Festivals

Fall festivals, farms, orchards and events in and around Washington, DC

September 27, 2023

It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, cute fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open – November 5
Gaze across the fields dotted with thousands of orange pumpkins, each one waiting to become a jack-o-lantern for your porch. The farm is decorated for Halloween with ghosts and goblins to delight and scare you. The fields are laden with crisp, succulent vegetables. The orchards are bent down with apples. It’s the last harvest to reap before the cold winter sets in. And fall is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of freshly squeezed sweet apple cider. 20 minute hayrides available on Saturdays and Sundays in late September and October. The Straw Maze, built in a confusing pattern with large round bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Straw Maze is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4 – 6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. The Boo Barn is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Apple fritters and Food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
Open – November 5
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. They also have flashlight family nights through the corn maze September 29 & 30. On Saturdays & Sundays, they add in live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races & cider pressing demonstrations. Check out the Zurschmeide Family’s antique 1865 Cider press. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Apple picking is October 1-8. Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from October 1-31, adult cornmaze & pumpkin chunkin taking place November 4 & 5. Purchase tickets online.

Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
Open – October 31
The Fall Fun Fest is home to over 65 farm attractions including a corn maze, farm animal barnyard, mini mazes, games, playgrounds, bike tracks, educational opportunities and family fun.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open – November 5
Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch. You can purchase tickets when you arrive.

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Open 7 days a week
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, live animals to see and browse market goodies such as apple cider, mums and honey.

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
Open – October 31
Admission includes 45+ fall fun activities. For a full schedule of special events, visit the entertainment page. For a complete listing of activities available at Summers Farm, visit the attractions page.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
Open – November 5
Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and entertainment.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
Open- November 7
The Fall Festival is filled with family-friendly entertainment and TONS of attractions including slides, cornmaze, swings, animals, hayrides and more.

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
Open – October 29
Admission to pick your own pumpkins, hayrides, hilltop hop jump pads, tractor pull, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, twisted corn maze, live music on weekends, playground, spiderweb, play in the corn box, straw maze, swoop down the giant slides, corn hole games & pedal tractors. Open Wednesday-Sundays, reservations are highly recommended.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
Open-October 29
Watch the pig races, get lost in the maze or sit under the tree, head to the playground or animals and play pumpkin checkers. There is a hay mountain and hayrides too. Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze. This year the maze is baby Yoda themed.

Loudoun Fall Farm Tour
October 21 & 22
Over two dozen locations are part of this exciting tour through rural Virginia.

Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery

Fall festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends, August 26 – October 22
Frederick Oktoberfest: September 29-30
Oktoberfest at The Boro: September 30
PIKEtoberfest: October 1
Takoma Park Street Festival: October 1
Taste of Bethesda: October 7
Adam’s Morgan Porchfest: October 14
Bethesda Row Arts Festival: October 14-15
Volta Park Fall Festival: October 21

Date Night:
Markoff’s Haunted Forest
Field of Screams
Ebe Haunts Trail of Terror
Fields of Fear
Six Flags Fright Fest
Shocktober

DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

April 14, 2023

We’ve got a great list of 16+ ways to spend Spring Break. If you are staying local and need some ideas check out this post.

All weekend
Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival

The Dr. Seuss Experience

RiverRun Festival

Washington Nationals

Friday
4:30pm-8:00pm: Geoff the Magician at The Lane
What better way to spend a Friday night then having the kiddos watch a great magician and get tired on the bounce house, while you enjoy one of the last nice weekends before winter with an adult beverage.

Saturday
10:00am-12:00pm: Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
The Nation’s Springtime Parade is returning to Constitution Avenue. Grand colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a spectacle of music and showmanship celebrating spring in Washington, DC.

10:00am-2:00pm: Soar Together at Air and Space On Site Family Day: All About Rockets
How do rockets work? What are they used for? Why are they designed the way they are? Get the answer to all of these questions as we explore rockets and the important role they play in spaceflight and exploration. Join a hands-on day of fun for all ages during this Family Day at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

10:00am-3:00pm: Horse Expo at Frying Pan Farm Park
Come to the first-ever horse expo at Frying Pan Farm Park! This event is for experienced riders as well as people who are new to the world of horses. There will be food trucks, speakers, demonstrations, and businesses that sell horse-related products and services.

