There are so many great things going on this weekend. Sometimes I feel like a broken record as I say that a lot; we really do live in a great place! Be sure and read, save, and put some of these great Halloween & Fall events on your calendar.

The theatre options right now are fantastic as well. You won’t want to miss these. Disney’s Frozen, Jr at Encore Stage & Studio starts today and is “Theatre by Kids, for Kids!”.

There are plenty of ways for you to have a date night while your Bambinos have a great time out as well, with these Parents Night Out events!

Shop America’s Handmade Market and support artist entrepreneurs this fall at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival! Sugarloaf returns to the Maryland State Fairgrounds just north of Baltimore for a weekend of artistic appreciation and entertainment for collectors and enthusiasts of all ages. They have an interactive children’s theater that puts on multiple performances each day. They also have amazingly talented artisans demonstrating their creation process live all weekend. Children under 12 are free.

Friday

6:00pm-10:00pm: Dark Nights & Frightful Heights at Summit Ropes
From October 11 until Halloween night every Friday & Saturday night Summit Ropes turns into a haunted ropes course.  There will be scavenger hunts and candy. Scary Fun for the whole family.  Limited availability.  BOOK NOW to ensure your spot is reserved. 

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, Inc: The Three Not So Little Pigs at the National Theatre
The beloved fairy tale gets an engaging twist as Little Yellow Pig (musician), Little Blue Pig (mechanic), and Little Rd Pig (architect) learn that cooperation is the key to success and happiness. Tickets may be reserved beginning the Friday, one week prior to the performance. There will be a limited amount of walk-up tickets will be available on-site on the day of the show. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance time to take place in the “Stand-by line.” Program is best suited for children ages 4 to 10 years.

10:00am-4:00pm: Heritage Day at Pierce Mill
Join for some traditional fun for all ages. Learn about West-African kente cloth weaving and watch a demonstration by Chapuchi Bobbo Ahiagble. Craft a drop spindle, use our miniature loom, or weave a yarn basket. Take our recently recommissioned rope-making machine for a spin. See 200-year-old grist mill grind corn into cornmeal. Marvel at 19th-century medicine as Dr. Stonestreet treats common milling accidents. Tap your toes to some live folk music. At 2:30 enjoy a demonstration by the DC Square Dance Collective. Seasonal food and beverages will be available for purchase.

10:00am AND 11:30am: Culture Queen’s Dance Party at Atlas Performing Arts Center
Join the Culture Queen as she does “The Locomotion” on a journey throughout the swinging 60’s. This energetic show introduces young audiences to the music of Dance Hall kings & queens. Your children will learn the hottest dances of the era. Best for ages 2-10.

10:00am-5:00pm: The Big Build at National Building Museum
Build, discover, play, make, climb, and design alongside architects, hobbyists, artisans, and craftspeople. Explore the construction vehicle “petting zoo.” Experience cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality in the Tech Lab – new this year! BUILD a brick wall, DISCOVER the inner workings of elevators, ILLUMINATE lights and learn about electricity, EXPLORE home remodeling, JOIN story and activity time with author Joshua David Stein, featuring his book Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture, VISIT all Museum exhibitions for free.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Toot, Toot, Beep, Beep is the story for the day.

2:00pm- 3:00pm: Halloween Printmaking with Nina Muys 
Children ages 5+ will take place in a printmaking workshop. Children will express themselves by using Styrofoam plates and stamps and create Halloween themed prints. Free but $5 material fee is appreciated. Limited space. Please email to register.

Sunday

10:00-11:30am Lion Lessons! Preschool Class
Looking for the PURR-fect activity this weekend? Come learn about the Smithsonian’s National Zoo fabulous felines and how to be part of the pride! Learn what it’s like to be a lion and test your skills with us and our wild role models. Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

11:00am-12:00pm: Iggy Peck, Architect at Hirshhorn
Explore architecture through a read-aloud of Iggy Peck, Architect, then investigate the Hirshhorn building with close looking and hands-on building activities. STORYTIME explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Each week features a fresh and fun theme. Bring your littlest art lover for an introduction to an artist on view, interactive read aloud, and a hands-on activity.

11:00am-2:00pm: 2nd Annual Harvest Festival at Capitol Cider House
Start Sunday off right with all of this goodness: live apple pressing, apple cider donuts (YUM!), apple tasting, mulled cider, face painting, balloon animals, random prizes and more! Please RSVP so they have enough of everything, ESPECIALLY DONUTS!!!

Sukkot Celebrations
Join for one or more of these awesome family-friendly Sukkot celebrations! on Sunday, October 13
Sukkot Around the World with Growing Jewish Families Pozez JCC (Fairfax), 10:00am
Sukkah Village at Bender JCC (Rockville), 10:00am
Sukkah Decorating Party at Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim (Silver Spring), 10:30am
Jump Into Sukkot at Gesher Jewish Day School (Fairfax), 3:00pm
Sillies in Our Sukkah at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation (Bethesda), 4:00pm

*Don’t forget to register to be a part of Race for Every Child with team Eliana’s Light. Walk, run, or roll on Oct. 19th.

Go Nats! Cheer on our home team as they play the Dodgers in the NLDS. They will play at home on Sunday and Monday!!

This weekend you can finally dress in some fall attire and hit the pumpkin patch or go apple picking and not sweat so much.

Enjoy exciting, interactive and educational programs, entertainment and activities all weekend long at Fall For Fairfax KidsFest. This is specially designed for families with elementary & Pre-K aged children. Plus, admission is totally free! There will be 2 stages of free entertainment including the Innovation Health Kids Stage, and the Community Stage. Discount ticket packages are available by clicking here for some of the activities. Activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, public safety and recycling-themed exhibits, pony rides, petting zoo, model trains, instrument petting zoo, and the KidWay MidWay (with more than a dozen rides and attractions). Plus more than 75 exhibits, activities and great festival food!

