There are SO many venues that host kid-friendly theatre & musical performances throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. From holiday productions to seasonal shows and concerts, this listing will be continuously updated with reviews of current shows that we’ve attended & upcoming performances to check out.
Notes: This listing is not exhaustive; there are many more kid-friendly theatre performances going on in DC, Maryland & Virginia than what’s displayed here. I highly encourage you to follow the links to see more performances and shows in your area. As we visit venues that are new-to-us, I will update this listing with shows from those venues.
That being said, the lists of current and upcoming kid-friendly theatre performances will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis; however, things can change at any moment. Please make sure to click the links and confirm performance details.
None of the links displayed are affiliate links. I also don’t get paid to do reviews. Liv really enjoys the theatre, so we go!
In this blog
Performance Reviews
Stay tuned for more performance reviews!
On Stage This Month
Washington, DC
- 1/11 | Sonic Symphony at the Warner Theatre
- 1/11 – 1/12 | Havana Hop: A Children’s Tale of Culture and Confidence! at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 2-10)
- 1/17 – 1/19 | Grey Skies Blue at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 9+)
- 1/31 & 2/4 – 2/7 | Black Diamond hosted by Discovery Theater (Best for ages 7-11)
Maryland
- 12/11/24 – 03/07/25 | Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Imagination Stage
- 01/10 – 01/12 | Tuck Everlasting at Imagination Stage
- Student performance
- 01/11 – 02/16 | Paper Dreams at Imagination Stage
Virginia
- 01/10 – 01/19 | The Twelve Dancing Princesses hosted by Encore Stage & Studio in Arlington
- Student performance
On the Topic of Dance
Upcoming Performances
Washington, DC
- 2/1 – 2/2 | NSO Music for Young Audiences: M² = (Math x Music) at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 5+)
- 2/16 | Step Afrika! Step Classic at the Warner Theatre
- [Cancelled] 02/18 – 02/21 | Callaloo Kids hosted by Discovery Theater (Best for ages 3-7)
- 02/21 – 04/19 | The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the Museum of the Bible
- 02/22 – 03/9 | The Other Children of the Sun at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 7+)
- 03/14 – 05/17 | Sister Act at Ford’s Theatre (Best for ages 12+)
- 03/15 | Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 5+)
- 03/28 – 04/06 | Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 5+)
- 03/30 | NSO Family Concert: Earth to Space at the Kennedy Center (Best for ages 5+)
- 04/02 – 04/04 & 04/29 – 04/30 | Mother Earth & Me hosted by Discovery Theater (Best for ages K-5)
- This performance is segmented by age group!
- 04/23 – 04/25 | Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood hosted by Discovery Theater (Best for ages 3-6)
- 04/25 – 04/26 | Matilda in Concert at The Kennedy Center
- 04/26 – 04/27 | Dog Man the Musical at the Warner Theatre
- 05/28 – 05/30 | Jojo’s Backyard Safari A Discovery Play hosted by Discovery Theater (Best for ages 3-6)
- 06/12 – 07/20 | A Wrinkle in Time A New Musical at Arena Stage
- 07/10 – 08/31 | Sesame Street the Musical at The Kennedy Center (Best for ages 2+)
Maryland
- 02/02 | SIX: Teen Edition at The Fillmore in Silver Spring
- Student performance
- 02/07 – 03/30 | Dragons Love Tacos at Glen Echo Park
- 02/22 | Disney Newsies Jr. at Our Lady of Good Counsel
- Student performance
- 2/25 | Black History’s Groundbreaking Geniuses at Prince George’s Publick Playhouse ($)
- 03/01 – 04/13 | Mother Goose at Imagination Stage
- 03/26 – 04/27 | Sleepova at Olney Theatre Center (Best for ages 13+)
- 04/25 – 05/25 | Charlotte’s Web at Glen Echo Park
- 04/26 | Disney’s the Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda
- 06/18 – 08/03 | Dory Fantasmagory at Imagination Stage
- 06/20 – 08/17 | The Lightning Thief – TYA Version at Glen Echo Park
Virginia
- 02/22 – 03/02 | Flip the Script: Foodways of Arlington, a Cultural Celebration hosted by Encore Stage & Studio in Arlington
- Student performance
- 02/28 – 03/2 & 03/7 – 03/09 | The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe hosted by Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre in Alexandria
- Student performance
- 03/28 – 03/30 & 04/04 – 04/06 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical hosted by Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre in Alexandria
- Student performance
- 05/30 – 06/08 | The Wizard of Oz hosted by Encore Stage & Studio in Arlington
- Student performance
- 07/18 – 07/27 | Footloose hosted by Encore Stage & Studio in Arlington
- Student performance
Past Performance Reviews
Here’s a listing of past kid-friendly theatre performances we’ve reviewed! Keep in mind, these shows may come back into town sometime in the future or at a different theatre.
