Happy 4th of July weekend! Have you visited the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in SE DC, yet? This weekend is the perfect time to do so! Saturday (7/5) is the National Park Service's annual "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" event where you can listen to readings of the historic speech, delivered by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1848. In this speech, he challenged America to live up to its promise of "liberty and justice for all". Sounds like its resonates even today! 🙂 We visited the historic site on July 4th in 2023 and took a tour of the house, which is preserved by the National Park Service. The tour is pretty short and the welcome center also offers a small gift shop and a movie room that shows a documentary about Frederick Douglass's life. This experience was extremely memorable for me and I'm proud to say we visited on July 4th. Tag us if you visit; I'd love to see photos!! Happy Planning!
Sarah Acors
Creator of 4DMV Kids & Founder of BCB DMV+
Events
Favorite picks in this list have the heart symbol ♥ at the end of the listing.
Free movies in this list have the club symbol ♣ at the end of the listing.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Jazz in the Park kicks off at Petworth Recreation Center
DC DPR hosts Jazz in the Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 28th beginning this week on Thursday (7/3). Bring your blankets and chairs for some live music in the park! Tap the title above for more info!
Momentum Park(our) at the National Building Museum
Open from July 3 – 20, this limited-time exhibition offers a thrilling physical and educational journey through the intersections of movement, design, and spatial awareness. Guests will navigate a custom-designed obstacle landscape that challenges agility and invites new ways of engaging with the built environment. Participation in Momentum Parkour requires a Parkour ticket, which includes admission to the museum. Tickets are $5 in addition to the cost of regular museum admission. Tap the underlined title above for more info & to book tickets!
Family Fun Day at the Museum of the Bible
Head to the Museum of the Bible in SW DC on Thursday (7/3) for their Family Fun Day honoring Lewis the Storyteller: "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Parents and caregivers are invited to join kids in activities relating to aspects of C.S. Lewis’s life and career, such as his role as a storyteller, apologist and about his conversion to Christianity. There will be crafts and games as well! General admission is $14.99 per person. Tap the title above for more info!
Friday, July 4, 2025
Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | 4th of July Parade on 8th Street SE ♥
- Featuring Too Much Talent Band at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
- 10:00 am | Kids Camp – The Bad Guys at Alamo Drafthouse DC ($)
- 11:00 am | Quilt Portraits: My Life Matters Collage at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
- Make a mixed-media framed picture discussing identity and belonging. Bring a picture of yourself if you’re able!
- 11:00 am | National Independence Day Parade 2025 on Constitution Ave
- 11:00 am | 59th Annual 4th of July Parade & Picnic at Macarthur Blvd. NW between Whitehaven Pkwy NW and the Palisades Rec Center ♥
- 2:00 pm | Fourth of July Celebration at The Kennedy Center
- Includes food, music & fireworks
- 2:00 pm | The Sandlot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 4:30 pm | Karate Kid: Legends at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- 5:00 pm | 4th of July in the District at Freedom Plaza in NW ♥
- Includes family fun, performances & fireworks!
- 5:00 pm | Fourth at The Wharf
- Featuring Country Music performances & fireworks!
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 11:00 am | The Paradox of the Declaration of Independence at Marietta House Museum in Glenn Dale (Best for ages 6+) ♥
- Take a free guided tour through Marietta House Museum, highlighting the paradox of freedom at the heart of the Declaration of Independence
- 12:00 pm & 4:00 pm | UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor ($)
- 6:00 pm | Red, White & Tunes – All-Ages Show at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar at National Harbor ($) ♥
- 7:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: Sonic 3 at National Harbor ♣
Montgomery County
- 10:00 am | Takoma Park 2025 4th of July Parade ♥
- There’s also an evening street party beginning at 6:00 pm!
