DC Thrifty Mom’s
FREE THINGS TO DO
This Weekend
Black History Month Events, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day Activities, and MORE!
in Washington DC Metro Area:
February 14 – 16, 2015
Always call or check the event website before heading out;
Event information is subject to change.
***Visit our Calendar for more FREE & Cheap happenings.***
Valentine’s Day in Metro DC
Treat your sweetheart to The Arts Valentine’s Day Weekend 2015. This CultureCapital.com Valentine’s Day Guide is packed with suggestions, not all free, from Metro DC’s theatre, dance and music presenters. You and yours can be serenaded with love songs, hear the music play, enjoy an evening of laugh-out-loud comedy, paint your own valentine, cook that special meal, and more.
Presidents Day 2015: Free Entrance to the National Parks
National Park Service
Saturday, February 14 thru Monday, February 16 ∙ FREE!
All 405 national parks will provide free admission to everyone February 14-16, 2015 to honor our nation’s leaders and their accomplishments.
Nature Arts and Crafts
Rock Creek Park – Nature Center
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
Love to Craft. Calling all kids: join park staff for creative fun. Drop in and make a Valentines themed craft. We’ll learn about the park’s amazing butterflies during this arts and crafts children’s program.
Drop-in Art Activities: Lovely Letters
The Walters Art Museum
Saturday, February 14 & Sunday, February 15 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
We’re celebrating love this month, so grab a loved one’s hand and join us as we explore a theme that artists have used as inspiration throughout history! Build a monument for someone you love, write love-filled letters, and create a special box to keep items you love safe.
Join museum educators as they help families create artful projects related to the collection, special exhibitions, and family programs. Check out our monthly themes and visit often to participate in a different project each weekend! Every Saturday and Sunday! No registration required – drop-in, make, and take a fantastic piece of art home with you!
Practice with Love Yoga Event
U.S. Botanic Garden – Conservatory West Gallery
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 10:30 am ∙ FREE: No pre-registration required
WithLoveDC is a movement to spread love, joy, and acceptance throughout the district. The Practice With Love classes aim to create an accessible space for all people to tune into their breath while enjoying the amazing spaces around our beautiful city. WithLoveDC is thrilled to bring their free yoga gatherings to the U.S. Botanic Garden; come flow with us! Please note: Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mats. This program is first come, first served. Space is limited to 45 participants.
Frederick Douglass’s 197th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 10:30 am ∙ FREE!
The National Park Service will celebrate the 197th birthday of Frederick Douglass with special programs and activities at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and partnering locations throughout the historic Anacostia neighborhood. The birthday celebration is one of the site’s annual signature events. This year’s event is based on the theme “Frederick Douglass and Family.”
All programs and activities are FREE and open to the public. All ages are welcome. View complete schedule, which includes events on Friday, February 13th too.
Frederick Douglass Day
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
The museum participates in this annual collaborative program with the National Park Service. A museum educator will provide a walk-through tour of the exhibition How the Civil War Changed Washington, then participants board the museum shuttle bus to take part in a map study of Anacostia/Uniontown.
Community Event: Creating a Resilient World
Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
How can individuals and communities better prepare and plan for, absorb, respond, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse events? Join us for a free community event featuring special activities and resources to enhance our resilience.
This event is an official activity of America’s PrepareAthon!, a community-based preparedness campaign coordinated by FEMA. Be smart. Take part. Prepare.
Special Valentine’s Day themed animal enrichment
National Zoo – Locations throughout the Zoo
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE and open to the public
Love is in the air! Throughout the day today, we will be offering Valentine’s Day enrichment to many of our animals.
Enrichment items will be provided to our animals, view schedule here.
I LOVE YOU JUST LIKE THIS!
Barnes & Noble – select locations
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE Storytime and Activities
There are lots of ways to say “I Love You” and Elmo and his Sesame Street friends are ready to tell you in as many ways as they can!
It’s the Year of the Sheep! Chinese New Year Family Festival
American Art Museum – Kogod Courtyard
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 11:30 am ∙ FREE!
American Art is proud to open their doors to the Chinatown and DC community in celebration of the 2015 Lunar New Year! Bring in the year of the sheep with fun craft activities, traditional performances, artists, and demonstrations.