A Christmas Carol
Ford’s Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/05/24
- Location: 511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Gallery Place Chinatown on the green, yellow and red line
- Dates: 11/21 – 12/31
- Run Time: 2 hours with 1 short intermission
- Ticket prices: $28+
- Pay close attention to the seating chart! This is a historic theatre so there are columns that may obstruct your view of the entire stage. Those seats are labeled “Obstructed View”.
- Best for: Recommended for ages 5+
Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic, with familiar characters, ghosts and a children’s ensemble in the spirit of the holidays. Acclaimed actor Craig Wallace returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the Ford’s annual tradition heralded as a “rich visual and vocal treat” (TheaterMania) and “infectiously jolly” (The Washington Post).
4DMV Kids Review: BAH HUMBUG…
A holiday classic set in a historic theatre! I’m told no DC Christmas is complete without seeing A Christmas Carol and I agree to a certain extent.
This performance is split into two acts with the first ending with scenes of Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past. The first act was a bit slower than the second, from which I assume some children may lose interest. However, the second act was more lively and featured the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Future.
Note that there is a flickering light throughout some scenes and the Ghost of Christmas Future can be considered scary to some kids.
The performances were high energy and captured the essence of Victorian England, where A Christmas Carol is set. From the singing to the costumes, this period piece is definitely something to consider for the older kids exploring history and literature.
I highly recommend this performance for children who are attentive to details or really enjoy learning about the past. Point out the differences between then and now (clothes, mannerisms, language, toys, etc.) throughout the performance if their attention spans begin to drift. I also recommend this performance for older kids and as a possible date night!
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/20/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Metro Center on the red, orange, blue and silver lines
- Dates: 12/20 – 12/22
- Run time: 2 hours with a 10 minute intermission
- Ticket prices: $56+
- Best for: all ages
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker comes to The National for the very first time. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The Hip Hop Nutcracker is brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.
4DMV Kids Review: Talk about a REMIX!
The Hip Hop Nutcracker takes a modern approach to this holiday classic with hip-hop based moves from break dancing to doing the Urkel. Act I includes appearances from the Mouse King and the journey to the Land of Snow. Act II features the Land of Sweets, which is transformed into an 80s dance battle. Although it’s set in the 80s, it reminded me of the Save the Last Dance club scene LOL.
This was Jack’s first time visiting The National Theatre. He absolutely LOVED the show! The break dancing and backflips were his favorite parts. He even tried some of the moves in the aisle, LOL. One question he asked multiple times dealt with why the dancers never spoke. It was a great lesson for him in the different types of performances.
Liv did not enjoy this show. She mentioned she would rather see the ballet performance and thought this rendition was “boring”. She mentioned loving the outfits worn by some of the dancers but other than that, gave it a thumbs down.
This performance in my opinion is great for all ages and family members/friends across generations. Kurtis Blow opened the night with old school hip-hop tracks & a mini dance party. The dancers then took us on a journey through the decades of hip-hop and ended with modern-day moves that wowed the audience!
A Magical Cirque Christmas
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 12/12/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Nearest metro station: Metro Center on the red, orange, blue and silver lines
- Dates: 12/12 – 12/15
- Ticket prices: $50+
- Best for: all ages
Embrace the holiday spirit with A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS, a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages. Get ready to be dazzled, enchanted, and filled with holiday cheer as you witness the incredible talents of world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music.
4DMV Kids Contributor Review: A scaled-down version of Cirque du Soleil! It was a very cute show from start to finish. The host was a magician and a comedian, who called for audience participation. It was a great gesture to have children participate more so than the adults.
There was a point in the show where the magician was in the audience performing a magic trick and spoke of his father who had passed. It was a touching moment as you could feel his pain as he got through the act.
The female contortionist stole the show with her excellent performance! There was also plenty of balancing, tumbling, swinging and jumping from the incredible acrobats. All of them had your heart pounding and fearful they were going to fall but they succeeded every stunt. Overall great show!
Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish
Young Artists of America
Date Reviewed: 11/17/24
- Location: Capital One Hall, Tysons Corner, VA
- Date: 11/17/24; one night only
- Run Time: 1 hour & 35 min. with 15 min intermission
- Ticket prices: $18+
- Best for: all ages!
Featuring over 150 students in YAAOrchestra, YAACompany & YAAJunior
DISNEY IN CONCERT: A Dream is a Wish transports audiences into the musical world of classic and contemporary Disney Animated Feature films to discover that dreams really do come true. Join YAA as we awaken a little mermaid who longs to be human, a lion cub who struggles to find his place in the circle of life, and two sisters who wish to warm a frozen relationship.
