Stephanie Shipman

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

27 Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2025 in DC for Families

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 05/16/2025 - 9:01am

The Arlington County Fair promises loads of fun! Photo courtesy of the fair

Looking for a summer festival in the DC area? Here's our fun list!

Summer festivals and fairs are a great way to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine in the DC area. After all, nothing says "summer" more than festival food, carnival rides and games, and live music.

Luckily, you can find summer festivals taking place in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia all summer long. They range from cultural and food festivals to state and county fairs with rides, games, food, and fun for kids and families.

Read on for our list of the best summer festivals and fairs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more activities, be sure to check out our Summer Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do all over the DC area.

Free Outdoor Movies in DC in Summer 2025 for Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 05/11/2025 - 12:37pm

Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Photo courtesy of the event.

It doesn't get much better than enjoying free outdoor movies on a warm summer evening. This summer, the DC area is brimming with outdoor movies for families in parks, plazas, wineries, and even a cemetery.

Here are 20 family-friendly outdoor movie series DC has to offer. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and find out why outdoor movies are some of the best free summer activities DC has.

Our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids has even more ideas for fresh-air fun, like free concerts and outdoor music festivals. And, be sure to keep checking our DC events calendar as more outdoor movies are announced.

Mother's Day Weekend 2025 in DC: Festivals, EU Open House, and More Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 12:00pm

Mom's Day Out at the Boro features fun activities for all. Photo courtesy of the venue.

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It's Mother's Day this Sunday! On Saturday, pamper yourself at the family-friendly Mom's Day Out at the Boro, with free fitness classes, gifts, and more. Then on Sunday, check out Mother's Day at Green Meadows Farm, where moms get free admission, or the Flying Circus Mother's Day Air Show in Bealeton.

Whether you've planned a special Mother's Day brunch or have a fun Mother's Day activity planned, we hope you have fun celebrating the moms in your life—and yourself!

The Big Bounce America arrives this weekend, where your kids can enjoy several giant bounce houses. You can also hear free music during Canal Park's May Music Series and MOCA on the Move at Met Park, which also will have food trucks and activities.

Best Things to Do in DC May 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 04/27/2025 - 12:33pm

Which pup will win the Running of the Chihuahuas? Event photo courtesy of The Wharf DC

With May comes the unofficial start of summer in DC, and lots of family fun for Mother's Day and Memorial Day.

April showers bring all the May flowers to Flower Mart at the National Cathedral, which is always beautiful (and a great time). More fun for kids includes the Running of the Chihauhuas for Cinco de Mayo at the Wharf and DinoWalk at Luck Stone Quarry. The quarry is home to actual dinosaur fossils, and it's open to the public only once a year!

There are also two opportunities to visit many of the embassies in DC and learn about different cultures—the Around the World Embassy Tour and the EU Open House.

Lastly, you may want to get in to see Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience in DC, which is set to close June 8.

There's so much more to share, so read on for details on spring festivals, Memorial Day celebrations, and more.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family this May, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day as we're always adding more events.

Earth Day 2025: 14 Earth Day Activities in DC for Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 04/11/2025 - 8:23am

Kids are never too young to learn about Earth Day and protecting the planet. Photo by Ed Wondoloski, for Montgomery County Parks

Earth Day 2025 is Tuesday, April 2! Earth Day activities are a fun way to educate children about the planet, climate change, and how we can keep Earth healthy. And there are so many things to do with kids in the DC area to celebrate Earth Day 2025, from park cleanups to fun festivals to garden parties.

Here are 14 Earth Day activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for kids and families this April. The best part is, most of them are FREE!

Check out our Earth Kids Guide for more things to do with kids to celebrate Earth Day 2025, from recycled crafts to movies that teach about climate change.

Best Kid-Friendly Easter Brunches in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 04/06/2025 - 8:11am

Say hello to the Easter Bunny at the B&O Railroad Museum. Photo courtesy of the B&O Railroad

Easter brunch DC: there are so many options, but not all of them are particularly kid-friendly. Luckily, there are several places for family Easter brunch in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia with kid-friendly Easter menus. Some of them even have extra Easter activities like egg hunts, arts and crafts, and photos with the Easter bunny.

We've found the best places in the DC area to have Easter brunch with kids for Easter 2025, including restaurants, hotels, and even unique spots like an animal park. Our picks range from budget-friendly Easter brunches to luxury experiences. And while most of these brunches fall on Easter Sunday itself, a few are on different dates to spread out the Easter fun.

Looking for more Easter activities for DC families? Check out our roundup of Easter egg hunts in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, as well as our Easter Activities Guide for Families and our Spring Break Ideas Guide for DC Kids.

Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things to Do in DC April 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Sun, 03/30/2025 - 12:21pm

April is full of Easter egg hunts throughout the DC area! Photo by Marilyn Stone courtesy of Montgomery Parks, MNCPPC

April is one of the best months to be out and about in DC. Easter egg hunts, cherry blossoms, Earth Day, theater, and festivals are just some of the highlights.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues this month with some signature events, like the Sakura Matsuri Festival, and Petalpalooza. If your family wants to continue to celebrate nature and care for the Earth, there are plenty of opportunities, including Earth Day Fairfax at Sully Historic Site.

Also, you won't want to miss our roundups of spring festivals and Easter egg hunts!

We have so many more great events listed below for your family this April, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

Best Spring Festivals in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia for Kids and Families

Submitted by Stephanie Shipman on Fri, 03/28/2025 - 12:02pm

The Anacostia River Festival marks the offical close of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for a spring festival or spring fair in the DC area this April and May? Read on for our fun list!

Spring is officially here, and with it comes spring festivals and fairs! DC families can enjoy a variety of festivals across the area, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival's Petalpalooza and the Blossom Kite Festival. In honor of Easter in April, Butler's Orchard is hosting Bunnyland Festival. There are also book festivals, music festivals, and so much more.

Bonus: Most of the spring festivals and fairs near DC are FREE, allowing for a full day of family fun without breaking the budget.

Read on for our list of the best spring festivals and spring fairs in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more springtime fun, be sure to check out our Spring Activities Guide. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more fun things to do all over the DC area.

Latest posts by Stephanie Shipman

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