weekend picks

DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

April 5, 2024

NSO Music for Young Audiences: *String Thing*

Friday
7:30pm: Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert at The Strathmore
Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished and a new threat has risen: The First Order, led by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke and his dark side enforcer, Kylo Ren. General Leia Organa’s military force, the Resistance—and unlikely heroes brought together by fate—are the galaxy’s only hope at thwarting a new reign of evil. From visionary director J.J. Abrams, the film features a new score composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams. Experience the film on the big screen as the BSO performs the score live on stage.

Saturday
9:00am-12:00pm: Pink in the Pool at the Long Bridge Aquatic Center
Bring your kids and join us for a splash of fun and culture at Pink in the Pool! Enjoy complimentary entry to the aquatics center, now playfully decked with pink pool toys. Discover the elegance of Japanese customs with our origami workshops and tea-tasting sessions offered by the Study Japanese in Arlington Initiative. Treat yourself to freshly spun cotton candy and cherry blossom-inspired sweets, and gather around for storytime sessions surrounded by delightful cherry blossom-themed decor.

10:00am-2:00pm: Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse Family Day
Soar Together at Air and Space is a monthly family-focused program from the National Air and Space Museum. A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday April 8, 2024—are you ready for it? Click here to find places in DC to get solar eclipse glasses.

10:00am-11:15am & 11:30am-12:45pm: Spring Crafting Workshop at Creative Youth (Ages 4-6)
Welcome spring, with floral & pollinator themed crafting in our NEW little makers studio! Participants will choose from our assortment of art and crating materials to create a unique and colorful project. Taught by experienced early education staff, our workshops are designed to develop and promote fine motor skills, critical thinking, concentration, cognitive development and social emotional skills.

11:00am & 1:30pm: NSO Music for Young Audiences: String Thing
This daring double act of classical fun is BACK for more music and mayhem. National Symphony Orchestra musicians—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Japanese Game Day
Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season with the crew from Katsucon as they host a free Japanese Game Day at National Harbor! Japanese tabletop games will be available for all ages to learn and play. Games include: Riichi Mahjong; Karuta card game, flashcards to help teach Japanese to children (5+); Hanabi, a collaborative game where players have to give each other hints on the cards in their hands in order to make a firework display together (ages 10-15). Be sure to stick around and join for a free Cherry Blossom Film Series on the Plaza Screen at 4pm with a screening of “Belle” (A Studio Ghibli Film) presented by Plus Ultra Entertainment.

1:00pm-9:00pm: Petalpalooza
Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza, for a full day of live music and engaging activities! This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show set to music starting at 8:30 PM. This event is FREE and fun for all ages.

1:30pm-3:00pm: Art & Me | Preservation Family Workshop: Cherry Blossoms
Get creative while learning how conservators preserve art. Designed for ages 3-8. Celebrate spring and DC’s beloved cherry blossoms with a festive family workshop. The delicate sakura, or cherry blossoms, have been depicted in landscapes, figure paintings, and prints for centuries. Discover how Smithsonian art conservators preserve these beautiful yet fragile artworks. Then create and preserve your own cherry blossom–inspired art. This hands-on preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This program is presented in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. There are two sessions, each lasting about 1.5 hours. Please register for the session that would work best with your schedule.

Sunday
11:00am-1:00pm: Rumpus Room Family Dance Party
Rumpus Room is a family-friendly daytime dance party created by DJs Marc Meistro & Steven Faith for children 0 – 10 and their guardians. The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns to Hi-Lawn on the rooftop of Union Market! It’s our first event of 2024 and we’re anxious to provide your Spring soundtrack. Relive your night-life glory days with your little ones in tow. Dance to a family-friendly mix of dance floor classics, current hits and guilty pleasures, all at a child-friendly volume. Hi-Lawn will be open for food and beverages at 11:00 am!

1:30 & 4:00pm: NSO Music for Young Audiences: String Thing
This daring double act of classical fun is BACK for more music and mayhem. National Symphony Orchestra musicians—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written.

3:00pm-4:30pm: “Heart of Gold” book event with Betsy Fenzel at Red Panda Art Studio
Join for a special book event with local author Betsy Fenzel! You can learn more about the book here. Participants will take home a signed copy of the book! Betsy will guide participants through a reading, a short meditation, and a question and answer! We’ll then create our own hearts of gold using paint and 3D materials inspired by the characters in the book. Betsy will guide participants through a reading, a short meditation, and a question and answer! We’ll then create our own hearts of gold using paint and 3D materials inspired by the characters in the book.