11:00am-2:00pm: Herring Heroes Obstacle Course at Pierce Mill
The herring are back, and so is this fun family event! Each spring, these mighty fish travel upstream from the Chesapeake Bay to Rock Creek, where they lay their eggs. Come learn about the spring herring migration, and see if you’re as strong as a fish! Can you swim up imaginary rapids and find your way on a Rock Creek balance beam? Go up the fish ladder, and carry an egg on a spoon? After you’ve completed the obstacle course, look for herring swimming past Peirce Mill! This outdoor event is FREE, no registration required. Rain date: April 16

1:00pm-3:00pm: Georgetown Scavenger Hunt
Explore some of Georgetown’s most cherished wonders and overlooked gems by solving clever clues during a fun scavenger hunt adventure!

2:00pm-9:00pm: Celebrate 2023 DC Emancipation Day
Join Mayor Bowser for a celebration of DC Emancipation Day with a parade, a DC Statehood Foodtruck-palooza, a concert, and fireworks!

Sunday
9:30am-11:00am: Earth-day inspired workshop at Red Panda Art Studio
Join for a special weekend workshop designed specifically for ages 18 months to 5! Class includes sensory stations, a group story, and a guided project inspired by our wonderful Planet, Earth! There will be a focus on using natural and recyclable materials. Please feel free to bring along any extra bottle caps or paper towel roll tubes you may have around. Drop-off optional for ages 3.5+. Caregivers welcome to stay!

11:30am-1:30pm: Open studio at Red Panda Art Studio
Join for an open studio experience! There will be a few selected inspiration idea stations set-up and you can use your imagination to fill in the rest! Workshop is designed for ages 5+. Drop-off recommended. Workshop includes a pizza lunch.

Plan ahead:
Aladdin Family Night at The National : April 26 only
Your wish is granted with special activities including Aladdin’s Wall of Wishes and coloring take home fun packs. The theatre will be opening one hour earlier than other performances for special activities exclusive to April 26 beginning at 5:30.

Fall festivals, farms, orchards and events in and around Washington, DC

September 10, 2022

It’s that time of year when the weather is beginning to cool, cute fall outfits await, PSL’s are back and kids are hoping to start jumping in leaves soon. It also means making memories at local apple orchards, fall festivals and picking pumpkins. Have a favorite place to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
Open – November 6
Gaze across the fields dotted with thousands of orange pumpkins, each one waiting to become a jack-o-lantern for your porch. The farm is decorated for Halloween with ghosts and goblins to delight and scare you. The fields are laden with crisp, succulent vegetables. The orchards are bent down with apples. It’s the last harvest to reap before the cold winter sets in. And fall is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of freshly squeezed sweet apple cider. Reservations required for pumpkin and evening hayrides. The Straw Maze, built in a confusing pattern with large round bales of straw, is a delightful place to get lost. The Straw Maze is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. The Boo Barn is for children ages 4 – 6. It is a dark passage in the bottom of the Red Barn and is filled with animated, not too scary ghosts and goblins. The Boo Barn is open every day the farm is open in late September and October. Apple fritters and Food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
September 1 – November 7
Open daily for apple picking and corn maze from Sept 1-30. They also have flashlight family nights through the corn maze September 10, 17, 24, 2022. On Saturdays & Sundays, they add in live music, marshmallow roasting, pig races & cider pressing demonstrations. Check out the Zurschmeide Family’s antique 1865 Cider press. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is from October 1-31 & Pumpkin Chunkin taking place November 5-6. Purchase tickets online.

Gaver Farm (5501 Detrick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771)
September 2 – October 31
Enjoy fall on the farm by conquering the twists and turns of the corn maze, bouncing on the jumping pillows, petting and feeding the farm animals and cruising down the giant slides. There are over 60 attractions, appropriate for any age including 2 jumping pillows, Chicken Show, farm animals, mini mazes, playgrounds, duck races, ball games, photo centers and so much more! Purchase tickets online.

Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 State Rte 108 Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Open – November 6
Petting farm animals, hayrides, cow train rides, pony rides, birthday parties, educational tours, enchanted pine tree forest, special weekend events, enchanted forest attractions (from an old theme park) and fall season pumpkin patch. You can purchase tickets when you arrive.

