DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

All weekend

Pickleball has become a hobby of mine so I was psyched when I saw it was coming to the National Mall this weekend! Advance reservations are currently full, please check back frequently as cancellations may result in new bookings becoming available.  You can join for walk on play (Thursday, 9/28 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm, Friday, 9/29 from 11:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday 9/30 from 10:00am – 2:00pm) and join as a spectator throughout the event, full schedule online.

Panda Palooza is a nine-day celebration from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, 2023 to see the giant pandas off in style. This is intended to engage audiences of all ages in a series of fun, family-friendly and conservation-forward events. Get passes here.

World Culture Festival will allow you to nourish your heart, mind, and body with inspiration, meditation, & food from all traditions this weekend on the National Mall.

Art All Night will occur from 7:00pm to 3:00am the following morning on two nights—September 29 and 30. The festival will take place in all 8 wards with different activations on each night, bringing visual and performing arts, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry, to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants.

Frederick’s Oktoberfest takes place Friday & Saturday. Food, drink, endless entertainment and more!

Witch Wartsmith’s Halloween Spooktacular at The Puppet Co
Witch Wartsmith (the sister of Witch Wartsmith from our Legacy and touring show Rapunzel,) hosts the annual Halloween Spooktacular and you get to vote on the winner! Part contemporary competition show, part vintage telethon, and part punpalooza, this spooky variety show will tickle your funny bone. Some of our contestants may change year to year, so come back to see old and new friends alike!

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at Adventure Theatre
Everyone’s favorite characters come to life on the stage through October 29. With charm, wit, and heart, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown explores life’s big questions through the eyes of the Peanuts gang as they play baseball, fly kites, struggle with homework, swoon over crushes, and celebrate the joys of friendship. Growing up is serious business! 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Imagination Stage
This show kicks the season off, with one-quarter of its performances in Spanish
and three-quarters of them in English. Using more than 70 beautiful, larger-than-life puppets and original music, this special event follows all your favorite characters from “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” “The Very Busy Spider,” “10 Little Rubber Ducks,” and, of course, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” The show is best for ages 3-8 and is based on Eric Carle’s books. Playing through October 22.

Friday

5:30pm-8:30pm: Back to the Yards
Join The Yards for the party of the decade to celebrate the end of summer and new school year! Jam out with a totally tubular DJ playing 80s and 90s chart toppers that will get the whole family on their feet. Get a blast from the past with classic 90’s icons, like Barbie, Etch-a-Sketch, and more. Instagrammable moments and activities including vintage arcade games, break dancers, glitter tattoos, crafts, a photo booth, and a glow giveaway bar will make this a party for all the ages. Dust off your leg warmers, and tease up your hair, celebrate The Yards, be there or be square! Admission is free and kids of all ages are invited.

Saturday

11:00am-4:00pm: Leesburg Airshow
Sure to impress, you will see airshows, step into aircraft, see some cars and more family fun!

11:00am: Clarendon Day
Music, food, art, and fun for the whole family will be at the center of our celebration! Mark your calendars and join us! Clarendon Day is one of Arlington’s best loved and most diverse street festivals, with a central music stage, a large Kidszone, arts and crafts vendors, business and nonprofit exhibitors from Clarendon and the region, plenty of great food from local and regional restaurants, craft beers and Virginia wines, and more. 20+ years of fun, 6 blocks, 10,000+ people!

2:00pm-5:00pm: Oktoberfest at the Boro
Fall is finally here and that can only mean one thing here at The Boro – it’s time for Oktoberfest! Join us in celebration of our favorite fall traditions with a variety of Oktoberfest favorites

7:00pm: Washington National Opera Presents the 18TH Annual Opera in the Outfield
The free community event features family activities and pre-show performances at 5pm, followed by an outdoor broadcast of Puccini’s La bohème at 7 p.m.

Sunday

10:00am-5:00pm: Takoma Park Street Festival
The popular Takoma Park Street Festival returns for its 42nd year of music, vendors, food and fun in Takoma Park. This year’s festival takes place on Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street, NW in Takoma, DC. Festival goers will enjoy the day exploring over 165 vendors booths, live music from 18 local bands, food trucks and more. Takoma’s unique shops, restaurants and cafes are all open and welcoming visitors.

12:00pm-5:00pm: Glen Echo Arts Festival
Join us at the Park for a celebration of visual and performing arts! This FREE event will include a multitude of hands-on activities, live music, and unique opportunities to delve into the arts. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are pleased to collaborate with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino to present a community art project, and more. Lots of family friendly fun!

12:00pm-4:00pm: PIKEtoberfest
In true Oktoberfest spirit, Owen’s Ordinary will host a beer garden serving local and craft beers. Taking center stage, a live band and DJ will be performing all afternoon. Shop a great collection of hand-made and craft goods in the newly added open-air Makers Market featuring the area’s best artisan vendors. Plus many more fun games, kids activities, and experiences from the neighborhood’s retail and restaurant partners.

3:00pm: Rolling on the River at the Wharf
Celebrate World Rivers Day and Theatre Week with the Theatre Washington and Potomac River Partners at Rolling on the River, a free hour-long outdoor concert on the Transit Pier Floating Stage at The Wharf. Celebrate life on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers with your favorite local musical artists, “river music” and storytelling. All are welcome. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Before the concert, enjoy free activities from partners at DC Water, NASA, and Blue Origin.

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