April Family-Friendly Events Guide

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Spring is here!! Finally, the weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming, and trees are starting to show their new leaves. The beginning of spring offers so many opportunities to spend time with your family. This guide to area family-friendly events highlights many ways to get out and about this month.

Cherry Blossoms: A DC Highlight

The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 18th to April 16th this year. Several festival events are included in this guide, but there are many more. Find out about all Festival events here. Need guidance for navigating the Festival with kids? Check out our article, How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms with Kids! If you want to avoid the crowds around the Tidal Basin, you can find other places to enjoy the blooms in 12 Unique Places to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms. We also have put together a guide to Easter Pictures and Egg Hunts in the DC Area. Wherever this month takes you, we hope that your family shares unforgettable experiences as you plant a garden, take a hike, fly a kite, stomp in puddles, or clean up your community. Don’t forget: Earth Day is April 22nd!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage

Now – April 2
West Basin Drive, SW
Washington, DC
Come out to see the blossoms during peak bloom at the Tidal Basin while also experiencing Japanese, American, and other cultures. Live performances and other entertainment will celebrate the longstanding friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The Welcome Area will be open from 10am – 6pm and performances can be seen from 12pm – 6pm. Take the kids by to earn a Bloomin’ Junior Ranger badge and to enjoy other family-friendly activities.

Petal Porches

Now – April 16
Various Neighborhoods in DMV
This National Cherry Blossom Festival event invites residents in DC and the surrounding areas to show their love for spring, cherry blossom season, and all things pink by joining their neighbors in this friendly house-decorating competition. Get creative with your yard and register your home as a participant (Registration is FREE and the first 300 people to sign up before March 13 get a free official National Cherry Blossom Festival Yard sign). Use the online map of participants to navigate your own tour and vote for winners. The winner of the Best Blossom Block will win a neighborhood pop-up party!

PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies

Now through June 11
ARTECHOUSE
Washington, DC
ARTECHOUSE is once again bringing a joyous exhibit to celebrate spring and cherry blossom season. This family-friendly, immersive experience will wow visitors with its virtual world of cherry blossoms. Interactive installations have also been designed that explore a butterfly’s life cycle and its relationship to the environment. Tickets can be purchased online. Children 3 and under are FREE. Family packs and discounts for military, first responders, students, and locals are also available.

One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection

Now through July 16
Hishhorn Museum
Washington, DC
This stunning exhibition has been extended through July 16th. The prolific work of Yayoi Kusama has been collected by the Hirshorn Museum since 1996. Now, you can see the exhibition of her five works in its permanent collection. Timed passes are required for entry. Passes are FREE, but visitors should reserve prior to visiting.

Eye Spy Trains

Saturdays and Sundays in April
Wheaton Regional Park
Wheaton, MD
Does your little one love trains? If so, hop aboard the Wheaton Miniature Train for this annual event. As you ride the train around the park, visitors will search for a bunch of hidden characters along the tracks. A limited number of tickets will be available onsite, so visitors are encouraged to buy tickets in advance online. While at the park, take the opportunity to ride the 108-year-old Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel.

Cherokee Days Festival

March 31 – April 2
National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
Learn more about the deeply rooted Cherokee people during this FREE, three-day event. The Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will share their culture and history through a variety of showcases and activities, including storytelling, woodcarving, traditional games, musical performances, and much, much more.

Bloomaroo

April 1
The Wharf
Washington, DC
Come out to the Wharf for a spring festival featuring a full day of cherry-blossomed themed music, fireworks, art, and family-friendly fun. There will be beer gardens on the pier, s’mores at the firepit, and live music on all three outdoor stages. Check out the website for a schedule of the live music. At 8:30pm, there will be fireworks to finish off this FREE event.

Cherry Blossom Festival

April 1
National Museum of Asian Art
Washington, DC
This FREE spring celebration offers fun for all ages. There will be a kimono pop-up and hands-on activities. Learn about Japanese and American friendship on docent-led tours. The Yumi Kurosawa Trio will perform throughout the afternoon. Attendees can even try out cheese and tea pairings with Cheesemonster and In Pursuit of Tea.