Summers Farm (5620 Butterfly Ln. Frederick, MD 21703)
September 17 – October 31
Admission includes 45+ fall fun activities. For a full schedule of special events, visit the Entertainment page. For a complete listing of activities available at Summers Farm, visit the Attractions page.

Leesburg Animal Park (19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175)
September 17 – November 6
Enjoy the giant hill slides, hay wagon rides, pet and feed animals, free apple and cider snack with admission, free mini-pumpkin, kids maze and live entertainment, pedal carts, bounce pillow and live music. Specials on weekends include camel rides and Entertainment.

Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120)
September 17 – 18 & then the Fall Festival will be open Thursday through Monday from Sept. 24 through Nov. 7, plus Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Fall Festival is filled with family-friendly entertainment and TONS of attractions including slides, swings, animals, hayrides and more.

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
September 24 – October 30
Admission to pick your own pumpkins, hayrides, hilltop hop jump pads, tractor pull, jump in the hayloft, visit barnyard buddies, twisted corn maze, live music on weekends, playground, spiderweb, play in the corn box, straw maze, swoop down the giant slides, corn hole games & pedal tractors. Open Wednesday-Sundays, reservations are highly recommended.

Wayside Farm (5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville, VA 22611)
September 24 and then open Thursday – Sunday & Columbus Day (Oct 10)
September 24 – October 30, 2022
Watch the pig races, get lost in the maze or sit under the tree, head to the playground or animals and play pumpkin checkers. There is a hay mountain and hayrides too. Get lost in the 10-acre corn maze. This year the maze pays homage to our amazing medical professionals who work to keep us all healthy and safe.

Loudoun Fall Farm Tour
October 15 and 16
Over two dozen locations are part of this exciting tour through rural Virginia.

Readers also recommend:
Montpellier Farm
Weber’s Cider Mill
Pumpkin Playground at Burke Nursery

Fall festivals:
Maryland Renaissance Festival: August 27 – October 23
Oktoberfest at The Boro: September 17
H Street Festival: September 17
Oktoberfest at the Wharf: September 30 – October 2
PIKEtoberfest: October 2
Volta Park Fall Festival: October 15
Fall for Fairfax KidFest: TBD
Frederick Oktoberfest: TBD
Barracks Row OctROWberfest: TBD

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

Food:
Order 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.

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

October 8, 2021

Fall is here, which means there’s plenty of fruit to pick, perfect pumpkins to be found and fall festivals happening every weekend!

We are so thrilled that we were able to update the theatre and musical productions blog post with in-person shows!

All weekend:
Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon

Disney on Ice! Mickey’s Search Party

Artechouse: Life of a Nueron

Van Gosh: The Immersive Experience

Family-friendly drive in movies from DC Party Box; Spooktober themed!

Halloween Eye Spy Train at Cabin John

Maryland Renaissance Fair

Bethesda Row Arts Festival

Friday:
5:30pm-8:30pm: Back to the Yards
Yards Park will blast to the past for one night only as it transforms into a nostalgic 80s dance party, complete with throwback tunes and activities. Parents and kids of all ages are invited to learn groovy dance moves with breakdancers, create slap bracelets, scrunchies, and t-shirts, and jam out to a playlist of 80’s chart-toppers, one-hit wonders, and favorites. Glowing giveaways and an LED light up piano will make this a party for the ages! Admission is free and kids of all ages are welcome to attend.

Saturday:
9:00am-4:00pm: Festival del Rio Anacostia
The annual and bilingual environmental celebration of the Anacostia River is back! There will be fun activities for the whole family. Come learn about the River and enjoy boat tours, fishing, tree planting and activities for the whole family.

10:00am-11:30am: Social Studies: The Rabbit Listened at President Lincoln’s Cottage
Reserve a table and join President Lincoln’s Cottage in exercises to develop our listening skills through storytelling, hands-on activities, and reflection. Participate in a group reading of The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. Engage in a guided discussion on how listening can help us cultivate social awareness and relationship skills. Create an imaginative accessory to help you practice your active listening skills. This program was designed for kids ages 2-8, but children of all ages are welcome to participate with their caregivers. Programs are outdoors, socially distant, and reflect our increased safety measures.