Our 2019/20 theatre guide is out and live productions have already hit stages. Make sure you plan out your year at the theatre with your Bambinos! This weekend you can catch The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Imagination Stage, Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a play” at Adventure Theatre or a different kind of experience you can go to is Disney on Ice at EagleBank Arena.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone.

Friday

5:30pm-8:30pm: Nerf Night at Badlands: Fortnite
Badlands invites kids ages 7+ to join us for Nerf Night by Badlands! Come enjoy a fun new theme each Nerf Night. Participants are encouraged to bring the blaster of their choosing and protective eyewear- Badlands will provide the foam darts and the fun! Kids tickets are $30 and include dinner. Adult tickets are free and include complimentary beer tasting. Follow along with us tonight to see what Nerf Nights are all about, as we put on our goggles and play safely!

Saturday

9:00am-4:00pm: Conservation Discovery Day at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Doors are open for a day of science designed for middle schoolers, high schoolers and undergrads. They’ll be able to take part in hands-on activities, panels with with conservation biologists, field ecologists, research scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers, and much more. It all takes place at SCBI’s large, rural campus, where some of the Smithsonian’s most important science research is happening right now. The event is open to everyone with the purchase of a shuttle pass, at $8 per person. Shuttles will leave from nearby Skyline High School—this year, there will be no parking on the main campus (more info here). Your kids can make a difference for wildlife.

10:00am-5:00pm: Ballston Quarter Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch
Celebrate fall with a Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch at Ballston Quarter, featuring live music, specialty drinks, crafts and of course, pumpkins! All pumpkins will be sold for $5 (cash only), with all proceeds going to Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Kids of all ages can participate in pumpkin decorating sponsored by Art House 7 and strike a pose in front of a fall-inspired photo-op. Live performances from Andrew Smith from 10am-1pm and MM Rock from 1-5pm, and a festive cider bar sponsored by BallstonGives for guests over 21 will truly welcome fall to Ballston Quarter! 

10:00am-2:00pm: Open Streets
Don’t miss the first Open Streets event coming to the District of Columbia. Attendees of all ages are welcome to get active and enjoy activities like biking, skating, aerobics, shopping, and more on the nearly three miles that will be closed to vehicles! Be sure to check out this link with amazing activities.

11:00am-4:00pm: Taste of Bethesda
Bethesda’s famous food and music festival brings 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Each year, more than 40,000 attendees sample the delicious restaurants, enjoy the live entertainment and visit the kid’s corner for face painting and arts & crafts. 

11:00am-4:00pm: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad’s Rescue Day
BCCRS is hosting the annual “Rescue Day” celebration featuring fire and rescue activities and displays for all ages. There will be tours of fire and rescue trucks, tours of the station, as well as live demonstrations of emergency medical, rescue, and firefighting equipment. Come see the advanced firefighting and lifesaving equipment up close. Kids will receive a free firefighter hat and there will be a moon bounce, food, and more!

12:00pm-6:00pm: College Park Day at the College Park Aviation Museum
There will be an awesome touch-a-truck and snow-plow painting area, helicopter fly-ins, amazing bands, hilarious and interactive performers and performances, a gigantic kids zone, arts n crafts, face painters and more.

2:00pm-5:45pm: Adams Morgan PorchFest
Inclusive, diverse and entertaining, Adams Morgan PorchFest brings neighbors, tourists, and families together with one thing in common: a love of music. And it’s 100% free. Adams Morgan PorchFest, held on the first Saturday in October each year, is a grassroots celebration of local musical talent. We turn the front porches and patios of historic homes and local businesses into “stages for a day,” showcasing an eclectic range of music from Latin to jazz, folk to rock, soul to classical, and everything in between.

3:00pm-5:00pm: Family Game Day at Kensington Town Hall
The event, hosted by the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation, will be packed with family fun. The afternoon will feature Kids Bingo using cards with symbols. Families can also enjoy games such as Toss Tic-Tac-Toe and Connect Four; fun crafts; a Story Corner with game-themed story time; and music to shake the sillies out. The fun is for kids of all ages, with activities geared toward children 2-8 years old. Proceeds from Family Game Day will support the Make MORE Noyes Renovation Campaign, a major capital project that will enable the historic Noyes Children’s Library in Kensington, MD, to expand both its space and its early literacy mission. $5 per person; $20 max per family. RSVP requested here.

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Storybook Safari: Where the Wild Things Are Preschool Class at the National Zoo
Kick off October by joining the wild rumpus!! You’ll roar your terrible roars and gnash your terrible teeth as you learn about some of the wildest things at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 3-5 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

10:00am-5:00pm: Takoma Park Street Festival
The festival will once again host a talented mix of local artists offering paintings, photographs, pottery, silk-screening, bath and body care, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, ceramics, kids’ items and much more. Non-profits, local companies and a variety of food vendors will also participate. Takoma’s indie businesses will be open and welcoming visitors. Kids love the festival with crafts, face painting, inflatables and FUN! Grab a mug for The Crawl for discounted pours at Takoma restaurants, bars and cafes. Mugs will be available for purchase at the festival info booth across from 7000 Carroll Avenue. Three stages with 18 bands will play all day. Don’t miss the fun!

