Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Friday & Saturday

Art All Night! With activations in all 8 wards in 16 different neighborhoods, and over 100 artists, there is more to explore than ever before. Join your favorite artists and local businesses and discover new ones as we come together to celebrate the District of Columbia. Click here for the guide to each ward’s details.

AFI Latin American Film Festival through October 13. Now in its 32nd year, the AFI Latin American Film Festival is one of North America’s largest and longest-running showcases of Latin American cinema. With the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, the festival celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring numerous international film festival favorites, award winners, local box office hits and debut works by promising new talents, the festival is one of Washington’s top cultural events. Don’t miss your chance to see excellent new films and be part of the discussion between a diverse audience of filmmakers and film lovers.

Maryland Renaissance Fair
Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, joisting, puppetry, pony rides and so much more. Dates are: September 25, 26; October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and times are: 10:00am-7:00pm

Saturday

10:00am-8:00pm: Rosslyn Reads
The BID is partnering with Turning the Page for an all-day book sale, featuring over 10,000 gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records between $2 and $6. There will also be live music, a performance by Synetic Theater, an onsite bar hosted by Open Road, coupons to Assembly (Rosslyn’s new gourmet food hall), and a craft station (courtesy the of Arlington Public Libraries Book Truck). The event is free to attend but registration is encouraged here to receive a reminder email prior to the event. All event proceeds are in support of local nonprofit, Carpe Librum.

10:00am-2:00pm: Takoma Park Play Day
Join this neighborhood free event featuring Touch-a-Truck with Takoma Park Public Works, Giant games: chess, checkers, Connect4, Just boxes, Corn hole, Board games, Dress up, Tennis with JTCC and live performances. Granny and the Boys, Rockville Swing Band, Marsha and the Positrons & Takoma Park Community Band.

10:00am-11:30am: Cadettes: Tudor Trees
At Tudor Place, they care for trees that are over 200 years old.  In this program, learn about what is involved in caring for these trees.  Explore the connection between people and trees and how to identify different tree species.  Participates will design their own tree house.  This program fulfills all requirements to earn the Cadettes Trees badge. Note: This is an in-person program. Please review the Tudor Place Health and Safety Guidelines before registering and attending. Tickets: $10 per registrant.

11:00am: Petworth Festival
Celebrate Petworth is known for great music! This year we’ll have bands playing all day on the Main Stage, including Hands On Drums, Reginald Cyntje, The Treads, DJ Unown, and Flex Mathews. The annual dog show will be at 12:00pm. This year, 9th Street between Upshur and Varnum Street NW will be transformed into a kids zone, presented by Makerspace by Party Time—complete with children’s vendors, arts and crafts, STEAM activities, and performances specifically for kids. Join us for children’s yoga, a hands-on soda explosion experiment, zumba, puppets, music, and more! Try out the flavors of the neighborhood in our food zone, Taste of Petworth. Runs all day during the festival.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Family Movie Night at the Lane
It’s like a normal movie night, but WAY BETTER. Not your living room, order from our cafe for dinner (popcorn is free!), and we’ll clean up all of the tiny pieces of popcorn that end up everywhere. “Sing” will be on the big screen so come ready to jam out to the catchy soundtrack. Comfy clothes and PJs welcome! We’ll have blankets set out for each family. Free for members! Cost is $20/kid (adults are free) for non-members. Reserve your spot here.

6:30pm-10:30pm: Kids Night Out at Silver Stars Gymnastics
While Silver Stars is known for expertly guiding children through all aspects of balance beam routines, trampolines and rope climbing, Kids’ Night Out offers children the chance to explore the various apparatuses at their own pace. These events take place on the second and fourth Saturday evenings of every month highlighting all the fun of Open Gym, but as a drop-off program. Offering free play, movies, games, pizza and more!

7:00pm: Salute the Sunset at National Harbor: Army U.S. Army Concert Band
It’s the final concert at the Harbor for the season. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening with performing ensembles of the USAF Band or the Army Band. Concerts are free and open to the public. 

Sunday

2:00pm-4:30pm: Sukkot Extravaganza at Meadowbrook Park
Fun for all ages! Kona ice truck, Sukkah on wheels, Shake Lulav and Etrog-‘Chalk it’ Sukkah fun, balloon twisting, bubble show, holiday crafts, holiday treats and a raffle. Let your kids experience Sukkot with loads of fun and meaning! Get the early bird price! 

5:00pm: US Air Force Band at The REACH
Co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts and premiered locally in 2015, John Luther Adams’s “choose-your-own-adventure” outdoor work returns to Washington, D.C. Wander among the musicians as they disperse across the REACH campus, and discover how the atmospheric piece challenges you to experience the connections among music, nature, and the world around you. No tickets or advance registrations are required for this free event but proof of vaccination required.

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