Below are our most popular summer focused links!

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

Ongoing Events
The Office Experience
Dunder Mifflin is in Washington, DC through Sept 2! The world of The Office has come to life with iconic set recreations, original show costumes and props, and opportunities for fans to engage with the show in new ways.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage
Mr. Popper, a painter of modest means, dreams of taking an Antarctic adventure. So he’s thrilled when a penguin named Captain Cook waddles out of a mysterious box left on his doorstep. Full of puppets, songs, and fun, this musical is best for ages 3-10. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is on stage through August 7.

Fantastagirl at the Math Monster at Adventure Theatre
Fantastagirl, a second-grade superhero who uses words to save the day, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: the Math Monster! When confronted with problems too big for words alone to solve, Fantastagirl must accept help from her friendly, furry, fraction-loving foe. While Fantastagirl and Math Monster use words and numbers to help her friends and scientist moms, something far more sinister than Math brews on the horizon. Playing through August 31.

The Playhouse at The National Building Museum 
The National Building Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library, in association with the University of South Carolina, are partnering this summer to present The Playhouse. Starting on Friday, July 1–and running through August 28, 2022–visitors can step back in time with the Bard for the latest iteration of the Museum’s Summer Block Party. Guests of all ages will find something fun to do, including building an Elizabethan City by Design, a Shakespearean-version of a favorite Museum activity where visitors discover details about city planning and create a town of buildings constructed from recycled materials. A scavenger hunt will take participants throughout the Museum looking for Midsummer characters, and guided tours will present the art and mystery of stagecraft while showing the intricacies of The Playhouse’s construction.

All weekend
Otakon at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Founded in 1994, Otakon is an annual convention held in the summer months to celebrate Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom. The event runs from Friday to Sunday and is packed with a schedule that has tons to do.

Citi Open is returning to Rock Creek Tennis Center. The competition, which features both men’s and women’s matches, will run through August 7.

The Washington Nationals host my home team, the St. Louis Cardinals! There is a baby shark song cube giveaway on Sunday.

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. 

5:00pm-7:00pm: Bear Square Concert Series
If you’re looking to jam out on a Friday night at the Bear Square Summer Concert Series, The Station at Riverdale Park has you covered with events for the whole family to enjoy.

5:00pm-8:00pm: Friday Night Fishing
Friday Night Fishing will run Friday nights June 17 – August 26 from 5-8 PM and is located at the Diamond Teague Park (1520 First St. SE) across from Nationals Stadium. The event is first come, first onto the dock. Friday Night Fishing is a free event. Bait, tackle, and rods will be provided and there will be staff to help teach you how to fish.

6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 12th Season, this year 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.

Saturday
11:30am-7:00pm: SAAM Arcade 2022
SAAM Arcade returns to the Kogod Courtyard this year! Join SAAM for our beloved annual celebration of creativity and innovation in games. This year, we’re welcoming visitors back to the museum, featuring the 2022 Indie Developer Showcase and a curated selection of eight indie games presented by their developers! Visit the museum for a day full of new games as well as classic arcade and console games from MAGFest. A special scavenger hunt that connects video games and SAAM’s collections will be available at the information table.

8:00pm: Toy Story in concert at Wolf Trap
The NSO brings Toy Story in Concert to Wolf Trap, featuring the Oscar® and Grammy®-winning score by Randy Newman. Ever wonder what toys do when people aren’t around? Toy Story answers that question with a fun-filled journey through the eyes of two rival toys—Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Full feature film will be projected in HD onto screens in-house and on the lawn and accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra.

Sunday
11:00am-2:00pm:  KID Museum
Guatemalan artist Ubaldo Sanchez will demonstrate the traditional practice of sawdust carpet making (Alfombra de Aserrín). Sanchez will guide visitors through the steps of sawdust carpet art, from design to colorful completion. (Here’s a time-lapse video that shows the process.) At the end of his visit, kids and adults will experience the ephemeral aspect of this artwork by destroying the sawdust carpet together.

As we enter the hottest part of summer in DC, we wanted to remind you of the below links that are summer focused; think water play and ice cream to keep you cool!

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

Ongoing Events
Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage
Mr. Popper, a painter of modest means, dreams of taking an Antarctic adventure. So he’s thrilled when a penguin named Captain Cook waddles out of a mysterious box left on his doorstep. Full of puppets, songs, and fun, this musical is best for ages 3-10. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is on stage through August 7.

Fantastagirl at the Math Monster at Adventure Theatre
Fantastagirl, a second-grade superhero who uses words to save the day, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: the Math Monster! When confronted with problems too big for words alone to solve, Fantastagirl must accept help from her friendly, furry, fraction-loving foe. While Fantastagirl and Math Monster use words and numbers to help her friends and scientist moms, something far more sinister than Math brews on the horizon. Playing through August 31.

