DC Thrifty Mom’s
Things To Do (FREE & Cheap) in DC:
June 28 & 29, 2014
Always call or check the event website before heading out;
Event information is subject to change.
Saturday Morning at the National - The YoJo Show! Choose to Read
The National Theatre
Saturday ∙ 9:30 am & 11:00 am
The biggest, wildest, silliest, blue fuzzy guy returns to the National to learn that reading is fun! Through several comical mishaps YoJo learns that reading is not only important, but also really enjoyable. YoJo is loads of fun with a great message! Learn more about this fun and educational program here. FREE.
Banking on our Future (4th and 5th Graders)
St. Elizabeths East – Gateway DC
Saturday ∙ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
This Bank on DC event is for all youth between 8-11 years old and will feature interactive workshops on the basics of budgeting, banking, and savings. There will be free prizes, giveaways, and light refreshments! FREE but registration requested.
Kennedy Street Sidewalk Festival
Located between 3rd St. NW and Georgia Ave. NW
Saturday ∙ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
“This festival hopes to bring residents of the many neighborhoods surrounding Kennedy Street NW together for a few hours of fun and exploring our street. We welcome the young & the old, those new to the neighborhood & those here for decades, and everyone in between.” This day is a chance to join neighbors and friends to enjoy local businesses, entertainment and special guests along the Kennedy Street corridor. Free Admission
The Choctaw Nation: Through a New Lens
American Indian Museum
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma celebrates its tribal history and heritage with food demonstrations, workshops, and performances. Activities and demonstrations include Native dancers, singers, and storytellers, and booths showcasing beadwork, jewelry, pottery, flutes, and the Choctaw language. Hands-on activities for kids, a marketplace, and the opportunity to meet Choctaw Nation princesses will allow visitors to learn more about Choctaw culture. View full schedule here. Free Admission.
The Washington Youth Garden – FAMILY GARDEN DAYS
National Arboretum
Saturday ∙ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Family Garden Days is an interactive family gardening, nutrition education, and cooking program. It is designed to bring families together at the Washington Youth Garden to share in a communal experience of learning how to grow and prepare fruits and vegetables, maintain an organic garden, and prepare healthy meals. Tailored to beginning gardeners and those looking to enhance their food and wellness practices, the program is an exciting opportunity for families to grow awareness, appreciation and connections to their food sources and engage in healthy life affirming outdoor activities! Participating families harvest fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden for cooking demos as well as to prepare and enjoy at home.
FREE Summer Saturdays ∙ American Metal: The Art of Albert Paley opens Haiku Mistress
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Saturday ∙ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Galleries and Sidewalk
Working with Haiku Mistress Caley Vickerman create haikus inspired by the works in the collection. Share your literary works of art in a collaborative sidewalk chalk display!
11am, 12, 1:30, and 3pm: Guided Tours
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
National Mall
Through June 29 and July 2 -6 ∙ FREE!
This year’s festival has two themes: China: Tradition and the Art of Living, and Kenya: Mambo Poa. The festival runs in two parts: June 25-29, and July 2-6.
The China program takes visitors beyond the news headlines and ubiquitous mass-produced goods to highlight creativity, heritage, and masterful skill. There are more than one hundred artists and culture bearers featured in this program.
The Kenya: Mambo Poa program will present the ways in which the people of Kenya are balancing protection of their valued cultural and natural heritage with the challenges and opportunities for change in the twenty-first century.
The Festival is free and held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between the Smithsonian museums.
Community Arts Series: Portraiture & Expression
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Saturday ∙ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Visual artist, educator, and entrepreneur Jay Coleman leads a portraiture workshop for participants interested in learning the skill and technique in creating drawings of facial expressions. Using the portraits in the current Ubuhle exhibition as inspiration, participants are asked to bring a black & white photo of themselves or a mirror. All other materials will be provided. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Free.
Run of the Mill
Peirce Mill
Saturday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Miller Jeanne Minor and the Friends of Peirce Mill invite you to drop in and discover Washington DC’s only surviving gristmill in action for the first time in 2014. Be sure and explore the exhibits and watch the film in adjacent Peirce Barn as well. Children’s activities also available. Free.
Songs and Dances of the Pua (Flowers) of Hawaii
Presented by Hawai’i State Society of Washington D.C. `Ukulele Hui
United States Botanic Garden
Saturday ∙ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join the Hawai’i State Society of Washington D.C. `Ukulele Hui as they depict in song and dance the beautiful flowers of Hawai’i, such as the yellow ginger, pikake, hibiscus, carnation, green rose, lehua, gardenia, bird-of-paradise, and more. Celebrate the pua, or flower, which serves as a metaphor for a child or someone very cherished. Learn how leis, made up of these special flowers, are presented to people for occasions involving love, friendship, joy, congratulations and best wishes. Free.
