to win sweet prizes (get all the details and rules). Can’t join the fun in person? Check out the Air & Scare at Home virtual activities. 

Día de los Muertos Virtual Family Program: October 30 from 11:00am-12:00pm
The National Postal Museum is delighted to collaborate with the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) to create a virtual family program that celebrates Day of the Dead | Día de los Muertos. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is issuing its first-ever Día de los Muertos stamps in 2021, and these Smithsonian museums are commemorating this special issue by bringing unique educational content to a virtual audience. This program includes an author reading of Dia de los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield Thong. Educational staff from the Postal Museum and NMAI will lead the audience through some special connections between the book, the holiday, and their collections, and the program will conclude with a craft demonstration. This program is recommended for ages 3-7 but all are welcome!

BlackRock Center for Arts Lil Pumpkins Festival: October 30 from 11:00am-6:00pm
Explore, celebrate and engage in the arts at BlackRock with a day of spooktacular celebration of family programming with free pumpkins, improv workshops, exhibits, trick-or-treating, visual arts, haunted hip-hop, The Rocky Horror Picture Show beginning at 11:00am. From 2:00 – 6:00pm Lil’ pumpkin festival: free pumpkins for ages 11 and under, photo booth (Time TBD), Lil’ pumpkin painting, and Mommy Daddy beer garden!  From 2:00 – 5:00pm – LIL’ pumpkins festival trick or treating at 3:00pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00pm Lil’ pumpkins festival costume parade. All persons must be masked when entering BlackRock’s facility, and all persons ages above the age of twelve entering the facility must show proof of vaccination.

Nightmare on Elm Street Urban Park: October 30 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
You won’t find Freddy Kreuger here, but come out to Montgomery Parks’ FREE Nightmare on Elm Street Halloween event at Elm Street Urban Park for some spooky, silly fun!  This FREE event will feature fun events for the whole family! No registration is required. Bring your appetite, because O’Boy Pizza and Ice Cream will be on-site to provide delicious food, along with a great Halloween disc jockey to get you in the spooky spirit! They will also have a fantastic “Trick or Treat Trails” scavenger hunt, lots of lawn games, and plenty of picnic seating. There will be tons of great Halloween props and decorations for you to snap pictures with. 

Trick or Treat at Mount Vernon: October 30 from 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities. Collect candy in your special Mount Vernon treat bag around the historic grounds. Watch Halloween-themed Punch & Judy shows at 2:30 & 4:00 p.m. on the Bowling Green. Watch and Learn about 18th century magic in the Upper Garden at 3:30 & 5:00 p.m. See an 18th-century chocolate-making demonstration and sample a chocolate treat (while supplies last) in the North Grove. Learn about 18th-century Wool Carding along the South Lane. Watch sparks fly at the Blacksmith Shop. Enjoy musical entertainment on the Bowling Green. Find out about our Hog Island sheep, a breed dating back to Washington’s time, at the Stables.

OFC’s House of Terror and Family Trunk or Treat: October 30 from 5:00pm-10:00pm
The Old Firehouse is transforming the inside of the center into the spookiest, scariest, walk-through experience in McLean. The House of Terror will be divided into two time slots:• No Scares 5–7 p.m.: Participants can walk through the lighted path and view our actors and actresses with no jumps, scares or fears.• All Scares 7:30–10 p.m.: The effects are on, the lights are off, and the actors and actresses are out of sight and ready to surprise. Trunk or Treat: Saturday, Oct. 30, 6–9 p.m. Free for kids of all ages; preregistration is not required. If the House of Terror isn’t your thing, no worries! Outside, the OFC’s Trunk or Treat will have some music, fun and themed vehicles with Halloween candy to share while supplies last.

Halloween Spooktacular: October 30 from 6:00pm-9:00pm
The St. James Halloween Spooktacular is a great way to enjoy a fun-filled, safe Halloween evening. Bring your own blanket for socially-distanced family movie night in The St. James Field House. 6:00-7:00 PM: Trick-or-Treating. Pre-wrapped candy will be distributed with gloves. Masks required for all employees and unvaccinated guests. 6:30 PM: Field House open for blanket set up, food pick-up and candy sorting. 7:00-8:30 PM: Kid friendly movie (TBD) begins in the Field House 8:30-9:00 PM: Costume Contest – (Winner wins a free SAA birthday party!).