The Playhouse at The National Building Museum 
The National Building Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library, in association with the University of South Carolina, are partnering this summer to present The Playhouse. Starting on Friday, July 1–and running through August 28, 2022–visitors can step back in time with the Bard for the latest iteration of the Museum’s Summer Block Party. Guests of all ages will find something fun to do, including building an Elizabethan City by Design, a Shakespearean-version of a favorite Museum activity where visitors discover details about city planning and create a town of buildings constructed from recycled materials. A scavenger hunt will take participants throughout the Museum looking for Midsummer characters, and guided tours will present the art and mystery of stagecraft while showing the intricacies of The Playhouse’s construction.

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. 

5:00pm-7:00pm: Bear Square Concert Series
If you’re looking to jam out on a Friday night at the Bear Square Summer Concert Series, The Station at Riverdale Park has you covered with events for the whole family to enjoy.

5:00pm-8:00pm: Friday Night Fishing
Friday Night Fishing will run Friday nights June 17 – August 26 from 5-8 PM and is located at the Diamond Teague Park (1520 First St. SE) across from Nationals Stadium. The event is first come, first onto the dock. Friday Night Fishing is a free event. Bait, tackle, and rods will be provided and there will be staff to help teach you how to fish.

6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 12th Season, this year 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.

Saturday
8:00am-8:00pm: Lotus & Water Lily Festival
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a one-of-a-kind destination within Anacostia Park and it is a hidden gem in Washington, DC. The summer lotus and lily blossoms are a “must see” during their peak blooming period in July, not unlike viewing the cherry blossoms in the spring. Saturdays & Sundays through July 31.

6:30pm: Kids Night at DC United
Gates open at 6:30pm, game is at 8:00pm. First 5k Kids in Attendance Receive Lollipop Giveaway!

Sunday
8:00am-4:00pm: Lotus & Water Lily Festival
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a one-of-a-kind destination within Anacostia Park and it is a hidden gem in Washington, DC. The summer lotus and lily blossoms are a “must see” during their peak blooming period in July, not unlike viewing the cherry blossoms in the spring. Saturdays & Sundays through July 31.

4:00pm: Kidz Bop Live 2022
The ultimate pop concert for kids (and grown ups too!) is coming your way and it’s all new for 2022. Sing and dance along with the KIDZ BOP Kids as they perform today’s biggest hits, live on stage, including “Good 4 U” and “Dance Monkey.”

Still looking to get away this summer?
13 overnight ideas for parents
Overnight family trips
Beach & State Park day trips

Select Outdoor Pools to Stay Open Until 8PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
In anticipation of high temperatures throughout the weekend, Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the hours of select outdoor pools from 10 am – 8 pm. starting Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24. A heat emergency has been activated for the District and will be in effect through Monday, July 25. Outdoor pool hours are extended from 10 am to 8 pm at the following locations:

Banneker Pool, 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW
Volta Park Pool, 1555 34th Street, NW
Hearst Pool, 3701 37th Street, NW
Upshur Pool, 4300 Arkansas Avenue, NW
Langdon Park Pool, 2860 Mills Avenue, NE
Harry Thomas Sr. Pool, 1743 Lincoln Road, NE
Randall Pool, 25 I Street, SW 
Ridge Road Pool, 830 Ridge Road, SE
Rosedale Pool, 1701 Gales Street, NE
Fort Stanton Pool, 1800 Erie Street, SE
Oxon Run Pool, 501 Mississippi Avenue, SE

All other outdoor pools will operate on a normal schedule. Find the full schedule for outdoor pools here.

Ongoing Events
Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage
Mr. Popper, a painter of modest means, dreams of taking an Antarctic adventure. So he’s thrilled when a penguin named Captain Cook waddles out of a mysterious box left on his doorstep. Full of puppets, songs, and fun, this musical is best for ages 3-10. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is on stage through August 7.

Fantastagirl at the Math Monster at Adventure Theatre
Fantastagirl, a second-grade superhero who uses words to save the day, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: the Math Monster! When confronted with problems too big for words alone to solve, Fantastagirl must accept help from her friendly, furry, fraction-loving foe. While Fantastagirl and Math Monster use words and numbers to help her friends and scientist moms, something far more sinister than Math brews on the horizon. Playing through August 31.

The Playhouse at The National Building Museum 
The National Building Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library, in association with the University of South Carolina, are partnering this summer to present The Playhouse. Starting on Friday, July 1–and running through August 28, 2022–visitors can step back in time with the Bard for the latest iteration of the Museum’s Summer Block Party. Guests of all ages will find something fun to do, including building an Elizabethan City by Design, a Shakespearean-version of a favorite Museum activity where visitors discover details about city planning and create a town of buildings constructed from recycled materials. A scavenger hunt will take participants throughout the Museum looking for Midsummer characters, and guided tours will present the art and mystery of stagecraft while showing the intricacies of The Playhouse’s construction.

Washington Nationals host the Atlanta Braves this weekend.

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. 

6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series: So Fetch 2000s Tribute Band
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 12th Season, this year 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.

Saturday
8:00am-1:00pm: DC’s Annual Truck Touch at RFK  Stadium, Lot 8
The event will feature a variety of free activities for kids and adults. A host of DC government agencies will present and demonstrate nearly 30 vehicles used to clean and repair streets, change traffic lights, collect refuse, clear snow, provide emergency services, administer mobile health care, and more. Coordinated annually by the DC Department of Public Works, kids are encouraged to climb into trucks and adults invited to test drive various equipment. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will also provide a bevy of activities for kids and adults including, tennis, basketball and fitness activities. Free boxed lunches will be provided to kids up to age 18 as part of the DC Free Summer Meals Program.

