DC Family Weekend Fun Guide

Be sure to visit our summer camp guide as many camps are already full, but some of our favorites still have a few spots available, including the first session at Camp Arena Stage.

All weekend
Georgetown French Market
This popular open-air market – originally inspired by those often seen in France – will feature sidewalk sales and specials from more than 40 locally-owned boutiques, cafés, and galleries along Wisconsin Avenue from O St to Reservoir Rd., plus live music, stilt-walkers, face painting, a mime, and more. Neighborhood restaurants will also offer food and drink specials featuring French cuisine and beyond – from pastries, croissants, and macarons, to lunch items grilled outside, and wine discounts. 

Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales at Adventure Theatre
Journey into the Appalachian Mountains in this award-winning musical that deftly weaves four traditional tales and original music into a keepsake quilt of mountain lore and wisdom for the whole family. Jack who lands himself a job despite his foolishness. “Catskins” is a spunky Appalachian Cinderella. “The Enchanted Tree” is a beauty-and-the-beast love story between a lost girl and a frightening crow. And in a zany, sung-through “Sow and Her Three Pigs” plucky Nancy the pig outsmarts the hungry fox. This play with music incorporates singing, mountain dances, music, and puppets to create a highly theatrical storytelling style. The score, which interweaves music throughout the tales, is inspired by “Old Time” Appalachian music featuring fiddle and banjo that drives the play’s action and makes music itself a character in the play.  

Friday
7:30pm: Superhero Night at Washington Spirit Game
The Spirit faces off against the Pride on Marvel Super Hero™ Night at Audi Field. Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Marvel character for a chance to win prizes throughout the match, and then test their super hero knowledge at halftime during trivia highlighted on the video boards. 

8:00pm: Movie Screening at The Yards Sundeck
Gather your friends and family for a screening of Disney’s Elemental on The Yards Sundeck. Don’t forget to bring blankets and chairs and stop by your favorite Yards restaurant on the way to pick up dinner for a picnic under the stars! Ice Cream Jubilee will be selling scoops onsite and a deluxe topping bar will allow guests to customize their movie treat. 

Saturday
9:30am AND 11:00am: Saturday Morning Live! at the National: Off the Page
The magic of books can transport us to new worlds; illustrations and entire adventures can lift right off the page. When an imaginative young child dives into a book, the stories come to life around them. Through dance, music, puppetry, and vibrant imagery, this world premiere production will literally unfold before your eyes! Performances take place in the Helen Hayes Gallery on Saturday, April 27th at 9:30am and 11am. You can register on our AllEvents page soon and learn more about Arts On the Horizon by visiting their website.

10:00am-1:00pm: STAR Fest at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
DC Public Library will host its annual STAR Fest, a free family celebration promoting early literacy development. Children and caregivers can experience the five practices at the heart of the library’s Sing, Talk and Read (STAR) initiative. The festival features interactive stations that make building pre-reading skills feel like playtime. Kids can sing and move along to live musical performances by Kofi Dennis, Uncle Devin, and Marsha and the Positrons. Imaginative play areas like a pretend garden, grocery store and pizza parlor will inspire storytelling and conversation. The Children’s Room will also host family story times, a soft play area and a sensory Story Walk experience.

10:30am-5:30pm: DC Chocolate Festival at La Maison Française at Embassy of France 
The DC Chocolate Festival is a celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! This event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking and learning.

11:00am-4:00pm: Carousel Day
An annual tradition at Glen Echo Park and one of the Park’s most popular festivals, will be held this year on Saturday, April 27, from 11am to 4pm. In addition to free performances – including music, dance,, and storytelling – Carousel Day features art projects for kids, open art studios and galleries, a parade through Park grounds led by resident performers, and much more. Carousel Day is presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture (the Partnership) and often attracts up to 4,000 people who come to the Park to celebrate the opening of the Dentzel carousel for the season. This year mark’s the ride’s 103rd season in Glen Echo Park.

12:00pm-2:30pm: Gnome Homes at Red Panda Art Studio
This workshop is designed for ages 7+. Pizza is included! Nothing makes us more excited for Spring than gnomes! This twist on our classic fairy garden project is sure to be a new favorite.

Sunday
10:00am-12:00pm: Family Fundays with The Great Zucchini at Hook Hall
Sundays at Hook Hall is all about FAMILY FUN! Bring the kiddos for some dancing and singing with different musical guests joining us each week! Enjoy entertainment from family favorites. The Great Zucchini is the DMV’s funniest and most magical entertainer who performs a magic show where every child is a star! The Great Zucchini’s performance will begin at 10:30am and will last 45 minutes. Don’t miss out!