Weekend Picks – Page 5

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

December 2, 2022

It’s officially the holiday season and we have you covered from holiday shows, ballets and concerts to tree lightings and holiday markets, Hanukkah celebrations and lightings, and gift guides. Be sure to click the above links as there are plenty of events happening this weekend that are included in those posts.

All weekend

Have yourself a MERRI little holiday season with a visit to the annual Merriweather District Holiday Market opening this Friday. Support unique small businesses as you venture through a variety of holiday pop-ups from regional vendors. Warm up with hot cocoa from The Charmery, sip some wine in our outdoor wine chalet and enjoy carolers while checking off your holiday shopping list. ‘Tis the season to celebrate with Merriweather District! Hours for the weekend are: December 2nd: 5:30pm-8:30pm, December 3rd: 1:00pm-8:00pm and December 4th: 1:00pm-5:00pm.

National Landing BID’s upcoming NaLaDays festivities, starting December 1 and go through December 24. This weekend starts with a holiday market, the return of the BID’s 2nd annual peppermint mocha matte competition, a Christmas tree lot and more, there will be holiday cheer and fun for all ages in National Landing this year. PLUS, a light installation by Light Art Collection’s Belgian artists, Tom & Lien Dekyvere, Melwood’s Annual Miracle on 23rd Street celebration and a month-long holiday performance at Synetic Theater.

A Christmas season tradition: Messiah- G. F. Handel at The Washington National Cathedral. The Cathedral’s soaring architecture and Gothic splendor offers a venue unlike any other to experience Handel’s iconic work. Shortened “Family Edition” available on Saturday at noon. Live webcast available for Sunday’s performance.

Saturday

10:30am–11:30am: Children’s Drawing Workshop with Monica Rickert-Bolter
Artist Monica Rickert-Bolter (Prairie Band Potawatomi, Black, and German), featured in the museum’s online exhibition Ancestors Know Who We Are, demonstrates creating illustrations for books such as Journey of the Freckled Indian: A Tlingit Culture Story (2020). Participants are encouraged to make their own drawings during the workshop. Recommended for ages 5–10. Be sure to stop by the Native Art Market too!

11:00am-4:00pm: Super Stamps and the Season of Giving
Join the National Postal Museum for this all-ages event and learn more about how you can help support positive social change during the season of giving! There will be several activities, including Design Your Own Semipostal Stamp, Card Making, Shark Science and more.

11:00am: Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants and was named after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. Today, the city continues celebrating its heritage with the iconic Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds and more. This year’s Grand Marshal is Redella “Del” Pepper, the recently retired, longest-serving member of Alexandria City Council with more than 36 years of service to the community.

11:30am-3:00pm: In-Person Winter Holiday Family Day at Smithsonian American Art Museum
Celebrate the season with SAAM! Enjoy winter-themed crafting, face painting, and story time under the twinkle lights in the Kogod Courtyard. DeMoya Watson Brown will read The Nutcracker, the classic holiday story with Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy on their remarkable adventures. Attendees of all ages can groove to the beat of DJ Harry Hotter, and embark on a scavenger hunt in the galleries to find winter-themed artworks. Participants also may take home an activities packet (while supplies last) to accompany The Nutcracker story time and continue the holiday magic. If you are unable to make it in person, or want to continue the celebration online, visit our Winter Holiday Family Zone for more crafts, coloring pages, and performance videos

11:30am-5:00pm: Holley Trolley Fest
In addition to Street Car Rides, Visit to Street Car Hall, and Movies from the 1920’s. Museum open from 11:30 to 5 p.m., with last tickets sold at 4 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on each street car trip.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Winter Wonderland in Bethesda
Celebrate the holiday season at the Norfolk Avenue Streetery (corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues) in downtown Bethesda with Santa Claus, live ice sculpting, live music, face painting, games and more! Please bring a new toy for Toys for Tots.

4:00pm: Holiday Sing-A-Long at Wolf Trap
Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at Wolf Trap’s Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long! This musical celebration hosts a performance by the United States Marine Band and a Sing-A-Long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with local choir and vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area.

6:00pm-9:00pm: The District’s Holiday Boat Parade
The District’s Holiday Boat Parade presented by Washington Gas returns for its 30th year. Celebrate the holidays with one of DC’s most iconic and treasured traditions featuring a spectacular collection of more than 60 boats adorned with festive lights and dazzling holiday decorations on a mile-long parade route stretching from the tip of Hains Point up the Washington Channel to the docks at The Wharf.