10:00am-3:00pm: Arts Family Day at Mount Vernon
Discover art as expression and communication in the 18th century through visual arts, poetry, music, and movement. Visit the 12-Acre Field to learn about art in the 18th century. Enjoy fun activities led by the Mount Vernon staff, such as writing with a quill pen. There will also be take home crafts and an arts journal to explore the estate. Activities and take-home craft kits available while supplies last. 

11:00am-7:00pm: Fiesta Asia Street Fair
The National Asian Heritage festival Signature Event – Fiesta Asia Street Fair is back LIVE in 2022! In it’s 17th year, Fiesta Asia Street Fair is the longest running, most inclusive & the largest FREE Pan-Asian Festival in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Fiesta Asia Street Fair features over 1000 performers + artisans + entrepreneurs + food vendors + organizations on multiple stages representing more than 20 cultures for 8 consecutive hours to create the festivities that are enjoyed by thousands of visitors. It is truly an amalgamation of the diverse Asian cultures and heritage!

2:00pm-4:00pm: Bastille Day in the Park
Fessenden Park becomes Tenleytown’s own little “French Quarter” as Tenleytown Main Street celebrates Bastille Day. Enjoy quiche and profiteroles, sip Perrier, Orangina, and rose sangria, play the classic lawn game pétanque, listen to live music by accordionist Russell Wilson, and take part in French-themed crafts. Play Bastille Day Trivia for a chance to win one of five adult beverage gift sets from Verified Wine & Fine Spirits. Visit the link above for more details!

3:00pm-6:00pm: Summer Jazz Celebration at The Kreeger Museum
Gather in the sculpture garden and enjoy an evening of live music. In collaboration with Elijah Jamal Balbed, The Kreeger Museum is honored and thrilled to present Jazz at The Kreeger, a series that furthers our mission to share music across the city. Now in its second year, this series supports and spotlights the wealth of musical talent in our metropolitan area. Please bring your own canned beverage and picnic blanket. Glass beverages and lawn chairs will not be permitted on site. 

Sunday
10:00am-3:00pm: Arts Family Day at Mount Vernon
Discover art as expression and communication in the 18th century through visual arts, poetry, music, and movement. Visit the 12-Acre Field to learn about art in the 18th century. Enjoy fun activities led by the Mount Vernon staff, such as writing with a quill pen. There will also be take home crafts and an arts journal to explore the estate. Activities and take-home craft kits available while supplies last. 

Recent posts
8 games to play in the pool + must-haves for water play
Road trip!
20 classic outdoor games
Summer bucket list
Outdoor summer movies

All weekend
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
This free Festival takes place for two weeks ( .June 22-27 & June 20-July 4) every summer on the National Mall. It is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. We invite visitors to sing and dance along, try craft and game workshops, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange. Hours are 11:00am – 6:00pm each day and admission is free. 

30th Annual BBQ Battle
For the past 30 years, tens of thousands of people have flocked to our nation’s capital to
celebrate the “Official Start of Summer” at the Giant® National Capital Barbecue Battle, one of
the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country. It’s a celebration of unity,
community, inclusiveness, and cooperation in our Nation’s Capital.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage
Mr. Popper, a painter of modest means, dreams of taking an Antarctic adventure. So he’s thrilled when a penguin named Captain Cook waddles out of a mysterious box left on his doorstep. Full of puppets, songs, and fun, this musical is best for ages 3-10. Mr. Popper’s Penguins starts next Wednesday, June 22 at Imagination Stage.

Friday
5:00pm-8:00pm: Friday’s at the Park: The collective band
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. 

6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series: Pebble to Pearl Pop/RnB
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 12th Season, this year 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.

Dusk: Encanto at The REACH
Join for a FREE film screening outdoors on the REACH Video Wall. Films start at dusk and no tickets or registration required.

Saturday
The Smithsonian marks the first Saturday of summer—Solstice Saturday—by staying open late and hosting parties, programs, and performances, including a free concert on the National Mall hosted by the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, a late-night garden dance party with glow yoga, a wellness day, and more. The following museums will be open until midnight: Smithsonian Castle and Haupt Garden, Arts and Industries Building, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of Asian Art, and the National Museum of Natural History. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (passes not required after 5:30 p.m.) and the Hirshhorn Museum will be open until 8 p.m.

10:00am-1:00pm: Pollinator Festival
In honor of Pollinator Protection Week, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and Wildlife Biologist Natasha Garcia-Andersen will host fun and educational activities for all. Learn how our Pesticides Branch and Fisheries and Wildlife Branch interacts with pollinators and how you can help protect them! Grab some pollinator seed giveaways, enjoy themed coloring pages and more!

11:00am-2:00pm: Block Party at Generation Hope
This family-friendly event will be held in the outdoor area of Generation Hope’s office and will include food, music, games, and activities for all ages. Come celebrate the summer with our families! Purchase tickets here.

