Busy weekend ahead with plenty of festivals and grand openings on the horizon. Last weekend we visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream for their grand opening festivities. Yes, I know what it sounds like, which is why when I first opened the email it was a hard pass. It's also conveniently located across the street from the White House, LOL. But I read through some of the featured exhibits and thought it might be interesting. The Center features Immigrant and American-born success stories like that of Serena Williams and Sal Khan of Khan Academy. Some local heroes are also featured like Mrs. Virginia Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl and Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, DC's Women's Soccer Team. The Center itself is a BEAUTIFUL building with many interactive aspects across its 5 floors. Liv and I loved the theater space on the lower level as well as the Holodeck Experience on the top floor. It's free-to-visit; however, the Holodeck Experience is $15/person. Think ARTECHOUSE but a smaller space and with an interactive game embedded in it. Older kids and teens may appreciate this space more so than younger kids, in my opinion. I encourage you to discuss the recurring themes of the Center, which are education, health, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment prior to visiting to get the most out of the experience. See more of our trip on Instagram by tapping the image above. Now on to this weekend's festivities...
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Top Activities This Weekend
Saturday (9/27) is National Public Lands Day
All national parks that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on September 27, 2025 in celebration of National Public Lands Day. Since 1994, this annual event on the fourth Saturday of September has been the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. Last year, over 130 national parks hosted events with 7,600 volunteers donating an impressive 41,500 hours of service.
Washington, DC
- Friday (9/26) & Saturday (9/27) | The Washington Ballet Returns to CityCenter DC in NW
- Each evening will feature a unique free program of classic pas de deux and energetic contemporary works by up-and-coming choreographers, all performed by the world-class artists of The Washington Ballet.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Worldwide Day of Play at the National Museum of the American Indian
- [Just Added] Saturday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Kingman Island Friends & Family Day at RFK Stadium Lot 6
- Activities will include paddling, fishing, music, nature-themed arts and crafts, and more.
- Saturday (9/27) at 12:00 pm | Community Day at the National Museum of African Art
- Learn more about the peoples and cultures of Africa and its diaspora through exhibitions, art-making, live performances, tours, and more!
- Saturday (9/27) & Sunday (9/28) at 9:00 am | Rock Creek Park Day
- Punk Rocks! blends DC’s legendary punk rock spirit with the park’s geologic, cultural, and cosmic stories. Visitors of all ages will discover why nature and green spaces matter – especially in cities like Washington, DC – through hands-on programs, live activies, and creative workshops.
- Saturday (9/27) & Sunday (9/28) | DC Ward Days at National Children’s Museum in NW ($)
- Saturday: Ward 5
- Sunday: Ward 7
- To reserve DC Ward Day tickets, enter your zip code as a promo code on the Discounts page during checkout.
- Sunday (9/28) at 3:00 pm | Lights Up! The Theatre Week Concert at The Wharf
- Free musical theatre concert in honor of Theatre Week
- [Last Chance] Sunday (9/28) at 3:05 pm | Family Funday at Nationals Park in DC ($)
- Washington Nationals v. Chicago White Sox
Maryland
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Fall Festival at Old Maryland Farm in Kettering, MD
- Family-friendly farm activities, pick out a pumpkin perfect for carving and stroll through the farm to find unique, handmade goods from local makers, artists, and farmers.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Brick City: LEGO Exhibit Takeover Opening at Port Discovery in Baltimore, MD ($)
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:30 am | Festival of Cultures: Many Cultures One Heartbeat at South Bowie Library
- Enjoy dynamic cultural performances, face painting, interactive arts and crafts, and local resource partners—all coming together in one unforgettable day.
- Saturday (9/27) at 3:30 pm | All Ages Family Show at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($)
- Saturday (9/27) at 4:00 pm | Mount Rainier Porch Fest
- Porches across the city will transform into stages for local musicians to perform, creating an evening filled with music, neighbors, and community connection.
- Sunday (9/28) at 10:00 am | Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival
- Expect a full day of art, culture, and community, starting with a lively parade.
- Sunday (9/28) at 12:00 pm | Echo Arts Festival at Glen Echo Park
- From hands-on art activities, to musical performances – including Emma G – to dance performances & workshops, and Resident Artists’ open studios & galleries, everyone is sure to find something fun to explore!
- Sunday (9/28) at 1:00 pm | Celebrate Africa Festival at Fairwood Park in Bowie
- Families can enjoy reimagined African folk tales told by author Ada Ari, and take part in African dance workshops, djembe making, and puppet theater led by Arts on a Roll, or participate in our first ever soccer clinic for kids!
Northern Virginia
- Friday (9/26) – Sunday (9/28) | The Black Star Festival in Alexandria
- An exhibition about the different representations of Ghanaian Art & Culture throughout centuries.