Sunday (also happening on Saturday, same times)

1:00pm AND 4:00pm: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed at Imagination Stage
A new, high-energy musical to rock the holiday season! When clothing suddenly falls from the sky, Wilbur J. Mole Rat stuns the colony with his decision to get dressed! In a community where baring is caring and skin is in, can Wilbur find the courage to rock to the rhythm of his own electric guitar? Based on Mo Willem’s beloved picture book, the show explores what can happen when we have the courage to be ourselves. Best for ages 4-10.

To do
Order tickets to see Aladdin at The National Theatre here! The show runs from April 19 – 30, 2023.

Related posts
Ice skating
Cut-your-own-tree
Ski and snowboard
Winter bucket list

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

November 4, 2022

Friday

7:00pm: Inside Out Movie at President Lincoln’s Cottage
Join for a free film screening on the lawn of Lincoln’s summer residence. Among other things, the Lincoln family came to the Cottage to relax and enjoy each other’s company, and you are invited to do the same. Bring a picnic (or popcorn) and sit back!

7:30pm: Día de los Muertos at The Kennedy Center:
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.

Saturday

9:00am-1:00pm: Open Streets: Tenleytown
The final Open Streets of the year will take place on Ward 3’s Wisconsin Avenue, where one mile will be closed to cars and open to people to bike, walk, scoot, and play in a reimagining of public space. Explore all the amenities that Friendship Heights and Tenleytown have to offer and be sure to participate in a fitness or yoga class in one of our activation zones at no cost! Popular programming will return this fall, including arts and crafts, live music, safety demonstrations, and more. The event is free and suitable for people of ALL ages and abilities.

10:00am-5:00pm: Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Great Country Farms
Bring your leftover jack-o-lantern to our smashin’ stations and let it fly! The Silo Drop and the Zip Wire Sploosh let you do the smashin’ yourself or bring your pumpkin to the Pumpkin Drop Zone and add it to our upside down “fireworks display” as the pumpkins are dropped from a 40ft lift. You will be sure to love giving your pumpkin one final ride. What happens to all those smashed pumpkins?… the pigs and cows love to eat them and we compost the rest.

10:00am-4:00pm: 16th Annual Parade of Trabants at The Spy Museum
Join us for the ONLY Trabant Rally in the United States! Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall at this festive gathering of the quintessential Cold War car—the Trabant. Despite their questionable performance and smoky two-stroke engines, these little cars are now affectionately regarded as a symbol of East Germany and the fall of Communism.

10:00am-1:00pm: Maker Morning at Hirshhorn
Think inside and outside the box with us in this Maker Morning exploring installation! Have you ever seen an artwork that covers an entire room (sometimes including the floors!)? Large artworks, often with many different parts that are set up in a place, are called installations. Join us for Maker Morning: Installation Creation to check out the many installations on view at the museum, collaborate and create our own larger than life artwork!

11:00am-4:00pm: The Big Build at the National Building Museum
All ages are invited to The Big Build, a FREE hands-on festival exploring a wide variety of unique, interactive activities with roofers, plumbers, home remodelers, construction workers, carpenters, designers, and artisans.

5:30pm-8:30pm: Side Yards at The Yards
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.

Sunday

Performances
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.

S.P.I.E.S. 2 – Through 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.

Be Part of the Adventure!

October 25, 2022

See S.P.I.E.S. 2: Flight of the Hawk at Imagination Stage
Buy your tickets today!

S.P.I.E.S. 2: Flight of the Hawk

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 filmed 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.

“All 5-10 year-olds can be at the center of a spy story–decoding, problem solving, and ultimately saving the day! This show will send kids home feeling empowered.”
– Janet Stanford, Imagination Stage Founding Artistic Director

Performances:
Saturdays at 11:00am and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm
JUST ADDED: Friday, November 11 at 7:00pm

Buy tickets today!

Make it a special S.P.I.E.S. Birthday party!
Birthday Parties at Imagination Stage come with a ticket discount, room rental, and on-site staff.

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 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.

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

October 10, 2022

Kennedy Center Performances:

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!

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.

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!

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

September 23, 2022

Tis the season for all things fall! Check out local farms that have festivals, events and picking!

Friday
5:30pm-8:30pm: Back to the Yards
The Yards will blast to the past for one night only as it transforms into a nostalgic 80’s dance party — join the totally tubular fun with bodacious music and neon glow. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to learn groovy dance moves with breakdancers, create slap bracelets and headbands, color your own Rubik’s cube, and jam out to a playlist of 80’s chart-toppers, one-hit wonders, and favorites. Glowing giveaways and loads of LED games will make this a party for the ages! Admission is free and kids of all ages are welcome to attend. Register for the event here.