11:00am-6:00pm: One Journey Festival
Welcome to the One Journey Festival. We hope you are looking forward to a full day of music, dance, storytelling, food, arts & crafts, technology, and so much more. You’ll be taking part in the  third national celebration of refugee talents, stories, and accomplishments – on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. At this beautiful venue, Festival goers will celebrate, interact, and connect with refugees and their families, and discover ways to get involved in assisting and advocating for refugees globally and locally. One Journey, a grassroots organization, is  shifting the narrative about refugees worldwide. We counter hate and fear with compassion, connection, and celebration of the bonds that unite our human family. One Journey’s mission is to build welcoming host communities for refugees and displaced people so both can thrive together. 

12:00pm-5:00pm: Georgetown Sweets Tour
Each tour-goer will visit 12 retail locations to pick up a different sweet prepared by a Georgetown bakery. That’s 12 sweets to take home by the end of the tour – if you don’t eat them along the way, of course! Details below, and information on participating bakeries and retailers can be found at the Eventbrite link here. $35 for an individual ticket; $125 for 4 tickets.

1:00pm-6:00pm: Summer Mercado Street Festival
The Summer Mercado is an outdoor street festival that highlights the best of the Crossroads international community. It offers delicious world cuisine, drinks, a variety of unique craft vendors, and local live music.

2:00pm-4:00pm: Caribbean American Heritage Month Celebration
Come join us for an afternoon of Caribbean-style, outdoor family fun. You’ll love this Caribbean “Jump up!”. This event is hosted by Caribeat Cuisine. Performances by leading dance and cultural arts studio Karibfit. Wear your Caribbean Carnival headpiece/costume and join the fun! CariBeat Cuisine’s delicious Caribbean Street Food, including Trini Doubles, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and other Caribbean treats. Soca-Reggae Music by Image Band.

3:00pm-7:00pm: Friendship Height’s Maker Market
Join your friends and neighbors for a street festival and interactive cultural experience this summer! The Friendship Heights Makers Market will bring together world-class musicians, artists, diverse makers, prepared foods, and neighborhood small businesses to create an inviting, fun experience for all ages. Come early for giveaways for kids, and don’t miss the dance lessons and interactive fun. Stop by and shop from your favorite woman-owned local vendors, or stay the entire afternoon and hang out. 

Sunday
12:00pm-5:00pm: Growing Pride at the Garden
A family-friendly Pride event at The Garden, featuring local LGBTQ+ makers & allies, crafting for kids, and local foodtrucks. Join us at The Garden this June for a day celebrating pride! This family friendly event at The Garden ALX will feature 15 local LGBTQ+ makers and allies set up throughout The Garden with locally crafted goods available for sale.

More Weekend Festivals
Arlington Pride Festival– Saturday 12:00pm-7:00pm
Van Ness Summer Pop-Up– Saturday 11:00am-4:00pm
Historic Oakland Summer Craft Fair– Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Streetsense’s Streetmarket– Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm

Recent posts:
Outdoor Summer Movies
Juneteenth Literature for Kids

Summer camps will be beginning very soon! There are still spots open at various camps. See our camp guide for options.

Friday

5:00pm-8:00pm: NaLa Fridays at the Park
National Landing’s favorite concert series is back and better than ever, bringing live music, food trucks and fun in the summer sun to Long Bridge Park.

5:00pm-8:00pm: Parents Night Out
Happy Friday! The Lane knows you have had a long week and would like some “me time”, so drop your kids off at The Lane from 5-8pm every Friday night. They’ll feed them dinner, watch a movie, and have supervised fun.

7:30pm-10:30pm: Union Market Drive-in: In the Heights
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 10th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of six movies launches May 13, and will continue on the second Friday of every month through October 14.

Saturday

9:00am-12:00pm: Play Ball
At Walker Mill Regional Park in Maryland, Josiah Gray will lead a read-along as part of the Nationals’ Summer Reading initiative, kicking off the local program in Prince George’s County. Each child in attendance will receive a free MLB bat and ball as well as a baseball-themed book.

10:00am-2:00pm: Soar Together @ Air and Space In Person Family Day: UFOs: Fact or Fiction?
For years, people have looked to the skies and been fascinated by the topic of unidentified flying objects, also known as UFOs. During this Family Day, you’ll get to explore what the aviation world considers a UFO, and learn how and why they are studied. You’ll also discover how the possibilities of UFOs have inspired creativity and the imagination through movies, stories and songs. Virtual option happening also!

11:00am-2:00pm: Pride Family Day at Glen Echo
Glen Echo Park is proud to collaborate with the office of Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass to present the 2nd annual Pride Family Day at Glen Echo Park! Interactive chalk maze designed by Chalk Riot, whose motto is, “We make ordinary surfaces extraordinary!” Carousel-themed craft activity bag for all ages (While supplies last! FREE Carousel tickets (While supplies last! Otherwise, $2.00 per ride or $5.00 for an all-day wristband) Snacks & Specialty Glen Echo Park Root Beer (While supplies last!) Discounted tickets to a mainstage performance at the Puppet Co. Performances of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs are scheduled for 11:30 am and 1:00 pm on Saturday June 11th. Recommended for ages 4+. Run time approximately 45 minutes. Use coupon code: PRIDE22 when purchasing your tickets online. Please purchase tickets in advance to use the discount and direct any questions here. Families may also enjoy the playground, the picnic area, the Glen Echo Park Aquarium (tickets required; book in advance), and a variety of art galleries throughout the park.

