The Memorial Day Weekend lasts for four days in the DMV area, from Friday to Monday. The Taste of History offers free food booths on the National Mall through the holiday, and Cirque de Paris ends its big-top show at Dulles Town Center in Sterling on Sunday. At the same time, the Strawberry Festival at Messick’s Farm Market concludes its season until Memorial Day Monday in Bealeton, and the Adventure Theatre MTC performs its last weekend of Aesop’s Fables at Glen Echo Park in Maryland. Finally, the 44th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival takes place in Falls Church on Monday afternoon. There are kid-friendly activities in Washington, DC, family events in Northern Virginia, and much more in the DMV area during this extended weekend. The complete schedule is available below.
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This page is updated every week, so bookmark it for future planning. Bookmark our DC Kids Events calendar for new events added every 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.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Taste of History: Food Experience on the National Mall
- Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday, May 22 (also open Monday, May 25)
- Location: National Mall, Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC
- Admission: Free
Families heading to the National Mall on Friday can explore food kiosks scattered near major landmarks and museums, with dishes inspired by the history and culture of each location. Mobile ordering is available and no tickets are required, making it a practical and flexible option for any family with a full day planned on the Mall. Also open Monday, May 25, for families extending their Memorial Day plans.
I & You: The Musical
- Time: 1:30–3 p.m., Friday, May 22 (additional dates through May 24)
- Location: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD
- Tickets: Required
Olney Theatre Center presents the world premiere of I & You: The Musical, following two teenagers brought together by a school project on Walt Whitman’s poetry. The show builds with humor, emotion, and music inspired by “Song of Myself,” and the Friday afternoon timing makes it an accessible matinee for families kicking off the long weekend. A strong Maryland theater pick for families with older kids and teens.
Rock The Block
- Time: 6:30–9:30 p.m., Friday, May 22
- Location: Old Town Square, 10415 North St., Fairfax, VA
- Admission: Free
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Old Town Fairfax opens its summer concert series with Rock The Block, a free outdoor music event drawing local performers to the square for an evening of live entertainment and community energy. The event runs three hours with no tickets required, making it an easy drop-in option for Northern Virginia families. Additional dates run monthly through August.
SK Jazz at Sala Thai Bethesda
- Time: 7–9 p.m., Friday, May 22
- Location: Sala Thai Bethesda, 4828 Cordell Ave., Bethesda, MD
- Admission: Free
The SK Jazz quartet performs classic selections from the Great American Songbook at Sala Thai Bethesda, with trumpet, piano, bass, and drums in a relaxed Friday evening setting. Guests enjoy authentic Thai cuisine while the show runs free of charge. A low-key Memorial Day weekend opener for Maryland families looking for live music without a big commitment.
ALL WEEKEND — MAY 22–25
Cirque de Paris by Anouchka Bouglione
- Time: Various evening showtimes, May 22–24 (check dullesTC.com for schedule)
- Location: Dulles Town Center, 21100 Dulles Town Cir., Sterling, VA
- Tickets: Required (children 2 and under free; family packages available)
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Cirque de Paris closes its big-top run at Dulles Town Center this weekend with 90 minutes of European circus arts featuring BMX riders, jugglers, aerialists, acrobats, and comedic clowns. The production is rooted in French circus tradition and moves at a pace that holds the attention of younger audiences. Multiple showtimes across the weekend give families scheduling flexibility before the show ends on Sunday.
Hershey Super Sweet Adventure
- Time: 1–8 p.m., Thursday–Sunday (open May 22–24)
- Location: Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA
- Tickets: From $19.99
The Hershey Super Sweet Adventure continues its East Coast run at Tysons Corner Center this weekend, letting families explore interactive zones inspired by Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Twizzlers, and Jolly Rancher candies. Admission includes a personalized Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar wrapper with a selfie and a grand finale experience. A no-fuss pick for any part of the long weekend with younger kids.
Strawberry Festival at Messick’s Farm Market
- Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., May 23–25 (through Memorial Day Monday)
- Location: Messick’s Farm Market, 6025 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA
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The Strawberry Festival at Messick’s Farm Market enters its final weekend of the season in Bealeton, Virginia, with the full lineup of family activities: hayrides, the barrel train, candy launch, bounce pillow, and strawberry picking for a separate fee. The farm kitchen is open for meals, and the festival runs through Memorial Day Monday. This is the last chance of the year to catch one of Northern Virginia’s most popular spring traditions.
ViVa! Vienna!
- Time: Saturday–Monday, May 23–25, Church Street
- Location: Church Street SW, Vienna, VA
- Admission: Free
Now in its 41st year, ViVa! Vienna! brings Northern Virginia’s biggest Memorial Day street festival to downtown Vienna for three days of carnival rides, two live music stages, local food vendors, and programming for families with young children. No admission is charged for the full run from Saturday through Memorial Day Monday. One of the most dependable free family events in the DMV for the holiday weekend.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Flying Kiwi Ice Cream Truck at North Severna Park Pool
- Time: 1–3 p.m., Saturday, May 23
- Location: North Severna Park Pool, 2 Marbury Road, Severna Park, MD
- Admission: Free
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The Flying Kiwi ice cream truck serves New Zealand-style ice cream outside the North Severna Park Pool on Saturday afternoon, offering families a casual and low-key way to kick off Memorial Day weekend near the pool facilities. No tickets required. A simple, community-friendly stop for families in Anne Arundel County.