Friday & Saturday
DC Art All Night
With activations in all 8 wards in 22 different neighborhoods, there is more to explore than ever before. Join your favorite artists and local businesses and discover new ones as we come together to celebrate the District of Columbia. Scroll down to explore each neighborhood’s activation!

Maryland Seafood Festival
The Maryland Seafood Festival hosts loads of seafood vendors, local shopping and vendor options, a fantastic beverage selection with lots of local craft beer and tons of kids activities, all hosted along the beautiful shores of the scenic Chesapeake Bay.

Saturday
11:00am-4:00pm: Leesburg Airshow
Sure to impress, you will see airshows, step into aircraft, see some cars and more!

11:00am-2:00pm: Peirce Mill
Free Family Fun at Peirce Mill! Try grinding grain and sifting by hand, then learn how water powers the mill. Make your own corn husk dolls and other toys. Play old-fashioned board and lawn games like checkers and corn hole. Please note that Peirce Mill is closed to address a safety issue, so Children’s Day will be held in the mill yard and barn.

11:00am-6:00pm: Clarendon Day
Music, food, art, and fun for the whole family will be at the center of our celebration! Mark your calendars and join us! Clarendon Day is one of Arlington’s best loved and most diverse street festivals, with a central music stage, a large Kidszone, arts and crafts vendors, business and nonprofit exhibitors from Clarendon and the region, plenty of great food from local and regional restaurants, craft beers and Virginia wines, and more. 20+ years of fun, 6 blocks, 10,000+ people!

1:00pm-5:00pm: LeDroit Park Block Party
All neighbors and friends are invited to the 300 block of Elm St NW for food, face painting and fun.

5:00pm:-12:00am: A Right Proper Block Party
From 5pm to midnight on Saturday, September 25th, we’ll be hanging out on T Street NW, between 7th St NW and Florida Ave NW. Local bands, dj’s and comedians will be performing in front of the Howard Theatre, surrounded by several local artists and makers. The Black Beer Garden will will offer beers from black-owned DMV breweries in Duke Ellington Plaza. Grab dinner from Right Proper Shaw from the grill outside, or from the full menu. We’ll be releasing our collaboration brew with An Indivisible Art Collective, called “Collective Consciousness,” which will be on tap on our patio. Live music, comedy and artists will also be showcased inside the brewpub (proof of vaccination and masks required for indoor access).

Sunday
12:00pm-5:00pm: Glen Echo Arts Festival
This FREE event will include a multitude of hands-on activities and unique opportunities to delve into the arts. From screen printing, to photography, to pottery, and beyond, food trucks, kids activities– everybody is sure to find something fun to explore! Final carousel rides of 2022.

4:00pm: Opera at Audi Field
Celebrate the seventeenth season of free opera broadcasts by joining Washington National Opera on the field for Carmen on Sunday, September 25 at 4 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m. for pre-opera activities.

All weekend
The Maryland Renaissance Festival– Running every Saturday and Sunday through October 23 in Crownsville, Maryland. There is enchantment and merriment from the moment you enter the castle gates with likely the largest number of adults dressed in costume that your child has ever seen.

Mexican Geniuses: A Frida and Diego immersive experience– Explore over 300 Frida & Diego projections, hear details of their lives and learn about the influence they had on each other.

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Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

September 9, 2022

All weekend
Mexican Geniuses: A Frida and Diego immersive experience. Explore over 300 Frida & Diego projections, hear details of their lives and learn about the influence they had on each other.

The Kensington Train Show isn’t to be missed! Taking place 11am-5pm both Saturday & Sunday.

Prince George’s County Fair offers exhibits, performers, livestock and vendors.

Bounce the Mall allows families to bounce, slide and dance your way through a surreal, candy-colored wonderland featuring the largest ball pit on the planet, a 600ft long obstacle course, giant slides, a huge birthday cake bouncer, silent disco dome, inflatable sports arena & more.

Pick your own fruits and veggies has some great options right now. Tomorrow morning, check your inbox for a post on fall festivals that are happening all weekend long.

Friday
5:00pm-8:00pm: Friday’s at the Park
Did someone say live music and food trucks? We are moving our annual Fridays at the Fountain event to Long Bridge Park. This outdoor concert series features local bands and musicians and is free to attend.

7:00pm: Movie night at Lincoln’s Cottage: Onward
Bring a picnic, a blanket and a friend for a FREE film screening on the lawn of Lincoln’s summer residence: Onward (September 9th), Ghost Busters (October 14th), and Audience Choice (November 4th): Vote now for Inside Out or Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure!

