fiesta

Weekend Picks: Kids Euro Festival and Halloween Scream

October 24, 2014

This may be Beltway Bambinos longest (and most fun) Weekend Picks, but we didn’t want you to miss any Halloween fun! In addition to the celebrations there is a special Festival that began on Oct. 24 (today) and will last through Nov. 9– Kids Euro Festival 2014! Kids Euro Festival is a two-week long festival of European arts and culture presenting more than 80 free activities to D.C. metro area children and their families. There are performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, and more… and it’s all brought to you by the 28 European Union Member States! The Festival is designed for kids aged 2-12 and offers over 100 free events.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Trains, trucks, music and art

June 5, 2014

Beginning Friday is Celebrate Fairfax! Children’s stage, art stage, beer garden, carnival and many stages that have a great line-up for. Uno Dos Tres Con Andres and The Great Zucchini are just a few of the kids favorites who will be on the Children’s Stage. Check the schedule so you don’t miss them.

Beauty and the Beast is also playing at Wolf Trap Friday-Sunday. Get a seat or bring a blanket for the lawn. Daytime and evening performances.

The curtain will be drawn for a few performances this weekend. See them before they are gone. See our Theatre Roundup page for details.

Saturday-

9:00am-2:00pm: 7th Annual “Truck Touch” at RFK Stadium (Lot 7)
(2400 East Capitol Street, NE)
Summer’s most popular free family festival allows citizens to get hands-on with city’s infrastructure and emergency vehicles. The DC Department of Public Works invites the public to attend a free, citywide “Truck Touch”. Come climb on packer, sweeper and boom trucks; sit atop MPD’s Mounted Unit’s police horse and maneuver the levers of a police chopper; ride Segways, and test drive electric sedan vehicles. Residents also will learn how potholes are repaired, sewers are vacuumed and received information about vital city services. DC’s Citywide Truck Touch features vehicles from the DC Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Health, Employment Services, Parks and Recreation, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the DC Water and Sewer Authority.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Dragon boats, jazz with java and a birthday party

May 16, 2014

Fun things to do this weekend outdoors. Last weekend, our family climbed some rocks and searched for animals hiding at the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac River. You can strap that baby on your back and your toddler will have a blast climbing the rocks, pretending he is a billy goat. The Mets are also in town trying to beat our Nationals both on Saturday and Sunday. Grab your tickers here and on Saturday you can admire all of the Pups that are invited to the ballpark or on Sunday your children ages 4-12 can run the bases.

Saturday

8:30am-5:00pm: 13th Annual Dragon Boat Festival at Thompsons Boat Center
(2900 Virginia Ave NW Washington, DC 20007- near the Georgetown Waterfront)
The Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, now in it’s 13th year, is a two day festival held along the Potomac River complete with cultural exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and of course… dragon boat racing made to look just like dragons. The event is sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League (CWL) and serves to promote Chinese culture to the Washington DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing. Schedule of events here. The kids will enjoy watching the races as well as brushing painting, calligraphy and paper cutting.

10:00am-6:00pm: Gaithersburg Book Festival
(Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877)
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has quickly become one of the nation’s top literary events, attracting hundreds of award-winning and best-selling authors, poets and songwriters from across the country to its quaint, park-like setting in the heart of Olde Towne Gaithersburg. In the Children’s Village you will also find a literary sea of activities, workshops and performances brought to us by multiple sponsors. They are designed to engage and stimulate your child’s book curiosity and interest in reading and writing.

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Weekend Picks: Mom’s picking this weekend =)

May 8, 2014

10:00am-4:00pm: EU Embassies Open House 2014
(Various locations)
Experience the best of European Culture without the Jet Lag! The European Union Embassies and the EU Delegation to the United States will open their doors to the public for the annual EU Embassies’ Open House: a day of family fun, food, culture and more. The event offers visitors a rare look inside the embassies and provides a unique opportunity for them to experience the cultural heritage and national traditions of the 28 member countries.

10:00am-6:00pm: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, Md)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Flowers, festivals and funk FTW

May 2, 2014

It’s May AND Friday!!! Not sure which I’m more excited about the prospect of warmer (and drier) weather upon us or having Daddy home all weekend to help and play with the toddler. Note the first 2 picks start today (Friday). With the arrival of May comes Azalea Festivals and Flower Marts you’re sure to bring something home to brighten up the yard or a nauseous child that’s been on one too many rides. Either way this weekend is one we love because it offers so many choices. Get out and enjoy a few of them.

May 2-3 (10:00am-5:00pm): National Cathedral Flower Mart
(Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves., NW., Washington, DC)
Attend the 75th year for the Flower Mart which benefits the Cathedral’s gardens and grounds. You can admire many flowers and there will also be garden tours, musical performances and delicious food. And for your kids, well there is enough to keep them busy too; rock wall, moon bounce, ferris wheel and a carousel.

May 2-4 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Landon School Azalea Garden Festival
(6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817)
Enjoy this wonderful azalea festival while strolling the gorgeous land Landon sits on. Bearly Used is an enormous tag sale during the Azalea Garden Festival that offers deals on gently used treasures. There is a huge FunLand that will entertain your child for hours, live music including a Jazz Festival and food vendors. All proceeds from the festival support student financial assistance and faculty enrichment. General admission and parking are free. Schedule of events found here.