Monday
12:00pm-4:00pm: Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall
Celebrate and observe the solar eclipse that will be visible all across North America! The National Air and Space Museum, in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, NASA, NOAA, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory presents an outdoor festival with activities for all ages. The event will run from 12 to 4 pm along the National Mall between 4th and 12th Streets. Browse the many activity stations to view the Sun in a variety of safe telescopes, and explore the different educational offerings. Click here to find places in DC to get solar eclipse glasses.

Plan Ahead:
April 7: STEM EXPO
April 9-21: Peter Pan at National Theatre
April 11: Flowers After Hours at National Gallery
April 27: Carousel Day at Glen Echo Park

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DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

July 14, 2023

We recently visited the Museum of Illusions in CityCenter. We spent about an hour and a half playing in the immersive rooms and staring at illusions trying to figure out how our eyes were seeing such surprising and strange things. It was a lot of fun so be sure to add this to the long list of places to visit in Washington, DC.

All weekend

Lotus and Water Lily Festival
The 2023 Lotus and Water Lily Festival will be July 15th through July 22nd! More information to come soon!

Nate the Great at Imagination Stage
Art matters in this musical mystery! A boy who loves detective work and calls himself Nate the Great is thrust into solving not one, but two mysteries involving a cat, a dog, two friends, and a missing painting. Full of quirky characters and fun, this show brings the popular book series to singing, dancing life. Showtimes: Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Best for ages 5-11.

MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration at The Wharf
Saturday: 4:30pm – 9:30pm and Sunday: 3pm – 7pm
Kick off MLS All-Star at MLS Soccer Celebration presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar at The Wharf. The ultimate fan experience will feature special guest appearances by MLS players, musical activations and performances, culinary offerings, a watch party experience for MLS matches and the opportunity to sample Coca-Cola refreshments. There will be special programming tied to Coca-Cola’s partnership with Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington that will feature a limited-edition design drop that you don’t want to miss.

Friday

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

7:00pm-9:00pm: Space Jam at Metropolitan Park
Join the National Landing BID for our summer outdoor movie series at Metropolitan Park. Come anytime after 6 p.m. to grab a bite to eat at one of the provided food trucks, or pack a picnic! Movies will begin at 7 p.m.

7:00pm: Music at B&O Railroad Museum
Free admission into the Museum will begin at 4 PM, where guests will have the opportunity to view the Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad exhibit and all the Museum has to offer. Crafts and activities will be available for kids to join and partake in and Baltimore-based painter Phil The Artist will be on-site doing a live painting. The Museum’s newly-opened Groundwork Kitchen Café will also be open with a variety of locomotive-themed sandwiches, salads, and other hot foods for purchase. Witness a performance like no other during this community-based, family-friendly, evening to remember as Wordsmith’s thought-provoking lyrics resonate with everyone in attendance. The B&O Railroad Museum marks the perfect intersection for this fusion of Hip-Hop artistry and historical grandeur to collide at one of this summer’s signature events.

8:00pm-10:00pm: Puss in Boots at Arlington Mill Community Center Outdoor Plaza
All movies start at sunset (between 8 and 8:30 pm) and are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs/blankets, etc. Leashed pets are welcome.

8:30pm-11:30pm: Sing at BlackRock Center for the Arts
Concessions available for purchase. No outside drinks allowed. Bring your most comfy blanket or lawn chair. The movie begins at sundown! For this screening, that is approximately 9pm. Come early to claim your spot on the lawn and enjoy some pre-show treats.

8:30pm: Top Gun Maverick at Cabin John Village
Film lovers can watch their favorite flicks on the outdoor screen while sitting picnic-style in Cabin John Village’s plaza. Live music and kids’ activities available from 6:30 pm.

Saturday

10:00am-3:30pm: Archaeology Family Day
Explore how archaeology has shaped what we know about George Washington, Martha Washington, and the lives of the enslaved people who lived at Mount Vernon at our Archaeology Family Day! Meet a Mount Vernon Archaeologist and ask questions about their tools of the trade.

10:00am-1:00pm: Bastille Day for Families
This event is perfect for kids of all ages. We’ll have a moon bounce, photo booth, petting zoo, face painting, music, crafts and food for everyone to enjoy. The best part is that it’s all free! Get ready to celebrate French culture and history while having a blast!