11:30am: Arts on the Horizon presents Birds of a Feather
It’s a beautiful summer day when Fiddle, a camper, and Beeker, a bird watcher, meet in a national park. One is adventurous and the other is a bit more reserved, but they quickly discover how to share the outdoor space. With Fiddle’s knowledge of the great outdoors and Beeker’s bird expertise, they work together to build a home for a bird… but will any birds come to visit? This whimsical outdoor adventure celebrates the joy of making new friends and the wonders of nature. Join us and discover what amazing things can be accomplished through friendship and collaboration!

12:00pm-2:00pm: March for Our Lives (again)
After countless mass shootings and instances of gun violence in our communities, it’s time to take back to the streets and march for our lives. We marched in 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, and now we’re headed back to DC. Join us on June 11th in Washington, D.C., or in one of our hundreds of local marches on the same day, across the nation.

2:00pm-9:00pm: Pride on the Pier at the Wharf
The Washington Blade in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf are excited to announce the 3rd Annual Pride on the Pier celebration during DC Pride in June 2022. Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment. The District Pier will offer a DJ, dancing and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience with complimentary drinks and food during the duration of the event. Purchase tickets. The Transit Pier will house the Family Zone that will include activities for all ages.

3:00pm-7:30pm: Pride Parade
oin the LGBTQ+ community for the return of the historic Capital Pride Parade, proudly presented by Marriott International. In 2022, a modified route will honor our history and acknowledge the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality. Be prepared to experience one of the largest Pride Parades to ever take place in the United States Capital. The parade will start at 17th St NW & T St NW at 3:00pm and ends near 21st NW & P St NW.

7:00pm: Monster Jam at FedEx Field
The legendary Grave Digger®, Max-D™, and more compete in intense competitions of speed and skill. This year’s championship lineup includes world record holders who push their trucks to the limit. Experience full-throttle family fun. This. Is. Monster Jam™.

Sunday

10:00am-1:00pm: Civics Fest at National Archives
Civic Season is the time to put what we learned in history class into action. During the second-annual Civic Season, more than 200 museums and historic sites will be sharing our resources and providing lessons from the past that will help inform tomorrow’s activism. And what better place to learn about our shared history than the National Archives, home of America’s founding documents? It will be outside the Archives with trivia, art projects, live music, a Sign the Declaration activity (a fan favorite!), and of course, the chance to see history up close!

11:30am & 1:00pm: Arts on the Horizon presents Birds of a Feather
It’s a beautiful summer day when Fiddle, a camper, and Beeker, a bird watcher, meet in a national park. One is adventurous and the other is a bit more reserved, but they quickly discover how to share the outdoor space. With Fiddle’s knowledge of the great outdoors and Beeker’s bird expertise, they work together to build a home for a bird… but will any birds come to visit? This whimsical outdoor adventure celebrates the joy of making new friends and the wonders of nature. Join us and discover what amazing things can be accomplished through friendship and collaboration!

12:00pm-10:00pm: Pride Festival
Join the LGBTQ+ community on America’s Mainstreet, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, for the return of the Capital Pride Festival. Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region and continues to be free to the public.

Announcements:
We are excited to announce the on-sale of DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS FROZEN & ENCANTO! This adventure on ice transports fans into two of the most popular Disney films as audiences can sing-along to their favorite songs while embracing world-class ice skating, aerial acrobatics and more when it visits the Washington, DC-Area at EagleBank Arena from October 6 – 10, 2022!

Imagination Stage™ brings Mr. Popper’s Penguins to the stage from June 22 – August 7, 2022 promising the most fun kids will have inside this summer! Based on the 1939 Newbery Honor novel by Richard and Florence Atwater, the musical’s book is by Robert Kauzlaric, with music and lyrics by George Howe. Nathaniel P. Claridad directs a talented cast of four actors, plus 12 lovable puppet penguins.

Recent posts:
Six The Musical
Pick your own fruits and vegetables
Spring bucket list

A new exhibit at Smithsonian National Zoo opened today: Claws and Paws Pathway exhibit. Visitors will encounter four species, including a North American porcupine, bobcats and the Zoo’s newest residents—binturongs and Pallas’s cats. While walking along the Claws and Paws Pathway, visitors can sniff out the unusual odors associated with these animals and look for their shared fascinating traits—paws and claws. The renovated area is located behind the prairie dog exhibit, adjacent to the Zoo’s Police Station and Mane Grille restaurant.

All weekend

Show Way The Musical at the Kennedy Center has shows all weekend. The award-winning book from Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson becomes a world premiere stage adaptation with new music. Soonie’s great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She began to stitch a Show Way, a quilt with secret meanings to show enslaved people the way to freedom. As each generation passes, the Show Way shines a light on the past and paves a road to the future, stitching together possibility and promise.