4DMV Kids Review: Riveting performance by an all youth ensemble & cast! YAA is the award-winning, premier youth talent development program in the DMV with classes and intensives for kids as early as 3rd grade. From instrumentalists to actors, singers and dancers, this nonprofit thrives on developing the skills of “theatre kids” throughout our area.
I loved the varying levels of talent displayed throughout this performance. From the dancing and singing of the younger kids to the stage presence and voices of the older kids, the dynamic across the age groups drew me in from start to finish. Liv loved seeing the performance of Frozen, which was saved for last as well as seeing kids her own age on stage. The actor who sang for Sebastian in The Little Mermaid among other roles was PHENOMENAL! These kids are definitely going places with the training received from YAA.
This performance was unfortunately one night only; however, they have several more performances coming up including SIX the Musical (Teen Edition) at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD on February 2, 2025 & The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD on April 26, 2025.
SIX the Musical
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 11/12/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Dates: 11/12/24 – 12/01/2024
- Run Time: 80 minutes with no intermission
- Ticket prices: $89+/person
- Search the further out dates for the $89 range
- Best for: ages 10+ but really all ages may enjoy!
- Food: There’s two bars with snacks; one on the ground floor and one on the third floor.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
4DMV Kids Review: Liv’s absolute favorite Broadway musical is BACK! This is our second time seeing this amazing, woman-led production. From the actresses to the band on stage; who run the world?? GIRLS
Liv mentioned her favorite aspects of the show include the outfits and the songs. I love that it’s 80 minutes, which is shorter than most shows we’ve seen at The National Theatre. It felt like the right amount of time, especially with kids.
This production is mostly song and dance. Each of the six wives details their time with Henry VIII while mixing in modern-day and pop-culture references for kicks and giggles. There are a couple of sexual innuendos that went over Liv’s head but nothing super obvious. We will definitely support this performance again when it comes back!
The Lion King Jr.
Encore Stage & Studio
Date Reviewed: 11/08/24
- Location: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre; 125 S. Old Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA 22204
- Dates: 11/08/24 – 11/24/24
- Run Time: 1 hour & 15 min. with 15 min. intermission
- Ticket prices: $15 for adults; $12 for children, students, military & seniors (includes service fees)
- Best for: ages 4+
- Food: They have $5 snack packs that include water, chips and snacks for sale. Note that there’s no eating/drinking in the theatre.
- Special Events:
- 11/16 at 2:00 pm | Simba’s Scavenger Hunt Pre-show Experience ($8) ~ Enjoy this fun family-friendly activity with roaring challenges and fun surprises as you interact with the cast before the show!
- 11/23 at 2:00 pm | Timon and Pumbaa’s Pudding Party Pre-show Experience ($8) ~ Treat yourself and create your pudding parfait “grub” just the way you like it—layer it high with all the “slimey, yet satisfying” gummy bugs!
In this adaptation of the beloved Disney animated film, young actors bring the story of Simba and his friends to life!. The young and carefree lion cub faces serious consequences that force him to flee his kingdom, leaving his cruel uncle Scar to rule in his place. With the help of his new friends Timon and Pumbaa, Simba learns the joys of “Hakuna Matata,” or “no worries,” until his past catches up with him. Will responsibility and honor win out? Discover the answer for yourself as you sing along to the classic songs of Elton John and Tim Rice, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
4DMV Kids Review: So inspiring! We loved this majority kid/teen cast & crew led production of The Lion King. This direct reflection of the Disney movie we all love includes songs and lines exactly as you’ve remembered them.
Liv mentioned the cast being “kids my age” several times as she detailed her favorite parts of the performance. She loved the parts with the hyenas and the singing/dancing of the Saharan animals. Jack’s eyes were glued to the stage for the first half of the performance, which was action-packed. The show we attended was late in the evening, which played a part in his attention span for the latter half. The actor/actress that played young and older Simba were both their favorites as well.
Something to note about Encore Stage and Studio: While chatting with the Executive Director I learned that they, as a nonprofit, hold open auditions for their performances; meaning they encourage and develop local youth talent. It’s also free of cost for selected participants to perform. How awesome is that!
Mean Girls
The National Theatre
Date Reviewed: 10/15/24
- Location: The National Theatre – 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
- Dates: 10/15/24 – 10/20/24
- Run Time: 2 hours with 20 min. intermission
- Ticket prices: $69+
- Best for: teens & adults
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
4DMV Kids Review: Best for teens & adults! Much like the movie (& I heard very similar to the musical movie), Mean Girls has plenty of dancing, singing and high school drama. There’s a bit of cursing and sexual references throughout the performance, which again is much like the movie!
Janis and Damian were hilarious and both actress/actor had us stunned with their moves and vocals. From tap dancing to synced moves with classmates, the routines were a hit. They also cast Gretchen’s character well! Loved her and Cady’s dynamic on stage.