May 2-4 (various times): A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, was written around 1594 or 95. It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Find tickets here. [Read more…]

Weekend Picks: The disco is back, rock out at the Kingman Island Festival and puppeteers in action

April 24, 2014

We’ve highlighted some exciting events going on in our area this weekend. A weekend sure to please everyone and keep you busy. In case you want to get indoors and see a show check out our ongoing events page for showtimes. Also, it’s the last weekend The Natural History Museum will have the dinosaurs on display. Go see them before they are gone for a few years for renovations and updates.

Saturday-

8:30am-6:00pm: A Day out with Thomas at B & O Railroad
(901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223)
Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! For the first time ever at Day Out With Thomas™, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun! Tickets are $20 each for ages 2 and up available. Get tickets here.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Drive-in at Union Market, Nationals game and Easter fun

April 18, 2014

We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

Friday-

8:00pm: Drive-in at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002)
The movie shown is National Lampoon’s Vacation. The Union Market Drive-In is free to attend! Parking is $10 per car, but seating in the picnic area will be first come first serve, free of charge. The parking lot will open at 6pm and the movies will begin at 8.

Saturday-

10:00am: Wagon Ride-Birds, Butterflies & Blossoms at Riverbend Park
(8700 Potomac Hills St Great Falls, Va.22066)
Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow. Search for birds and butterflies and meet a friendly animal up close. $5.00/county resident, $8.00/non-resident.

10:30am: Children’s Music Network at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Children’s Music Network is a national organization of performers, songwriters, storytellers and kids’ music lovers. CMN members from DC and the mid-Atlantic region will be gathering at DCFF to do a sing-along for our families. Don’t miss this showcase of DC and regional talent! Guests will include Uncle Devin, and Philly-based Mr. David. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am: Groovy Nate at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Groovy Nate is a children’s performer who blends music, puppetry, movement, and comedy into one groovy experience! The shows expose participants to various genres of music and encourage them to move, sing, and play creatively with one another. Tickets 4/$25.

1:05pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉

Sunday-

Celebrating Easter? We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

1:35pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Sundays kids ages 4-12 can run the bases after the game like their favorite player. Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉

Weekend Picks: A symphony in Baltimore, a bunny at the farm and a pillow fight on The Mall

April 3, 2014

We can’t admit to following DC area weather while being away in sunny and hot Florida so we aren’t sure if this weekend will allow for outdoor adventures or not. But, as Spring is here some farms are opening up their gates to entertain! We’ve highlighted one in this Weekend’s Picks which is open both Saturday and Sunday. Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions. Also, Like us on Facebook (if you haven’t already) so you are guaranteed to get updates and reminders about fun events. Happy Weekend!!

Saturday-

10:00am-3:00pm- B&O Railroad Open House
(8100 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Md. 20910)
The Silver Spring Historical Society and Montgomery Preservation Inc. sponsor this monthly open house at the historic 1945 B&O Railroad Station, the first Saturday of each month. Free Popcorn and punch, kids’ craft activity.

10:00am-2:00pm- Touch-A-Truck at Lake Braddock Secondary School
(9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015)
Bring your kids to get behind the wheel of real vehicles! There will be fire trucks, tow trucks, race cars, motorcycles, a helicopter, and so much more. Admission is just $5/person. Food trucks will be on site.

10:30am- The Uncle Devin Show at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Uncle Devin Show cultivates the minds of children through percussion instruments and is a dynamic cross between Fat Albert and Schoolhouse Rock. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am- Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All Stars at Ebenezers Coffeehouse
(201 F St NE, Washington, DC 20002)
Mr. Gabe and his band — Holly Montgomery on bass; Chelle Fulk on violin — are back on Capitol Hill to present their interactive brand of family music, combining original arrangements of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop classics and songs from Mr. Gabe’s award-winning debut CD. Tickets $8 (everyone 1 year and older)/$6 in advance. Doors open at 10:00am.

11:30am- The Music Box Series at The Music Center at Strathmore
(5301 Tuckerman Ln., Bethesda, Md.20852)
The music of Debussy and Mendelssohn will soar like the bees, butterflies and ladybugs when performed by a piano trio. The Music Box Series is a unique music program for young children ages 6 months to three years old and their families. Each performance features pre-concert activities hosted 30 minutes prior to the show by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and partner organization Ready-at-Five, a non-profit that works to ensure that all Maryland children are ready to learn by age five. The wide range of pre-concert activities will encourage literacy, creative play and musical skills. Buy tickets here.

11:30am-3:00pm- American Cool Family Day at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Are you “American Cool”? Come to the Portrait Gallery and check out some “cool” music, art projects, and docent-led tours of the American Cool exhibition.

1:00pm-3:00pm- Children’s Cherry Blossom Celebration at Green Spring Gardens
(4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA)
Kids can celebrate spring and learn about history of the gift of trees that bring so many visitors to Washington, DC every year. This open house format includes origami, crafts, and cherry tree “hunt.” $10

2:00pm- Pillow Fight on The National Mall
(Washington Monument- Constitution Ave. at 15th St., SW, Washington, D.C.)
There is a ‘holiday’ for everything apparently. And this Saturday is National Pillow Fight Day. Bring your pillow to The Washington Monument where friendly-fighters of all ages will be going at it. Families with smaller children can play outside the main pillow crowd with other little ones.

Sunday-

10:00am-5:00pm- Ticonderoga Farms – Spring Easter Festival

(26469 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA)
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 11:00am and 2:00pm. Cost is $11.95. Giant slides, mazes, animals, face painting and much more will be there!

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Elvis Presley at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American musician Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Best for kids ages 5 and up.