Escape the city for a lovely day among nature at Ticonderoga and National Botanic Garden for the Art, Flowers & Flavors Festival. Meet art exhibitors, sample wine and beer, enjoy food, chocolates, and explore our gardens.

Rolling to Remember has events on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday

9:00am-4:00pm: Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington National Cemetery
Flowers of Remembrance Day pays homage to the first official Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, which originally took place in Arlington National Cemetery in 1868 as a way to honor the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Civil War. This first Decoration Day featured a procession from Arlington House to the Tomb of the Civil War Unknowns and further into the cemetery, where people decorated the graves with flowers.  This became an annual tradition and established Arlington as the site of the nation’s official, annual Decoration Day observance. Flowers will be provided or members of the public may bring any long-stemmed flower to place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

9:00am-10:00pm: FUTURES Field Day
What if the future of sports could be an equal playing field? What would a sports world look like where everyone has the opportunity to join in? Come outside and play at AIB for FUTURES Field Day to find out! We invite ALL play enthusiasts to join us for a Saturday of fun activities that will get your body moving while exploring an inclusive, uplifting, and intentional future of sports.  We’re creating the Field Day we dreamed of as kids, where wellness and community matter as much as physical conditioning, a place with lower barriers to entry and access to a quality athletic experience, where gender is not a pre-determining factor to what sport you can play, or how successful where you can be. FUTURES Field Day is a where joy and uplifting each other is an essential part of your athletic journey.  

10:00am-1:00pm: Maker Morning at Hirshhorn
In Spanish, RevelArte means to reveal. Reveal your inner artist in this special celebration and bonus Maker Morning program! The Hirshhorn is partnering with DC Public Library and three local artists (Nicoletta de la Brown, Veronica Melendez, Carlos Carmonamedina) to explore places that are important to us. Materials will be available in both English and Spanish. Meet on the Hirshhorn’s covered outdoor Plaza. Click link above to see schedule.

3:30pm: Jazz at The Kreeger | Dominique Bianco & Alex Brown
In collaboration with Elijah Jamal Balbed, The Kreeger Museum is honored and thrilled to present, Jazz at The Kreeger, a new series that furthers our mission to share music across the city. Now in its second year, this series supports and spotlights the wealth of musical talent in our metropolitan area.

Sunday

12:15pm: Summer Reading Sunday at Nationals Park
All of these, which are FREE to attend with a ticket to that day’s game, feature a read-along with a Nationals player plus other fun activities. This Sunday, Sean Doolittle will be reading to the group, and among the featured games is one of my personal favorites, Mad-Libs. Additionally, each child who attends will receive up to THREE FREE BOOKS to take home.

Monday

10:00am-1:30pm: Memorial Day Tours of the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery 2022
This free event will include a wreath laying ceremony at the John Logan Mausoleum by distinguished military veterans from the Armed Forces Retirement Home followed by guided tours of the cemetery highlighting the notable people buried within.

10:00am-4:30pm: Main Reading Room Holiday Opening at the Library of Congress
For the federal Memorial Day holiday, the Library will open to the public, including a rare opportunity to walk through the magnificent Main Reading Room. Please note: Every Library of Congress visitor must reserve timed-entry passes in order to maintain safe capacity levels in the Thomas Jefferson Building.

2:00pm: National Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade returns LIVE in 2022! For the first time since 2019, the parade returns to Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC, in the nation’s largest Memorial Day salute to the men and women who have sacrificed for our country. Join in Washington, DC this Memorial Day afternoon at 1:00 PM for a very special pre-parade program, including a special performance from Eli Young Band at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th St., NW. Then, stay for the 2022 National Memorial Day Parade kicking off at 2:00 PM sharp!

Fruit & Vegetable Picking
Beach & State Parks
Overnight trips
Water parks, splash pads and pools
Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake

Spring bucket list is here! We love making our seasonal bucket lists and in fact looking back at them can give you some ideas of annual events to mark down on your calendar! We are enjoying the colorful blooms popping up throughout the District and hope for warmer days ahead.

Mount Vernon Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour takes place all weekend. Join for the most popular event of the year. Taste unlimited samples of wines from Virginia’s finest wineries. Bring a blanket and relax on the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. Sample wines from Virginia wineries.

Show Way, The Musical at The Kennedy Center is playing Friday through May 29, 2022. The award-winning book from Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson becomes a world premiere stage adaptation with new music.

The Washington Nationals are in town for 4 games facing the Mets & Astros with a fun kids giveaway!

Friday

7:30pm-10:30pm: Drive-In Movie at Union Market: Space Jam
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 10th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of six movies launches May 13, and will continue on the second Friday of every month through October 14. This is a cinephile and foodie match made in heaven with better than average concessions. Watch movies under the stars while munching and sipping on local, regional and international foods: Great Britain’s classics by AboveGround, Japanese comfort food + Ramen from UZU, creative cocktails from Suburbia and more Union Market favorites.