DC Party Box: October 30 & 31
DC Party Box is bringing back a contactless drive thru trick or treating Halloween experience in Rockville. Take a drive-thru a spooktacular village with plenty of stops for treats (and tricks) along the way. They’re bringing the thrill to the whole family, with excitement and scares to delight all spook levels. Purchase a “treat” ticket for all individuals in the car that would like candy, and/or purchase a “trick” ticket for all individuals who are just along for the spook of it. EVERYONE in the car must have a ticket and stay in the car.

Rumpus Room Family Dance Party, Halloween Special: October 31 from 11:00am-1:00pm
The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns for Halloween! This October we’ll be getting (slightly) spooky, outdoors under the sun, so put on your costumes and come dance with us! Get ready for a dance floor filled with little ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and pumpkins of all ages. Relive your night-life glory days and show off those rusty moves with your little ones in tow. The soundtrack for the day will be a family-friendly mix of dance floor and Halloween classics, all at a kid-friendly volume.

Laurie Berkner’s Virtual Halloween Concert: October 31 at 12:00pm & 5:00pm
Ready for a spooktacular Halloween experience? Beloved children’s musician Laurie Berkner invites families to stop in for a spell HERE. For double the fun, a family ticket grants admission to both livestreams. For kids who are all dressed up with nowhere to ghost, Laurie’s shows will give the season of costumes, candy, and jack-o’-lanterns a real “BOO-st.” Laurie hopes families will join her in displaying their pumpkins, putting up their Halloween decorations, and getting decked out in their Halloween costume finery.

Spooktacular on Connecticut Avenue: October 31 from 2:00pm-5:00pm
The Chevy Chase Citizens Association is reviving Spooktacular – to be held on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, DC. Restaurants and store owners will provide goodies for costumed trick-or-treaters.

The Station at Riverdale Park’s: No info
My Gym Halloween Party: No info
Metropolitan Police Department Halloween Safe Haven District Events: No info
Drive thru at the Zoo: Cancelled
Rockville Peekaboo Halloween: Cancelled

Corn maze at Winterbrook Farm

Corn mazes:
Liberty Mills Farm
Winterbrook Farm
Summers Farm
Montpelier Farm
Wayside Farm

Date nights:
Grief & Ghost Tours at Lee-Fendall House: October 22 & 23 from 7:00pm-9:00pm
Celebrate Halloween with a look at Victorian mourning traditions coupled with stories of tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences at the Lee-Fendall House. Customs such as draping the mirrors after a death, funeral practices, hair mementos, mourning clothing, and séances will be explored. These tours offer a rare opportunity to see the house after dark! Tickets are $15 per person. Tours groups will be limited to 10 participants and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Halloween Hayride & Haunted Bonfire: Oct 23 from 7:30pm-11:30pm
Enjoy a tractor driven hayride in the darkness with demons and devils. You will then gather around a HAUNTED bonfire where you can enjoy roasting hotdogs, marshmallows and making s’mores (all will be provided and included in the ticket)!  Sing songs, play games, tell frightening stories or just socialize and enjoy the stars and the open night air. Other dates and times available.

Adults only:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober
Laurel’s House of Horror

Pups:
Howl-O-Ween at Gateway’s Interim Dog Park!: October 22 from 3:00pm-7:00pm
The Rosslyn BID and the Rosslyn Dog Owners Group (R-DOGS) are teaming up for a Halloween themed evening of dog-friendly activities, treats and fun in celebration of Rosslyn’s new Interim Dog Park at Gateway Park West. Rosslyn’s pet community is invited to enjoy local pet-themed vendors, speakers, a social media dog costume contest and giveaways! Plus, raffle tickets will be sold to help raise funds for the addition of agility features to our dog park!

Spooky Pooch Howl-o-ween Celebration: October 23 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Hightail it to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden with your four-legged friend for some Halloween fun! Inspired by Marjorie Post’s affection for dogs and the memorial dog cemetery she created at Hillwood, we welcome you and your four-legged friend to join us for Halloween fun! Explore the gardens and participate in the annual costume competition. Strut your mutt and size up the other canine contestants. 

Hirshhorn Howl-o-ween: October 30 from 9:30am-11:00am
The Hirshhorn is hosting its first-ever dog-friendly event, just in time for Halloween. Join with (or without) your dog for a morning of costumes and coffee in the Hirshhorn’s outdoor Sculpture Garden. Dress up your pup, and if they’re feeling fierce, sign them up to strut their stuff in our furry fashion contest ($25 to register, free for Hirshhorn Insiders) for the chance to win a few special prizes. Local experts District Dogs will be there to keep the dog party going with free activities like peanut butter portraits. This event is open to all ages, and kids are encouraged to join in on the fun with Hirshhorn-inspired creative projects geared toward little artists.