- 7:00 pm | Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm
- 7:00 pm | Independence Day Celebration: Germantown Glory at South Germantown Recreational Park in Boyds
More Maryland Events
- 10:30 am | Star-Spangled Bash at B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore ($) ♥
- Activities: Get crafty with firecracker rings & confetti poppers, test your aim at the dunk tank, cool off at the splash pad, be amazed by a live juggler (11-2 pm), dip, dye, and dazzle with a red, white & blue tie-dye T-shirt, explore historic trains & play lawn games, & enjoy a special menu from the B&O Cafe!
- 1:00 pm | Fourth of July Celebration with the United States Navy Concert Band at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
- 5:00 pm | Howard County’s July 4th Fireworks at Columbia Lakefront
Virginia
- 8:00 am | 4th of July Hometown Celebration in Great Falls
- Morning festivities kick off with the Little Patriots Parade, followed by the Main Parade around the Village Centre. After the parade, head to the Village Green with your kids for food and fun!
- 9:00 am | Tot Trot at Firecracker 5K for the Troops in Reston
- 9:00 am | An American Celebration at Mount Vernon Estate ($)
- Includes daytime fireworks, magic show & more!
- 10:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:30 pm | Shark Month! at the Children’s Science Center LAB ♥
- Activities include Shark Tooth Sleuth, Shark Fin Hats, and more!
- 11:00 am | All Day 4th of July Celebration at Shipgarten in McLean ♥
- FREE face painting, arts & crafts, live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground!
- 3:00 pm | Bull Run 4th of July Celebration in Centreville ($)
- 3:00 pm | Celebrate America 4th of July in Downtown Manassas
- Enjoy family-friendly activities and the BEST firework display in Northern Virginia to fire off at 9:15 p.m.!
- 6:00 pm | 4th of July Fireworks at Turner Farm in Great Falls (Suggested donation: $20 per family)
- 6:30 pm | 4th of July at Bready Park in Herndon
- Includes games, music, and a spectacular fireworks show.
- 6:30 pm | Evening Show and Fireworks at Fairfax High School Stadium
Saturday (7/5) in Washington, DC
- 9:00 am | Create a Toucan Mobile at Home Depot Stores
- 10:00 am | Drop-in Arts & Crafts at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
- 10:00 am | Community Fishing at Anacostia Park
- 10:00 am | First Saturdays at the National Gallery of Art ♥
- Includes face painting, storytime, art making, yoga & more!
- 10:30 am | Joy of African Movement at the National Museum of African Art (Best for ages 16+)
- Variety of dance movements from the African diaspora, including Capoeira, Contemporary Dance, Step, Hip Hop, and Traditional West African Dance.
- 11:00 am | What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site ♥
- Includes performance by oratorical contest winners, public reading of the entire speech, ranger program & house tours!
- 12:00 pm | Free Comic Book Day at Bellevue Neighborhood Library in SW ♣
- Includes crafts, free comic books + movie ~ The Flash
- 2:00 pm | Georgetown Library Chess Club at Georgetown Neighborhood Library
- 2:00 pm | Sneaks at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- SNEAKS follows a pair of one-of-a-kind, collector sneakers, Ty (Anthony Mackie), and Maxine (Chloe Bailey), stolen by ‘the Collector’ (Laurence Fishburne).
- 4:30 pm | Karate Kid: Legends at The Miracle Theatre ($)
Saturday (7/5) in Maryland & Northern Virginia
Create a Toucan Mobile at Home Depot Stores beginning at 9:00 am ♥
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 10:00 am | Dinosaur Park Open House in Laurel
- 10:00 am | Adventure Seekers: Smithsonian Folklife Festival ($) (Best for ages 8-12) ♥
- Pick up: Mt. Rainier Nature and Rec Center
- 10:30 am | Family Zumba at Columbia Park Community Center (Best for ages 13+)
- 12:00 pm, 3:30 pm & 7:00 pm | UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor ($)
- 2:00 pm | Therapy through Art for Teens & Young Adults at Hyattsville Library
Montgomery County
- [Cancelled] 11:00 am | Breakfast with the Animals at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville ($) (Best for ages 4-8)
- Learn how Naturalist Staff care for amazing reptiles and amphibians! Discover what their animals eat and help prepare their food. Then, enjoy a light continental breakfast alongside the animals!