10:15am-11:45am: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center: Twos Family Workshop
The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center opens its doors on the weekends to local families. Their unique programs combine playful classroom activities with visits to the museums. Each program is developed especially for the designated age group and with a unique theme. “Yellow Submarine”: Dive deep into the Ocean Hall and learn about the type of transportation needed to travel below the surface of the water. Along the way, we will explore the different ocean zones and the creatures that inhabit them.

Get in the Fall spirit {despite the weather} and head to an orchard to pick some apples or a farm to grab that porch worthy pumpkin!

While the beautiful Glen Echo Park Carousel building is being restored and renovated, the Glen Echo Park Partnership (along with Talk of the Town) is sponsoring some great activities. Click here for all of the details. Free activities run from 11:30am-3:30pm.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone.

Friday

6:00pm-9:00pm: Parents Night Out at My Gym Bethesda
Drop your kids off for three hours of nonstop action at My Gym including fitness games, active play, pizza and fun! Potty independent, ages 3yrs – 10yrs welcome. Cost is $40 Members, $45 Non-members, sibling discount.

Saturday

9:00am: Rock Creek Park Day
Happy Birthday, Rock Creek Park! Celebrate Rock Creek Park’s birthday & National Public Lands Day with speakers, volunteer activities (invasive plant management, plantings, trash cleanup, etc), information booths, ranger-led talks about recreational opportunities (hiking, biking, camping tips), fun facts about history in Rock Creek Park, and more!

9:00am-3:00pm: 6th Annual DC Parent and Family Engagement Summit
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is pleased to announce that the summit will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. During the summit, parents from across the District will learn best practices and strategies to engage, inform, and empower them to support learning at home and school. This year’s summit was planned by DC parents and has something for every family, whether they are getting ready to enroll their child in pre-K or preparing for the college and career transition. Register here.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday at the National Theatre: Christylez Bacon
D.C.’s own Human Beatbox, Grammy®-nominated Progressive Hip Hop Artist Christylez Bacon, combines rhyming, storytelling, and interactive call and response choruses to deliver a message of cultural acceptance and unification, all within a mosaic of musical styles ranging from jazz to hip hop. Tickets may be reserved beginning the Friday, one week prior to the performance. There will be a limited amount of walk-up tickets will be available on-site on the day of the show. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance time to take place in the “Stand-by line.” Program is best suited for children ages 4 to 10 years.

10:00am-2:00pm: Thinking of You at Capitol Hill Day
The National Postal Museum is participating in Capitol Hill Day celebrating  Thinking of You Week with the support of the Greeting Card Association.  Participate in activities that will invite you to exercise your creative side while reaching out to the people important to you. Story time for the youngest visitors at 10:30 and 11:30 am. Customize a wide selection of free greeting cards provided by GCA. Address envelopes in a new way during an artist-led activity that encourages creative design. Want to make a child smile? Send a postcard to a child staying at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health.

10:00am-12:00pm: Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District  in Milian Park 
The always popular petting zoo will be there alongside the FRESHFARM MVT Market. Enjoy getting to know the adorable bunnies, llamas, goats, donkeys and sheep from Leesburg Animal Park. The event is free and open to the public. In addition, DC Public Library will also be joining for a library takeout! They will have books to checkout, crafts for kids and other fun activities.

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio at Kreeger Museum
Children ages 3-5 are invited to use their imaginations as they explore paintings, sculpture, and architecture. Each First Studio includes a gallery tour, a story, and a hands-on art-making experience.

10:15am-11:45am: Toddler Trailblazers at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center: Bicycles
The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center opens its doors on the weekends to local families. Their unique programs combine playful classroom activities with visits to nearby museums. Each program is developed especially for the age group and with a unique theme. Let’s go ride a bike! This class will help prepare your toddler for future bike rides as the class learns about the parts of the bicycle before heading to the National Museum of American History to sit on some high-wheeler bicycles. 

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book, Giraffes Can’t Dance, with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home.

11:00am-5:00pm: Barracks Row Fall Festival 
At each Fall Festival our activities and booths blend urban diversity with the curiosities of small town fairs. Kids will be entertained throughout with magicians, The Great Zucchini, a donkey procession and more. Food vendors, beer garden, tours and more for adults. There’s no fair like this fair anywhere!

11:00am-4:00pm: Leesburg Airshow
This event provides a wonderful opportunity to see a snapshot of the general aviation world. The static display area, located on the airport’s aircraft parking ramp, will feature many unique, experimental and antique aircraft. The airshow exhibitors will showcase the many facets of general aviation, such as flight training, corporate transportation and emergency rescue operations. In addition, there will be inflatables for the kids, and a variety of food vendors. The skies above Leesburg will come alive with skydiving and aerobatic performances.

11:00am-10:00am: Fredrick’s Oktoberfest
Kids Zone will be welcoming kids from 11:00am-6:00pm. With performances by Mr. Jon at 2:00pm & 4:30pm. There will also be arts and crafts and a bounce house all day.

1:00pm-5:00pm: Tenleytown Block Party 
Join the annual fun, family-friendly and completely free Tenleytown Block Party!  Free grilled burgers/hot dogs/drinks/desserts and more. Food trucks, free ice cream by local area favorite food truck cotton candy, shaved ice & popcorn, children’s ferris wheel and a 24 ft rock climbing wall face painting, balloon artists & airbrush tattoo artists. The fan zone features an eating area with live viewing of NFL games, shaded seating, rides and amusements for all ages. Live dJ/music, tour a police car and more! 

Sunday

9:00am-5:00pm: Fall Fun Fest at the Armed Forces Retirement Home
(see image above for details)

10:00am-11:30am: Rocknoceros at Capitol Cider House
Get ready to twist, shake, rattle, and role as Rocknoceros gets the family on their feet dancing to upbeat tunes. Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005. They are one of DC’s most well-loved bands. Tickets required for all ages. All adult ticket holders will be able to enjoy our normal weekday happy hour. Doors open at 10am. Full food and drink menus will be available. This is a family-friendly event.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories, Dragons Love Tacos, to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item which was used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books.

