Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

Friday-Sunday you can head to Landon for their annual Azalea Festival. In 1954, Landon co-founders Paul and Mary Lee Banfield sold azaleas from campus gardens to raise funds for tuition assistance. The success of the initial sale launched an annual Landon tradition. All the favorite attractions will be back this year, like the huge selection of azaleas, flowers and plants and shopping at the boutiques and Bearly Used. Children will be excited to enjoy rides at Funland and treats at Riddle’s Griddle.  For adults, the popular ‘Zalea Bash will include cocktails, live auction, and dancing to an awesome seven piece band. Azalea Committee Co-chairs are busy planning these fun activities to welcome thousands of visitors back to campus.  

Georgetown French Market takes place Friday-Sunday! The Market is a popular open-air market – originally inspired by the outdoor markets in France – that has become a celebrated tradition in DC, and one of the biggest shopping events of the year for the small businesses of Book Hill. More than 25 local boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries display their discounted wares for up to 75% off. Neighborhood restaurants also offer food and drink specials, including lunch items from an outdoor grill, a sale on French wines, and pastries, croissants, and macarons from French bakery Patisserie Poupon. On Saturday and Sunday, the French Market also features live music, a caricature artist, roaming stilt-walkers, and more. Visit our official French Market website for the full list of promos and programming!

C&O Canal Boat Tours are back! After a decade-long hiatus, you can once again take a boat ride along Georgetown’s historic C&O Canal. Boat rides are available five days a week during our inaugural season, offering one-hour guided historical tours of the first mile of the Canal. Learn about the fascinating history, technology and culture of the C&O Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked and played here over the past two centuries. The Canal boat boarding area is located at C&O Canal Lock 3, along the Canal towpath between Thomas Jefferson and 30th Streets NW (near 1057 Thomas Jefferson St).

Saturday
9:00am-1:00pm: Landscape Beautification Day at Lincoln’s Cottage
Bring your friends and family and spend a lovely morning at President Lincoln’s Cottage for the annual Spring Grounds Cleanup. Senior Preservationist, Jeff Larry, who just might spend the entire time talking about the architectural history of the Cottage, will be leading a group of volunteers to help with weeding, mulching and planting new perennials. There will be plenty of wheelbarrows and sticks to pick up so bring the kids!  As an extra incentive for help out, they are offering free landscape tours to all of our volunteers. 

10:00am-1:00pm: Build Day at Hirshhorn
Do you know a budding architect? Let’s build! Join Hirshhorn Kids and our friends from the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Arts and Boolean Girl for a hands-on exploration of design and building. We’ll celebrate student artists from DCPS, and feature activities to get everyone building and dreaming. 

11:00am-5:00pm: South Mountain Creamery Festival
Make some memories on the farm with the entire family. Join us on the farm in Middletown, Maryland for the Spring Festival, a day of food, music, games, and more. Local radio station WFRE will be broadcasting onsite until 1 p.m., followed by live music and dancing until 5 p.m. Fun Family Activities: Farm Demos, Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Corn Hole, Bocce Ball, Civil War Reenactors, and More! Special guest appearance from the Frederick County Dairy Princess. Don’t miss this fun family affair!  

11:00am-4:00pm: Carousel Day at Glen Echo
Join us for a festival event in celebration of Glen Echo Park’s 101-year-old Dentzel carousel as it opens for the season!  In addition to riding the carousel, families are welcome to enjoy many other FREE activities throughout the Park, including live music & performances, kids’ arts & crafts, open artist studios & galleries, and our special Re-Imagine Project sponsored by LEO A DALY international architecture firm. Enjoy treats from our Praline Cafe as well as Ben & Jerry’s! The carousel operates from 11am – 5pm, $2.00 per ride or $5.00 for an all-day wristband.

2:00pm & 4:00pm: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs at The Kennedy Center
Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur…and a dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway! That’s just the beginning of this hilarious, fractured, symphonic take on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as retold by MO WILLEMS. This new classic is presented by favorite performers and the National Symphony Orchestra, featuring original music by indie pop icon and NSO Artistic Advisor BEN FOLDS.

Sunday
10:00am-2:00pm: International Family Equality Day at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Celebrate the beauty and importance of family diversity with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Visitors will have the chance to speak with Zoo nutritionists, attend keeper talks and see animal demonstrations. This event is free. Entry passes to the Zoo are required.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac: Sing 2
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! Family Movie Nights: Sundays at 6pm | Date Night Movies: Thursdays at 7pm