Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

All weekend

Celebrating Culture and Lights: Diwali at the Kennedy Center

Beauty and the Beast at Olney Theatre

Pumpkin Chunkin’ at Great Country Farms

Maryland Emancipation Day Celebrations

Friday

4:00pm-7:00pm: First Friday’s Brookland Art Walk
The studios will be open so you can stroll the walk and check out the studios of all the artists, makers, and artisans who make up our community. Grab a beer on the corner at @brooklandpint and go celebrate First Friday.

Saturday

9:00am-11:00am: Ava Twist Scientist at Wonder Arlington
Join for a STEM workshop based on the Netflix hit series Ada Twist, Scientist only at The Wonder. Each week they will recreate an experiment from the show. The 30-minute STEM workshop begins at 9:30am. Registration includes Open Play access for one kid ages 0-5 and one adult/caregiver. $10 supplement for additional adult. Babies under 1 are free with a sibling.

9:30am-6:00pm: Czech Christmas Market
Tis the season to be jolly! The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites you to its annual Czech Christmas Market. Browse stands filled with beautiful handcrafted ornaments, Bohemian crystal, exquisite bead and glass jewelry, fine art, Moravian wines and traditional liquors. Enjoy the taste and smell of mulled wine as well as an assortment of delicious Czech pastries and gingerbread, and savory cuisine. Adore the array of live animals from the Nativity scene for selfies. Listen to children of American Sokol Washington DC and Slavic American Sokol performing Czech Christmas carols and live music by the folk band Orchester Praževica.

10:00am-12:30pm: Inspired Painter Girl Scout Workshop at Dumbarton House
Armed with artistic inspiration from the various 18th-19th century art forms at Dumbarton House, Brownies expand their art vocabulary and create their own artwork!

11:00am-1:00pm: Ava Twist Scientist at Wonder Chevy Chase
Join for a STEM workshop based on the Netflix hit series Ada Twist, Scientist only at The Wonder. Each week they will recreate an experiment from the show. The 30-minute STEM workshop begins at 11:15am. Registration includes Open Play access for one kid ages 0-4 and one adult/caregiver. $10 supplement for additional adult. Babies under 1 are free with a sibling.

3:00pm to 5:00 pm: Free the trees
Join the Little Falls Watershed Alliance to save our native plants from non-native invasive plants. Using hand tools, we will remove strangling vines and smothering bushes to give native plants a chance to breathe and grow. Meet at the Neil Potter Plaza on the Capital Crescent Trail where the trail goes over River Road. Bring gloves or clippers or use ours. Dress to protect from angry vines and thorns. Closed toes shoes are a must. Bring water too. This event is hosted in partnership with the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail – the first of hopefully many community work days to restore the habitat along the trail. Pre-approved for MCPS SSL hours. Kids under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult supervisor.

4:00pm-12:00am: THE REDEYE Night Market
Head to this free, family-friendly, open-air night market paying homage to the foods and cultures of the Asian diaspora. Featuring DC’s hottest chefs, artists and more, THE REDEYE’s unifying goal is to support small businesses, create a cultural tentpole event for our city and give people a night of celebration, community and discovery.

Sunday

7:30pm: Mystery Science 3000 at Warner Theatre
The “Time Bubble Tour,” supervised by series creator Joel Hodgson, launched in October of 2021 and features the beloved returning cast of the 2019 “Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour,” Emily Marsh, Conor McGiffin, Nate Begle, and Yvonne Freese, along with the world’s only movie-riffing robots, Tom Servo, Crow, and GPC. The show features the film Making Contact and will include all the tour signatures: hilarious riffing, wisecracking robots, and silly sketches. The show will be directed by Tim Ryder, an alumni of the Second City Mainstage cast and writer and performer from the MST3K TV series.

Holiday prep {updated lists to come}:
Stocking stuffers under $10
Gift Guide for Kids
Memberships & Experiences
Subscription Boxes

Plan ahead:
Master Chef Junior Live at Warner Theatre: November 13, 2021
Elf on the Shelf Musical at the Lyric: November 13, 2021
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at The National Theatre: November 23 – December 5, 2021
Enchant at Nationals Park: November 26th to January 2nd
The Washington Ballet Nutcracker at Warner Theatre: November 27 – December 26, 2021
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Strathmore: December 20-22
Dinosaur World Live at Strathmore: January 9
Wild Kratts Live 2.0 at Warner Theatre: May 21