DC Thrifty Mom’s
FREE Things To Do
THIS WEEKEND
in the Washington DC Metro Area:
October 4 & 5, 2014
Always call or check the event website before heading out;
Event information is subject to change.
***Visit our Calendar for more FREE & Cheap happenings.***
How to Build an EMS Truck
Home Depot
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 9:00 am ∙ FREE!
Come learn how to build an EMS Truck for Fire Safety Month
Hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12
***Washington D.C.***
SW ARTSFEST
Various venues
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 ∙ FREE Admission for some events
SW ArtsFest returns for its 4th year to celebrate its growing art community. Showcasing the programming of (e)merge art fair, Arena Stage, Art Whino, and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the SW Artsfest will offer a weekend of art centered activities that will encourage the D.C. area community to check out the booming SW quadrant and its various art producers. Note: Let’s Paint at the Duck Pond! – Our third annual event for pre- and elementary-aged children as part of the SW ArtsFest. Parents from the Amidon-Bowen PTA provide water color painting instruction for poster-sized drawings of the park and it’s fine feathered friends. Complimentary paint sets provided to each child. Free!
Saturday Morning at the National - Theatre IV: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The National Theatre
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 9:30 am & 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
This musical adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale features lovable characters portrayed by live actors and wonderful puppets! Follow along as Snow White meets her pint-sized friends, takes the apple from the Evil Queen, receives a kiss from the Prince, and lives happily ever after!
KARUKINKA – Chilean Patagonia, Artists of the Land Where the Trees Talk
American Indian Museum
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
The country of Chile celebrates its Native culture at the museum with a panel discussion featuring Native Chilean women talking about their communities, an art market, films, Chilean musical group Los Sayas, an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts, hands-on demonstrations, indigenous Chilean cuisine and Chilean wine tasting.
Only on Saturday at 11 am – 12:30 pm: Please join us for a special program, Native Chilean Women: Challenges and Opportunities. Speakers include: María Francisca Collipal (Mapuche), Anakena Manutomatoma (Rapanui), and Sonia Avalos (Quechua) and Daniel Cano, PhD. candidate at Georgetown University. Panelists will share their insights and experiences—giving examples of their everyday life and work, and relating the issues at hand directly to their Native group—at this lively forum. Followed by a Q & A session.
Let’s Move! DC – Children and Families Health Expo
Deanwood Rec Center
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
The District of Columbia Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is hosting the 2nd Annual Let’s Move! DC – Children and Families Health Expo on Saturday, October 4 at the Deanwood Recreation Center from 10 am to 2 pm to encourage District youth to eat healthy and get active. The expo will feature interactive sports zones including golf, tennis, baseball, and fishing. The fun continues with prizes, giveaways, dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, music, a farmers market, and free food. Special guests, streetball legends Hugh “Baby Shaq” Jones and Randy “White Chocolate” Gill, will host an interactive basketball clinic. Admission is free for all.
LET’S MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO!
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 10:30 am ∙ FREE!
The Singing Lizard is making a video for her song “Bicycle” and she wants YOU to be a part of the magic!
Here’s the idea: Bring your bicycles and gather at the location above at 10:30am. We’ll put on our helmets and get ready for ACTION. I will follow the camera on my bike while lip synching along to the “Bicycle” song and one by one the other bikers (YOU) will start riding behind me. The video should scream FUN (silliness and costumes encouraged). The more people we gather the more exciting the video will be so PLEASE spread the word to everyone you think would be interested in joining in the fun.
Community Leaders Are Readers
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Venue: Anacostia Neighborhood Library
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
This popular ongoing program, a joint Anacostia Community Museum and DC Public Library collaboration, is open to parents and their children up to 7 years old to enjoy books and reading with local leaders in the community. Children participate in a hands-on activity led by a professional artist and create an art take-away.
DC MeetMarket - Happy Fall!
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 11 am on the first Saturday of every month through November ∙ FREE Admission
Proudly sponsored by Honest Tea, Relay Foods, Zipcar, and Think Local First DC, the DC MEET Market will be celebrating the beautiful season of fall on Saturday, October 4th! Our next market is filled with fall-time activities ranging from pumpkin painting, cornhole games and seasonal sweets from Baked & Wired. In addition, we are excited to be featuring Korean-style BBQ from Kingston Seoul and live music from DJ AYESCOLD, The Caribbean, and The Plums. As always, the market will showcase over 40 local vendors selling their goods from home décor, handcrafted jewelry, accessories, and prepared foods!