- Friday (9/26) at 4:30 pm | Strawberry Park Playground Opening in Fairfax
- Includes a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music, face-painting and activities for kids.
- Saturday (9/27) at 9:00 am | Amazon Community Day 2025 at Metropolitan Park in Arlington
- Includes lawn games to play with your family and friends, stage performances, and live screen printing to create your own keepsake plus a LEGO wall, complimentary cotton candy, face paint artists, a bubble performer, glitter tattoos, and an oversized foam pit.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Harvest Happenings at McLean Community Center
- Indoor-outdoor festival with live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts and games.
- Saturday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Clarendon Day!
- Includes moon bounces, obstacle course, glitter tattoos, balloon animals & more!
- Saturday (9/27) & Sunday (9/28) at 11:00 am | Mosaic Fall Festival in Fairfax
- For the kids, enjoy activities like a games corner, pumpkin painting by FRESHFARM and more!
- Saturday (9/27) at 3:00 pm | Made in Fairfax – Maker’s Fest in Springfield
- Vibrant hub of hands-on activities, dazzling demonstrations, and incredible creations from local artisans, tech enthusiasts, and crafters.
- Sunday (9/28) at 12:00 pm | Wilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival in Del Ray
- Includes live music, crafts games & a raffle in support of a local nonprofit.
More Adventures
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:30 am | Corazón y Vida: Lowriding Family Festival at the American History Museum in NW DC ♥
- Featuring activities for all ages, the festival includes local clubs with lowrider cars and bikes, live music performances and DJs of different genres, an expert panel offering insight into the intersection of lowrider culture and music, hands-on activities, a screening of related documentaries, and more.
- Saturday (9/27) at 11:00 am | 5th Annual Latinas in Aviation Global Festival at College Park Aviation Museum ♥
- Enjoy demos & children’s activities, food, community art, bilingual story time, author meet & greets, and giveaways while supplies last.
- Saturday (9/27) at 11:00 am | Manassas Latino Festival
- Saturday (9/27) at 11:30 am | Fotos y Recuerdos Festival at National Gallery of Art ♥
- Learn about figures and artists from both museums and celebrate art, history and culture with a day of art making, dancing, museum tours, story times, book signings and more!
- Saturday (9/27) at 2:30 pm | Kids Create: Hojalata Foil Art at Accokeek Library in MD
- With easy-to-follow steps, kids will create their own unique projects to take home.
- Saturday (9/27) at 3:00 pm | Naturalmente Latino: A Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD (Best for ages 6+)
- Explore the influences of nature in Latin American culture through a guided walk on the trail. Focus on plants related to those of Hispanic heritage. Create masks and percussion instruments using natural materials and connect with literature. End the night with a planetarium show highlighting the constellations only visible in the Southern Hemisphere and folklore surrounding the sky.
- Saturday (9/27) & Sunday (9/28) at 11:00 am | Fiesta DC on Pennsylvania Ave in NW
- Discover authentic culinary delights, explore handcrafted art, and be captivated by live performances.
- Sunday (9/28) at 2:00 pm | Hispanic Heritage Celebration for All Ages at Rockville Memorial Library in MD
- Sunday (9/28) at 2:00 pm | Llama Looms at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library in NW DC
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month weaving a saddle blanket on a mini llama loom.
Create Art
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Free Crafts for Kids: Bedazzle a Journal at Made in ALX in Alexandria
- Saturday (9/27) at 1:00 pm | Free DC Crafternoon at Merry Pin in NW DC
- Join Free DC at Merry Pin for an “crafternoon” of activism-themed, kid-friendly crafts. We’ll be making flags, posters, and other crafts that highlight the goals and values of Free DC, such as self-determination, standing up for each other, and embracing joy.
- Saturday (9/27) at 1:00 pm | Crafts to the Max hosted by Arlington Artists Alliance (Best for ages 3-12)
- Each child will create their own one-of-a-kind mini masterpiece on canvas boards, layering textures, patterns, and colors in true maximalist style!
- Sunday (9/28) at 10:00 am | Taylor Swift Flaming Hearts Era Event at All Fired Up in NW DC ($)
- Kids will paint and decorate a tote bag (14.5 x 15.7) that they will be able to take home the same day. There will be Taylor Swift music, bracelet making, and a whole lotta fun!
- Sunday (9/28) at 10:30 am | Meet & Greet Nikkolas Smith of “A Change is Gonna Come” and “The History of We” at Politics and Prose on Connecticut Ave. in NW DC (Best for ages 4-8)
- Come sketch with award-winning artist Nikkolas Smith! Nikkolas will play the music of a beloved civil rights anthem, A Change is Gonna Come, while showing how he created his art for the book.
