The slide at Revel Grove is a Ren Fest must-do
Cool, crisp air and autumnal hues will help make for a quintessential fall weekend. Even better, there are myriad ways to enjoy it all. Happy Weekend!
Fall Carnival Fun & Harvest Days
Where: Frying Pan State Park
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free, activities cost extra
Fall is a busy — and fun — time on the farm, and you can be part of it at Frying Pan’s annual festival! Watch the cider press in action, milk a goat, shell corn, peel apples, meet farm animals, and see traditional farm demonstrations. After doing some farm work, it’ll be time to PLAY, and there will be plenty of carnival fun to do just that with rides, games, fair food, and more. On Friday, just the carnival will be open from 6-10pm. All activities will be available on Saturday 12-10pm, and on Sunday 12-7pm.
Soul Stroll
Where: Congressional Cemetery
When: Friday & Saturday, 6-9pm
Admission: $20/adult, $10/child
Get into the Halloween spirit on Capitol Hill as you explore Congressional Cemetery and the stories of those laid to rest there on these special guided after-hours tours. Congressman, carpenters, suffragists, and bootleggers are among the graveyard residents, and they all have a unique tale to tell.
18th Century Autumn Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission:
Enjoy the splendor of fall at Claude Moore’s annual 18th Century Autumn Market Fair. Play games, listen to music and catch children’s puppet theater. Watch the blacksmith, fencing demos, and the cabinetmaker in action, and try hands-on crafts, such as spinning or making a Corn Husk Doll. Meet the farm family and neighbors, in costume and character. See heritage breed animals including turkeys, chickens and pigs. Browse and shop crafts, jewelry, soaps, candles and more. Food will be available for purchase – nosh on spit roasted chicken, potato soup, sausages, bread and cheeses, roasted olives and seasonal fruit pies. And the Colonial Tavern will serve cask ales and beers, mulled wine, and authentic ginger ale. Fun and educational for all!
White House Fall Garden Tours
Where: White House
When: Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm & Sunday, 10am – 2:30pm
Admission: Free
It’s a rare opportunity to enjoy autumn at the White House! The annual Fall Garden and Grounds Tours are being held this weekend. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden, and South Lawn will be on view to guests. The public is invited, but every visitor, small children included, needs a ticket to tour. Starting at 9am on both days, tickets will be distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion at 15th & E Streets NW on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour times are indicated on each ticket, so keep your day open if you hope to go.
Halloween Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Ghosts and goblins and witches, oh my! Get in the Halloween spirit with spooky craft activities, scavenger hunts, and live music and performances. Whether in new costume or an old favorite, all are welcome to arrive wearing their Halloween best.
VelocityDC Dance Festival
Where: Sidney Harmon Hall
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: $18
If you like dance, you’ll love this festival featuring performances by some of the city’s best-known ensembles, undiscovered gems, and everyone in between. Returning for its seventh season the VelocityDC Dance Festival will showcase styles ranging from ballet to hip hop, tap to flamenco, demonstrating why it’s a highlight of Washington’s dance season. There are evening shows both days at 8pm, as well as a 2pm show on Saturday.
Where the Merriment Is
Where: Revel’s Grove in Crownesville, Md
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $24/ages 16 and up, $10/ages 7-15, free for 6 and under
There are only a couple of weekends left to enjoy the bounty of merriment at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The annual faire recalls medieval times with a village full of fun and entertainment for the whole family. This is one of my very favorite events in the DC area, and it could very well become one of yours, too. Huzzah!
Book It to Georgetown
Where: Wisconsin Ave NW, btwn P & Reservoir
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Book Hill enclave of Georgetown is hosting its first Fall Market on Saturday. Many of the businesses in the area will be showcasing their wares for folks to shop. You can also purchase apples and pumpkins, enjoy live music and food, and find activities for children.
Show Time
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* See (and smell?) Flowers Stink, a collaboration between the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Kennedy Center
* When She Had Wings is on the Imagination Stage
* Catch a classic story on strings as The Puppet Co. present The Velveteen Rabbit
* And Teddy Bear’s Picnic is the featured Tiny Tots show at the Glen Echo venue
* Head to the U.S. Botanic Garden for The Cerulean Time Capsule, an interactive theatrical adventure (and tour the plant collections while you’re there)
* The Reston Community Players present Shrek the Musical starting this weekend
* Take little ones to the NSO Teddy Bear Concert Fiddlin’ Around — and make sure they’re favorite teddy goes, too!
All Aboard for a Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Depot of the W&OD Railroad
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to the Town of Vienna to visit the Vienna Depot and see model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC). Every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, Virginia just down from the town’s real caboose. The Open House is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders. Check out the virtual tour on the website.
