Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Friday

5:30pm-8:30pm: Side Yards
Side Yards is a can’t-miss evening of surprises located at Yards Park! Guests will be treated to DC’s best performers who provide family-friendly thrills and delights unlike anywhere else in the city. Multiple stages of entertainment showcase the exciting and unusual talents of contortionists, magicians, escape artists, sword swallowers, aerialists, lollipop lyra performers and more. Guests will be in awe as jugglers, stilt walkers, and bubble artists create a fun and thrilling atmosphere. In addition to Side Show performances, attendees are able to enjoy interactive activities including tarot card and palm reading, balloon artistry, glitter tattoos, and more!

6:00pm-8:00pm: 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. Comfy clothes and PJs welcome! We’ll have blankets set out for each family. This month, we’re watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (a short flick!) so there will be plenty of time for open play too. 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. We offer Free play, movies, games, pizza and more!

Saturday

10:00am-12:00pm: Clean the Creek
Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance and meet at the gravel parking lot at the intersection of Little Falls and Mass Avenue in Bethesda to clean the Little Falls Parkway and Creek. There will be boots and grabbers to lend as well as gloves, safety vests. and
bags. The event is pre-approved for MCPS SSL hours. Kids under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult supervisor.

11:00am AND 1:000pm: S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis Imagination Stage virtual show
Full of surprises, fun, and memorable characters, each performance takes the cadets (audience) through a series of puzzles, codes, and challenges on a quest to help Spy Team 7 recover the stolen Heart of the Dragon from the evil Dr. Levinious. The experience is led by a hilarious improvisational actor playing the role of Pat, who interacts with individual spy cadets in the Zoom room. Part online escape room, part interactive game, this creative and immersive theatrical experience is a live virtual event perfect for ages 5+. Just $28 for the whole household!

11:00am-1:00pm: The Boro’s Gambit
The Boro, Tyson’s premier destination for luxury urban living in the heart of Northern Virginia, invites you and your best check-mates to its first-ever outdoor chess tournament, The Boro’s Gambit. Catch every move at the Sandlot as Grandmaster Rashad Babaev, an international chess sensation and resident of The Boro, competes in a simultaneous game against 30 players. After the main event, put your moves to the test and challenge others to jumbo chess and checkers set up around Boro Park. Spectators of all ages and players at all levels are welcome to participate in The Boro’s Gambit! Plan a full day at The Boro and check out some of the many shops and restaurants.

3:00pm: Elf on the Shelf Musical at the Lyric
This holiday season, the beloved tradition that has captured the hearts of families everywhere returns to the live stage! The Elf on the Shelf: The Musical is the thrilling spectacle of music and dance that transports audiences to the North Pole to glimpse the magical lives of Santa’s Scout Elves. Featuring an original story and score, dazzling sets and costumes, and heartfelt moments that will bring the family together, this joyous and uplifting celebration will leave audiences captivated by the splendor of the season.

4:30pm-9:00pm: LuminocCity Festival Holiday Lights at Roer’s Zoofari
Inspired by the power and warmth of light overcoming the darkness, our theme this year is “Shine Again”! Lumi and the team have been hard at work preparing for this year’s immersive light festival!

Sunset – 9:00pm: National Harbor Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Watch the 54-foot tree comes to life nightly with a breathtaking light show in the heart of the Waterfront District. Show runs on the half an hour from sunset to 9pm. Join Saturday nights from November 13 – December 18 at 5:30pm for a spectacular fireworks display.

7:00pm: Master Chef Junior Live at Warner Theatre
This high-energy, interactive stage production brings the culinary hit TV shows MasterChef & MasterChef Junior directly to fans and foodies alike…LIVE on stage! The family-friendly show will feature head-to-head cooking demonstrations and fun (sometimes messy!) challenges with past MasterChef & MasterChef Junior contestants, and an overall immersive audience experience fun for all ages.

Sunday

11:00am AND 1:000pm: S.P.I.E.S. & the Lost Treasure of Atlantis Imagination Stage virtual show
of puzzles, codes, and challenges on a quest to help Spy Team 7 recover the stolen Heart of the Dragon from the evil Dr. Levinious. The experience is led by a hilarious improvisational actor playing the role of Pat, who interacts with individual spy cadets in the Zoom room. Part online escape room, part interactive game, this creative and immersive theatrical experience is a live virtual event perfect for ages 5+. Just $28 for the whole household!

2:00pm-4:00pm: Movie on the Potomac: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Holiday movies every Sunday through January.

Holiday prep {updated lists to come}:
Stocking stuffers under $10
Gift Guide for Kids
Memberships & Experiences
Subscription Boxes

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Volunteer opportunities
Winter camps & classes