Weekend Picks: Art Festival, Instrument Petting Zoo and DC Shorts

We’ll have a Guide to Fall Festivals out next week! For now, enjoy this weekend, looks like Sunday is the day to be outdoors.

12th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival– At this community festival, art enthusiasts discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more, offering extraordinary art for every taste. More than $15 million in art will be on display, providing visitors with the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind wares and meet the artists behind the work, hearing firsthand what inspires them.Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm.

Marvel Universe Live! is at the Patriot Center. Perfect for those Dads who want to relive their youth and for children into the comics and may want to go dressed as their favorite superhero.

Saturday-

10:00am: Teddy Bear Clinic at National Museum of Health and Medicine
(2500 Linden Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Bring your favorite stuffed friend and explore the Teddy Bear Clinic at the National Museum of Health and Medicine with activities and crafts designed to highlight the body, physical fitness and healthy habits. This program is recommended for children in PreK – 2nd grade. This family program is free and open to the public!

10:00am: Rainbow Rock at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180)
Rainbow Rock is a really fun kids band whose shows at Jammin Java have been packed recently! Bring the whole family and come check out this special Saturday show and rock the rainbow!

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist (playing a ukulele!) explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Best for ages 1 month-3 years. $6 per person. Featured book: The Little Engine that Could. Register here. 

11:30am-4:00pm: Hispanic Heritage Family Festival at The National Portrait Gallery
(8th and F Streets NW)
Bring the whole family to the Smithsonian’s kickoff celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! This free event is held in conjunction with the exhibition Portraiture Now: Staging the Self, the day includes musical performances, interactive demonstrations, arts and crafts, storytelling and gallery tours.

12:00pm: Family Films: DC Shorts Film Festival at US Navy Memorial
(701 Pennslyvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Family appropriate films for children 8 and older. Sept. 20 and 21 they will also run Family Films. For the full schedule click here.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Instrument Petting Zoo at Music on the Hill
(1453 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Come in and play our flutes, clarinets, trumpets and more. This is is the perfect event for kids (or adults) who are having a hard time choosing which instrument to begin learning.

2:00pm-4:00pm: The Reading Connection Reading Festival at Ivymount School
(11614 Seven Locks Rd. Rockville, MD)
The free Festival will include book-related craft activities, face painting and light refreshments. The event is geared toward children ages 4-8 and their adult companions. Award-winning children’s book authors Mary Quattlebaum and Erica S. Perl will read from their books.

Sunday-

10:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Best for ages 1-3. Featured book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Register here.

12:00pm-7:00pm: Adams Morgan Day
(18th Street, NW, between Florida Ave and Columbia Rd as well as Belmont Rd)
Live music and food from various cultures.

5:00pm: Despicable Me 2 (in Spanish) at Mosaic
(Mosaic District- 2910 District Ave., Fairfax, VA)
Language Stars will be sponsoring this flick in Spanish for those who have seen it on repeat in English, those working on their Spanish skills and anyone else who wants to get outdoors and change things up a bit. Such a fun area with so many good eats and lots of outdoor space to run around in.