“Face Value” Family Day
Portrait Gallery
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 11:30 am ∙ FREE!
Join us to explore portraiture through the lens of the exhibition “Face Value: Portraiture in the Age of Abstraction.” Sean Lane and Bay Jazz Group will set the tone with their musical talent. Experiment with different art materials in the style of Benny Andrews, Andy Warhol, Jacob Lawrence and Roy Lichtenstein, and participate in an additional art-making activity led by artist/illustrator Sushmita Mazumdar, in the style of Red Grooms.
Community Forum: The Problem with Bullies
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Join this panel discussion with Community Prosecutor Muyiwa Bamiduro, educators Craig Hawkins, and Jay Coleman and a student representative from Hart Middle School as they talk about this ongoing and disturbing phenomenon in schools. Panel will be moderated by Julie Ost. Ms. Ost has been on the Mayor’s Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force since its beginning and has played a critical role in shaping the policy and supporting the work at the Office of the State Superintendent of Schools (OSSE).
WASHINGTON NATIONALS CELEBRATION - GO NATS!
The Yards
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 3:00 pm ∙ Free and Open to the Public
The Capitol Riverfront BID welcomes all ticket holding and non-ticket holding fans back to the stadium and the neighborhood to see the games and experience the festive atmosphere that always surrounds a playoff series! Come early and stay late to enjoy neighborhood restaurants and events in Yards Park before and after the games.
Pre-game concert at 3:00 pm in Yards Park by fan favorite Hand Painted Swinger
Family-friendly activities such as face painting
Broadcasting from CBS Radio personalities with Nationals-focused commentary and interviews.
A march to the stadium led bythe Ballou High School Majestic Marching Band
At 5:37 pm EDT, fans without tickets can stay in The Yards to watch the game.
Raffle prizes
Bluejacket beverages and food from local restaurants and food trucks will also be available at the festivities.
Please note that outside alcohol is prohibited. Picnics are welcome, but any alcoholic beverages must be purchased on-site and kept within the celebration boundaries.
Rhode Island Avenue NE PorchFest
Rhode Island Avenue, NE
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 3:30 pm ∙ FREE Admission
The first of its kind to hit Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Rhode Island Avenue (RIA) PorchFest celebrates local talent by turning the front porches of neighborhood homes in surrounding NE into performance spaces where local musicians play for the community. Rhode Island Avenue PorchFest is free to the public and presented by Rhode Island Avenue Main Streets in partnership with Cultural Tourism DC. PorchFest follows Rhode Island Avenue Main Streets Fall Fest. Maps will be available on the day of the event at an information booth.
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge
Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!
The guitarists blend Lage’s background in modern jazz and new music with Eldridge’s relationship with bluegrass and his experience as a member of the widely acclaimed band Punch Brothers.
Fall Fun Fest
Armed Forces Retirement Home campus in Washington, D.C.
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 8:00 am ∙ FREE Admission
The Oktoberfest Tent portion of the festivities will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the fun under the tent, the day’s activities include a car show, golf tournaments, beer and bourbon tasting at Lincoln’s Cottage, a fishing rodeo at the ponds, military displays and much more!
Fall Arts Fair
TheARC
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Join the Washington Performing Arts for a free event perfect for the whole family! Events and activities will include: Face painting, Art activities for all ages, Henna designs, Bollywood dance lessons, Food vendors, Instrument petting zoo, Performances representing a variety of countries along the Silk Road, and much more!
Free Community Day
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
An opportunity to explore NMWA’s collection and current exhibitions through free admission. Delve into Total Art: Contemporary Video, which highlights the inventive processes that sustain women artists’ position at the forefront of video, before it closes! Also, check out Soda_Jerk: After the Rainbow, a two-screen projection video installation created by two-person art collective, Soda_Jerk.
Family Activities
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Sunday, October 5 ∙ program time varies ∙ FREE!
Dance Sundanese! – Learn the gestures, postures, and movements of classical West Javanese dance with masters from the Indonesian College of the Arts. For ages 8‒14 with adult companions.
Paint a Puppet! – Watch a master artist paint a traditional Sundanese doll-puppet, then create your own character to take home using a carved puppet from Java. For ages 8‒14 with adult companions.
Play Gamelan – Learn how to play the bronze gongs and xylophones of a Sundanese gamelan. Practice by following the drumming of the group’s conductor, and then play a traditional tune together. After the lesson, listen to master musicians from Java play the kind of high-energy music for which Indonesia is famous.