Japanese Culture Day

April 1
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
This family-friendly event gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture throughout the day. Loads of craft activities such as origami, calligraphy, and tiara-making will be available. Japanese storytelling will take place as well as presentations by Japanese cultural and linguistic professionals. And, to further tie into the Cherry Blossom festival, items from the Library of Congress collection related to cherry blossoms and Japanese culture will also be on display.

Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story

April 1 – 2
The Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
The Kennedy Center will host this entertaining production presented by the Glass Half Full Theater from Austin, Texas. It is the story of a 10 year old girl named Belinda who recreates the classic fairy tale of Cinderella when she’s in the basement preparing for a party upstairs. This family-friendly play uses puppetry, Spanish, and English and is most enjoyed by children age five and older.

Sakura Sunday

April 2
National Harbor
National Harbor, MD
Head to the National Harbor for its annual Sakura Sunday Festival. An official participant of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, this FREE celebration features Japanese cultural activities including a Japanese market selling food and crafts, music and dance performances, and more.

STEM Expo 2023

April 3 – 5
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, MD
The Navy League of the United States is hosting its 6th STEM Expo to inspire kids from 5th to 12th grade to pursue their interests in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students and parents will enjoy workshops, explore career information, learn from live demonstrations, and much more at this FREE event.

The Drive-In at Union Market

April 7 and 21
Union Market
Washington, DC
The Drive-In at Union Market is back for its 11th season! On the first and third Thursday of the month, through July 21st, bring a carload of family and friends to enjoy a variety of family-friendly films. One ticket per car is required and can be purchased online. Attendees can opt to skip the vehicle and instead take their lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the movie from Neal Place. Tickets aren’t required for this seating section. Yumminess will be available for purchase from some Union Market vendors. This month, you can enjoy Wall-E (April 7th) and A League of Their Own (April 21st). Check the website for the season schedule.

DC Emancipation Day Celebration

April 15 – 16
Freedom Plaza and Black Lives Matter Plaza
Washington, DC
DC Emancipation Day annually commemorates the ending of slavery in the District on April 16, 1862. Fun events have been planned throughout the weekend to celebrate this day. On Saturday, enjoy a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, a lineup of exciting performers at Freedom Plaza, and cap the day off with a fireworks display. The festivities continue on Sunday at Black Lives Matter Plaza with a lite workout, Go-Go performances, kid-friendly games, and more.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

April 15
Constitution Avenue NW (between 7th and 17th Street)
Washington, DC
The giant helium balloons, fun floats, marching bands, celebrity entertainers, and performers are back with this signature Festival event! The parade will march along ten blocks of Constitution Ave, NW. Spectators can purchase tickets for reserved grandstand seating, but some areas of the route are FREE for the public to view the parade (space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis). This year, TV Personality Carson Kressley will provide commentary and C+C Music Factory will entertain the crowd. Kids of all ages will delight in cheering on this year’s Grand Marshals, Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

Teen Movies: The Bob’s Burgers Movie

April 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Washington, DC
Teens are invited to this FREE screening of The Bob’s Burgers Movie. Attendees should head to the Teen Space on the 2nd Floor of the MLK Library. This event is FREE, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival

April 15 – 16
Pennsylvania Ave NW (between 3rd and 7th Streets)
Washington, DC
This annual event draws 40,000 visitors each year and is the biggest celebration of Japanese culture in the U.S. It attracts artists, performers, and restaurants that showcase Japanese culture and tradition from across the U.S. and the world. Tickets are required for this two-day event and are available online. Kids 12 and under are free and do not need a ticket. Check out the event website to learn more about Featured Exhibits.

