Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Earth Day is today, get outside! Visit a garden or go on a hike this weekend to take in the spring views all around us. We’ve also got a round-up of ways families can be more sustainable in honor of Earth Day.

All weekend

Earth Days @ FUTURES: A Sustainability Celebration is taking place Saturday & Sunday. It’s Earth Day, and The Smithsonian is leading the scene to keep it green for Earth Days @ FUTURES: A Sustainability Celebration all weekend. They’ll renew, reduce, recycle and reinspire our love for the world and its living ecosystems. Explore how we can meet its (and our) needs today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. From fun pop-up seed stands to book swaps to expert talks to a future food marketplace, Earth Days @ FUTURES: A Sustainability Celebration invites you to take action and get hopeful for the planet. All ages welcome! Discover, delight, debate, and learn about the power of creating a sustainable future!  Free, RSVP recommended.  
Saturday 4 PM: We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Panel: Energizing our FUTURES
Sunday 4 PM: We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Panel: Future of Transportation

Washington Nationals are hosting the Giants all weekend long! A special kids giveaway is planned for Saturday, giving Juan Soto jerseys to the first 5,000 kids 12 and under.

We’ve created another fun new reel, this time with scenes from the much anticipated Yayoi Kusama exhibit at the Hirshhorn. One with Eternity will showcase two transcendent rooms and will be exhibited alongside an early painting; sculptures, including Pumpkin (2016) and Flowers—Overcoat (1964); and photographs of the artist. This exhibition honors Kusama’s distinctive vision of self-obliteration by exploring its development across media while also underscoring the Museum’s mission: to present the most exciting art and ideas of our time. Passes will be distributed on the Hirshhorn’s plaza every open day beginning at 9:30 am until all the day’s passes have been claimed. Each person over the age of 12 may claim up to two passes, based on availability.

Friday

6:30pm-7:30pm: The Yards Green Guide: Sundeck Sun Salutation
Join for a Sun Salutation in partnership with Lululemon to ‘ground down’ and spend some extra time outdoors before or after work this Earth Day.

Saturday

10:00am-12:00pm: Spring Celebration & Egg Roll at Walter Reed
Celebrate spring with friends and neighbors on the gorgeous Great Lawn at The Parks at Walter Reed. The historic Spring Celebration & Egg Roll event has been on hiatus during the pandemic, but now it’s back, with more fun than ever! Watch out for the Easter bunny, enjoy fresh donuts, hunt for eggs (please bring your baskets), and get moving with games, relay races, yoga, and more! All are welcome to this FREE event, but RSVP is requested so there are enough supplies and eggs!

10:00am-12:00pm: Earth Day Cleanup
Join Together for a Cleaner Anacostia River! Sites on the map below around the Anacostia Watershed in Washington DC, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland. Plus your own neighborhoods, parks, and other outdoor areas! For more details and an alphabetical listing of all open sites, go to the or click on “What to Expect” below.

10:00am-4:00pm: Brookland Earth Day Celebration
Join for a celebration of Earth Day on the Arts Walk! They’ll have DIY crafting stations, swaps, shopping from local sustainable artists and makers, and local organizations dedicated to sustainability joining us. Earth Day is an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection. This celebration will showcase local creatives and organizations focused on earth-friendly practices and sustainability. Artists, crafters, makers, and organizations promoting sustainable practices. (Examples: composting, handmade, upcycling, recycling, vintage, mending, thrifted, reusable, all natural, repurposed, small batch, zero waste, eco-friendly).

11:00am-5:00pm: GreenFest at Brookside Gardens
Brookside Gardens will be hosting GreenFest on Saturday, April 23 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. This free event is one of the county’s largest Earth Day festivals and is a chance for residents, businesses, and nonprofits to share ideas, learn together, and have fun! Walk the trails, chill out on the grass, and explore the neighboring Brookside Nature Center, all while discovering how you can go green at home and in the community. Face painting and children’s activities, Interactive musical petting zoo and games, Kid’s tree climbing, Plant and tree giveaways, Green Arts & Crafts Fair, Over 60 exhibitors featuring environmental non-profits, Children’s yoga, Electric vehicle and car show: World’s first electric truck (Rivian) will be on display! Food trucks (vegan options available). Free parking and shuttle service between Glenmont Metro Station and Brookside Gardens.

11:00am-2:00pm: Kite Fest
Tysons’ premier destination for luxury urban living in the heart of Northern Virginia, is hosting its first-ever Kite Fest to welcome the new season and warmer days ahead! Join friends and family for a colorful afternoon under blue skies and sunshine with kite activities and flying demonstrations across The Sandlot Tysons and Boro Park. The first 100 lucky guests to arrive will receive a free branded kite from The Boro. There will also be a live DJ, jumbo-sized board games and multiple kite decorating stations for guests of all ages. The event is free, just register above.

11:00am-3:00pm: Takoma Park, Silver Spring Co-Op Earth Day Celebration
The beloved Earth Day Celebration is back! Join for a day of celebrating our planet and learning about how we can take better care of it. They’ll have live music, food for purchase, and dozens of local organizations ready to help you make a difference.

11:00am-2:00pm: Herring Heroes Obstacle Course at Pierce Mill
The fish are back, and so is this fun, free family event at Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park. Kids: See if you’re as strong as a herring! Each spring, these mighty fish travel upstream from the Chesapeake Bay to Rock Creek, where they lay their eggs. Come learn about the spring herring migration, and see if you’re as strong as a fish! Can you swim up imaginary rapids and find your way on a Rock Creek balance beam? Go up the fish ladder, and carry an egg on a spoon? After you’ve completed the obstacle course, look for herring swimming past Peirce Mill! This outdoor event is FREE, no registration required.

11:30am & 1:00pm: The Fantastic Tale of Rumpelstiltskin at The Puppet Co
In a brand new production, the Puppet Co. gives you the full story of what happens after the gold has been spun and the day has been saved. This hilarious and smart comedy will be a great romp for adults and kids alike. Can you guess Rumpelstiltskin’s new name?! Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 50 minutes.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Forest Hills Park Celebration
The Metropolitan Police Department (Second District) invites you to join us for an afternoon full of fun! Food, DJ, Fun Activities (kickball, corn hole toss, story time, Hands-On-Heart demonstrations, trivia wheel, and more), Resource Tables, Giveaways, Prescription Drug Take Back Station (needles/syringes will not be accepted), Appearances by McGruff the Crime Dog and more!

Sunday

10:00am & 11:30am: Mother Goose at Olney Theatre
A brand new, music-filled piece by the creators of Wake Up, Brother Bear and Mouse on the Move! Mother Goose leads the audience through some of her most beloved nursery rhymes, using puppets and props to bring to life Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, the Eensy Weensy Spider, and more. The magical Mother Goose invites your little ones to join in with each rhyme’s story – teaching them that the very best way to do what needs to be done is to do it together.

11:30am & 1:00pm: The Fantastic Tale of Rumpelstiltskin at The Puppet Co
In a brand new production, the Puppet Co. gives you the full story of what happens after the gold has been spun and the day has been saved. This hilarious and smart comedy will be a great romp for adults and kids alike. Can you guess Rumpelstiltskin’s new name?! Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 50 minutes.