11:00am-4:00pm: “Spanish is the Language of My Family” Book Festival
Come by the National Postal Museum for a day of fun-filled activities for the whole family that celebrates the release of the new book Spanish is the Language of My Family. Written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by NPM’s Guest Artist, John Parra, Spanish is the Language of My Family demonstrates the importance of cultural heritage, community, and identity. No registration required.

Sunday

12:00pm-6:00pm: Kids & Paws Family Festival
Shipgarten, the top Tysons Corner Restaurant for families, is hosting a Kids and Paws family festival with the Great Zucchini as the magical host on July 16th from 12-6pm! Join for a magical day with the Great Zucchini at 3:15pm and music bingo from 5-7pm. There will be moonbounces, face painting, magic tricks, out door games and activities, and more!

2:00pm-4:00pm: Decades Summer Dance Party at MLK Library
Enjoy singing along and dancing to hits from across the decades and have a blast playing party games like ping pong and giant chess, checkers and Jenga.

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DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

April 7, 2023

Happy holidays to those who celebrate; it’s a busy weekend with Passover & Easter! Easter egg hunts and festivals can be found here for those looking for more hunts.

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.

Friday
6:30pm-11:30pm: Drive in at Union Market: Wall-E
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that warm breeze and turn up the radio because the 11th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of eight movies launches April 7, and will continue on the first and third Friday of every month through July 21st.

Saturday
10:30am-12:30pm: Bunny Hop Parade
Put on your spring bonnet or bunny ears and join us to gather eggs, make crafts, play games, do yoga with Kaydee Dahlin, take selfies with the Bunny, and enjoy treats at Stead Park, 1625 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.

12:00pm-8:00pm: DC Beer Fest
DC’s largest beer festival, featuring over 80 breweries, food trucks, bands, dueling pianos, and much more, throughout Nats Park.

1:00 to 3:00pm: Free the Trees in Westmoreland Park
Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance this Saturday to help save trees! You will be removing non-native invasives vines, shrubs and ground covers that are crowding out the native plants that our native birds and butterflies need to survive. This is a great activity for kids ages 8 and up as well as for adults. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

1:00pm-9:00pm: Petalpalooza at Capitol Riverfront at The Yards
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is taking over 400,000 square feet of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood with a full day of live music and engaging activities! This day-long, all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show set to music from 8:30 – 8:45 PM. The fireworks display may be viewed from all locations throughout the event as well as from Anacostia Park across the River.

1:00pm & 4:00pm: Hula-Hoopin Queen at Imagination Stage
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.

Sunday
River Island and RiverRun are two exhibits and festivals happening at The Kennedy Center. River Island is an immersive environment created by award-winning author and illustrator Edwin Fontánez, visitors can enter the lush landscapes of Puerto Rico, an island with more than 220 rivers. River Island features a bilingual play space for children and a fanciful recreation of a traditional dwelling perfect for a photo op.RiverRun will carve an artistic path through the stages, grand halls, and terraces of the Kennedy Center as well as the studios and green spaces of the REACH—which links the Center to its own river, the Potomac.

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

February 3, 2023

NSO Music for Young Audiences: Beauty and the Beat
See NSO principal second violinist Marissa Regni and NSO assistant principal timpanist/percussionist Scott Christian in an exciting program exploring the magic created when the violin and percussion join forces.

Fairfax City Chocolate Lover’s Festival
The Chocolate Lovers Festival, an annual three-day festival held on the first full weekend of February, features activities for all to enjoy. In 2023, the festival will be held Friday, February 3 from 6pm – 8pm, Saturday, February 4 from 10am-4pm, and Sunday, February 5 from 12-4pm. Click here for the schedule of events.

Washington, DC Travel Show at the Washington Convention Center
Get ready to pack your bags and make the first stop on your next vacation the Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show! You’ll discover thousands of vacation options from the top destinations, tour operators and travel providers from around the globe, and meet with travel experts who are on-hand to help you plan and book your trip. With 4 on-floor theaters you’ll receive the most up to date travel tips and advice, with the chance to meet your favorite travel celebrities. Plus, you’ll have access to show-only travel savings, trip giveaways and show-only deals, right at your fingertips! Click below to learn more and buy tickets, and we’ll see you at the Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show.