2:00pm-6:00pm: Hill Center’s Annual Family Day + Concert
There will be a team of coppersmiths and blacksmiths, horse-drawn wagon rides, interactive games and crafts, Turley the Magician, face-painting, and balloon animals from Balloons by Brenda. At Hill Center, they like to celebrate our history while looking towards the future & will have Winks Photo Booth on site for photos and on the spot prints. Turley the Magician, one of the DC’s most renowned family performers, will entertain and dazzle people of ages with his incredible show at 2:30pm. At 4:00pm, King Bullfrog will hit the stage with high-energy original, folk and blues songs carefully tailored to get children dancing and delight grownups.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: Dumbo
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! 

-Have you entered to win tickets to Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville at National Theatre?

-Follow us on social media- Facebook & Instagram. We always add even more events on both outlets; don’t miss them!

Hallelujah the Washington Monument has reopened after many years of it being closed. Same-day, free tickets for opening day (September 19) and all tours through October 18 will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8:30am at the Washington Monument Lodge, located on 15th Street, between Madison Drive, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW. The monument will be open daily from 9am until 5pm. Starting on October 10 at 10am, advance reservation tickets may be ordered online for tour dates beginning on Oct. 19 (advance reservation tickets require a nominal processing fee). Same-day, free tickets will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis daily, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge. The monument will be open daily from 9am until 5pm.

Elephant & Piggie hit the stage at Adventure Theatre this weekend! The award-winning, best-selling children’s books jumps from page to stage as a musical experience you won’t forget! Gerald and Piggie are “bestus” friends, with Gerald taking care of all the worrying and Piggie living her best life. Piggie’s even happier and more excited than usual. They’re going to a party hosted by the Squirrelles! And so begins a day when anything is possible.

Goodnight Moon is at Maryland Ensemble Theatre through October. One of the most cherished children’s book of all times springs to life onstage in this delightful and imaginative musical for the whole family. Bunny’s room magically comes alive as he dances and sings his way to sweet dreams through nursery rhyme scenes with dancing bears with chairs, the Cat and the Fiddle, the Cow Jumping Over the Moon and even a trip through the night sky with dancing constellations.

The REACH Opening Festival is wrapping up at the Kennedy Center this weekend. Scroll through the calendar & see all of the great events lined up.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone.

Friday

4:00pm-7:00pm: Open House at My Gym
Learn all about fall classes, meet the teachers, play fitness games, practice gymnastics, and receive back to school discounts.  

4:00pm-11:00pm: Truckeroo
Truckeroo is a monthly festival held at The Bullpen that showcases the hottest food trucks in the DC area. Held April through September, Truckeroo is a family friendly event and features live music, cold drinks, games, and more.

7:00pm-9:00pm: Back to The Yards: A Throwback Neon Dance Party
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping and relaxing, invite you to celebrate the last days of summer with Back to The Yards, a throwback neon dance party! Jam out to a playlist of 80’s and 90’s chart-toppers, one-hit wonders, and favorites – don’t forget to wear your best throwback attire!  Family-friendly activities like slap bracelet making, neon glow face paint, all the best vintage arcade games, and more will make this a party for the ages! Admission is free and kids of all ages are welcome to attend. 

Saturday

9:00am-3:00pm: Homecoming at President Lincoln’s Cottage & Freedom 5K & Family Day
During the Civil War, the Lincoln family called the Cottage home. This year they welcome everyone back “home” to join for a full day of racing and family fun activities at Homecoming. Register for a 5k or the Tot Dash. There will be pony rides, arts and crafts, story hour, music, food and more. You can even tour the cottage: take a guided tour of the Lincoln family’s seasonal retreat. 

9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday at the National Theatre: Michael Shwedick: Reptile World
Exotic creatures headline this much-loved National Theatre tradition, combining Michael Swedick’s lessons on ecology with his unique way of providing intriguing, up close, kid-friendly encounters with alligators, snakes, and other fascinating reptiles. Tickets may be reserved beginning the Friday, one week prior to the performance. There will be a limited amount of walk-up tickets will be available on-site on the day of the show. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance time to take place in the “Stand-by line.” Program is best suited for children ages 4 to 10 years.

10:00am-3:00pm: Hispanic Innovators in Air and Space Family Day
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the National Air and Space Museum and learn about Hispanic innovators of the past and present. Meet Hispanic scientists and engineers. Build a clothespin airplane to celebrate the first Hispanic fighter pilot Felix Rigau Carrera. Take a tour of the Museum in Spanish (times TBD). Attend a bilingual planetarium show at 10:30 am (free). Enjoy Flights of Fancy story time in Spanish (time TBD). Create your own airship like Alberto Santos Dumont.

10:15am AND 11:30am: Saturday Family Story Sessions at Strathmore: Adventures in Arden with Shakespeare for the Young
Four Saturdays this fall, families enjoy diverse and dynamic programs from some of the best storytellers in our area. At Strathmore’s Saturday Family Story Sessions, stories encourage active imagination and come alive through improv, puppetry, songs, and more. Kids and parents alike will be enamored by the epic tales our storytellers spin. Snag a spot in the cozy Mansion Music Room and get up close to the performers—you might even find yourself participating in the story! Ideal for ages 4–8. See Strathmore Kids Tips for this program. The 10:15am performances are sensory-friendly to create an experience that is welcoming to children with autism or sensory sensitivities.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book, The Wheels on the Bus, with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home.