10:45am-4:00pm: We Are All Connected Art Opening Festival
Education Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems will work with invited community members to create We Are All Connected, a large-scale public art playscape on the REACH Plaza. All are invited to come watch their festival day of creation! The REACH grounds will be filled with art making, live music, family-friendly activities like chalk drawing, the return of the giant inflatable Pigeon, and drinks available at Victura Park. This event is free, but register online in advance.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Kids Euro Festival: Embassy of France
Join the European Union and our Member States for one of the largest performing arts festivals for children in America: The Kids Euro Fest! Hosted over two Saturdays — first at the French Embassy (October 9th) and then at the Swedish Embassy (October 16th) — the Kids Euro Fest Family Days will feature in-person European performances, interactive workshops, food vendors and music that everyone in your family will enjoy. As always, the Kids Euro Fest is completely FREE, but please make sure to RSVP and review the EU’s privacy policy here.

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Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

September 24, 2021

Friday & Saturday

Art All Night! With activations in all 8 wards in 16 different neighborhoods, and over 100 artists, 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. Click here for the guide to each ward’s details.

AFI Latin American Film Festival through October 13. Now in its 32nd year, the AFI Latin American Film Festival is one of North America’s largest and longest-running showcases of Latin American cinema. With the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, the festival celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring numerous international film festival favorites, award winners, local box office hits and debut works by promising new talents, the festival is one of Washington’s top cultural events. Don’t miss your chance to see excellent new films and be part of the discussion between a diverse audience of filmmakers and film lovers.

Maryland Renaissance Fair
Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Dates are: September 25, 26; October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and times are: 10:00am-7:00pm

Saturday

10:00am-8:00pm: Rosslyn Reads
The BID is partnering with Turning the Page for an all-day book sale, featuring over 10,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records between $2 and $6. There will also be live music, a performance by Synetic Theater, an onsite bar hosted by Open Road, coupons to Assembly (Rosslyn’s new gourmet food hall), and a craft station (courtesy the of Arlington Public Libraries Book Truck). The event is free to attend but registration is encouraged here to receive a reminder email prior to the event. All event proceeds are in support of local nonprofit, Carpe Librum.

10:00am-2:00pm: Takoma Park Play Day
Join this neighborhood free event featuring Touch-a-Truck with Takoma Park Public Works, Giant games: chess, checkers, Connect4, Just boxes, Corn hole, Board games, Dress up, Tennis with JTCC and live performances. Granny and the Boys, Rockville Swing Band, Marsha and the Positrons & Takoma Park Community Band.

10:00am-11:30am: Cadettes: Tudor Trees
At Tudor Place, they care for trees that are over 200 years old. In this program, learn about what is involved in caring for these trees. Explore the connection between people and trees and how to identify different tree species. Participates will design their own tree house. This program fulfills all requirements to earn the Cadettes Trees badge. Note: This is an in-person program. Please review the Tudor Place Health and Safety Guidelines before registering and attending. Tickets: $10 per registrant.

11:00am: Petworth Festival
Celebrate Petworth is known for great music! This year we’ll have bands playing all day on the Main Stage, including Hands On Drums, Reginald Cyntje, The Treads, DJ Unown, and Flex Mathews. The annual dog show will be at 12:00pm. This year, 9th Street between Upshur and Varnum Street NW will be transformed into a kids zone, presented by Makerspace by Party Time—complete with children’s vendors, arts and crafts, STEAM activities, and performances specifically for kids. Join us for children’s yoga, a hands-on soda explosion experiment, zumba, puppets, music, and more! Try out the flavors of the neighborhood in our food zone, Taste of Petworth. Runs all day during the festival.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Family Movie Night at the Lane
It’s like a normal movie night, but WAY BETTER. Not your living room, order from our cafe for dinner (popcorn is free!), and we’ll clean up all of the tiny pieces of popcorn that end up everywhere. “Sing” will be on the big screen so come ready to jam out to the catchy soundtrack. Comfy clothes and PJs welcome! We’ll have blankets set out for each family. Free for members! Cost is $20/kid (adults are free) for non-members. Reserve your spot here.