Saturday
9:00am-12:00pm: Jeni’s Ice Cream for breakfast
Join for Jeni’s annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day celebration. Maple Soaked Pancakes returns for a limited time. The first 50 Splendid Rewards members in line get a free limited-edition mug. And 10 lucky folks who wear their PJs to a scoop will win ice cream for a year. The fun doesn’t stop there check out the link above for more info.

10:30am-12:00pm: Celebrating Black Stories at the National Gallery of Art
Black stories take the spotlight in these films that share the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being Black and young. Explore a range of genres and styles in a program that spans the globe.

11:00am-3:00pm: Drop-in art making at National Gallery of Art
Drop-in art making is a great way to try your hand at creating art in an informal, relaxed environment. A different art activity will be offered each month, inspired by works of art on view. Art-making activities are designed for all ages and abilities. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

11:30am-3:00pm: National Portrait Gallery Weekend Workshop
Calling all artists! Get creative during our drop-in workshops for all ages. Learn about artists and changemakers and create art inspired by their stories.

1:00pm-4:00pm: RTC Ice-travaganza
Join for ice sculptures featuring a live demonstration, hot chocolate, s’mores, live dj, photo booth, and ice skating performances at the RTC Ice Rink, and more!

Plan Ahead:
Family Movie Matinees at the Avalon Theatre
Collage My Heart at the Kreeger Museum
25th Anniversary of the Lion King at National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Hula-Hoopin Queen at Imagination Stage

Valentine’s Day treats from MilkBar:

Mini Black & White Cake: A love letter to your taste buds, straight from the Big Apple. We turned the iconic Black & White cookie into a shareable cake for two. We alternate layers of chocolate and vanilla cake are sandwiched between cookies and cream frosting, shortbread crumbs and is decorated with the iconic black & white cookie pattern.
- Available online in the bundle: The Match Made in (Dessert) Heaven: This Valentine’s Day, dig into a dozen assorted Cake Truffles in a brand new giftable box alongside a limited-edition 4” Mini Black & White Cake.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake: Our Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake ups the ante on decadence with layers of double chocolate red velvet cake and frosting, cheesecake filling, and red velvet crumbs.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Truffles: Each over-the-top bite of our Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Truffles is filled with chocolate cake, chocolate chips, cream cheese, and coated in barely-there chocolate shell and rolled in red velvet crumbs.

Weekend picks and beyond in and around Washington, DC

October 9, 2020

**Monuments: Creative Forces** at Strathmore

Be sure to check out this fall festivals and orchards post and the Halloween guide as there are many ongoing events including drive-in movies and festivals adhering by COVID protocols.

Saturday
9:00am-4:00pm: SEEC virtual class sampler
Curious what a virtual family workshop actually looks like? Join a FREE sampler class by registering for a class time that fits your needs.

3:00pm: Marsha & the Positrons perform virtually as part of the Maryland STEM Festival
Songs focusing on science and how the world works with positive social messages!

Get timed passes to visit the Smithsonian National Zoo

This article in Washingtonian shares all of the places to see fall foliage!

Walk around Strathmore to see their latest outdoor exhibition- Monuments: Creative Forces. The exhibition features moving, dimensional video portraits of artists whose work and artistic endeavors are changing the shape of our community in profound ways.

Plan ahead:
Join Fun Fur Fridays and the Humane Rescue Alliance, beginning October 16. During the month of October students can sign up for Fun Fur Fridays, a brand new virtual program for friends of animals in grades K-12. Each week a different animal or group of animals will be featured. You never know who will stop by for a virtual meet and greet. Get all of your animal questions answered on Fun Fur Fridays at 4:00pm ET, beginning October 16. Space is limited.

Rock Creek Conservancy needs your help in these troubled times. Rather than being able to hold their annual Gala, Rock Creek Conservancy is holding a Picnic in the Park on Saturday, October 17. Choose between a socially-distant soiree with staggered entry times between 1 pm and 6 pm inside the Carter Barron Amphitheater or get your Gala to Go with contactless curbside pickup of a picnic to enjoy in the park (or at home).

As a first foray into virtual family programming, KID Museum is launching a free program the weekend of October 24-25 called the Go Green Design Challenge, which challenges families to design a new invention that can help make their home more sustainable. Kids of all ages are invited to participate. Registration is encouraged for last minute updates and instructions, but not required.