FREE Bike Clinic
Anacostia Neighborhood Library
Saturday ∙ 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Volunteers from The Bike House collective and Capitol Hill Bikes will provide bike repair services at no cost for the public outside of Anacostia Neighborhood Library on the second and fourth Saturdays through July. The Washington Area Bicyclist Association will also be on hand to provide advice and connect bicyclists with resources. All ages are welcome!
Community of Hope’s HopeFest Health and Resource Fair!
Atlantic Street SW ∙ between South Capitol SW & Martin Luther King, Jr. for a community block party.
Saturday ∙ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bring the whole family and enjoy live performances, special entertainment and games for all ages, free food and plenty of games in the kid’s fun area. They’ll also be providing FREE health screenings as well as tours of the new Conway Health and Resource Center building.
Portrait Story Days: John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt
Portrait Gallery
Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ∙ Sunday 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
(for ages 5 and up with adult) Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn what Sierra Club founder John Muir (1838-1914) and President Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919) had in common. FREE!
D.C. Capitol Fair
RFK Stadium
Saturday & Sunday ∙ 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
It’s the all new D.C. Capital Fair at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.! There is plenty to see and do including a huge carnival midway, delicious food, games, and free live entertainment and shows including Circus Flores, Lance Gifford’s Magic & Illusion Show, Las Vegas Hypnotist Show, Wild Wolves Show, Tiger Show and many more! View 2-for-1 coupon here.
Ward 4 Family Fun Day
Kingsbury Day School
Saturday ∙ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
It’s an afternoon of fun for friends and family of all ages! Food and refreshments, a moon bounce, face painter, entertainment and so much more! It;s a great time to kick back and relax, see your friends, meet new friends and eat and play! FREE.
Nature Arts and Crafts
Nature Center
Saturday ∙ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Calling all kids: join park staff for an hour of creative fun. Learn about Rock Creek Park’s unique plants and/or animals through arts and crafts. FREE!
Marty Stuart in Concert
American Indian Museum ∙ Potomac Atrium, First Level
Sunday ∙ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
An exclusive acoustic concert with country music legend, Marty Stuart. Stuart is a five-time GRAMMY winner, platinum recording artist, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, Southern culture historian, photographer, musician, songwriter, TV host, charismatic force of nature, and country music fan. Link to flyer here. Free Admission.
STEAM TEAM
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Branch
DC Public Library
Sunday ∙ 2:00 pm
Are you interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and/or Mathematics? FREE STEAM Programs are hosted in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Children’s Department EVERY Sunday at 2 p.m. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) are specially designed to be interactive and educational, bringing fun and energy to library programs. Each week features a different element, and are open to children ages 6-12.
Additional DC Metro Area Events:
Heritage Days Celebration
Saturday & Sunday [various locations]
Each year, Heritage Montgomery hosts the annual Heritage Days Celebration on the last weekend in June. Sponsored by Heritage Montgomery since 2004, this unique, countywide festival offers visitors the opportunity to discover venues from Silver Spring to Poolesville, Bethesda to Clarksburg – and everywhere in between. Learn about the history of dairy farming, railroads and trolleys, African-American communities, astronomy, local arts & culture, and outdoor recreation including hikes and walking tours. Many venues offer musical entertainment, activities and crafts for children and refreshments.View a complete listing of locations here.
5th Annual Community Appreciation Day
Olney Theatre
Saturday ∙ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Olney Theatre Center will host its 5th Annual Community Appreciation Day on June 28 from noon until 4pm in conjunction with the Montgomery County Heritage Days Celebration.
There will be tours of the theatre from noon until 3pm – every hour on the hour. On the Historic Stage, community groups from the area will perform. Among the groups performing are Kang’s Black Belt Academy, Drama Kids International, Dance Connections, and Rockville Musical Theatre. Olney Theatre Center’s concessions will be open with snacks and ice cream for purchase. FREE Admission!
Del Ray Music Festival
Mt. Vernon Recreation Center Fields
Saturday ∙ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Del Ray Music Festival is a celebration of local music, food and community. The festival includes music, food, games, and a chance to ring in the summer with your friends and neighbors. Free Admisison.
Tot Swap - a children’s consignment sale
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Saturday ∙ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm & Sunday ∙ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Admission and parking is FREE and everyone is invited to shop!! Tell your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, daycare providers or anyone you know who loves bargains and shopping for kids. Get AMAZING DISCOUNTS on maternity and kids’ clothes, shoes, books, toys, DVDs, baby equipment and accessories, strollers, swings, high chairs, outdoor play equipment, sporting equipment and more. We accept only high-quality items and many are new with tags or in like-new condition. We feature many brands including, but not limited to, GAP, Gymboree, Ralph Lauren, OshKosh, Stride Rite, Graco, Little Tikes, and Step 2.
Visit the Calendar for more FREE & Cheap happenings!
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