Looking for the best things to do with kids in the DMV this weekend? Make the most of Aug. 14–16 with plenty of family fun across Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland. If back-to-school prep is already on your mind, don’t miss the free Back to School Bash at Commas Food Hall in Silver Spring on Saturday, Aug. 15, featuring entertainment, giveaways, a school-supplies raffle and plenty of food. Families can also choose from outdoor concerts, fairs and festivals, hands-on STEM activities, movie nights and more.And while you’re making plans, don’t forget to mark your calendar for Washington Parent’s Back to School Bonanza on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Springfield Town Center. The free event will feature local shopping, food trucks, live entertainment, community resources, giveaways, games and more to help families gear up for a successful school year.
This page is updated every week, so bookmark it for future planning. Check our DC Kids Events calendar for new events added throughout the week. Looking to keep the budget light? Check out free family activities in the DMV this month, updated regularly with the best no-cost options in the area.
Here are our favorite free things to do with kids in DC this weekend.
Jazz in the Garden: American Sounds
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 5:00–8:30 p.m.
- Where: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th Street NW & Constitution Avenue NW.
A vibrant evening of live jazz celebrating “American Sounds” — blues, Americana and contemporary jazz — in a scenic garden setting. Entry is managed through a weekly lottery, with limited day-of passes.
Observe the Sun
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 12:00–3:00 p.m. (also Aug. 21 & 22)
- Where: Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, 7th Street SW & Independence Avenue SW.
A safe, guided telescope viewing led by knowledgeable staff, where families explore solar features up close and learn about astronomy outdoors (weather permitting).
Curious George™: Let’s Get Curious!
- When: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 14–16, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Where: National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
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Kids ages 3–7 join Curious George for hands-on STEM play, with a construction site, mini golf course, farm, produce stand and space rocket.
Taste of History: Food Experience on the National Mall
- When: Friday–Sunday, Aug. 14–16, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Where: National Mall, Jefferson Drive SW.
Food kiosks near major landmarks and Smithsonian museums offer location-inspired bites, convenient dining and mobile ordering as you explore.
Summer Storytime & Face Painting
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 10:30–11:00 a.m.
- Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW.
A free, bookseller-led storytime followed by face painting — a playful way for young readers to celebrate stories and creativity.
Annual Sports Day
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Where: The Fields at RFK, 401 Oklahoma Avenue NE.
A free day of sports, games and activities with local youth sports groups and DC pro teams, plus backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, food trucks, a climbing wall, snow cones and live music.
Moonshot Studio at the REACH
- When: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 15–16, 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (also Aug. 22 & 23)
- Where: Moonshot Studio, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW.
A free, drop-in art-making experience for ages 5 and up — families create and experiment at their own pace throughout the afternoon.
Panda Fest DC 2026
- When: Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 15–16, 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Where: Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 4th and 7th streets.
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Celebrate Asian food and culture with 90-plus food vendors, cultural performances, a marketplace, panda-themed attractions, interactive games and photo ops.
Marine Barracks Evening Parade
- When: Friday, Aug. 14; gates 7:00 p.m., ceremony begins 8:45 p.m.
- Where: Marine Barracks Washington, 8th & I streets SE
- Cost: Free with a required reservation (barracks.marines.mil)
A 75-minute showcase from “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, the Silent Drill Platoon and the Drum & Bugle Corps, with photos afterward with mascot Chesty.
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In Maryland, these are the things to do with kids close to home.
Montgomery County Fair
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 3:00–11:30 p.m. (runs through Aug. 22)
- Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg
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A lively county fair with animals, exhibits, entertainment and a wide variety of food across expansive fairgrounds — activities for all ages.
DC Hot Air Balloon Festival
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 5:00–10:00 p.m.
- Where: Rosecroft Raceway, 6336 Rosecroft Drive, Fort Washington.
Giant hot air balloons, live entertainment, food vendors and family activities, with tethered balloon rides and a nightly Balloon Glow and Laser Light Show at 9:00 p.m.
KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney
Fans of all ages sing and dance along to songs from KPop Demon Hunters, with lyric sheets for newcomers and favorites like “Golden” and “How It’s Done.”
Youth Aviators: Air Traffic Control
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 10:00–11:30 a.m. (also Aug. 22)
- Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park.
Young aviation fans learn the phonetic alphabet, radio terminology and safety procedures, and hear from aviation professionals. Registration required (four-session program).
Back to School Bash at Commas Food Hall
- When: Saturday, Aug. 15, 4:00–8:00 p.m.
- Where: Commas Food Hall, 8661 Colesville Road, Silver Spring.
A free community event with entertainment, giveaways, a school-supplies raffle and food from Commas Food Hall vendors.
Over in Northern Virginia, add these things to do with kids to your list.
Summer on the Green Concert Series
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
- Where: Vienna Town Green, 144 Maple Avenue East, Vienna.
A free outdoor concert hosted by the Town of Vienna, with a variety of musical styles and a relaxed community feel. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Movies Under the Moon
- When: Friday, Aug. 14, 8:00–10:00 p.m. (also Sept. 11)
- Where: Pat Rodio Park, 3800 Keith Avenue, Fairfax.
A family-friendly outdoor movie night under the stars on an inflatable screen. Bring blankets, chairs and snacks.
Arlington County Fair
- When: Through Sunday, Aug. 16 (on the calendar dated Aug. 12)
- Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S., Arlington
- Cost: Free admission (ride tickets sold separately)
One of the region’s largest free fairs, with rides, exhibits, live entertainment and fair food inside the Beltway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these events really free?
Many are. Free picks this weekend include the Marine Barracks Evening Parade, the Arlington County Fair and One Loudoun Carnival (free admission), the Clifton Farmers Market, and free concerts and storytimes across the region. A few are ticketed — Panda Fest is $14 (kids under 6 free), and Great Country Farms’ Big Dig runs $12–$16.
Do any events require tickets or reservations ahead of time?
Yes, a few. The Marine Barracks Evening Parade requires a free reservation at barracks.marines.mil. The Youth Aviators program at the College Park Aviation Museum requires registration. For festivals like Panda Fest, buying tickets online in advance saves time at the gate.
What can we do with kids if it rains?
Head indoors and stay free: the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, the National Children’s Museum’s Curious George exhibit, or a bookstore storytime at Politics and Prose. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is also a rain-or-shine favorite.
How do I find events near me?
Use the interactive map at the top of this guide — pins are grouped by DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia so you can zero in on your area. Tap any pin for the address, time, cost and a link.
How often is this list updated?
We refresh it every week, so check back each Thursday or Friday for the upcoming weekend’s family-friendly picks across the DMV.
Keep the family fun going
Once your weekend plans are set, there’s plenty more to explore across the region. Browse our roundup of free family activities in the DMV this month, beat the heat at one of the area’s best natural swim spots, or plan an easy day trip to family-friendly Ellicott City. When you’re ready to venture a little farther, check out these family beach getaways near DC, and cap off a clear night at a summer stargazing event. For even more ideas, bookmark our DC Kids Events calendar, updated with new happenings all week long.
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.
