Spring is in full swing across the D.C. area, and this weekend is packed with ways to get outside and make the most of it. From the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival transforming historic downtown Leesburg into a celebration of blooms and outdoor living, to a guided spring discovery hike through Riverbend Park in Great Falls, families have plenty of reasons to head out the door. Younger kids will love the Hershey Super Sweet Adventure at Tysons Corner Center, while teens and tweens can explore graduating student work across art, design, dance and music at the NEXT Festival in Washington. Earth Day celebrations are also kicking off early, with events at National Harbor and Historic London Town in Edgewater marking the occasion with crafts, nature activities and community fun. Scroll down for the full lineup of family-friendly events happening across D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia this weekend, April 17-19.
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Here’s what’s happening across DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia this weekend. This page is updated every week, so bookmark it for future planning. For a full searchable calendar of upcoming events, visit our DC Kids Events calendar. For longer planning, see our guide to free family activities in the DMV this month or our Cherry Blossom Festival family guide if you’re visiting during blossom season.
April 17-18
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure (Additional dates: April 13 & 16)
- Time: 1:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Location: Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA
Families can step into an interactive experience celebrating iconic treats from The Hershey Company. Featuring hands-on games, multi-sensory activities, and playful challenges, the event offers a fun-filled environment designed to spark creativity for all ages. Tickets are required.
NEXT Festival 2026
- Time: 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Location: Flagg Building, 500 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
Explore a dynamic showcase of creativity at NEXT Festival 2026, hosted by the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. This annual event highlights graduating students’ work across visual arts, design, dance, theatre, music, and more, along with engaging talks and presentations celebrating innovation and artistic achievement.
April 17 & 19
ARTEFFECT Gallery at Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (Additional dates: April 13 & 14)
- Time: 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Location: Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
This free gallery showcases award-winning student artwork from around the world, featuring a variety of media and styles. Centered on the theme of “Unsung Heroes,” the gallery explores stories of courage, innovation, and impact through visual displays.
April 18
Native Plant Sale
- Time: 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
- Location: Washington Waldorf School, 4800 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, Md
The Washington Waldorf School, in partnership with the Little Falls Watershed Alliance, hosts a spring native plant sale focused on supporting local ecology and sustainable gardening. The event also includes family-friendly activities, a children’s play area, informational resources from watershed advocates, and live music from the school’s jazz band.
Earth Day Celebration
- Time: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Location: Tanger National Harbor, 6800 Oxon Hill Road, National Harbor, Md
Celebrate Earth Day with interactive exhibits highlighting rooftop gardening and urban beekeeping at Tanger National Harbor. Guests can learn about sustainable food systems and honeybee care through hands-on displays, family crafts, and educational activities, along with giveaways including locally produced honey.
Spring Discovery Hike
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, Va
Explore the natural beauty of spring on a guided hike through scenic trails at Riverbend Park. Participants can view early wildflowers, observe pond wildlife like tadpoles and turtles, and look for bald eagles along the Potomac Heritage Trail while learning about the park’s diverse ecosystems.
April 18-19
Leesburg Flower + Garden Festival
- Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Leesburg, 18 E Market Street, Leesburg, Va
The Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival transforms historic downtown Leesburg into a spring celebration of flowers, landscaping, and outdoor living. Visitors can explore garden displays, shop for plants and gardening goods, enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages, and experience family-friendly activities alongside food vendors and seasonal attractions.
A Tree Birthday Party @ Historic London Town & Gardens
- Time: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Location: Historic London Town & Gardens, 839 London Town Road, Edgewater, MD
Celebrate Earth Month at Historic London Town & Gardens with a festive birthday party for a historic 200+ year-old tree. Guests can enjoy nature-themed crafts, scavenger hunts, games, environmental exhibits from local organizations, and birthday cake in a family-friendly celebration focused on conservation and community engagement.
April 19
Fairy & Gnome Home Festival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center
- Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Location: Historic London Town & Gardens, 839 London Town Road, Edgewater, MD
Once a year, Annmarie Garden (in Solomons) transforms into a whimsical world of fairies, dragons, magical creatures, and hidden surprises for one of the most enchanting events of the season! Wander the garden as costumed characters and roaming performers bring the woods to life, with creativity and imagination around every turn. Enjoy artful crafts, games, activities, a petting zoo, and unicorn rides (additional ticket required). New this year: Choose Your Side Quest, Encounter PIRATES, or test your aim with axe throwing ($). Costumes and fairy wings are encouraged. Food trucks, a magical marketplace, and a costume shop area on site. Drinks available for purchase for 21+. Get Tickets here.
LEGO Star Wars SMART Play Adventures at Falls Church Target
- Time: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Location: Target Falls Church Store, 1600 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, VA
The LEGO Group partners with Target to host a free, immersive LEGO® LEGO Star Wars SMART Play experience. The event features hands-on build stations, demonstrations, and themed activities that let guests step into a life-sized Star Wars-inspired adventure and explore new SMART Brick technology.
In-Store Storytime: Jill Santopolo, Can You Grow a Striped Banana?
- Time: 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Location: East City Bookshop, 645 Pennsylvania Avenue SE #100, Washington, DC
Author Jill Santopolo hosts a cozy in-store storytime featuring her new picture book Can You Grow a Striped Banana? Families can enjoy a humorous and heartfelt read-aloud about love, imagination, and the bond between parent and child in an intimate bookstore setting.
Holi Celebration
- Time: 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Location: Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD
Celebrate the Festival of Colors at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods with a vibrant community gathering featuring music, dance, and colorful festivities. Guests can experience live performances, a lively outdoor dance party, food trucks, and a joyful welcome of spring and cultural tradition.
Sunday Serenade (Additional dates: April 26)
- Time: 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
- Location: Cabin John Regional Park, 7450 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, MD
Enjoy a relaxing morning of live music at Cabin John Regional Park as local musicians perform a variety of family-friendly sets. Guests can listen, dance, and unwind with coffee and breakfast treats available for purchase, creating a laid-back community atmosphere to close out the weekend.
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Allison Chan is a Washington Parent intern and a rising senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. She is passionate about writing and community engagement.