This program is presented in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
ImaginAsia: Love in Every Language
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery – ImaginAsia classroom, sublevel 2
Saturday, February 14 & Sunday, February 15 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Enjoy a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art from the Freer|Sackler collections. In the classroom, use prints that say “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages to create a Valentine’s Day card to take home, and learn how to fold heart-shaped origami. All ages welcome.
Celebrate Black History Month 2015
Josiah Henson Park
Saturdays, February 14, 21, 28 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Visit Josiah Henson Park each Saturday in February to Celebrate Black History Month. The park is located in North Bethesda, MD on the historic Isaac Riley Farm where the Reverend Josiah Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830.
Free Guided Tours – “A Walk in Father Henson’s Footsteps” ∙ Time Team America Documentary – “The Search For Josiah Henson”
Portrait Story Days: Abigail Adams and Valentines
Portrait Gallery – First floor, Education Center, room E151
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 1:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Young visitors and their families may drop in to listen to a story about First Lady Abigail Adams and create a Valentine’s card for someone special. The story will be read at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Love Yourself: Spa Crafts for Kids
DC Library – Southwest Branch
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Children ages 6-12 are invited to join us in creating special spa-themed crafts.
Children under 9 years old must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
2nd Saturday Art Walk
Workhouse Arts Center
Saturday, February 14 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!
The 2nd Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists in a unique historic venue, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of this creative community.
Revolutionary War Reenactment
Fort Ward Park
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 10:00 am (the skirmish is at 2pm) ∙ FREE; No registration required!
Historic camp and tactical demonstrations throughout the day including a Revolutionary War skirmish between the Redcoats and the Colonial Army.
Family Workshops are held in the Temporary Education Classroom located on the second floor.
Georgetown Presidential Stroll
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
Do you know who Georgetown is named after? How the neighborhood came to be? What are its connections to presidents in American history? Come for a one-mile walk through Georgetown and see some of the historic spots connected with presidents, with a focus on George Washington in honor of his birthday. Meet at the Fountain at the Georgetown Waterfront Park (at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and K Street) at 11 am, Sunday February 15. We will walk rain or shine, remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water and dress appropriately for the weather.
Presidential Family Fun Day
Portrait Gallery – Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 11:30 am ∙ FREE!
Celebrate President’s Day weekend during a patriotic family day at the National Portrait Gallery. Enjoy a variety of crafts and performances dedicated to our nation’s famous past-leaders.
Meet Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in person and enjoy several art activities like Presidential Polaroid’s and making picture frames. See performances by the local a capella group, “Snowday,” get your picture taken with the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents, and more. During your visit, view the 3D Portrait of President Obama.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
Tysons Corner Center
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Fun for the whole family will be had with cultural performances, activities, and how-to workshops, all celebrating the year of the Goat! The afternoon’s activities will be emceed by 94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFly. No RSVP necessary, come enjoy this colorful cultural celebration!
Family Nature Time
Black Hill Nature Programs
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 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. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 1 & up
Family Fun Day Sunday: Winter Science Sessions
DC Library – Mt. Pleasant Branch
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE; No registration required!
Enjoy the winter season with hands on wintery science experiments. Sunday, Feb. 15 – Fun with Frost
Learn about how frost forms by creating your own.
Note: STEAM Saturdays, 2:30 pm (2/14/2015) Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library & STEAM Team, 2:00 pm (2/15/2015) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – Central Library
“Walking with Washington”
Meet at the Ramsay House Visitors Center (near the intersection of King & Fairfax Streets)
Sundays, February 15 & 22 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE! Advance reservations not required
Did you know that there are over 140 places in Alexandria today that are associated with George Washington? This tour is designed to show you some of them and improve your knowledge of Washington and Alexandria, his home town.
Valentine Craft
DC Library – Palisades Branch
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 2:30 pm ∙ FREE!
Please join us in the Children’s Room for Valentine’s Day crafts! Open to all ages!
Family Workshops are held in the Temporary Education Classroom located on the second floor.
Family Sundays – Furniture Fancy
Baltimore Museum of Art
Sunday, February 15 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE; No registration required!