- 11:00 am | Read to a Dog at Aspen Hill Library
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | The Lightning Thief at Glen Echo Park ($) ♥
- 11:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm | Great Lakes National Puppet Theater presents: The Frog Prince at Glen Echo Park ($)
- 3:00 pm | Yoga with Archana at Potomac Library
- 3:30 pm | Preschool Play and Learn: Block Party at Twinbrook Library in Rockville
- 7:00 pm | Independence Day Celebration: Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington
- 7:30 pm | Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents: Patriotic Pops at Strathmore in Rockville ($)
More Maryland Events
- 10:00 am | Saturdays in the Children’s Garden – Powerful Pollinators at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia
- 10:00 am & 10:30 am | Annie’s Outdoor Puppet Show at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($)
- 11:00 am | July’s Finger-Paint Party at sweetFrog Laurel ($)
- 11:00 am | Annapolis Opera presents: Stories through Music at Odenton Library
- Every song tells a story. Learn the meanings behind classical and popular music favorites through a fun and interactive concert for all ages.
- 1:00 pm | Planetarium Movie Showing – Earth, Moon and Sun at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia ($)
- 2:00 pm | The Humane Society presents: Endangered Species at Potomac Library in Indian Head (Best for ages 4+)
- Discover which animals are currently at risk of extinction and explore the many reasons why wildlife populations are declining—from habitat loss and pollution to climate change and human activity.
- 2:00 pm | Savage Ukes at Savage Branch Library in Laurel
- Bring your ukulele, tuner, and desire to play! Learn the basics and practice your favorite songs from our extensive play along list.
- 3:00 pm | Mascot Visit at sweetFrog Laurel
- 6:00 pm | Toby’s Dinner Theatre presents: The Little Mermaid in Columbia ($)
- Dusk | Public Star Party at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville
- Join members of the Howard Astronomical League (HAL) at their observatory. Telescopic views and programming are shared inside through the club’s telescope.
Virginia
Arlington County
- 2:00 pm | Dungeons & Dragons Club at Aurora Hills Library (Best for middle school students)
- 6:30 pm | Pops in the Park at Water Park
- Enjoy a summer evening with the Arlington Philharmonic as they perform patriotic songs.
City of Alexandria
- 11:00 am | Family Friendly Wood + Canvas Workshop at AR Workshop ($)
- 11:30 am | Calligraphy Workshop at Burke Branch Library
- 12:00 pm | Carlyle House Family Fun Day: July 4th Jamboree (Best for ages 4+) ♥
- Sit in on story time at the top of each hour and participate in crafts and other activities that relate to the theme of the month.
- 1:00 pm | 4th of July Cake Pop Making Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 4-8)
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Children’s Theatre in the Woods – Upside Down Fairy Town at Wolf Trap ($) (Best for ages 4-12) ♥
- 10:00 am | Groovy Nate at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly
- High energy funky grooves in children’s music that entertain and educate! Groovy Nate® is a children’s entertainer who creates fun and educational shows using funky grooves, exotic musical instruments and comedy — à la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic.
- 10:00 am | The Great Zucchini at Wakefield Park in Annandale
- The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini’s show keeps children on the edge of their seats. Watch your kids’ faces light up as they see things disappear and reappear.
- 10:00 am | Marsha and the Positrons at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax
- Specializing in fun songs about science and how the world works with positive social messages! Sing and dance along to songs that inspire curiosity about science and bring smiles to all ages.
- 10:00 am | Family Fun Entertainment Series at Reston Town Square Park
- Featuring Zack Smith & The Mardi Gras Kings
- 10:00 am | Independence Day Celebration at Cherry Hill Farmhouse in Falls Church ♥
- Hand crank a sweet ice-cream treat, tie-dye your own t-shirt outside on the lawn, take a guided tour to learn about the history of Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and play all your favorite old-school yard games!
