DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

Friday
7:30pm: Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert at The Strathmore
Thirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished and a new threat has risen: The First Order, led by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke and his dark side enforcer, Kylo Ren. General Leia Organa’s military force, the Resistance—and unlikely heroes brought together by fate—are the galaxy’s only hope at thwarting a new reign of evil. From visionary director J.J. Abrams, the film features a new score composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams. Experience the film on the big screen as the BSO performs the score live on stage.

Saturday
9:00am-12:00pm: Pink in the Pool at the Long Bridge Aquatic Center
Bring your kids and join us for a splash of fun and culture at Pink in the Pool! Enjoy complimentary entry to the aquatics center, now playfully decked with pink pool toys. Discover the elegance of Japanese customs with our origami workshops and tea-tasting sessions offered by the Study Japanese in Arlington Initiative. Treat yourself to freshly spun cotton candy and cherry blossom-inspired sweets, and gather around for storytime sessions surrounded by delightful cherry blossom-themed decor.

10:00am-2:00pm: Get Ready for the Solar Eclipse Family Day
Soar Together at Air and Space is a monthly family-focused program from the National Air and Space Museum. A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday April 8, 2024—are you ready for it? Click here to find places in DC to get solar eclipse glasses.

10:00am-11:15am & 11:30am-12:45pm: Spring Crafting Workshop at Creative Youth (Ages 4-6)
Welcome spring, with floral & pollinator themed crafting in our NEW little makers studio! Participants will choose from our assortment of art and crating materials to create a unique and colorful project.   Taught by experienced early education staff, our workshops are designed to develop and promote fine motor skills, critical thinking, concentration, cognitive development and social emotional skills. 

11:00am & 1:30pm: NSO Music for Young Audiences: String Thing
This daring double act of classical fun is BACK for more music and mayhem. National Symphony Orchestra musicians—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Japanese Game Day
Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season with the crew from Katsucon as they host a free Japanese Game Day at National Harbor! Japanese tabletop games will be available for all ages to learn and play. Games include: Riichi Mahjong; Karuta card game, flashcards to help teach Japanese to children (5+); Hanabi, a collaborative game where players have to give each other hints on the cards in their hands in order to make a firework display together (ages 10-15). Be sure to stick around and join for a free Cherry Blossom Film Series on the Plaza Screen at 4pm with a screening of “Belle” (A Studio Ghibli Film) presented by Plus Ultra Entertainment.

1:00pm-9:00pm: Petalpalooza
Celebrate spring at Petalpalooza, for a full day of live music and engaging activities! This day-long all-ages celebration brings art, music, and play to multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a cashless beverage garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, roaming entertainers, and more, all along the banks of the Anacostia River. The evening is capped by the dazzling choreographed Official National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show set to music starting at 8:30 PM. This event is FREE and fun for all ages.

1:30pm-3:00pm: Art & Me | Preservation Family Workshop: Cherry Blossoms
Get creative while learning how conservators preserve art. Designed for ages 3-8. Celebrate spring and DC’s beloved cherry blossoms with a festive family workshop. The delicate sakura, or cherry blossoms, have been depicted in landscapes, figure paintings, and prints for centuries. Discover how Smithsonian art conservators preserve these beautiful yet fragile artworks. Then create and preserve your own cherry blossom–inspired art. This hands-on preservation workshop is designed for children ages three to eight and their caretakers. The program is cohosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This program is presented in partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. There are two sessions, each lasting about 1.5 hours. Please register for the session that would work best with your schedule.

Sunday
11:00am-1:00pm: Rumpus Room Family Dance Party
Rumpus Room is a family-friendly daytime dance party created by DJs Marc Meistro & Steven Faith for children 0 – 10 and their guardians. The Rumpus Room, DC’s only daytime dance party for families, returns to Hi-Lawn on the rooftop of Union Market! It’s our first event of 2024 and we’re anxious to provide your Spring soundtrack. Relive your night-life glory days with your little ones in tow. Dance to a family-friendly mix of dance floor classics, current hits and guilty pleasures, all at a child-friendly volume. Hi-Lawn will be open for food and beverages at 11:00 am!

1:30 & 4:00pm: NSO Music for Young Audiences: String Thing
This daring double act of classical fun is BACK for more music and mayhem. National Symphony Orchestra musicians—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written.

3:00pm-4:30pm: “Heart of Gold” book event with Betsy Fenzel at Red Panda Art Studio
Join for a special book event with local author Betsy Fenzel! You can learn more about the book here. Participants will take home a signed copy of the book! Betsy will guide participants through a reading, a short meditation, and a question and answer! We’ll then create our own hearts of gold using paint and 3D materials inspired by the characters in the book. Betsy will guide participants through a reading, a short meditation, and a question and answer! We’ll then create our own hearts of gold using paint and 3D materials inspired by the characters in the book.

Monday
12:00pm-4:00pm: Solar Eclipse Festival on the National Mall
Celebrate and observe the solar eclipse that will be visible all across North America! The National Air and Space Museum, in collaboration with other Smithsonian museums, NASA, NOAA, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory presents an outdoor festival with activities for all ages. The event will run from 12 to 4 pm along the National Mall between 4th and 12th Streets. Browse the many activity stations to view the Sun in a variety of safe telescopes, and explore the different educational offerings. Click here to find places in DC to get solar eclipse glasses.

Plan Ahead:
April 7: STEM EXPO
April 9-21: Peter Pan at National Theatre
April 11: Flowers After Hours at National Gallery
April 27: Carousel Day at Glen Echo Park

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