Cirque du Soleil OVO is in Baltimore through Sunday at Royal Farms Arena. OVO is teeming with life. Insects work, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy in motion. Their home is filled with biodiversity, beauty, action and moments of quiet emotion. The awestruck insects are intensely curious when a mysterious egg appears, representing the enigma and cycles of their lives. Tickets start at $48 and the show is family-friendly and full of colorful costumes and magnificent moves including juggling, acrobatics and trampolines!
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival returns to Strathmore this summer! Join on the lawn for free family favorite flicks benefiting the NIH Children’s Charities. Fri. August 25 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13). Sat. August 26 – The Lego Batman Movie (PG). Gates open to public at 7:30pm and the movie will begin at dusk. Event is FREE! Popcorn and other summer favorites from Ridgewells available for purchase. Picnics are also welcome.
Maryland Renaissance Festival will be jousting and serving up lots of turkey legs for opening weekend! The festival is free to children 15 and under this weekend only. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, jousting, mazes, puppetry, pony rides, a huge pirate playground and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate or just watch! The Festival ends October 22 and is open weekends only.
Friday-
5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Garden
(Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances at 9th Street, NW Washington, DC)
Jazz In The Garden at Pavilion Café in the National Gallery of Art features an eclectic mix of jazz is performed by top Washington-area artists. During jazz concerts, the Pavilion Café offers a special menu of creative American cuisine and refreshments, including a beer and wine menu.
6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series at Capitol Riverfront
(355 Water St SE)
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 7th 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-
8:30am-5:00pm: 4th Annual Capital Dragon Boat Regatta
(600 Water St SW)
The Capital Dragon Boat Regatta returns to the Washington DC SW Waterfront for its 4th year. The regatta aims to provide an excellent dragon boating experience to both athletes and spectators alike. This one day event will feature premier and festival racing in the heart of Washington DC. Stop by and check out the action. Parking is available in various surface lots around the area in addition to metered parking along M St.
8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.
9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.
11:30am-3:00pm: Military Appreciation Day at the Portrait Gallery
(8th St NW & F St NW)
Join us in recognizing and honoring our armed forces veterans with a program for the whole family. Create art, learn about American heroes, design your own exhibition, have your photo taken and tap your toes to live music in the courtyard.
12:00pm-6:00pm: 17th Street Festival
(17th Street NW from P Street to R Street, NW)
Since 2010, the 17th Street Festival celebrates 17th Street and its diversity of restaurants and retailers. The festival features an entertainment stage, including djs, dance troupes, bands, and drag performances throughout the day. There are 100 vendors, with more than 50 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.The kids zone has activities for children, including a moon bounce, ball crawl, face painting, and games throughout the day. The pet zone brings together pooches, and other four legged creatures, from around the neighborhood to shop or adopt a pet.
12:00pm-6:00pm: Arena Stage Community Day
(1101 Sixth Street, SW)
Arena Stage invites you to celebrate the American Voices that have shaped our country and our 2017/18 Season for a free event! Showcasing America’s cultural past, Arena Stage’s artistic present and Southwest D.C.’s culinary future, Community Day is fun for the entire family. Scheduled activities include: Live music • Aerialists • Dance performances • Face painting • Photobooth and Costume Trunk, Historic and cultural presentations • Storytelling • Poetry readings • Jugglers • Hand Balancers. Moving Stories Workshops, Arena Stage’s interactive literacy program for young students. Using song, movement, sign language and storytelling, we will explore “Zomo the Rabbit” through creative drama. Great food from restaurants on the Wharf and in Southwest including Mike Isabella’s Requin, Del Mar, Masala Art, Richard’s Place and Station 4.
Sunday-
10:00am-11:00am: Nous Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
The Alliance Francaise is very proud to continue its partnership with BloomBars, bringing back a weekly music program for children. Nous Bloomons is a celebration of French language and culture through song and dance, led by Achille Ango. Achille grew up in Cameroon (Central West Africa). After graduating from High School, he went to France where he lived for seven years studying and playing music. He has taught French to children, and played music with various bands in the Washington area for more than 20 years. He now teaches French in an immersion school using music as a vehicle. If you want to have fun, dance, jump and sing “à tue-tête”, join us at BloomBars! $7 suggested donation per child. $3 per adult.
6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Movie: Remember the Titans (PG)
(Photo: Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre)
Theatre for this weekend:
Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre has shows on Saturday and Sunday. The show was so popular they extended until August 27!
Circus! at Puppet Co. has shows on Saturday and Sunday with a Tiny Tots: Dragon Babies show on Sunday morning