- 10:00 am | Summer Saturdays: Party with Purpose at Gunston Hall ($)
- Cool off with popsicles and ice cream, making space for inspiration to be an engaged community member.
- 2:00 pm | Craft & Create: Real Life Mario Party! at Manassas Park City Library
- 3:00 pm | Bull Run 4th of July Celebration in Centreville ($)
- 5:30 pm | Sunset Polo at Great Meadow in The Plains ($)
- Theme: Stars & Stripes
- 6:00 pm | A Wonderful Family Adventure: Movies & More featuring Sonic the Hedgehog + Dog Adoption Event in Reston ♥♣
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Washington, DC
- 10:00 am | Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts ♥
- 10:30 am | The Great Zucchini at Eastern Market Metro Plaza Park
- 1:35 pm | Family Funday at Nationals Park ($) ♥
- Washington Nationals v. Boston Red Sox
- 2:00 pm | Sneaks at The Miracle Theatre ($)
- SNEAKS follows a pair of one-of-a-kind, collector sneakers, Ty (Anthony Mackie), and Maxine (Chloe Bailey), stolen by ‘the Collector’ (Laurence Fishburne).
- 4:10 pm | The Sandlot at The Miracle Theatre ($)
Maryland
Prince George’s County
- 9:30 am | Gardening for All: Attracting Pollinators at Mt. Rainier Nature and Rec Center (Best for ages 10+)
- 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 6:30 pm | UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor ($)
- 1:00 pm | Animal Encounters at Clearwater Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 2+)
- 6:00 pm | Movies on the Potomac: Kicking and Screaming at National Harbor ♣
- 6:30 pm | Summer Concerts at Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Montgomery County
- 9:30 am | Bookseller Storytime at People’s Book Takoma
- 11:00 am & 2:00 pm | The Lightning Thief at Glen Echo Park ($) ♥
- 11:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm | Great Lakes National Puppet Theater presents: The Frog Prince at Glen Echo Park ($)
More Maryland Events
- 5:00 pm | Toby’s Dinner Theatre presents: The Little Mermaid in Columbia ($)
Virginia
Arlington County
- 3:30 pm | Soil Detectives at Long Branch Nature Center ($) (Best for ages 7-12)
- Kids can become their own geologists by learning about rocks types with samples.
- 11:00 am | Mr. Jon & Friends at Lubber Run Amphitheater ♥
City of Alexandria
- 1:00 pm | 4th of July Cake Pop Making Class at Tiny Chefs ($) (Best for ages 9-12)
- 2:00 pm | Family Day with Young Historians at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum ($)
More Virginia Events
- 10:00 am | Children’s Theatre in the Woods – Upside Down Fairy Town at Wolf Trap ($) (Best for ages 4-12) ♥
- 10:00 am | Stream Life at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly ($)
- Freshwater ecosystems are full of fascinating creatures. Search for stoneflies, hellgrammites, water pennies and crayfish. Explore the park’s streams with a naturalist, use dip nets and kick nets to catch and release these creatures.
- 12:00 pm | Uncle Sam and the Eagle Host Fourth of July at Shipgarten in McLean
- 12:00 pm | Mill in Motion at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls ($)
- Explore Colvin Run Mill to see how it operated in 1811. Hear and feel the Mill grinding grain. Learn about Oliver Evans and his first US patents that revolutionized food production. Try your hands at simple machines.
- 3:00 pm | Bull Run 4th of July Celebration in Centreville ($)
Bonus: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Meteorologist for a Day | Summer of Adventure at National Harbor
Head to National Harbor on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 am for an exciting adventure brought to you by WHUT! This immersive program features the newest PBS KIDS series WEATHER HUNTERS and introduces participants to the fascinating world of weather through interactive activities, experiments, and behind-the-scenes insights into forecasting. Free to attend! Tap the title above for more info.
This Week's Book Recommendation