This one felt like it ran a bit long. Although 2 hours is common for a Broadway musical, it felt longer than others we’ve seen! Liv, however, loved it and sang along to some of the songs. She also left with a few questions I wasn’t expecting. This one is definitely for a more mature audience group.
Spells of the Sea
The Kennedy Center
Date Reviewed: 10/13/24
- Location: The Kennedy Center – 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566
- Dates: 10/12/24 – 10/20/24
- 10/19 at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm
- 10/20 at 1:30 pm & 4:00 pm
- Run Time: 70 min. with no intermission
- Ticket prices: $25+
- Best for: ages 6+
- Need to know info:
- Sensory-friendly performance is 10/19 at 1:30 pm
- There’s a learning guide for this performance.
When Finley Frankfurter’s father, a famed fisherman, is struck by the Big Bad Sickness of the Sea, she embarks on an extraordinary quest for the elixir of life. Can Finley, a girl with dreams as vast as the ocean but plagued by self-doubt, save her father against all odds?
4DMV Kids Review: Calling all mermaids and mermen, princesses and princes! This musical tale has beautiful costumes, sea creatures, funny and sad moments and is “magical” from start to finish but “dark at times”. Liv mentioned the magical part as she described the songs and funny moments. There are themes of loss and grief embedded in the story, which made it dark at times. Even though some of the songs were sad, the beautiful voices kept us wanting more.
Make sure to mention to your child to keep an eye on the dynamic between main characters Finley and H.S. Crank. It makes for a good lesson that anyone can become family. Liv’s favorite character was the princess, who wore a fabulous pink dress and rocked the stage with her vivacious songs. This one’s around for a very limited time so make sure to grab tickets quick!
See more performances for young audiences at The Kennedy Center.
She Persisted
Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy
Date Reviewed: 10/05/24
- Location: Glen Echo Park – 7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812 - Dates: 10/04/24 – 11/03/24
- Wednesdays – Sundays at 11:00 am
- and 2:00 pm on weekends
- Wednesdays – Sundays at 11:00 am
- Ticket prices: $27
- Best for: ages 6+
- Discounts:
- Save $5 on tix through DC Moms
- Need to know info: This show uses strobe and flashing lights as visual effects. Please be advised that people with photo sensitivity may be affected.
Fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, the musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor.
4DMV Kids Review: From the actresses to the production, we loved this performance, which is a little over 60 minutes with no intermission. Liv (age 10) says her favorite part was seeing the famous figures in vulnerable moments and how they overcame certain situations (paraphrasing). For example, Judge Sotomayor had a situation in her childhood where she didn’t know what to do but she persisted. This performance is best for elementary and middle school kids, most specifically girls but I believe boys can learn a thing or two from it as well. Jack (age 5) was a bit disinterested after the first 15 minutes.
Winnie the Pooh
Imagination Stage
Date Reviewed: 09/21/24
- Location: 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814
- Dates: 9/18/24 – 10/27/24
- Weekends at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
- Ticket prices: $12+
- Best for: ages 3+
- Need to know info:
- Meet the actors after the 1:00 pm show on 10/13 & 10/20
- Join the Teddy Bear Picnic on 10/27 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Battery Lane Urban Park for fun activities!
Everyone’s favorite bear from the 100 Acre Wood is surrounded by Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl in this delightful and gentle musical. Set during one busy day, there’s a Heffalump to catch, Eeyore’s tail to find, and a misunderstanding between Rabbit and Kanga to sort out. In the end, friendship and understanding win the day.
4DMV Kids Review: Liv (age 10) and I saw this performance together. We both agreed it started out a bit slow and picked up towards the end, most specifically the songs. This musical is based on the original A.A. Milne story so you won’t see Tigger, unless you look very closely at Piglet’s costume (there’s a stitched figure of Tigger). I think younger children (ages 2-5) would really get a kick out of the characters and movement on stage and off!
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Arena Stage
Date Reviewed: 09/21/24
- Location: 1101 Sixth Street SW Washington, DC 20024
- Dates: 09/06/24 – 10/13/24
- Ticket prices: $69+
- Best for: middle grade and older
- Discounts:
- Save on tickets through DC Theatre Week
- Need to know info:
- No sexual references but there’s a bit of cursing.
- 90 min. with no intermission
- Check out the learning guide for more info historical and cultural references.
Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community. Follow the uproarious escapades of Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi, Jaja, and others as they navigate life and laughter in Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon. With humor as rich as its characters, this Tony Award-winning production weaves hilarious moments with profound insights, celebrating the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.
4DMV Kids Review: SO many good things to say about this performance. From the acting to the cultural references, you’ll think, laugh and shed a tear or two. What I really appreciated about this performance was the display of the realities of immigration. It was both eye-opening and thought provoking. It left Liv (age 10) with a bunch of questions, which was good exposure to issues she never knew existed. She also wanted to know whether there’ll be a part 2, which is a great question!
