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Flower Mart, Anacostia River Festival, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

The Anacostia River Festival photo courtesy of Building Bridges
The Anacostia River Festival photo courtesy of Building Bridges
4/24/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It's a good weekend for the the scientist in your family. The Museum of Natural History celebrates Amphibian Week on Saturday, while the Udvar-Hazy Center hosts a family day about spacesuits through the decades of space travel, also on Saturday.

Free outdoor movies are kicking off this weekend across the region, including Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac, which take place every Sunday through the end of September.

More Things To Do in DC This Week with Kids:

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Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland production photo coutesy of The Alden
Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland production photo coutesy of The Alden

Top Things To Do in DC This Weekend With Kids

Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland (at McLean Community Center)

McLean, VA - Thursday, May 2
Based on the classic by Lewis Carroll, Alice is an action-packed theatrical circus full of surprises, amazing acts, video projection with 3-D mapping, and live music. Imagine the March Hare balancing on a tower of chairs during a tea party with The Mad Hatter playing crazy instruments, or Alice performing acrobatics inside a giant keyhole. READ MORE

Art Walk at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - First Friday of the month, May 3 - August 2
Free
Art Walk is is held on the first Friday of the month, from May through August. Hosted by the Glen Echo Park Partnership, the event includes open studios and artist demonstrations in the park's many visual arts studios and galleries. Each month features different activities, including hands-on art projects and/or artist demonstrations. READ MORE

Flower Mart at Washington National Cathedral

Washington, DC - Friday & Saturday, May 3 & 4
Free
Flower Mart brings families to the Washington National Cathedral grounds for food, vendors, carnival games, an antique carousel, and more fun activities. READ MORE

Divinity Roxx at The Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Friday - Sunday, May 3-5
Celebrate self-love and positivity with Divinity Roxx, a Grammy®-nominated musician, recording artist, and composer. Her upbeat and sunny music is filled with powerful messages that encourage young people to become the best versions of themselves.  READ MORE

Anacostia River Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, May 4
Free
This premier DC event marks the official close of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Families can celebrate with outdoor activities, local performances, food trucks, and more.  READ MORE

Around the World Embassy Tour

Washington, DC - Saturday, May 4
Free
More than 50 embassies open their doors to visitors to share the food, art, dance, fashion, music, innovations, and goods from their countries. Past activities have included karate demonstrations, sari-wrapping lessons, alpaca petting, and more. READ MORE

Build Day at the Hirshhorn

Washington, DC - Saturday, May 4
Free
Bring on the builders! Hirshhorn Kids, along with partners District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Arts and Boolean Girl, invite young architects to explore design inspired by the Hirshhorn's building, collection, and the world. READ MORE

Running of the Chihuahuas (at the Wharf)

Washington, DC - Saturday, May 4
Free
The Running of the Chihuahuas is a free, family-friendly event featuring iconic Chihuahua races on District Pier. Over 100 Chihuahuas race in groups of eight on a 60-foot “race track”. The fastest dogs move on in the winners’ bracket until a single Chihuahua is crowned the champion. Winners take home a dog-friendly swag bag, a trophy, and cash prizes. Spectators can view all the action on two giant video screens on both District and Transit Pier.  READ MORE

The World and Me Family Program: Amphibian Week Celebration with the USDA Forest Service and Friends (at the National Museum of Natural History)

Washington, DC - Saturday, May 4
Free
It's Amphibian Week. Families are invited to learn about amphibians alongside staff from the USDA Forest Service, the USGS, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Explore different stations and learn through play, art, and observations of live animals.  READ MORE

All Aboard! Family Activity Day at the National Capital Trolley Museum

Colesville, MD - Saturday, May 4
On the first Saturday of each month, the National Capital Trolley Museum hosts a family day, exploring different topics of transit history and engineering. The day includes a streetcar ride and a family-friendly activity. READ MORE

Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race: Monuments & Masterpieces

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, May 4
Free
Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human-powered, custom-built works of art. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) produces and hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore’s Harbor.  The eight-hour race covers 15 miles—mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand. READ MORE

BSO Music Box at the Strathmore

North Bethesda, MD - Saturday, May 4
BSO Music Box shows are 30-minute, engaging, and interactive concerts featuring an ensemble of BSO musicians performing lighthearted classical and children’s songs to develop children's musicality, creativity, coordination, and literacy. READ MORE

Family Archaeology Day at Needwood Mansion

Rockville, MD - Saturday, May 4
Free
Discover archaeology through hands-on activities, presentations, and live music at this free family event. Participate in a simulated archaeological dig, identify seeds, mend ceramics, make clay marbles and a clay pot, and try tinsmithing and weaving.  READ MORE

Sligo Creek Fest

Silver Spring, MD - Saturday, May 4
Free
Sligo Creek Parkway transforms into a street festival for residents of all ages to enjoy. This event highlights the well-loved Open Parkways Program that was initiated in 2020 to provide additional outdoor and recreational spaces for the community.  READ MORE

Family Day: Spacesuits: Past, Present, and Future at Udvar-Hazy Center

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, May 4
Free
Meet experts, do fun spacesuit-related activities, and explore how and why spacesuits were made the way they were. Discover how their design changed over time and what future spacesuits will look like for astronauts traveling to the Moon and Mars.   READ MORE

Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm

Herndon, VA - Saturday, May 4
Kids can watch sheep-shearing, cow- and goat-milking, farm-equipment demonstrations, and plenty of other hands-on activities at this annual event celebrating the arrival of baby animals.  READ MORE

Free Comic Book Day 2024

Participating Comic Book Stores - Saturday, May 4
Free
Pow! Crash! Boom!  Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day returns on its usual first Saturday in May date. READ MORE

International Family Equality Day at the National Zoo

Washington, DC - Sunday, May 5
Free
Celebrate family diversity with Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Visitors can speak with Zoo nutritionists, attend keeper talks, and see animal demonstrations. READ MORE

Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac

National Harbor, MD - Sundays, May 5 - September 29
Free
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie every Sunday all spring and summer at National Harbor. Visitors should bring their own blanket or chairs and watch on the big screen at the plaza starting at 6pm. READ MORE

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