Kid’s Corner Fall Fair
Where: Mitchell Park, 23rd & S Streets NW
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free (food and activities are extra)
Enjoy a fun-filled fay featuring lively entertainment, seasonal activities, and yummy food for young children and their families. Kids’ activities include pumpkin decorating, a moon bounce, crafts, wagon-led hayrides, face painting, and live performances by Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, Gerry Herbert – Musician/Guitarist and the Flamenco Dancers. This all benefits Kids’ Corner Day Care. (Rain Location: Kids’ Corner Facilities around the block at 2200 California Street NW.)
Goodbye, USS Barry
Where: Navy Yard Cold War Gallery
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
The former battleship that has been moored at the Navy Yard as a public display ship for the last 30 years is being retired from its post. Folks have an opportunity to say goodbye at a a formal departure ceremony on Saturday. Former sailors and Navy employees will be at the farewell, and the public is welcome to attend as well. Taking place at the Navy Yard’s Cold War Gallery, guests can get there through the Washington Navy Yard Riverwalk (the boardwalk that runs along Potomac at Yards Park) with a government-issued identification card.
Best of Brookland
Where: 701 Monroe Street NE
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate one of DC’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods. Along with food and drinks from local haunts, there will be live and entertainment and fun for kids, including face painting, a mobile phone booth, and balloon art.
Wicked Fun
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Get the Halloween party started with activities and events that celebrate the spooky spirit. This post has details on where the tricks and treats are happening.
Dancing in the Streets
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
Admission: Free
Join Joe’s Movement Emporium as it takes its celebration to the streets of Mount Rainier to commemorate 20 years of supporting the health and wellness of its community, county and region! This Dancing In The Streets Block Party will feature live music, activities for children, local vendors, dance class demos, delicious food, drink and LOTS of dancing! The event will take place in the area outside Joe’s on Bunker Hill Road between 33rd and 34th Streets in Mount Rainier, MD.
Just Between Friends Consignment Sale
Where: Landmark Mall
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $5 at door (free pass online)
Find anything and everything you need for your kids, from newborns to teens, at Just Between Friend’s fun consignment sale. Get bargains on baby gear, car seats, strollers, infant items, books, DVDs, fall/winter coats, Halloween costumes, teen brands, toys, toys and more toys, plus thousands of children’s clothing items and more — all at savings of up to 50-90% off retail! Even better, KFDC readers can download a free admission pass here.
Fall Fun on the Farm
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Celebrate the season at one of many area festivals on the farm. From pumpkin patches and apple picking to corn mazes and hayrides to giant slides and jumping pillows, there are activities galore to help folks relish in the fun autumn brings. This post has details on many fall festivals happening around the region.
Kinderdance for Free
Where: Columbia Heights Recreation Center
When: Saturday, 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Dance into fall with Kinderdance of Washington, DC! The program offers lessons in ballet, tap, acrobatics, and more. And children ages 3-5 can sample a class this Saturday – on them. To reserve a spot, contact Kinderdance at 240.270.2490 or info@kdwashingtondc.org.
Hit the Takoma Park Streets
Where: Carroll Avenue to Carroll Street
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Rescheduled from a couple of weeks ago when it was rained out, the Takoma Park Street Festival will be filled with music, artisans, community groups, children’s activities, food vendors and a variety of green companies at the city’s 34th annual event. Start your holiday shopping — over 150 vendors will be selling all kind of artistic wares. Festivities for kids include crafts, face painting, inflatables, and FUN! And music lovers will enjoy three stages hosting 18 popular local bands playing everything indie folk, rock, blues, country, reggae and everything in between.
Ultimate Clinic for Girls
Where: West Potomac Park, next to MLK Memorial
When: Sunday, 9-11am
Admission: Free
Learn to play Ultimate Frisbee! Girls in grades 5-8 are welcome to join a FREE two-hour clinics that teaches the basic skills and concepts of Ultimate, one of the fastest growing team sports in the country. There are four clinics total — attend one or all four! No experience is necessary! Email lperkins.letitbe@gmail.com to register for free.
World of Montgomery Festival
Where: Montgomery College, Rockville
When: Sunday, 12- 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the rich cultural heritages of the DC area at the annual World of Montgomery Festival. KID Museum of Bethesda has organized this year’s festivities with highlights that include an international village, a global kitchen with chef demos of traditional ethnic foods, a craft market, a Parade of Cultures, two performance stages of traditional dance and music, traditional arts and fun interactive activities for the whole family.