6:30pm-10:30pm: Kids Night Out at Silver Stars Gymnastics
While Silver Stars is known for expertly guiding children through all aspects of balance beam routines, trampolines and rope climbing, Kids’ Night Out offers children the chance to explore the various apparatuses at their own pace. These events take place on the second and fourth Saturday evenings of every month highlighting all the fun of Open Gym, but as a drop-off program. Offering free play, movies, games, pizza and more!

7:00pm: Salute the Sunset at National Harbor: Army U.S. Army Concert Band
It’s the final concert at the Harbor for the season. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening with performing ensembles of the USAF Band or the Army Band. Concerts are free and open to the public.

Sunday

2:00pm-4:30pm: Sukkot Extravaganza at Meadowbrook Park
Fun for all ages! Kona ice truck, Sukkah on wheels, Shake Lulav and Etrog-‘Chalk it’ Sukkah fun, balloon twisting, bubble show, holiday crafts, holiday treats and a raffle. Let your kids experience Sukkot with loads of fun and meaning! Get the early bird price!

5:00pm: US Air Force Band at The REACH
Co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts and premiered locally in 2015, John Luther Adams’s “choose-your-own-adventure” outdoor work returns to Washington, D.C. Wander among the musicians as they disperse across the REACH campus, and discover how the atmospheric piece challenges you to experience the connections among music, nature, and the world around you. No tickets or advance registrations are required for this free event but proof of vaccination required.

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Live outdoor music in and around Washington, DC this summer

June 22, 2021

One of my favorite parts about summer in Washington, DC are the free outdoor concerts and movies. What seems like an eternity ago (please time slow down) we took a sporadic drive to the Mall with our then three year old where we walked around, played some ball by the reflecting pool and headed towards the Capitol where the U.S. Air Force Band was performing a free concert. A huge crowd was gathered on the steps and in chairs taking in the gorgeous evening and patriotic tunes. This post will help you take advantage of some great music that will allow you to relax after a long day (and year) and see a bit of our city while doing so. Get out and enjoy the lighter evenings, let your kids stay up a little longer and enjoy the music our city offers.

The Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 11th Season! Every Friday night this summer, head to Yards Park around 7pm 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.

Glen Echo Summer Concert Series
Concerts are free and open to the public and feature a variety of local bands and musical genres. Music in the series typically ranges widely – from Country to Reggae, Swing to Latin Jazz, African to Cajun and Blues. Bench seating is provided in the pavilion, and folding chairs are also allowed. A coloring table to help keep small children busy during the concerts is also provided. Visitors may also enjoy the music from the picnic tables just outside the pavilion; many families enjoy bringing a picnic dinner to eat while listening. Dancers are welcome as well. For those who are still not comfortable with in-person events, the concerts will also be live streamed on YouTube and also available to watch later. Concerts are on Thursday’s starting July 1 – Sept. 9.

The Patio Stage at Strathmore
Designed to provide a spacious yet intimate experience, The Patio Stage features socially distanced tables that seat up to 4 people. This allows plenty of space for you and your pod in a venue that seats just 124. The Patio Stage’s lineup highlights what Strathmore does best—you’ll find music’s brightest names, like Wynton Marsalis, The Lone Bellow, Sophia Rei, and Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers; revel in contemporary and chamber music; soak in international sounds; and be introduced to your new favorite musician from our Artists in Residence program.

Wolf Trap Children’s Shows
Performances range from music and dance—interactive, educational, and fun. All shows are about an hour long and are perfect for children ages 4 and up. A list of rescheduled and postponed events impacted by the pandemic can be viewed here. August and September 2021 performances are subject to change depending on COVID-related conditions and artist availability. View Summer 2021 policies and guidelines.

Wolf Trap National Park
Offering a variety of shows outdoor. A perfect way to spend a summer evening, if you get lawn tickets don’t forget a picnic.

Jammin Java Outdoor Concert Series
Returning for our second year of outdoor concerts. This year they celebrate Jammin Java’s 20th anniversary with a jam-packed calendar. All outdoor shows are free, and donations-only shows. You can enjoy food and drinks in the outdoor seating and limited-capacity indoor seating. Limited capacity, first come first served, weather permitting.

A Capitol Fourth at the U.S. Capitol
In 2021, America’s Independence Day celebration, A Capitol Fourth, will mark 41 years on the air. The show is broadcast to millions of viewers on PBS and streaming platforms as well as to our troops watching around the world on the American Forces Network. Details on the website as to how and where to attend in person.