sPETacular Halloween Parade: October 30 at 12:00pm
The Shepherd Park Citizens Association (SPCA) is hosting its First Annual sPETacular Halloween Parade and Costume Contest at Noon at the Parks at Walter Reed proves Halloween is for furbabies too!  Prizes are generously donated by One Leg Up Pets, Big Bad Wood Pet Store, and other vendors will be awarded by celebrity judges Carin Ruff of Dog-Friendly Shepherd Park, Vickie Davis of Hines Urban Atlantic, and Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George. Register your dog for FREE or come to cheer on your favorites.  The event opens at Noon on 10/30/21 at the Parks at Walter Reed Dog Park.  Enter at the Butternut gate and please wear a mask.

Halloween Best in Show at The Boro: October 30 from 1:00pm-3:00pm
The Boro, Tyson’s premier destination for luxury urban living in the heart of Northern Virginia, is calling all furry friends to grab their favorite costumes for Best in Show at The Boro! Celebrate the spookiest day of the year with festive treats and activities for the whole family on Hallow’s-eve. Best in Show at The Boro will include a live DJ, themed photo booth, arts-and-crafts, trick-or-treating, and everyone’s favorite lawn games stationed around the park. In the feature event, guests can enter their pups for the ‘Best in Show Costume Contest’ for a chance to win baskets filled with Halloween-themed dog goodies! Owners can then reward their pets at the Bone Bar, a booth offering a festive selection of yummy treats meant for your four-legged friends.

Bark Social Fall Fest & Puppy Parade: October 31 from 11:00am-2:00pm
Fall fest will include activities such as: Duo donut grab with you and your pup, bobbing for apples, ring toss, straw bale pyramid, pumpkin calligraphy, cookie decorating, and much more! There’s something for everyone — you’ll be sure to leave the park with a a bag full of goodies. Silver Branch Brewing and Frankly Vodka will be giving out drinks as well for the adults. Afterwards, get the pups in a row and parade around Pike & Rose. Yes, prizes will definitely be given out to best dressed in three categories: (1) Best buddies joint costume (you + your dog), (2) Best dog costume, and (3) Best group costume (2+ humans and dogs).

Bonus:
Order new seasonal treats from Milk Bar. Taking the classic fall favorite,  apple cider doughnuts, and remixing it with a uniquely Milk Bar spin, a brand new cake and truffle combo is meant to transport you to your favorite fall memory.

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Filed Under: Date Night, Fall, Holiday Options Tagged: festival

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Washington, DC

October 5, 2021

Washington, DC is one of the lucky cities that get to host the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, a hot pop-up showing up in select cities and selling out fast! If this is your first “immersive” experience, do not fear, it really is calm and can be enjoyed if you are 2 or 92. Set in a large warehouse space at the Rhode Island Center, you get to witness the magical and beautiful works of Vincent Van Gogh from floor to two-story ceilings and 360-degree. The whole experience takes about an hour and a half, but if you have smaller children with shorter attention spans, you may be running through it faster than you normally would prefer. The first rooms you enter are more of your typical museum setting with some background on the artist and his art, but it’s mixed with some high-tech non-typical eye catching digital displays. You also get to experience a few life size replicas of paintings including Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom,” where you can actually walk into the art and sit on the bed.

The main event though is the largest room with the digital show display covering every inch of the space with beautiful music (though it could be loud for the youngest kids or those with sound sensitivities). There are bean bags, lounge chairs and benches to relax on with no bad seat. Kids are entertained by the art fluttering on the floor and moving on the walls, but the youngest fans probably won’t be able to stay the entire length of the show. It really is magical to be completely surrounded by famous works like “Starry Night” and “Irises” in this new way where the stars are actually twinkling or the flowers are moving as if in the wind.

You then step into a room where adults and kids alike get to test out their Van Gogh skills with coloring pages that can then be scanned and projected on the wall in a frame. For an extra fee, you can enjoy a “virtual reality experience” that puts you into Van Gogh’s world and paintings just by wearing a headset. A gift shop welcomes you at the end with plenty of “Starry Night” printed trinkets to take home.

Details: The exhibit runs from August 2021 to January 2022. 

Tickets for adults start at $39.99 and $19.90 for children (children under 4 are free), with family passes available. More information can be found here.

  • Weekdays: 10am–8pm
  • Weekends & holidays: 9am–9pm

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is all digital, hands free, and perfect for our socially distant world.

Location: Rhode Island Center – 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002.

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Filed Under: Date Night, Education, Fall, Guest Post, Indoor Play, Winter Tagged: DC, immersive experience, van gogh

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