Saturday
City Ridge is calling all friends and family to join the neighborhood at three FREE events for everyone on Saturday. Kick off the weekend with a morning flow with Yoga on the Great Lawn starting at 9am. Then continue the fun from 2-4pm at the Pin Oak Park Playdate where families can play on swings, slides, and enjoy healthy snacks. Gather back at the Great Lawn in the afternoon for the US Open Watch Party at 4pm to cheer on your favorite tennis players on the big screen while also enjoying oversized outdoor games and playing on mini pop-up tennis courts. Guests can also participate in the tennis trivia contest with a chance to win prizes like a Wegmans gift card or two tickets to the 2023 Citi Open!

10:00am-2:00pm: Soar Together @ Air and Space On Site Family Day: Expanding Our View of the Universe
Join to explore how scientists are expanding our view of the Universe with the help of new space telescopes and probes, like the James Webb Space Telescope. Guests will find out how these tools help us learn more about black holes, the earliest galaxies, asteroids, exoplanets, and more!

10:00am-4:00pm: Family Day: Celebration of Textiles
Celebrate Korean fashion and culture at the museum during its 41st-annual Celebration of Textiles. See artist demonstrations of weaving, embroidery, quilting and more. Make your own “bojagi” patchwork and try a little K-pop dancing with friends or family. Tours of the exhibition Korean Fashion: From Royal Court to Runway will be offered throughout the day.

11:30am-3:00pm: Portraiture Festival
Join us for a celebration of art, identity and creativity! The Portrait Gallery’s first festival since 2020 will include art, music and activities for all ages. Meet finalists from the 2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, who will discuss their work during interactive gallery talks and hands-on art workshops. Venture to the Great Hall, where Holly Bass will present her day-long performance “American Woman,” based on her 2021 video in “The Outwin 2022: American Portraiture Today.”

1:00pm-7:00pm: Rosslyn Jazz Festival
Celebrate a diverse lineup of four fantastic acts to the stage at Gateway Park for an afternoon of music, food trucks, yard games, the Arlington Art Truck, community table experiences, and tons of fun.

Sunday
10:00am-7:00pm: Takoma Park Folk Festival
The 2022 Takoma Park Folk Festival (TPFF) is excited about presenting an outdoor, in-person festival with multiple music stages and craft vendors.

11:00am-7:15pm: Adams Morgan Day
For 44 years, Adams Morgan Day has been a family-friendly celebration with music, art and activities for all ages. The event schedule has more details on what they offer.

Plan ahead
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Connect with other LGBT families in Hillwood’s urban oasis at this family celebration. Enjoy a picnic, play lawn games, create an art project, and more!

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Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

September 2, 2022

Below are our most popular summer focused links- check ’em out while they’re around:
Summer bucket list
Outdoor summer movies
Ice cream shops!
Splash parks and more water fun
12 sunflower fields
8 games to play in the pool + must-haves for water play
Road trip!
20 classic outdoor games

All weekend
The Maryland Renaissance Festival
Running every Saturday and Sunday through October 23 in Crownsville, Maryland. There is enchantment and merriment from the moment you enter the castle gates with likely the largest number of adults dressed in costume that your child has ever seen.

Hi-Lawn BBQ & Picnic
Head to Union Market’s rooftop for cocktails, bbq and lawn games.

Maryland State Fair
Located in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland the fair is Sept. 1-5 & 8-11. There are rides, competitions, food and more!

National Book Festival
Books bring us together! Come to the nation’s capital over Labor Day weekend as we return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 3. If you can’t join us in Washington, D.C. for a day of free talks and activities, several programs will be livestreamed, and video of all talks can be viewed online after the Festival concludes.

National Cinema Day
September 3 you can see a movie for $3! See above link for DC area theatres participating.

DC Jazz Fest
The 18th Annual Festival has performances all weekend long.

Sunday
8:00pm: The NSO’s free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol! This year’s event features Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leading the orchestra in music by Aaron Copland, John Williams, new Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, and others. Special guest Jimmie Herrod (Pink Martini, America’s Got Talent) joins the celebration to perform favorites by Gladys Knight, Joni Mitchell, and more! The performance is FREE to attend, no tickets required. Seating is first-come, first served. Gates open to the public at 3:00pm and you can catch the open dress rehearsal at 3:30pm.

Monday
10:00am-2:00pm: Kensington’s Labor Day Parade & Festival
Enjoy marching bands, equestrian shows, dances & floats. After the parade there will be food trucks, music and activities.

Day destinations (less than 2 hours away)
Trails, marshes & gardens
Beach & state parks
Outdoor fun
15 ways to get outdoors
Adult getaways
Family overnight trips

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