11:00am-3:00pm: ZooFiesta
Kick off the Smithsonian-wide Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at “ZooFiesta: Un día de diversión animal para toda la familia,” a free event. Come together with your family and friends to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a fun-filled day of live music, activities and animal demonstrations. Learn about animals native to Latin America and conservation efforts in the region, and discover how Smithsonian scientists work to protect species and habitats worldwide!

12:00pm-7:00pm: H Street Festival
H Street Festival is one of the most anticipated and highly attended single day festivals in Washington D.C.  The festival is 11 blocks long and has 14 staging areas that are diversely themed and programmed to target the different segments of audiences.  The staging areas feature music of different genres, dance, youth based performances, interactive children’s program, fashion, heritage arts, poetry and many more.

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Llama, Llama Red Pajama! Preschool Class
Baby llama creates nighttime drama for his mama. But what is bedtime like for his alpaca cousins at Kids’ Farm? Are they full of mischief or gentle as lambs when it’s time for their keepers to put them inside for the night? Let’s find out together! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. 

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories, The Rainbow Fish, to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item which was used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books.

11:00am-4:00pm: Taste of Georgetown
Washington, D.C.’s most anticipated epicurean festival will be celebrating its 26th year with creative tastes from more than 30 of the neighborhood’s best restaurants along with beer and wine. This foodie event takes place in the heart of Georgetown, on K Street NW, between Wisconsin Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Street and along the scenic Georgetown Waterfront. This event is family-friendly and there will be a Kids’ Corner tent with coloring and face painting, too!  Please note there will be live music

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: Despicable Me 3
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages!

-Have you entered to win 5 tickets to Wayside Farm? Winner will be announced on Saturday!

-Follow us on social media- Facebook & Instagram. We always add even more events on both outlets; don’t miss them!

The REACH Opening Festival is wrapping up at the Kennedy Center & has saved the best for last; Family Day on Sunday. Scroll through the calendar to Sunday & see all of the great events lined up. It’s going to be a full day of family fun; you may end up spending all day there, it’s that good!

Discover an 18th century marketplace at Mount Vernon’s annual Colonial Market & Fair. Experience early American life with dozens of historic craftspeople and re-enactors. Colonial music transports you back to the 18th century as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Learn how the Washingtons enjoyed ice cream and chocolate and watch as interpreters demonstrate the process.

Apple Gala & Fresh Cider Festival at Great Country Farms lasts through Sept. 29 and is open 9am-6pm daily. Pick apples, listen to live music, and learn how cider was made back in the day on an antique cider press with an antique 1865 cider pressing demos at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Head up to Dirt Farm Brewery afterwards for a breathtaking view & some hops.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone.

Friday

6:30pm-7:30pm: NSO in your Neighborhood Community Performance at Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, a community-based organization that uses baseball and softball to foster positive character development and academic achievement, hosts an NSO string ensemble featuring Wanzhen Li (violin), Eric deWaardt (viola), and Eugena Chang (cello) performing for students, families, and the general public in their “All-Star Pavilion.”  More events happening this weekend found here.

Saturday

9:00am-10:30am: Goodnight Gorilla Zoo Class
Get to know the gentle giants behind this beloved good night book. Then, take a walk and say hello to the newest member of the gorilla troop: baby Moke! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo.  “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bright Star Theatre: The Wizard of Oz at the National

10:00am: Milton Has STEM!
Join at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School with your 3 to 6 year-old children to participate in a Rosh Hashanah-themed Design Thinking and STEM Challenge. Children will hear a Rosh Hashanah story! Design and prototype a project inspired by the story. Enjoy snacks and goodies! This event is free and open to the community, but RSVPs are required by clicking here.  

10:00am: Oh Susannah at the Children’s Hour
Sponsored by the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., the Children’s Hour is a free, children’s show on the second Saturday of every month that is open to the public.

10:00am-4:00pm: First Responders Day: A Celebration of Safety at B&O Railroad Museum
Guests can watch a human extraction team demonstration after witnessing a test collision of a train with an automobile.  Additional activities include a bomb squad demonstration, fire safety training, a drone demonstration by Maryland Transit Administration, and a visit by the first female fire chief in Baltimore County, Joann Rund. Plus, CSX will publicly unveil the CSXT 3194 locomotive, the newly released Spirit of Law Enforcement, on view at the museum for one day only.

10:00am-4:00pm: Celebration of Textiles: Comfort at Home

10:15am: Monet & the Sun Preschool Pioneer Class
We all know that Monet was a great artist, but did you know that his paintings show the progression of the sun? Join a class that weaves science and art concepts together for an exciting class that will conclude at the National Gallery of Art. 

11:00am-2:00pm: Children’s Day at Pierce Mill
Two hundred years ago, children often made their own toys. On Children’s Day at Peirce Mill, you’ll be crafting playthings like cornhusk dolls and paper tops. There will also be special tours of the mill just for kids and old-fashioned games to play on the lawn. Free–no reservations required. Family workshops are designed for children ages 3 and up, but all are welcome.

11:00am-2:00pm: DCPS Back to School Block Party
There will be food, student performances, opportunities to learn more about the resources from District partners, and lots of activities for students. The Block Party is free and open to the public.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Night at the Museum
The second Saturday of every month, drop the kids at the Heritage Farm Museum to  enjoy pizza, crafts, and educational fun. $16/child registration and prepayment required. 

7:00pm-12:00am: Art All Night
The city’s only free night-time arts festival, Art All Night, returns to Dupont Circle with an all-new lineup of visual and performing arts, workshops, and performances. Art All Night highlights the most innovative and creative artistic forces in the city, while providing a unique, around-the-clock experience unlike any other, in eight neighborhoods throughout D.C.