Saturday

8:30am-10:30am: Pop-Up Fishing at Diamond Teague Park
The Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) invites you to join staff and volunteers of the Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) for a free fishing clinic at Diamond Teague Park. Complete this waiver. All participants must have a completed waiver. Hard copies will also be available on site. Get your fishing license! Anglers, aged 16-64, require a DC fishing license. Don’t have one? No problem; it’s easy to get! Click here to get your license online! We’ve got the rest covered! Equipment, bait, and tackle provided!

9:00am-1:00pm: Cleveland Park Farmers Market
Kicking off it’s 6th season this weekend on the west side of the 3400 block of Connecticut Ave.  This week’s vendors: Kuhn Orchards, Hog Haven (NEW!) with meat and breakfast sandwiches, Via Volcan Coffee, VegHeaven vegan  bakery, Chapel Ford Farms with chicken and lamb, Mastiha greek bakery, Panorama Bakery with fresh bread, Juice Trap fresh pressed juices, Roots n Shoots microgreens, and Garners Produce.

10:00am-4:00pm: EU Open Houses
The European Union and its Embassies open their doors to the public for a day of culture, food, music, and more. No registration, tickets, or passport required!

10:00am-12:30pm: Acton Children’s Business Fair
The largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

10:00am-1:00pm: Lincoln Memorial Centennial Family Day
Join the National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, President Lincoln’s Cottage and Tudor Place for a Family Day in honor of the Lincoln Memorial Centennial. Meet staff from local historic sites and engage with hands-on activities that connect to the Lincoln Memorial story. Learn something new and be inspired to explore sites around the District. Plus – earn the special Lincoln Memorial Centennial commemorative Junior Ranger badge!

10:00am-11:30am: Tudor Place Outdoor Adventure
Discover bugs, birds and wildlife that live at Tudor Place while earning your Bug and Outdoor Adventurer badges.

10:00am or 10:30am: Brunch on the Go
Back by popular demand! We’re partnering with Pacers to produce a cardio club for the brunching set. Treat yourself to bubbles and brunch with your walking/running crew. Cardio options: 10:00 AM: 2 mile walk or 5 mile run or 10:30 AM: 2 mile walk or 5 mile run. Participating Yards Restaurants:
La Famosa, Osteria Morini & Chloe.

10:30am-11:30am: Paddle Doll Making Workshop at The Kreeger Museum
Join artist Cheryl Edwards for an all-levels mixed media Paddle Doll making workshop. Participants will create an original piece of take-home artwork inspired by the Paddle Dolls of ancient Egypt. This workshop is recommended for young artists ages 3-7. Each artist should bring a found object from home (i.e. buttons, thread, flowers, dried beans). Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.

11:00am-3:00pm: Pachamama Day Celebration
The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) invites you to Pachamama Day a family fun day event to celebrate Earth Day! MOLA is partnering with DOEE, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, DPR, and other community-based organizations to provide: different eco-friendly workshops for all ages, cultural performances from Latin America, community-clean up, and much more!

7:30pm: Maryland Youth Ballet Spring Concert
Join Maryland Youth Ballet for an exciting Spring Concert featuring Swan Lake Act II, one of the world’s most famous ballets and Coronation of the Dragonfly Queen, a children’s ballet originally choreographed in 1973 by MYB’s Founder and presented in honor of her 100th Birthday this year!

Sunday

9:30am-4:30pm: Last Day of Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! Exhibit
Don’t miss your chance to meet members of the Steam Team in real life in the Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! exhibit. Dreamers will use their STEAM skills to help Thomas and his engine friends overcome a variety of challenges. Recommended for ages 2-7, the exhibit is on display in the Visiting Exhibit Hall.

11:00am-5:00pm: Books in Bloom Festival
The regions most progressive literary festival will be in Columbia, Maryland. This year’s festival will also featured a pop-up bookstore with dedicated banned books section, a children’s corner with activities including a bookmark-making section, exclusive food and beverage offerings from local favorites, a photo booth and more.

12:00pm-4:00pm: SeeWorthy in the Park
The free SeeWorthy in the Park event will include opportunities to talk with archaeologists about ship research and preservation, as well as STEM-based activities for all ages. Learn how wooden ships were reused in the 18th and 19th centuries as landfill with Shoreline Engineering, discover the physics behind moving large ship timbers with Mini Forklift Hydraulics, and find out what can be learned from ship wood with Dendrochronology Dating.

1:00pm & 5:00pm: Maryland Youth Ballet Spring Concert
Join Maryland Youth Ballet for an exciting Spring Concert featuring Swan Lake Act II, one of the world’s most famous ballets and Coronation of the Dragonfly Queen, a children’s ballet originally choreographed in 1973 by MYB’s Founder and presented in honor of her 100th Birthday this year!

2:00pm: 10th annual Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf
The Running of the Chihuahuas will feature over 90 Chihuahuas racing in groups of eight on a sixty-foot race track, with all the action captured on a huge video screen. Only Chihuahuas may participate in the races, but all dog breeds can take part in the excitement with the all-dog contest for best-dressed dog. The races and costume contest are free to view and open to the public. 