Olney Outdoors
The Root Family Stage is an open-air home for the summer with physically-distanced seating on blankets or in chairs. Or if you’re ready for it, the raised bleacher seats are available at full capacity. You can reserve a “pod” of seats for parties of 4, 3, 2 or even a solo. Masks are encouraged, but not required for vaccinated patrons, except indoors for use of the restrooms or in case of rain. Expect a variety of shows through September.

Live military band concerts are free and no tickets are required unless noted:
U.S. Navy Band
U.S. Air Force Band– Fridays at the Air Force Memorial at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays at National Harbor at 7 p.m.
U.S. Marine Band– Every third Wednesday of the month from June to August at Yard’s Park
U.S. Army Band

Looking for a music festival?
M3 Music Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion will take you back to the 80’s
Distrito Music Fest is a one-day Latin American music festival at Union Stage in Washington, D.C.
Darn Good Music Festival in Centreville, Virginia feature 14 live bands in 2 days

Venues reopening:
The Anthem, Comet Ping Pong, Nationals Park, The Hamilton, Howard Theatre The Birchmere, Jammin Java, The Kennedy Center, Pearl Street Warehouse, The Pocket DC and the big outdoor venues.

No details for this season yet:
Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
Kids in Canal
Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children
Strathmore Kids
Friday Night Live Concert Series at Rockville Town Square
Rock at the Row

Our favorite family-friendly summer activities in and around Washington, DC

May 2, 2019

Summer is my all-time favorite time in Washington, DC, despite the hot temperatures, there is something always going on. An outdoor festival, fountains to splash around in, an outdoor sports game to watch or live music are a few of our go-to’s. We want to help you kick off your summer the right way so you don’t miss out on some of the great summer events in Washington, DC.

Jazz in the Sculpture Garden: 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. Bring a picnic, buy a beverage, relax and enjoy the atmosphere, sculptures and music.
Local splash parks
Wolf Trap children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods: June 18- Aug 3, 2019- Across the meadow from the Filene Center, literally tucked in the woods at Wolf Trap National Park, the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods has been a summer tradition for generations of children and families. Performances range from music and dance to puppetry and storytelling—interactive, educational, and fun. All shows are about an hour long and are perfect for children ages 4 and up. Event calendar can be found here.
Play in your own yard! Our family loves good old fashioned chalk and bubbles on our front walkway but we also play tons of catch, water play and scootering. This wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have our yard sprayed by Mosquito Squad. The first year we lived in our house we weren’t able to sit on our front porch for more than a minute without being bitten by mosquitos. Mosquito Squad has made an amazing difference and after our treatment the mosquitos are gone! What I love most is that their spray techniques allow for kids and pets to return to playing just 30 minutes after service.
Pirate Adventure on the Chesapeake: Boat + Annapolis + Pirate Adventure = Outdoor Perfection
Smithsonian Folklife Festival: The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is June 29 & 30, 2019 and you will experience living traditions from around the world. The goal is to work with communities to strengthen and preserve their cultures and share them with you on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Strathmore Backyard Theatre: Enrich your little ones’ summer Thursday mornings in July with sunshine, music, and laughter at Strathmore’s Backyard Theater for Kids. This eclectic program is the perfect summer escape for busy families. Pack a picnic and enjoy live performances by highly esteemed and innovative family-friendly entertainers.
Montgomery County Agriculture Fair: The Fair will be August 9-17, 2019 and has animals, rides, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, and many others for the whole family to enjoy!
11th Annual Ukulele Festival at Strathmore: It’s a celebration of the marvelous musicality of the ukulele on August 21, 2019. UkeFest features ukulele superstars Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Daniel Ho, and Peter Luongo along with a mass strum-along. This fantastically fun concert is the culmination of the 11th annual UkeFest intensive workshop and a highlight of summer at Strathmore!
Kayak, canoe and paddle boating: Ballpark Boathouse, Fletcher’s Boathouse, Mariner Sailing School, The Wharf

Mosquito Squad of Greater Washington DC is our communities’ leading choice for mosquito, tick, and flea control, as well as other forms of backyard pest control. Their work has made it possible for customers to enjoy their backyards for the first time without fear of bug bites or vector-borne diseases. Their work is backed by a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like the results, they promise to spray your yard again for free or refund your money. Schedule your mosquito control treatment by calling (571) 364-6956 and find a service that is right for your family here.