Portrait Story Days: Red Grooms
National Portrait Gallery – 1st Floor, education center, E151
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about an influential person in the Portrait Gallery’s collection and create a piece of art inspired by his or her portrait.
Concert: Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir
National Gallery of Art
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 3:30 pm ∙ FREE!
This event takes place in the West Building, West Garden Court. Music by African and American composers.
Tsu Gordela
Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Founded in 2007 at the Tbilisi State University (Georgia), this all-female ensemble explores traditional folk songs with modern arrangements.
DC PUBLIC LIBRARY Activities - Find FREE things to do for kids in every library in D.C.:
Teatro de la Luna Presents Sanos y Contentos – Happy and Healthy ∙ Takoma Park Library ∙ Saturday, 3:00 pm – “Sanos y Contentos (Happy and Healthy)” is a play that will take children on a discovery of good nutrition and the importance of exercise. Sweet Miss Lecture and her uncle Mr. Cucumber show children that they can fight the evil Mrs. Laziness and live happily and be healthy. The performance includes live music with a guitarist. Best for ages 6-9.
Early Reader’s Club ∙ Capitol View Library ∙ Sunday, 3:00 pm – Join us for a book-tastic time filled with fun! A book club just for kids promoting literacy and love for reading in children! We will read books and talk about them, make crafts, and have snacks. An open program for children ages 3-8.
***Maryland***
FREE FALL BALTIMORE IS BACK FOR 2014!
Various venues
Throughout October 4 ∙ FREE!
Free Fall Baltimore celebrates its ninth year by bringing wonderful free cultural activities to your doorstep. With more than 250 unique events anticipated, you’ll be able to find an exciting activity on almost every day in October. Note: All activities listed are FREE, but many events require advance registration. View the schedule here.
The 48th Fell’s Point Fun Festival
In historic Fell’s Point on Thames Street on the water between Caroline and Wolfe Streets and North on Broadway to Aliceanna
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE Admission
Neighborhood Street Festival to support The Preservation Society and Fell’s Point Main Street
The Kids Zone presented by Urban Pirates will feature a block full of inflatable bounce houses and slides, face painters, and hands-on crafts. Performances by magicians, clowns, balloon twisters, pirates, and jugglers will delight and entertain kids of all ages throughout the weekend.
Free Crafts will be available for all children throughout Saturday and Sunday.
PARENTS MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES.
Early Keepers at The Mall at Prince Georges
Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center
Venue: The Mall at Prince George’s
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
From 12pm – 1:30pm on specific Saturdays, Early Keepers, ages 3-7/8, will explore cultural heritage through story-telling, music, movement, and arts & crafts. Parents can spend quality time with their children while engaging in fun and culturally rich activities that incorporate problem solving, math, and reading!
33rd Annual Takoma Park Street Festival
In Old Takoma: Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, MD to Carroll Street, NW in Takoma, DC.
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
Admission is Free! Attendees will enjoy strolling, shopping and dancing through beautiful Old Takoma. A diverse collection of affordable items from over 150 artisans makes holiday shopping easy. Shoppers will find paintings, photographs, pottery, silk-screening, soaps, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, textiles, ceramics, kids’ items and much, much more! Kids also love the festival with crafts, facepainting, inflatables and FUN! Music lovers will not be disappointed. The festival has three stages that play host to 18 popular, local bands performing music from indie folk, rock, blues, country, reggae and everything in between.
34th Annual Kinderfest
Watkins Regional Park
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ Free admission; fee for some activities and food concessions.
A Family Festival!
32nd Annual Germantown Oktoberfest
High Point Farm
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE Admission!
A fun-filled day of live music & performances, delicious food, children’s games and activities, local crafters, artists and businesses, Biergarten wine garden and dance floor!
Family Nature Time
Black Hill Visitor Center
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 1:30 pm ∙ FREE!
Mom and Dad, grab the kids and come out to play! We’ll have nature-y activities that families can do together. Drop in any time during program hours on the first and third Sundays of the month. Free! No registration required.
Poetry and Prose Open Mic
The Writer’s Center
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Poetry and Prose Open Mic. Sign-up for readers begins at 1:30. The reading will be followed by a reception.
