Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Kids Euro Festival returns to Washington, DC, from October 26 through November 10. Now in its 12^th year, this unique festival brings some of Europe’s most talented children’s entertainers to the DC metro area, offering everything from music, to workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, and even hands-on cooking. More than 10,000 DC-area children and their families enjoy Kids Euro Festival programs each year.

Inside Out starts on Saturday at Imagination Stage. The show is part of the My First Imagination Stage theatre series which offers intimate, interactive theatre performances designed for the very young in the Reeve Studio Theatre.

Don’t forget to set those clocks back this weekend. To help with the darker afternoons, check out our list of ways to keep the Bambinos entertained.

DCPS is off school Monday & Tuesday, need a camp for your Bambino? Here’s a list of a few.

Friday

6:00pm: The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Kennedy Center
The REACH will transform into Halloween Town with a FREE screening of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas on a video wall. Plus a Halloween themed dance lesson. Now this is Halloween! With a gorgeous score by Danny Elfman featuring tons of catchy tunes like “This is Halloween” and “What’s This?,” you can’t help but get into the Halloween spirit. Directed by Henry Selick with all the hallmarks of Tim Burton’s legendary films, this stop-motion animated musical is the perfect movie for a night of frights and fun.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Rocklands Farm Winery
Live gypsy jazz/ swing music from Swing Gadjo and wood-fired pizzas, misto plates, salads & desserts from Pizza Brama. Food service starts at 5:30pm. They will have wine by the glass, flights, and bottle available all night. Last call for open glasses and bottles is 8:30pm.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: The Really Big Dinosaur Show at National Theatre
This musical time travel goes back to the era of the dinosaurs, with a dancing T-Rex, a dinosaur beauty pageant, and, true to the name of the show, a long-necked dinosaur that measures 16 feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. Program is best suited for children ages 4 to 10 years.

10:15am: Smithsonian Two Travelers: Itsy Bitsy Spider
The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center opens its doors on the weekends to local families. Their unique programs combine playful classroom activities with visits to the museums. Each program is developed especially for the designated age group and with a unique theme. Did you know there are about 40,000 types of spiders in the world?! We’ll take a look at the vast variety among the species, and what traits they all have in common. Then we’ll try out being a spider and spin our own web. Museum Visit: National Gallery of Art

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist 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.

10:30am-5:00pm: Día de los Muertos Weekend Festival at National Museum of the American Indian
Artist Lilia Ramirez (Nahua) will create an interactive mural featuring La Catrina, one of the most iconic images drawn by Mexican illustrator and printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada. Visitors can honor your loved ones by making paper marigolds, the bright flowers that decorate family ofrendas (altars) set up for the Day of the Dead. The Day of the Dead is a festival celebrated by people in Mexico, parts of Central and South America, and many Latino communities across the United States as a way to honor family and friends who have passed away.

10:30am-12:30pm: Celebrate Diwali at Freer|Sackler
Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in this family workshop. Explore artworks from the Indian subcontinent on an educator-led tour. Then, return to the studio to create your own colorful book featuring a traditional rangoli design. This program, led by teaching artist Sushmita Mazumdar from Studio PAUSE, is designed for children ages 6–12 and adults to enjoy together.

12:00pm-2:00pm: Bone Yards
The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping and relaxing, is celebrating the spooky season with a puppy costume party at The Yards Park! Families and their furry friends are invited to enjoy Halloween festivities including Halloween crafts, costume face painting, puppy trick-or-treating, festive music and, of course, a puppy fashion show. Puppy parents can enter their pets into the competition for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite shops and restaurants at The Yards and other prizes.

2:00pm: Nationals Championship Parade
WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5:00pm-9:00pm: Side Yards
Join us at Yards Park for an evening of thrills and entertainment — for the family! Food and drinks provided by Ice Cream Jubilee, Due South and Agua 301 with specialty cocktails, beer, wine, and frozen drinks! This year’s Side Yards Acts include: Aerialist, Escape Artists, Fortune Teller, Sword Swallower, Tight Rope Walker, and MORE!

Sunday

10:00am-5:00pm: Bulgaria Day at KID Museum
Join KID Museum and Botev Academy Bulgarian School in celebrating Bulgaria Day through creative, hands-on projects, performances, and food. Enjoy making a scary Kukeri mask, building a traditional Bulgarian house, learning cross stitch patterns, and more! Performances will revolve around November’s Bulgarian Revival Day and its celebration of the “National Hero.”

Look Ahead:
The Emporiyum: November 8-10, 2019
Kidz Bop World Tour: November 10, 2019
Baby Beats with Max & Root at Atlas Performing Arts Center: November 15-16, 2019
Disney Junior Holiday Party at Warner Theatre: November 17, 2019
Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats Pajama Jam Party at AMP Strathmore: December 1, 2019
Pete the Cat at Olney Theatre Center: January 11-12, 2020
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: January 19, 2020
Judy Moody & Stink at Olney Theatre Center: April 25-26, 2020
Wild Kratts Live 2.0: April 26, 2020