Early Education Events
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | First Studio: Art, Story and Workshop at the Kreeger Museum ($) (Best for ages 3-5)
- September’s theme is Lines that Wiggle and Squiggle.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Saturday Morning Live! Presents: Rick Spacey, Space Detective at the National Theatre (Best for ages 3-6)
- The Great Frump has lost his golden key, that unlocks all the kingdom’s currency! The citizens want their money; to them, this loss is not that funny. So, to help save the day Rick Spacey, Space Detective, is summoned right away! But will he find this all important golden key by searching strange planets and distant galaxies?
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Tiny Tots starring Beech Tree Puppets: Anansi and the Talking Melon at Glen Echo Park in MD ($)
- Sunday (9/28) at 2:00 pm | Story Hour at the Olney Library
- Afternoon of stories to celebrate Olney Theatre’s production of “Red Pitch”, with guest storyteller Simoné Boyd!
Explore Nature
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Wildlife Walk at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA ($) (Best for ages 7+)
- Walk the trails, stop at several diverse locations, and even set out trail cameras to try and catch nocturnal wildlife!
- Saturday (9/27) at 1:00 pm | Interactive Animal Day: Reptiles! at Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria, VA ($) (Best for ages 5+)
- Meet native reptile species and get hands-on with critters from NOVA Parks’ Nature Center.
- Sunday (9/28) at 1:00 pm | NatureFest 2025 at Runnymede Park in Herndon, VA
- Hands-on, family-friendly event that brings the wonders of Runnymede Park to life! Discover the plants, animals, and insects that call the park home through interactive stations, games, and nature-themed activities.
STEM & STEAM Activities
- Saturday (9/27) at 11:00 am & 1:30 pm | Art & Me | Family Workshop: Silver Tells a Story at the National Museum of Asian Art (Best for ages 3-8)
- Explore how silver objects from ancient Iran were made and preserved in this hands-on family workshop. After a guided look at the exhibition Feast Your Eyes: A Taste for Luxury in Ancient Iran, participants will experiment with real silver and learn simple techniques inspired by the science of conservation.
- Saturday (9/27) at 12:00 pm | Kitchen Chemistry with Rain Young at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum in SE DC
- This hands-on class combines the art of ingredients with the science of chemistry, offering a fun and interactive way to learn about the fascinating reactions behind everyday recipes. Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this class will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the science that makes your meals delicious.
- Saturday (9/27) at 6:00 pm | Kids’ Night Out of this World! at Children’s Science Center LAB ($) (Best for grades 1-5)
- Kids can choose their own mission — whether it’s crafting hovering UFOs in the Tinker Shop, whipping up cosmic slime at the Experiment Bar, or designing epic spaceships in the Discovery Zone using giant blocks.
- Sunday (9/28) at 10:00 am | Sketch What You See: Artistically Observing Plants at the US Botanic Garden
- Look closely at plants in the Conservatory and create art inspired by their natural beauty.
Sensory Friendly & Accessible
- Friday (9/26) at 11:00 am | Story Time for the Spectrum at Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library in NW DC (Best for ages 2-8)
- Sunday (9/28) at 9:00 am | Sensory-Friendly Sunday at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD ($)
- Explore Wildlife Wonders
For Older Kids & Teens
- Friday (9/26) at 4:00 pm | 3D It! at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library in SE DC
- Meet in the STEM Center to print and keep your very own 3D printed cell phone stand.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:00 am | Baby Sitting 101 at Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library in SE DC
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:30 am | In the Tradition ~ A Two-Day Intensive Writing Workshop for Teens at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library in NW DC
- Explore the roots of a tradition that paved the way for rap while crafting your own folkloric poetry.
- Saturday (9/27) at 10:30 am | Rencontre-Lecture avec l’auteure Jane Singleton at Alliance Française of Washington DC in NW DC (Best for ages 8-12)
- A special, French story time this back-to-school month with Jane Singleton, former teacher at Rochambeau High School, and author of the illustrated story, Omar, Weaver of Art. This story celebrates diversity and determination in the face of unconscious prejudice and tradition.
- Saturday (9/27) at 1:00 pm | Artistic Outlets Creativity Workshop at Beatley Central Library (Best for ages 12+)
- Learn techniques to transform your thoughts, feelings, and experiences into creative expression with this month’s guest artist.
- Saturday (9/27) at 4:00 pm | Echoes of the Enslaved at Montpelier House Museum in Laurel
- Experience the lives of Black artisans enslaved at Montpelier through modern representations. Learn how archaeologists incorporate the past and present to tell the stories of underrepresented people.
- Sunday (9/28) at 8:15 am | Teen Volunteer Project: DC Central Kitchen
- Sunday (9/28) at 2:00 pm | Author Talk: How the Word is Passed: Young Reader’s Edition at MLK Memorial Library in NW DC
- Discuss the attempts to erase essential history, how stories are onward, and the responsibility and joy of writing for young people.
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