2026 Memorial Day Parade
- Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Saturday, May 23
- Location: Bowie, MD 20715
The Bowie Memorial Day Parade honors the men and women who have served and sacrificed for the United States, while also recognizing those currently serving in the armed forces. The community parade brings neighbors together in a public celebration of remembrance and national pride, and serves as a meaningful way to spend Saturday morning in Prince George’s County. Free to attend.
123 Andrés at The National Theatre
- Time: 10 a.m., Saturday, May 23
- Location: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
- Tickets: Required
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GRAMMY-winning bilingual duo 123 Andrés returns to The National Theatre for a second Washington, D.C. performance this season, bringing their high-energy Spanish-and-English concert to families with young children. Sing-alongs, Latin rhythms, and movement-filled performances are 123 Andrés’ hallmark, and the Saturday morning start time makes it an easy pick before the rest of the long weekend unfolds. Best for toddlers and early elementary kids.
Festival Argentino
- Time: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 23
- Location: 200 South Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA
The annual Festival Argentino in Arlington brings an afternoon of traditional Argentine music, food, and dance to Northern Virginia, with lively performances highlighting the country’s cultural heritage. Families can take in the live entertainment and sample Argentine cuisine at this free community celebration. A distinctive Saturday afternoon option in Northern Virginia for families who want something culturally rich without a big price tag.
Aesop’s Fables
- Time: 2–3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, May 23–24 (run closes May 24)
- Location: Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD
- Tickets: $26
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Adventure Theatre MTC closes its run of Aesop’s Fables this weekend at Glen Echo Park in Maryland, with a lively production retelling classic fables including “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Lion and the Mouse.” Performed by a troupe of traveling storytellers, the show delivers lessons on patience, honesty, and kindness in a format that works well for young audiences. Families have one last chance to catch it before the run ends Sunday.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington National Cemetery
- Time: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24
- Location: Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Fort Myer, VA
- Admission: Free
Families can honor fallen service members by placing flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, with flowers provided on-site. The day includes commemorative programs and guided experiences at the Memorial Amphitheater, offering a meaningful and accessible way to mark Memorial Day weekend with older children. Free admission.
Storytime for Young Readers
- Time: 9:30–10 a.m., Sunday, May 24
- Location: People’s Book, 7014-A Westmoreland Ave., Takoma Park, MD
- Admission: Free
People’s Book in Takoma Park hosts its free weekly children’s storytime on Sunday morning, featuring picture books and a themed activity or craft following the reading. Guest authors and illustrators occasionally join, and the 30-minute format is well-suited for the youngest readers. A gentle Sunday morning start before a full day of Memorial Day weekend plans.
National Memorial Day Concert
- Time: 8–9:30 p.m., Sunday, May 24 (gates open 5 p.m.)
- Location: West Lawn, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC
The National Memorial Day Concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday evening with a live tribute to veterans and military families, hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. The 2026 concert carries added weight as the nation marks its 250th anniversary, and the broadcast airs live on PBS for families who prefer to watch from home. For those attending in person, gates open at 5 p.m. and admission is free.
MONDAY, MAY 25 — MEMORIAL DAY
44th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival
- Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Ceremony: 11 a.m. | Parade: 2 p.m., Monday, May 25
- Location: City of Falls Church, VA (parade down Park Avenue; festival throughout downtown)
Falls Church hosts its 44th annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival on Monday with a full day of family programming: the VA 250 Mobile Museum opens at 9 a.m., a Veterans Council Memorial Day Ceremony runs at 11 a.m., and the Quantico Marine Band steps off the parade down Park Avenue at 2 p.m. Festival booths, kids’ rides, food vendors, and live music fill the day throughout the surrounding area. One of Northern Virginia’s most community-rooted Memorial Day traditions, and entirely free.
Taste of History: Food Experience on the National Mall
- Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)
- Location: National Mall, Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC
Taste of History continues on Memorial Day Monday with food kiosks spread across the National Mall offering location-inspired dishes and quick bites near major landmarks and museums. Mobile ordering is available and no tickets are required. A natural pairing with a morning walk along the monuments for families spending the holiday in D.C.
Strawberry Festival at Messick’s Farm Market
- Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day, final day of season)
- Location: Messick’s Farm Market, 6025 Catlett Road, Bealeton, VA
The Strawberry Festival at Messick’s Farm Market caps its season on Memorial Day Monday with hayrides, the barrel train, candy launch, bounce pillow, and strawberry picking for a separate fee. The farm kitchen serves meals throughout the day. Monday is the final date of the festival season, making this the last opportunity of the year for families who have not yet made the trip to Bealeton.
ViVa! Vienna!
- Time: Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day), Church Street
- Location: Church Street SW, Vienna, VA
- Admission: Free
ViVa! Vienna! closes its 41st-annual run on Memorial Day Monday with a full day of carnival rides, live music, local food, and family programming on Church Street in downtown Vienna. Admission remains free for the final day, and Monday morning hours tend to bring a lighter crowd than Saturday’s peak. A relaxed way to wrap up the long weekend in Northern Virginia without spending a dime.
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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.
