Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

The REACH Opening Festival at the Kennedy Center has planned 16 days of “creativity in action” –where nearly 500 events across the newly expanded campus, indoors and outdoors, are FREE! Free timed-entry passes are required for entry to the festival and are available now.

Root, root for the home team! Washington Nationals are hosting the Braves this weekend. Two fun promotions for families include; Kids Eat Free and Kids Promotion for a lumberjack hat.

The Prince George’s County Fair began in 1842 as a friendly gathering for local farmers to showcase their produce and livestock and have a little fun. They now have the distinction of being the oldest running Fair in Maryland! Though it started out as mostly livestock and field crops, eventually it came to include women’s arts as well, with competitions for the best jams, jellies, canned goods, pies, breads, cookies, clothing, quilts, and handicrafts. It was (and is) quite an honor to be deemed the best in the County! They have plenty of carnival rides and games too.

Apple Gala & Fresh Cider Festival at Great Country Farms lasts through Sept. 29 and is open 9am-6pm daily. Pick apples, listen to live music, and learn how cider was made back in the day on an antique cider press with an antique 1865 cider pressing demos at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Sample freshly pressed cider and see how it used to be produced! Head up to Dirt Farm Brewery afterwards for a breathtaking view & some hops.

For more than forty-two seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world. Weekends through October 20 you can join the joust, enjoy a turkey leg, listen to live music, kids can play on a huge pirate playground or ride a pony, watch puppetry and theatrical shows, dress up in costume if you please; you won’t be alone. Admission is at a reduced cost through Sept. 8.

Friday

5:00pm-8:00pm: Spring Valley’s (final) Summer Friday

7:00pm: Evening Under the Stars
Join in the final performance of the Zeiss star projector as they describe how the Zeiss projector came to the Smithsonian and how it actually works with David DeVorkin, senior curator at the National Air and Space Museum, and Andrew Johnston, vice president for astronomy and collections at the Adler Planetarium. Come see this amazing machine in action for its final performance and be completely immersed in the night sky! After more than 40 years of service, the Zeiss projector will be retired when the Planetarium closes for renovations this fall.

Saturday

9:00am-12:00pm: Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Scarecrow Planter
Harvest fun during a hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a scarecrow planter. Your young farmer can learn how a seed grows while you help them construct a festive home for their plant. They will sand, glue, and paint pieces of wood to create this holiday planter. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron and a commemorative pin while supplies last.

9:30am-3:00pm: Imagination Stage turns 40!
Imagination Stage is celebrating 40 years of imagination, creativity, and fun! They are turning the big 4-0 but they are still kids at heart. Join for a dance party, sample classes, a performance of Balloonacy, behind the scenes tours, costumed characters, photo ops, crafts and activities, and – of course- cake! This event is FREE – advance registration for sample classes and performances is recommended.

10:30am: Cultural Kids: Home at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
What makes your home special? Join an exploration of the different places people live. After a read-aloud of Home by Carson Ellis, you will create a community mural.

11:00am-12:30pm: 1, 2, 3 Andrés at Sing, Talk, Read Fest (festival is from 11am-3pm)
Sing, talk and read with your baby or young child NOW to help them later in school. It’s never too early to give your kids a smart start. Come to DC Public Library’s STAR Family Festival featuring: Family workshops that support your child’s early learning, fun activities, crafts and games for children and free children’s books and of course lively, bilingual music from Andrés and Christina. Also, catch the duo on Sunday at another event.

11:30am: Friends for Freedom: Happy In Our Skin at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Your skin is beautiful! Join us as we learn about all the different shades and purposes our skin has and read Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin. Following the story, you will celebrate your skin by creating self-portraits.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Drop-in Art Making at National Gallery of Art
Visit the Education Studio (Concourse) to experiment with different art materials and techniques. Drop-in art making is a great way to try your hand at making art in an informal, relaxed environment. Art making activities are designed for all ages and abilities. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

6:00pm-8:30pm: 3rd Annual Turtle Park Jazz Project
Friends of Friendship “Turtle” Park presents: The 3rd Annual FREE Turtle Park Jazz Project! Join FOFP for an evening of fabulous music and lots of fun! Bring a picnic or buy dinner from the variety of food trucks we’ll have on hand and don’t forget your blanket or lawn chair!

Sunday

10:30am-6:30pm: Takoma Park Folk Fest
Immerse yourself in traditional and trending folk arts and the communities they create with 6 stages, 60+ musicians, food, art, crafts and so much more at this free event.

11:00am-2:00pm: Rainbow Families Picnic at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden
Connect with other LGBT families in Hillwood’s urban oasis at this family celebration. Festivities include:Pack a picnic from home or purchase food from Merriweather To Go to enjoy on the magnificent Lunar Lawn. Play games on the lawn, including hula hoop, badminton, and jump rope. Practice your putt on the Putting Green. Get your face painted with your favorite garden critter. Try on costumes from a collection of hero’s capes, royal crowns, knight’s shields, and more. Create an art project of your very own to take home after discovering treasures in Hillwood’s mansion. Explore the special exhibition Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisenstaedt. Presented in partnership with Rainbow Families.

11:00am-5:00pm: Kensington Train Show
An event designed for train enthusiasts—from the littlest fans to the oldest history buffs and everyone in between—will transform Kensington Town Hall into a model train spectacular.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Drop-in Art Making at National Gallery of Art
Visit the Education Studio (Concourse) to experiment with different art materials and techniques. Drop-in art making is a great way to try your hand at making art in an informal, relaxed environment. Art making activities are designed for all ages and abilities. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.

12:00pm-6:00pm: Adam’s Morgan Day
As Washington DC’s longest running neighborhood festival, they are celebrating the 41st year. Adams Morgan Day is a family-friendly celebration with music, art and activities for all ages. Residents and visitors alike are invited to meet neighborhood businesses, artists, and service organizations. Attendance and entertainment are free, and local businesses and restaurants offer deals for the day.

3:00pm–4:00pm: I Dissent: Kids Taking a Stand
What do you stand for? Become inspired by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to stand up for what you believe in and use your voice to make a difference. Held at Tenley-Friendship Library, they will read I Dissent by Debbie Levy, see a real collar worn by Justice Ginsburg from the Capital Jewish Museum’s collection, and participate in lively games and discussion. Free. Best for ages 7 and up. Co-sponsored by PJ Library, the Capital Jewish Museum and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: The Wizard of Oz
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 the delicious dining establishments, and meet at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.