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Goodnight Gorilla Zoo Class
Get to know the gentle giants behind this beloved good night book. Then, take a walk and say hello to the newest member of the gorilla troop: baby Moke! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo.  “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

12:00pm-5:00pm: KID Museum FutreFest
Dive into KID City, where kids and families will build a city of the future—from the ground up—for a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience. Experiment with different tools and materials, build new skills from coding to design engineering, and help a city rise through this unique communal projects. Exhibits, demos, and live performances will inspire kids and adults alike and show the ties that unite us. 

1:38pm: Kids Lumberjack Cap Giveaway at Nationals Park
The final kids giveaway of the season features a kids Lumberjack Cap, just in time for fall! The first 10,000 fans ages 12 and younger to enter through ALL GATES will receive a Lumberjack Cap presented by Harris Teeter. As the final Kids giveaway Sunday of the season, Kids Eat Free, a variety of kid-friendly activities will be available near the PenFed Kids Fun Zone, including face painters, caricature artists, and balloon twisters.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: The Wiz
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.

-Have you entered to win 4 opening show tickets to Disney On Ice?

-Follow us on social media- Facebook & Instagram. We always add even more events on both outlets; don’t miss them!

The REACH Opening Festival at the Kennedy Center has planned 16 days of “creativity in action” –where nearly 500 events across the newly expanded campus, indoors and outdoors, are FREE! Free timed-entry passes are required for entry to the festival and are available now.

Root, root for the home team! Washington Nationals are hosting the Braves this weekend. Two fun promotions for families include; Kids Eat Free and Kids Promotion for a lumberjack hat.

The Prince George’s County Fair began in 1842 as a friendly gathering for local farmers to showcase their produce and livestock and have a little fun. They now have the distinction of being the oldest running Fair in Maryland! Though it started out as mostly livestock and field crops, eventually it came to include women’s arts as well, with competitions for the best jams, jellies, canned goods, pies, breads, cookies, clothing, quilts, and handicrafts. It was (and is) quite an honor to be deemed the best in the County! They have plenty of carnival rides and games too.

Apple Gala & Fresh Cider Festival at Great Country Farms lasts through Sept. 29 and is open 9am-6pm daily. Pick apples, listen to live music, and learn how cider was made back in the day on an antique cider press with an antique 1865 cider pressing demos at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Head up to Dirt Farm Brewery afterwards for a breathtaking view & some hops.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone. Admission is at a reduced cost through Sept. 8.

Friday

5:00pm-8:00pm: Spring Valley’s (final) Summer Friday

7:00pm: Evening Under the Stars
Join in the final performance of the Zeiss star projector as they describe how the Zeiss projector came to the Smithsonian and how it actually works with David DeVorkin, senior curator at the National Air and Space Museum, and Andrew Johnston, vice president for astronomy and collections at the Adler Planetarium. Come see this amazing machine in action for its final performance and be completely immersed in the night sky! After more than 40 years of service, the Zeiss projector will be retired when the Planetarium closes for renovations this fall. 

Saturday

9:00am-12:00pm: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Scarecrow Planter
Harvest fun during a hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a scarecrow planter. Your young farmer can learn how a seed grows while you help them construct a festive home for their plant. They will sand, glue, and paint pieces of wood to create this holiday planter. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron and a commemorative pin while supplies last.

9:30am-3:00pm: Imagination Stage turns 40!
Imagination Stage is celebrating 40 years of imagination, creativity, and fun! They are turning the big 4-0 but they are still kids at heart. Join for a dance party, sample classes, a performance of Balloonacy, behind the scenes tours, costumed characters, photo ops, crafts and activities, and – of course- cake! This event is FREE – advance registration for sample classes and performances is recommended.

10:30am: Cultural Kids: Home at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
What makes your home special? Join an exploration of the different places people live. After a read-aloud of Home by Carson Ellis, you will create a community mural. 

11:00am-5:00pm: Kensington Train Show
An event designed for train enthusiasts—from the littlest fans to the oldest history buffs and everyone in between—will transform Kensington Town Hall into a model train spectacular.

11:00am-12:30pm: 1, 2, 3 Andrés at Sing, Talk, Read Fest (festival is from 11am-3pm)
Sing, talk and read with your baby or young child NOW to help them later in school. It’s never too early to give your kids a smart start. Come to DC Public Library’s STAR Family Festival featuring: Family workshops that support your child’s early learning, fun activities, crafts and games for children and free children’s books and of course lively, bilingual music from Andrés and Christina. Also, catch the duo on Sunday at another event.

11:30am: Friends for Freedom: Happy In Our Skin at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Your skin is beautiful! Join us as we learn about all the different shades and purposes our skin has and read Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin. Following the story, you will celebrate your skin by creating self-portraits. 

12:00pm-4:00pm: Drop-in Art Making at National Gallery of Art
Visit the Education Studio (Concourse) to experiment with different art materials and techniques. Drop-in art making is a great way to try your hand at making art in an informal, relaxed environment. Art making activities are designed for all ages and abilities. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

6:00pm-8:30pm: 3rd Annual Turtle Park Jazz Project
Friends of Friendship “Turtle” Park presents: The 3rd Annual FREE Turtle Park Jazz Project! Join FOFP for an evening of fabulous music and lots of fun! Bring a picnic or buy dinner from the variety of food trucks we’ll have on hand and don’t forget your blanket or lawn chair!

Sunday

10:30am-6:30pm: Takoma Park Folk Fest
Immerse yourself in traditional and trending folk arts and the communities they create with 6 stages, 60+ musicians, food, art, crafts and so much more at this free event.