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac: 101 Dalmatians (1996)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a *FREE* evening of fun for all ages! Family Movie Nights: Sundays at 6pm | Date Night Movies: Thursdays at 7pm.

Adult outings:
Dock Days of Summer Free Music Series at DC Brau
Metropolitan Beer Trail Launch Party

Rainy day/indoor ideas:
US Botanic Garden
Hirshhorn: One with Eternity Yayoi Kusama exhibit
ARTECHOUSE: Pixelbloom
Bowl with the family and have brunch
Paint pottery at All Fired Up
Smithsonian FUTURES or any Smithsonian Museum

Recent posts:
Family performances at Wolf Trap

Friday-Sunday you can head to Landon for their annual Azalea Festival. In 1954, Landon co-founders Paul and Mary Lee Banfield sold azaleas from campus gardens to raise funds for tuition assistance. The success of the initial sale launched an annual Landon tradition. All the favorite attractions will be back this year, like the huge selection of azaleas, flowers and plants and shopping at the boutiques and Bearly Used. Children will be excited to enjoy rides at Funland and treats at Riddle’s Griddle.  For adults, the popular ‘Zalea Bash will include cocktails, live auction, and dancing to an awesome seven piece band. Azalea Committee Co-chairs are busy planning these fun activities to welcome thousands of visitors back to campus.  

Georgetown French Market takes place Friday-Sunday! The Market is a popular open-air market – originally inspired by the outdoor markets in France – that has become a celebrated tradition in DC, and one of the biggest shopping events of the year for the small businesses of Book Hill. More than 25 local boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries display their discounted wares for up to 75% off. Neighborhood restaurants also offer food and drink specials, including lunch items from an outdoor grill, a sale on French wines, and pastries, croissants, and macarons from French bakery Patisserie Poupon. On Saturday and Sunday, the French Market also features live music, a caricature artist, roaming stilt-walkers, and more. Visit our official French Market website for the full list of promos and programming!

C&O Canal Boat Tours are back! After a decade-long hiatus, you can once again take a boat ride along Georgetown’s historic C&O Canal. Boat rides are available five days a week during our inaugural season, offering one-hour guided historical tours of the first mile of the Canal. Learn about the fascinating history, technology and culture of the C&O Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked and played here over the past two centuries. The Canal boat boarding area is located at C&O Canal Lock 3, along the Canal towpath between Thomas Jefferson and 30th Streets NW (near 1057 Thomas Jefferson St).

Saturday
9:00am-1:00pm: Landscape Beautification Day at Lincoln’s Cottage
Bring your friends and family and spend a lovely morning at President Lincoln’s Cottage for the annual Spring Grounds Cleanup. Senior Preservationist, Jeff Larry, who just might spend the entire time talking about the architectural history of the Cottage, will be leading a group of volunteers to help with weeding, mulching and planting new perennials. There will be plenty of wheelbarrows and sticks to pick up so bring the kids!  As an extra incentive for help out, they are offering free landscape tours to all of our volunteers. 

10:00am-1:00pm: Build Day at Hirshhorn
Do you know a budding architect? Let’s build! Join Hirshhorn Kids and our friends from the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Arts and Boolean Girl for a hands-on exploration of design and building. We’ll celebrate student artists from DCPS, and feature activities to get everyone building and dreaming. 

11:00am-5:00pm: South Mountain Creamery Festival
Make some memories on the farm with the entire family. Join us on the farm in Middletown, Maryland for the Spring Festival, a day of food, music, games, and more. Local radio station WFRE will be broadcasting onsite until 1 p.m., followed by live music and dancing until 5 p.m. Fun Family Activities: Farm Demos, Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Corn Hole, Bocce Ball, Civil War Reenactors, and More! Special guest appearance from the Frederick County Dairy Princess. Don’t miss this fun family affair!  

11:00am-4:00pm: Carousel Day at Glen Echo
Join us for a festival event in celebration of Glen Echo Park’s 101-year-old Dentzel carousel as it opens for the season!  In addition to riding the carousel, families are welcome to enjoy many other FREE activities throughout the Park, including live music & performances, kids’ arts & crafts, open artist studios & galleries, and our special Re-Imagine Project sponsored by LEO A DALY international architecture firm. Enjoy treats from our Praline Cafe as well as Ben & Jerry’s! The carousel operates from 11am – 5pm, $2.00 per ride or $5.00 for an all-day wristband.

2:00pm & 4:00pm: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs at The Kennedy Center
Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur…and a dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway! That’s just the beginning of this hilarious, fractured, symphonic take on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as retold by MO WILLEMS. This new classic is presented by favorite performers and the National Symphony Orchestra, featuring original music by indie pop icon and NSO Artistic Advisor BEN FOLDS.

Sunday
10:00am-2:00pm: International Family Equality Day at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Celebrate the beauty and importance of family diversity with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Visitors will have the chance to speak with Zoo nutritionists, attend keeper talks and see animal demonstrations. This event is free. Entry passes to the Zoo are required.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac: Sing 2
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a *FREE* evening of fun for all ages! Family Movie Nights: Sundays at 6pm | Date Night Movies: Thursdays at 7pm