Family Sundays
Baltimore Museum of Art
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
The BMA is the place to be for free family fun! Every Sunday, enjoy different activities—sketching tours, hands-on workshops, gallery tours, and more—designed just for families. OCTOBER’s Theme: Marvelous Matisse - October 5: Create a Bold Diorama
***Virginia***
The Arlington Civitan Open Air Market
Adjacent to Washington-Lee high school and the Arlington Planetarium
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 7:00 am ∙ Free Admission
There is something for everyone at the Arlington Civitan Flea Market. If you love browsing for fabulous finds and fantastic treasures, then come on down and strike it lucky. The Flea Market takes place each first Saturday of the month through November.
Art on the Avenue
Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ Free Admission
Art on the Avenue is a multi-cultural arts festival celebrating our community’s diversity through the arts in the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia. This festival is held on the first Saturday in October, rain or shine!
Autumn Conservation Festival
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute-Front Royal, Virginia [Directions]
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE Admission but $30 parking fee
Join us for an unforgettable day of tours, and activities at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This is the one time every year that SCBI Front Royal is open to the public.
Chat with our world-famous scientists one on one and learn about their fascinating research that spans the globe. Scientists will also be on hand to help you explore the tools and technology they use to understand animals and their environments.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the partnership between the Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and George Mason University (GMU) which established the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. Its mission is sustaining global biodiversity by advancing the theory and practice of conservation biology with transformative, transdisciplinary education.
Don’t hesitate to bring the family- Autumn Conservation Festival includes children’s activities, live music, food, and plenty of fun!
The Autumn Conservation Festival will be held rain or shine.
The 32nd Annual Fall Jubilee
Historic Downtown Manassas
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ Free Admission
This year’s Jubilee will include an assortment of live entertainment for both kids and adults. With over 100 crafter and community booths, live music and entertainment, wine tastings in our very own Wine Garden (located on the Manassas Museum lawn), a Beer Garden, lumberjack performances (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.), farmer’s market, children’s rides and activities and a pumpkin patch you are sure to find something for everyone in the family!
The Fall Jubilee is a free to the public, community event and is scheduled rain or shine.
The 22nd Annual Fall For Fairfax KidsFest
FAIRFAX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ Free Admission
Enjoy exciting, interactive and education programs, entertainment and activities. Fall For Fairfax KidsFest is specially designed for families with elementary & Pre-K aged children. Plus, admission is totally free!
October Kid’s Club “Pet Parade”
Tysons Corner – The Plaza
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ Free Admission
The Tysons Corner Center Kids Club is a great opportunity for your child to learn in a fun, interactive setting. We’ve teamed up with National Geographic Kids to create activities and games that focus on discovery through play.
Join us for our “Pet Parade” themed event and learn all about cute and cuddly pets! Come dressed as your favorite Pet and get a special treat from Tysons Corner Center!
This event will also feature fun crafts, activities, music and snacks.
Visit our Kid’s Club website for free online games and more!
OCTOBERBLAST!
Greenway Farm
Saturday, October 4 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ Free Admission
Antique Car Show, games, inflatables, petting zoo, music, rock climbing wall, cake walk, and more!
19th Annual Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
Fort Belvoir Fremont Field (Click for Directions)
Through Sunday, October 5 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ Free Admission
MWR hosts one of the most anticipated events of the year, Fort Belvoir’s 19th Annual Oktoberfest at Fremont Field! Oktoberfest is a four-day festival, highlighting authentic German food, beverages, music and dancing! Enjoy an exciting carnival, the Krazy Krieger 5K challenge, the Volksmarch 10K Walk, kinder korner activities, prize raffles at sponsor tables and more! A fun-filled weekend for the whole family!
Blacksmithing Demonstrations
Colvin Run Mill
Sunday, October 5 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ Free Admission
Watch as the blacksmith fires up his forge and works with hammer and tongs to make iron tools and utensils. FREE.
No reservations required.
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ALL ABOARD…
DISNEY JR.’S CHOO CHOO SOUL GIVEAWAY
B&O Railroad Museum
Saturday, October 11, 2014
For one day only the B&O Railroad Museum presents two performances by Disney Jr.’s Choo Choo Soul. Follow the musical adventures of the hip-hop singer, train station manager, Genevieve Goings, and her dancing, beatboxing engineer, DC, as they entertain kids while performing soulful and current renditions of the ABC’s and 1-2-3’s.
This one hour show will have young railroad lovers, Thomas the Tank Engine fans, and families singing and dancing to the beat at the birthplace of American railroading! ADVANCED PURCHASE REQUIRED!
Enjoy your weekend!
*****
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