11:00am-2:00pm: Rainbow Families Picnic at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden
Connect with other LGBT families in Hillwood’s urban oasis at this family celebration. Festivities include:Pack a picnic from home or purchase food from Merriweather To Go to enjoy on the magnificent Lunar Lawn. Play games on the lawn, including hula hoop, badminton, and jump rope. Practice your putt on the Putting Green. Get your face painted with your favorite garden critter. Try on costumes from a collection of hero’s capes, royal crowns, knight’s shields, and more. Create an art project of your very own to take home after discovering treasures in Hillwood’s mansion. Explore the special exhibition Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisenstaedt. Presented in partnership with Rainbow Families.

11:00am-5:00pm: Kensington Train Show
An event designed for train enthusiasts—from the littlest fans to the oldest history buffs and everyone in between—will transform Kensington Town Hall into a model train spectacular.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Drop-in Art Making at National Gallery of Art
Visit the Education Studio (Concourse) to experiment with different art materials and techniques. Drop-in art making is a great way to try your hand at making art in an informal, relaxed environment. Art making activities are designed for all ages and abilities. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

12:00pm-6:00pm: Adam’s Morgan Day
As Washington DC’s longest running neighborhood festival, they are celebrating the 41st year. Adams Morgan Day is a family-friendly celebration with music, art and activities for all ages. Residents and visitors alike are invited to meet neighborhood businesses, artists, and service organizations. Attendance and entertainment are free, and local businesses and restaurants offer deals for the day.

3:00pm–4:00pm: I Dissent: Kids Taking a Stand
What do you stand for?  Become inspired by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to stand up for what you believe in and use your voice to make a difference.  Held at Tenley-Friendship Library, they will read I Dissent by Debbie Levy, see a real collar worn by Justice Ginsburg from the Capital Jewish Museum’s collection, and participate in lively games and discussion. Free.  Best for ages 7 and up.  Co-sponsored by PJ Library, the Capital Jewish Museum and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: The Wizard of Oz
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.

Earlier this week we posted about how to have a family-friendly Labor Day with ideas that aren’s posted below, so be sure to view this post!

Apple Gala & Fresh Cider Festival at Great Country Farms begins Aug. 31 and lasts through Sept. 29 and is open 9am-6pm daily. Pick apples, listen to live music, and learn how cider was made back in the day on an antique cider press with an antique 1865 cider pressing demos at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Head up to Dirt Farm Brewery afterwards for a breathtaking view & some hops.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone. Admission is at a reduced cost through Sept. 8.

The Academy students of Adventure Theatre Are performing Suessical the Musical all weekend long. This family-friendly production, directed by Broadway Star, Monique Midgette, reminds us that “a person’s a person no matter now small”. Tickets are $19.50.

This Labor Day weekend, the B&O Railroad Museum honors the hard workers of the railroads and all industries across America.  Watch a track-laying demonstration showcasing the historic tools workers used to lay tracks on Saturday at 12 noon.  Then on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., learn how the invention of turntables enabled railroad workers to move huge passenger cars and engines by watching a single person rotate a railcar or locomotive!  On Labor Day, in honor of all workers, the museum is offering $1 admission so that all can experience the B&O.  As a one-time salute, the B&O is allowing guests to pack picnic lunches to enjoy with their families and friends. The B&O Railroad Museum will be open 10:00am – 4:00pm on Saturday, 11:00am – 4:00pm on Sunday, and 10:00am – 4:00pm on Labor Day Monday.  The Museum is located at 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21223 and offers free, secure onsite parking. 

Avalon Theatre will be showing Toy Story 4 for 4 days only!

Friday

6:00pm-9:00pm: Friday Night Live Concert Series at Rockville Town Square
Kick off your weekend with live entertainment, great company, and fantastic food, wine and beer from the restaurants at Rockville Town Square from 6:00pm-9:00pm on The Square in Rockville Town Square. Music ranges from 80’s and 90’s cover bands, funk and soul, roots rock blues and southern rock.

7:00pm-9:00pm: The Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is wrapping up it’s 9th season. Head to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Saturday– See our family friendly Labor Day post for more ideas

8:30am-7:30pm: The 19th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival
at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public. Family friendly activities can be found here. A great line up of authors including a very popular children’s author, Raina Telgemeier, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and José Andrés are a few. A complete schedule can be found here.

Sunday– See our family friendly Labor Day post for more ideas

11:00am-3:00pm: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Activation at The Wharf
Nickelodeon is giving kids and families the ultimate Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle experience with this summer’s ‘Sewer Studio Tour’ and the tour will make its stop at The Wharf! Fans can meet their favorite turtles from  Rise of the Teenage Mutant Turtles. The ‘Sewer Studio Tour’ will allow kids to create their own dynamic stop-motion videos with Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. The best videos will have the opportunity to be featured on Nickelodeon platforms! This event is FREE and kid-friendly. 

12:00pm-5:00pm: National Museum of Women in the Arts
The first Sunday of the month is Community Day at NMWA! Visit on Community Day for FREE admission to the museum—take this opportunity to explore the current exhibitions, permanent collection, and events. There is a 1:00pm—Fierce Women program which is a fun, free tour highlighting women who thumbed their noses at the limited roles society accorded them, and blazed a trail as artists, activists, and innovators.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.Lego Movie 2

Monday— Family-friendly Labor Day

Date night idea: Support The Line Hotel’s rooftop special summer adult series: CAMP which is held in support of a lineup of their favorite community and cultural organizations, with $5 per guest going towards their work and mission. On Monday, Sept. 2, St. Mary’s is being supported by this event.