Express your inner artist in a hands-on art-making workshop or come on the last Sunday of the month for informal chats with a gallery educator about a single work of art in the collection. February 15: Build a Bright Light
Family Workshops are held in the Temporary Education Classroom located on the second floor.
CELEBRATE GEORGE WASHINGTON’S 283RD BIRTHDAY
Monday, February 16 ∙ Free Admission for All!
View my blog post celebrating George Washington’s 283rd Birthday with FREE activities: Mount Vernon’s events free-of-charge, Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution, Armed Forces Community Covenant Ceremony, George Washington Birthday Parade – “The largest parade celebrating Washington’s birthday in the USA!” and Historic Alexandria sites “Open Houses”
PRESIDENTS DAY – The Two Georges
Gunston Hall
Monday, February 16 ∙ 9:00 am ∙ Free Admission for all
Examine the complex relationship between George Mason and George Washington in a Two Georges Mansion tour, and then enjoy a hearth kitchen visit.
Oh Susannah!
Fair Oaks Mall
Monday, February 16 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ Free! tips appreciated
Come on out to sing and dance! You can also visit the playground at Fair Oaks Mall before or after.
SPECIAL PRESIDENTS DAY TOUR
National Museum of Health and Medicine – meet in NMHM’s front lobby
Monday, February 16 ∙ 1:00 pm ∙ Free! Reservations recommended but not required
“The Nation’s Medical Museum–Meeting Challenges through Innovation”: This free, docent-led introductory tour highlights the remarkable changes in American medicine over the past 150 years, with a special focus on military medicine and presidential care.
8th Annual ROOTING DC
Wilson High School
Saturday, February 28 ∙ 9:00 am ∙ FREE – A donation of $10 is suggested
Rooting DC is a FREE, all-day gardening forum that aims to provide education about urban food production and consumption, to cultivate health and preserve the environment. The program includes dozens of interactive workshops, cooking and food preservation demonstrations, and panel discussions focusing on youth gardening, nutrition, sustainable growing techniques, and healthy food access. The event also hosts 60+ green businesses and nonprofits from throughout the region at an information fair. Check out the full workshop lineup on the event and Register by Monday, February 23, 2015.
FREE Art & Innovation Days Workshops
Southeast Neighborhood Branch of the DC Public Library
Saturdays, March 7, April 4, May 2 ∙ 1:00 pm ∙ FREE but registration required
An ongoing series of collaborative workshops led by the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) in partnership with the DC Public Library—Southeast (SE) Neighborhood Branch, Art & Innovation Days present joint programming that taps into both the trend in libraries to provide “maker spaces” for their patrons and CHAW’s desire to support activities that demonstrate arts as a way of life for a lifetime.
March 7: Leslie Mansour – Pinhole Cameras (youth and/or adult)
April 4: Garrett Phelan – National Poetry Writing Month Workshop (adult)
May 2: Chris Cooper – Pop Up Sewing Book/Tote Bags (youth and/or adult)
If you have any questions regarding the Art & Innovation Days Workshops, please call (202) 547-6839 or register here.
Baltimore is Absolutely Febulous
It may be cold outside but Baltimore is heating up February 15-28, during “Absolutely Febulous.” Shake off the winter blues with two weeks of great deals at Baltimore restaurants, hotels, attractions and museums. Why stay cooped up with the winter blues when you could be dining, exploring, shopping and living it up while enjoying some of the best savings of the year? Take advantage of fixed-price menus; Buy One, Get One free attraction and museum offers; and an exclusive gift card* with purchase of a hotel package.
These are just a few of the many ways winter in Baltimore is Absolutely Febulous.
*Gift cards available only when hotel is booked through AbsolutelyFebulous.com, while supplies last.
Anything Goes GIVEAWAY
Winner! Best Musical Revival 2011 Tony Award®
Wednesday, February 25 & Thursday, February 26
Warner Theatre
“ALL ABOARD for this saucy and splendid production of ANYTHING GOES, winner of three 2011 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival and Choreography! One of the greatest musicals in theater history, Cole Porter’s first-class musical comedy is sailing across the country! Based on Roundabout Theatre Company’s production, The New York Times hails it a “MUSICAL-COMEDY JOY” and USA TODAY calls it “GLORIOUS and EXUBERANT!”
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy Valentine’s Day
Enjoy your weekend!
*****
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