Petalpalooza

April 16
Capitol Riverfront at the Yards
Washington, DC
This FREE, family-friendly event will celebrate spring with a full day of live music and fun activities along the banks of the Anacostia River. This day-long event will offer entertainment on multiple outdoor stages, interactive art installations, a beer garden, family-friendly hands-on activities, and more. It will be capped off by a fireworks show set to music starting at 8:30pm.

Celebrate Earth Day

April 22
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Washington, DC
This family-friendly event will give attendees an opportunity to honor and celebrate Earth. You can take part in garden workshops to learn how to start your own garden, watch cooking demos using farm to table produce, take part in seed giveaways, chalk walk the Anacostia Watershed, learn about urban foraging, and much more. You can register online for this FREE event and please note that free shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the Anacostia Metro Station every 30 minutes.

Earth Day Cleanup

April 22
Various Sites Around the Anacostia River Watershed
DC, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County
Get hands-on at this giant volunteer event organized by the Anacostia Watershed Society. Over 2,000 volunteers will pick-up trash and serve 30 locations along the Anacostia River and its tributary streams. Volunteers (including children) must register online. Please take note that some sites are not recommended for younger children and those locations are clearly marked on the map of volunteer sites.

Earth Day Celebration

April 22
Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op
Takoma Park, MD
The TPSS Co-op’s Earth Day Celebration celebrates our planet and helps us learn how to be better stewards of our planet. Enjoy live music, vendor food, and lots of local, earth-friendly organizations.

Georgetown French Market

April 28 – 30
Wisconsin Ave NW (from O St NW to Reservoir Rd)
Washington, DC
Take the family to the 20th Annual Georgetown French Market to enjoy a caricature artist, live music, stilt-walkers, and more. Over 30 local boutiques, mini art galleries, and cafés will participate in this Parisian-inspired open-air market. Make sure you enjoy the food and drink specials offered by neighborhood restaurants that will feature French delights such as pastries, croissants, macarons, and lunch items grilled outside.

ALX Dog Walk

April 29
Oronoco Bay Park
Alexandria, VA
Take a walk with your favorite pup(s) at the 2nd Annual ALX Dog Walk in historic Old Town Alexandria. Last year’s event drew over 450 dogs and over 700 of their people to join in the 2-mile walk! This year, NBC Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell and Mayor Justin Wilson will kick off the walk. Participants will enjoy a raffle, music, a dog obstacle course, the Smooch Your Pooch photo booth, a Puppy PlayZone for kids, dog treats, and more.

Baseball Family Day

April 29
Smithsonian Postal Museum
Washington, DC
This family festival is sure to be a home run! Head to the Postal Museum to explore its exhibit, Baseball: America’s Home Run. This FREE event will include crafts, music, activity stations, and virtual author readings.

Stargaze at the Udvar-Hazy Center

April 29
Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA
Learn about the planets, stars, and the moon with the Museum staff and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club during this evening of stargazing. Attendees can use the Club’s telescopes and receive expert help. This event is FREE and open to the public. It is also weather permitting. Please see the website for more information.

Carousel Days

April 29
Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo, MD
Carousel Day is a huge family festival at Glen Echo Park. The 102-year-old Dentzel Carousel will open for the season and there will be FREE activities for families throughout Glen Echo Park. Enjoy an opening parade and maypole, kids arts and crafts, instrument petting zoo, performances and live music, and more.

April family-friendly events

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Julie Hart
Julie is a proud born and bred Texan, but has called DC home since 2001. She studied at the University of Texas and then moved to DC to get her MPA at the George Washington University. Julie worked for ten years for a Member of Congress, where she loved working to impact public policy. In 2013, her world turned inside out when she gave birth to twins and decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Currently Julie lives in the H Street Corridor with her husband, two kids, and their increasingly grouchy senior dog, Presley. Yes, please: movie dates with her husband, trying new restaurants, exploring DC with her kids, last minute road trips, being outdoors, festivals (of any kind), girls’ night out, and a rainy day with “Pride and Prejudice.” No, thank you: hot and humid summers, mistreating animals, Legos (ouch!), public speaking, laundry, raw fish