Topgolf is bringing its iconic experience to Nationals Park! Join us as we light up the night with massive glowing targets on the field, private bays for group events, and Toptracer technology tracking every single shot with replays and stats. Expect a lively crowd, delicious snacks, ice cold beers, and fierce (but friendly) competition that golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy. Children 7 and older are allowed to golf and will require a regularly priced ticket. Children 3 to 7 years old will require a $10 festival ticket to enter and are welcome to play some of our yard games located in the Crush Zone. Children under 3 years old do not require a ticket to enter the event. 

Friday

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden– Final Concert of the Summer
The Jazz in the Garden Series begins its 19th season in May. The free concert series features jazz artists performing a wide variety of styles—Brazilian Folk Jazz, Alternative Modern, Blues, Reggae, World Steam Punk, Afro Funk, African Fusion Jazz, Cuban Charanga, Django Guitar, New Orleans Jazz, and more—every Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. You can purchase food and adult beverages or bring your own picnic (but no adult bevs are allowed in, purchase them there).

6:30pm: Lego Movie 2 at American University, Woods-Brown Amphitheater
Lego lovers unite for an awesome time filled with LEGO (R) and The LEGO Movie 2, The Second Part. Fun for the young and the young at heart! Come on out and show off your creativity, have fun and watch The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, movie: Starts at 8:00 pm but begin with building at 6:45pm. The rain date is set for Friday August 30th.

6:30pm-8:00pm: Campfire & Nature Walk
Discover the natural beauty of Cabin John Regional Park at dusk! Join us for a campfire and enjoy a twilight nature walk with one of our naturalists. Feel free to bring your own hot dogs or food to warm over the fire, and we?ll provide s’mores. Please register and pay for everyone in your group over the age of 2 years.

7:00pm-9:00pm: Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 9th Season. Every Friday night this summer, head to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

7:30pm: Aladdin at The Kennedy Center
Discover a whole new world at Disney’s Aladdin, the hit Broadway musical! From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle. Playing through September 7.

Saturday

9:00am-10:30am: Old McDonald Had a Zoo! Preschool Class
E-I-E-I-O! Come sing along as we celebrate our favorite farm friends at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. 

10:00am-1:30pm: Explore! August Community Festival
FREE Community Festival is coming for everyone to enjoy. Learn about Explore Children’s Museum of Washington, D.C. while you enjoy arts and humanities activities with your friends and neighbors.

11:00am-6:00pm: World Heritage Festival & Festival of Kites
Taste delicious ethnic food, get refreshed with a scoop of ice cream or shaved ice or even a fresh smoothie while enjoying a cultural show on the main stage! You will have an array of vendors to choose from with more than 60 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. Kid’s zone has activities and games throughout the day; tickets are required for the games and inflatables. Free admission to the festival.

11:30am-6:00pm: Round House Theatre Community Open House
Round House is reopening our doors in Bethesda and sharing the stage with our community! Bring the whole family and be one of the first to: Enjoy a performance in the renovated theatre, sample food at the expanded café, take in some live music in the upgraded lobby & try your hand at workshops led by Round House teaching artists. Theatre fans of all ages are welcome, with games, arts, and crafts throughout the day. The celebration wraps up with an “Inside Look” at the upcoming production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, featuring adesign presentation and discussion with the cast and creative team. Don’t miss special ticket offers and prizes as they kick off the 2019-2020 Homecoming Season!

12:00pm-6:00pm: 17th Street Festival
Friends and families will experience a day filled with live music, vendors, and community along the 17th Street corridor. Festival goers will see over 120 vendors, including artists and makers, and have a chance to connect with local nonprofit organizations and businesses. There will be activities for children in the Kids Zone throughout the day. 

7:15pm: Sound of Music Sing-Along at Wolf Trap
Celebrating over 50 years, the classic family film returns to the screen in Technicolor…with a twist! Sing-a-long with the movie using on-screen lyrics and become the star of the show. Lederhosen and veils welcome! A costume contest precedes the performance.

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Old McDonald Had a Zoo! Preschool Class
E-I-E-I-O! Come sing along as we celebrate our favorite farm friends at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo. “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. 

10:30am: Rocknoceros at Capitol Cider House
We are loving the round-up of family friendly events offered! Get ready to twist, shake, rattle, and role as Rocknoceros gets the family on their feet dancing to upbeat tunes. Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie have been making award-winning music for the whole family since 2005. Not only are they one of DC’s most well-loved bands, but they have also gained recognition in Austin and Chicago. Tickets required for all ages. All adult ticket holders will be able to enjoy our normal weekday happy hour – $4 pours of house cider, $5 craft beer, $6 local wine & $7 cocktails – from 10am-noon. Doors open at 10am. Full food and drink menus will be available. This is a family-friendly event.

1:35pm: Bowie Baysox vs. Altoona: Fan Appreciation Day, Meet the Team Day, Catch on the Field
The final home game of the 2019 regular season will begin with a full day of promotions in honor of the Eastern League’s greatest fans. From 12:00pm to 12:30pm, fans have the opportunity to snag some autographs from the entire squad, as well as play catch on the Prince George’s Stadium outfield. The first 500 fans (ages 13+) will also receive a Future O’s t-shirt.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: Instant Family
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.

More events:
Cirque du Soleil Volta
Smithsonian’s National Zoo DinoRoars exhibit and ticketed Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live theater show extended through Sept. 2
National Building Museum Summer Block Party
The Cat in the Hat at Adventure Theatre– Final weekend

**Visit our calendar to plan ahead!
**Follow us on social media for the latest events and information- Facebook & Instagram are our go-to’s