Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

The REACH Opening Festival is wrapping up at the Kennedy Center & has saved the best for last; Family Day on Sunday. Scroll through the calendar to Sunday & see all of the great events lined up. It’s going to be a full day of family fun; you may end up spending all day there, it’s that good!

Discover an 18th century marketplace at Mount Vernon’s annual Colonial Market & Fair. Experience early American life with dozens of historic craftspeople and re-enactors. Colonial music transports you back to the 18th century as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques. Learn how the Washingtons enjoyed ice cream and chocolate and watch as interpreters demonstrate the process.

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.

Friday

6:30pm-7:30pm: NSO in your Neighborhood Community Performance at Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, a community-based organization that uses baseball and softball to foster positive character development and academic achievement, hosts an NSO string ensemble featuring Wanzhen Li (violin), Eric deWaardt (viola), and Eugena Chang (cello) performing for students, families, and the general public in their “All-Star Pavilion.”  More events happening this weekend found here.

Saturday

9:00am-10:30am: Goodnight Gorilla Zoo Class
Get to know the gentle giants behind this beloved good night book. Then, take a walk and say hello to the newest member of the gorilla troop: baby Moke! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo.  “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bright Star Theatre: The Wizard of Oz at the National

10:00am: Milton Has STEM!
Join at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School with your 3 to 6 year-old children to participate in a Rosh Hashanah-themed Design Thinking and STEM Challenge. Children will hear a Rosh Hashanah story! Design and prototype a project inspired by the story. Enjoy snacks and goodies! This event is free and open to the community, but RSVPs are required by clicking here.  

10:00am: Oh Susannah at the Children’s Hour
Sponsored by the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., the Children’s Hour is a free, children’s show on the second Saturday of every month that is open to the public.

10:00am-4:00pm: First Responders Day: A Celebration of Safety at B&O Railroad Museum
Guests can watch a human extraction team demonstration after witnessing a test collision of a train with an automobile.  Additional activities include a bomb squad demonstration, fire safety training, a drone demonstration by Maryland Transit Administration, and a visit by the first female fire chief in Baltimore County, Joann Rund. Plus, CSX will publicly unveil the CSXT 3194 locomotive, the newly released Spirit of Law Enforcement, on view at the museum for one day only.

10:00am-4:00pm: Celebration of Textiles: Comfort at Home

10:15am: Monet & the Sun Preschool Pioneer Class
We all know that Monet was a great artist, but did you know that his paintings show the progression of the sun? Join a class that weaves science and art concepts together for an exciting class that will conclude at the National Gallery of Art. 

11:00am-2:00pm: Children’s Day at Pierce Mill
Two hundred years ago, children often made their own toys. On Children’s Day at Peirce Mill, you’ll be crafting playthings like cornhusk dolls and paper tops. There will also be special tours of the mill just for kids and old-fashioned games to play on the lawn. Free–no reservations required. Family workshops are designed for children ages 3 and up, but all are welcome.

11:00am-2:00pm: DCPS Back to School Block Party
There will be food, student performances, opportunities to learn more about the resources from District partners, and lots of activities for students. The Block Party is free and open to the public.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Night at the Museum
The second Saturday of every month, drop the kids at the Heritage Farm Museum to  enjoy pizza, crafts, and educational fun. $16/child registration and prepayment required. 

7:00pm-12:00am: Art All Night
The city’s only free night-time arts festival, Art All Night, returns to Dupont Circle with an all-new lineup of visual and performing arts, workshops, and performances. Art All Night highlights the most innovative and creative artistic forces in the city, while providing a unique, around-the-clock experience unlike any other, in eight neighborhoods throughout D.C.

Sunday

9:00am-10:30am: Goodnight Gorilla Zoo Class
Get to know the gentle giants behind this beloved good night book. Then, take a walk and say hello to the newest member of the gorilla troop: baby Moke! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes are designed for children ages 2-3 to discover a whole new view of the National Zoo.  “Adult-and-me” format classes use interactive learning stations, hands-on activities and crafts, Nature Play, and exciting Zoo Walks to engage your child’s sense of wonder and curiosity about wildlife and the natural world.

12:00pm-5:00pm: KID Museum FutreFest
Dive into KID City, where kids and families will build a city of the future—from the ground up—for a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience. Experiment with different tools and materials, build new skills from coding to design engineering, and help a city rise through this unique communal projects. Exhibits, demos, and live performances will inspire kids and adults alike and show the ties that unite us. 

1:38pm: Kids Lumberjack Cap Giveaway at Nationals Park
The final kids giveaway of the season features a kids Lumberjack Cap, just in time for fall! The first 10,000 fans ages 12 and younger to enter through ALL GATES will receive a Lumberjack Cap presented by Harris Teeter. As the final Kids giveaway Sunday of the season, Kids Eat Free, a variety of kid-friendly activities will be available near the PenFed Kids Fun Zone, including face painters, caricature artists, and balloon twisters.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: The Wiz
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.

-Have you entered to win 4 opening show tickets to Disney On Ice?

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