This post was written in partnership with D.C. Mosquito Squad who is providing standard barrier treatment for our yard this summer.

Easter, eggs and hunts in and around Washington, DC

March 27, 2019

Whether it be a festival, farm or egg hunt, your Bambinos will have a blast and maybe even get to experience more than one of these eggcellent events. Options begin March 30, 2019 and run through the end of April. Happy hunting and brunching!

All weekends March 30-April 28 from 9:30am to 5:00pm: Ticonderoga Farms Spring Easter Festival
(26469 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA 20152)
Ticonderoga Farm’s Bunny will be joining everyone at the farm. Hopping around and posing for picture opportunities during our weekend hours and playing with our favorite friend Chickadee. Together hiding eggs for all the children to enjoy finding, especially the golden eggs that provide extra fun prizes for those who find them. Egg hunts will be held at 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm (arrive 30 minutes prior) in four age groups. There are many other activities included with your admission to enjoy, including: giant slide hills, huge jumping pillows, hayrides, animal feeding areas, pedal kart track, swinging bridge, and much more!

April 6 & 7: Great Country Farms Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
(18780 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA 20135)
Do marshmallow peeps really grow on trees? Your children will be amazed to harvest a few marshmallows to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. The Easter Bunny also hid some eggs, and we need you to help us find them! There will be multiple egg hunts each day this year, with over 20,000 eggs filled with treats to enchant your children spread across 4 hunts/day filled with treats to enchant your children.. Come see our spring chicks and baby animals, take a wagon ride, and rejoice that it is spring!

April 6 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Febergé Egg Family Festival at Hillwood Estate & Garden
(4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Admire the exquisite imperial eggs and other fanciful Fabergé creations collected by Marjorie Post. Experience festive folk music performed by Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble and spirited dancing by Kalinka Dance Ensemble. Enjoy stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play, produced by Happenstance Theater. Take part in a traditional Russian egg-rolling game. Step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate your own Fabergé-inspired egg.

April 13: Easter Eggstravaganza
10:00am-1:00pm: South Run Recreational Center- 7550 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153
2:00pm-4:00pm: Glenkirk Elementary School- 8584 Sedge Wren Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155
11:00am-3:00pm: Four Mile Run Park- 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
The Easter Eggstravaganza is one of the most *EGGciting* Easter events in the area, this is a time for kids and families to come out and enjoy a fun-filled FREE event. There will be an Easter bunny, Easter Egg hunt, face painting, balloon animals, concessions, music, a moon bounce, games and much more! Come out and enjoy the festivities with us!

April 13 from 11:00am-3:00pm: Arlandria Eggstravaganza
(4131 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305)
Over 10,000 eggs to find. With separate egg hunts for tots, elementary-aged children, and teens/adults, everyone can have a great time.From music and demostrations to games and crafts, there is a lot to do and see at the Arlandria Eggstravaganza. While you are there, make sure to take the time to eat lunch or grab some of your favorite carnival food.

April 13 from 12:00pm-2:00pm: Easter Bash at Ballston Quarter
Celebrate Easter with Ballston Quarter and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of games and activities! Join the fun by searching through Ballston Quarter for Easter eggs filled with prizes and exclusive giveaways. Kids can enjoy creating bunny-ear arts and crafts and take pictures in our photo booth. The Easter Bunny himself will make an appearance for pictures and a bunny-hop disco dance party will have guests young and old boogieing to all of their favorite hits!

April 13, 14, 18-20 & 22 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs (we provide the basket!), exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony. $9.50 per child and $7.50 per adult. Kite Days: April 27 & 28, bring a kite or purchase one here! Come fly a kite on the farm!

