Weekend Picks: Bao Bao’s Birthday, Arts in the Park and Thomas and Friends

Maryland Renaissance Festival is this weekend! The festival is free to children 11 and under this weekend. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Can’t catch it this weekend? Don’t worry it you can dress like a knight and come any weekend through October 17.  

Friday-

11:00am-2:00pm: Chuck Brown Memorial Park Dedication
(2901 20th St NE Washington, DC)
The Chuck Brown Foundation will be giving away 500 drawstring backpacks to children in attendance. In conjunction with OneCity, DPR, DGS, and DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

5:45pm: The Red Dirt Rangers at 10th Street Community Park
(1117 10th Street NW Washington, DC 20001)
Family-friendly, free concert.

Saturday-

8:00am-4:00pm: Capital Dragon Boat Regatta at Southwest Waterfront
(600 Water St., SW Washington, DC 20024)
The 3rd annual dragon boat regatta which used to be held at the National Harbor is sure to entertain your family. The event will feature premier racing in multiple race distances and highlight Asian culture. 

9:00am-11:00am for FONZ Members, 11:00am-2:00pm public celebration: Bao Bao’s Birthday at The National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008)
Come and celebrate Bao Bao’s first birthday with special activities, entertainment, and giveaways for all to enjoy. Be sure to wish Bao Bao a happy birthday by decorating a birthday card, take home a commemorative coloring sheet, and enjoy delicious treats!

10:00am: Rocknoceros at Mason District Park Amphitheater
(6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale, VA)
Rocknoceros is a sensational three-man band hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, performing original children’s songs and much-loved favorites. NPR calls them, An outstanding mix of folk and rock…literate songs….multi-generational appeal. Wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family!

10:00am: The YOJO Show at Lake Fairfax Park Amphitheater
(1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, VA 20190)
This big, blue, wild and groovy creature called YOJO is a seven-foot cartoon character alive with surprises. His show, Treat Your Body Right, is filled with slapstick, laughter, comic mishaps and a good message too, reminding kids that being physically active every day is not only important, but it can be a lot of fun, too!

10:00am: The Great Zucchnini at E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater
(5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 20151)
The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and laughs are guaranteed. Experience the excitement when kids learn a magic trick at the end of the show!

10:30am (Doors open at 10:00am): Brady Rymer at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E., Vienna, VA 22180)
Brady Rymer toured for 13 years with From Good Homes – an Americana group that played with Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and more. Recently, he’s been performing his super-popular kids act for families across the country. Family of four pack for $30.

1:30pm (Doors open at 1:00pm): Family Dueling Piano Show at Bobby McKeys
(172 Fleet St, National Harbor, MD 20745)
Have a great afternoon spending quality time with your family while enjoying our renowned dueling piano show at Bobby McKey’s! Enjoy a great selection of food and drinks for all ages. Ticket Prices (Seats and Buffet): $18 for guests 2 years old and up. Drinks not included. Kids under 2 years get in FREE! Seats can be purchased HERE.

2:00pm-4:00pm: Thomas and Friends Meet and Greet at Child’s Play
(5536 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20015)
Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway is welcoming LOGAN, a new, limited release engine and we’ll be celebrating his arrival. Come test out the new engine and participate in some Thomas themed activities and enter to win prizes. 

Sunday-

1:00pm-4:00pm: Dolley Day at Dumbarton House
(2715 Q Street Northwest Washington, DC 20007)
Celebrate this special day at Dumbarton House with an afternoon of fun and festivities! Make your own ice cream, sample “Dolley” cake and learn period games with Dolley herself. The event is free.

2:00pm-5:00pm: Portrait Discovery Kit at Portrait Gallery
(8th and F Sts NW, Washington, DC 20001- Education Center, Room E151, 1st Floor, South)
Are you looking for a new way to visit the National Portrait Gallery with family and friends? Borrow a Portrait Discovery Kit – a self-guided, interactive, and imaginative way to learn more about the “sitters” (people in the portraits) and their contributions to American history. The kit includes seek-and-find cards, self-portrait pads, portrait detective and historian guides, and a compare-and-contrast activity using a doll. A museum educator explains how to use the kit before sending you to explore the galleries. Intended for families with children ages 5 and up.

5:00pm: The Lego Movie (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 even an outdoor water spray.

Plan Ahead:
August 30 at 2:00pm: The Fresh Beat Band at Wold Trap

September 4-7: Marvel Universe Live at Verizon Center