Monster Jam is back in town! Photo courtesy of Monster Jam
Monster Jam, America's 250th Party at the National Postal Museum, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids
Celebrate Three Kings Day at GALA Theatre with live music, gifts, and a parade. Photo courtesy of the theater
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in DC in January 2026, According to Mommy Poppins Editors
The National Museum of Natural History is free every day. Photo by Paul Fetters for the Smithsonian
GUIDE
Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids
Enjoy Art in Bloom during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Elvert Barnes via FLickr 2.0
100 Free Things To Do in DC with Kids
Have some fun in the snow at Massanutten Resort this winter. Photo courtesy of the resort
Fun Winter Day Trips from DC for Kids and Families
The remodeled National Air and Space Museum is a sight to behold. Photo courtesy of the museum
Free Museums in DC and Northern Virginia to Visit with Kids
Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a lively parade in late February. Photo courtesy of dcparade.com
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 21 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids in Winter 2025 -2026
The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0
Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families
Skate in the shadow of the National Gallery of Art. Photo by Elvert Barnes/CC BY 2.0
GUIDE
DC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The iconic Ben's Chili Bowl is a great place to score some cheap eats under $10 in DC. Photo courtesy of Ben's Chili Bowl
Best Cheap Places to Eat in DC for Kids & Families (Under $10!) — Recs From Locals
The Experiential Learning Center at the National Museum of the United States Army offers plenty of opportunities for play and exploration. Photo by Anne Trenelone via Flickr
27 Free Things To Do Indoors in DC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Planet Word has a 22-foot talking word wall!
The 12 Best FREE Hidden Gems & Secret Spots for Kids in DC
The National Museum of the American Indian's imagiNATIONS Activity Center is full of interactive activities for kids. Photo by the author
Things To Do in DC That Everyone Will Love—From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Child's Play has a great selection of toys, games, children's books, and more. Photo by Tony Ventouris Photography
Coolest Stores for Kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
America turns 250 this year and there are extra-big celebrations all across the country! Photo by Kent Miller for Macy's Inc.
A Guide to Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in the US with Kids (2026)
Learn the art of blacksmithing at Lawless Forge in Sterling, VA. Photo courtesy of the venue
19 Trending and Out-of-the-Box Activities for Kids in DC
Dave & Buster's is fun for all ages! Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters
Best Kid-Friendly Arcades in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia
You're never too old for a foam pit! Photo courtesy of Sky Zone
Safe and Fun Teen Nighttime Activities Near DC
Go on a safari at Leesburg Animal Park. Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Visit Virginia
Ultimate Virginia Bucket List: 100 Things To Do With Kids in VA
It doesn't get much better than a delicious slice of pizza! Photo courtesy of Stracci Pizza
Where to Find the Best Pizza in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia

Sphere, A Major New Entertainment Venue, Has Been Proposed for National Harbor, MD Near DC

Artists and engineers are working hard to bring this unique venue to life. Rendered image courtesy of Sphere Entertainment
Artists and engineers are working hard to bring this unique venue to life. Rendered image courtesy of Sphere Entertainment

Big news for concert and entertainment lovers: a new Sphere entertainment venue is being planned for National Harbor! The State of Maryland, Prince George's County, Sphere Entertainment Co., and real estate developer Peterson Companies made the announcement this week. This Sphere—the second venue of its kind in the US—will be smaller than the one that opened in Las Vegas in 2023, but will still host concerts, shows, immersive experiences, and other entertainment.

Read on for everything we know so far about the proposed new venue. Then check out our list of the best things to do in National Harbor with kids to see why this town on the banks of the Potomac River is the perfect location for the second Sphere.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

What We Know About the Proposed New Sphere Coming to National Harbor

The National Harbor venue being planned would be the first smaller-scale Sphere, with 6,000 seats (as opposed to Sphere Las Vegas's 18,600 seats). The National Harbor Sphere would feature an Exosphere—an exterior LED display that would showcase both artistic and branded content. The venue would also have the following high-tech features:

  • A 16K x 16K interior display plane—the world’s highest-resolution LED screen
  • An immersive sound systems
  • 4D environmental effects
  • Seats with vibration motors, motion elements, and infrasound technology that move and shake in sync with visuals and audio

Sphere in National Harbor
The exosphere will showcase all kinds of cool images. Rendered image courtesy of Sphere Entertainment and Peterson Companies

“Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment, and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history, proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life. We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”

Sphere National Harbor will be the third Sphere location. The second, which is being planned for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will be a full-size venue identical to the one in Las Vegas. A construction or opened date for the National Harbor sphere has not yet been announced.

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jennifer Marino Walters
Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.
Recent Articles By Jennifer Marino Walters:
Read more articles by Jennifer Marino Walters.