April 13-14 & 18-21: Easter Egg Hunt at Green Meadows Petting Farm
(10102 Fingerboard Rd. Ijamsville, MD 21754)
Green Meadows Petting Farm will be hosting Easter Egg Hunts at the farm on April 13-14 and April 18-21. We will have 3 hunts each day (11am, 1pm, 3pm) organized by age. Our Easter Bunny, Whiskers, will be available for some fun pictures! We require each child sign up 30 minutes before each hunt starts. No reservation is required, the cost is $14.00 per person; under 2 is free. The cost includes the free hunt as well as our regular petting farm fun (cow milking, wagon ride, free goat feed, pig races). Our farm opens at 9:30am during the week and opens 10:00am on the weekend. We allow admissions until 4:00pm but we close at 5:00pm.

April 18-20 from 10:00am-12:00pm: Eggstravaganza! at Tudor Place
(1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Rolling green lawns, bobbing spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny and children of all ages for an Egg Hunt and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn. Decorate eggs, play games from the past, take photos with the Easter Bunny, and make the 5½-acre gardens your play space for the morning.Tudor Place Member Child: $10 | Non-Member Child (0-2): $15 | Non-Member Child (3-4): $15 | Non-Member Child (5-6): $15 | Non-Member Child (7+): $15 | Accompanying Adult: $5

April 19-21 (Various Times): The Lee-Fendall House 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
(614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA)
The museum’s garden will be filled with hundreds of colorful toy-filled Easter eggs! Other activities include games, crafts, refreshments, and photos with the Easter Bunny. All children of elementary school age or younger (children aged 0-12) are eligible to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. Older children and adults are welcome to enjoy the other activities. Tickets are $15 for children aged 0-12, and $5 for all others.

April 20-21 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Egg Hunt at Clark’s Elioak Farm
(10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042)
Children of different ages (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs all day (10 AM, 10:30, 11 AM, 11:30, 12 noon, 12:30, 1 PM, 1:30, 2 PM, 2:30, 3 PM, 3:30, 4 PM, 4:30 and 5 PM) on both Saturday and Sunday. Our $7 per person admission fee for the farm applies, but there is no extra charge for the egg hunt. The petting farm, rides and play areas are open for you to enjoy.When you are ready to participate in the egg hunt, come to the Egg Hunt area and your child will line up with other children and pick up eggs. The eggs will then be turned in for a goodie bag. The first egg hunt each time will be for the 1-3 year olds. Once they are finished and while they are turning in their eggs for the goodie bags, the 4-6 year olds start their egg hunt. The petting farm, gem mining and rides will also be open on EASTER MONDAY.

April 20 at 10:00am: 8th Annual Egg Hunt at Tregaron Conservancy
(3000 block of Klingle Road, NW)
Celebrate Spring with Tregaron Conservancy! Thousands of candy-filled eggs will be hidden along our woodland paths. We will have separate area for kids under five. The hunt will begin at 10:00 a.m. by the Lily Pond near the entrance to Tregaron at 3031 Klingle Road NW. Be sure to bring a bag or basket. RSVPs are appreciated (but not required) by email.

April 20 from 10:45am-12:00pm: 14th Annual Egg Hunt at Stead Park
(Stead Park, 1625 P Street, NW)
Join the Friends of Stead Park for the 14th Annual Egg Hunt at Stead Park for 3 hunts. Enjoy selfies with the Easter Bunny, crafts and snacks after your little ones have filled their baskets with eggs. Advance registration is recommended- Register here.

April 20: Easter Eggstravaganza
12:00pm-2:00pm: Langdon Park: 2901 20th St NE, Washington, DC 20018
12:00pm-2:00pm: Lincoln Park: East Capitol Street between 11th and 13th Street Washington, DC 20003
The Easter Eggstravaganza is one of the most *EGGciting* Easter events in the area, this is a time for kids and families to come out and enjoy a fun-filled FREE event. There will be an Easter bunny, Easter Egg hunt, face painting, balloon animals, concessions, music, a moon bounce, games and much more! Come out and enjoy the festivities with us!

April 22 from 10:00am-2:00pm: Easter Monday & Earth Optimism Celebration at the National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008)
families are invited to enjoy egg hunts, live music, food trucks and games while discovering how they can help save species. This free event includes hands-on learning opportunities featuring Smithsonian conservation success stories, special animal demonstrations, keeper talks, and meet and greets with scientists and conservation partners working to protect wildlife around the world.

Check out these EventBrite events for more hunts in and near Washington, DC

Need Easter brunch reservations? Trip Savvy has you taken care of.

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