October brings an end to the summer heat and so much family fun that one guide simply does not suffice. This month’s guide to family-friendly events includes outings sure to please every member of your family. Whether your crew is interested in science, books, theater, music, or outdoor fun, we’ve got you covered. As you try to decide how to spend these glorious weekends (and weekdays), please also take a look at our super useful Guide to Fall Activities and Events. It includes our guides to Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farms, Apple Picking Orchards, Halloween Happenings, and more. Don’t forget that we also have a community calendar that lists other local events!
Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean
Now – November 3
ARTECHOUSE
Washington, DC
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to explore the dark depths of the ocean, head to ARTECHOUSE to experience its current immersive art installation. Visitors will experience the world of bioluminescent sea creatures through a 24-minute film on a wall-to-wall, 270-degree projection. There are six additional interactive installations and six XR activations about the mysteries of the oceans to explore. Family members of all ages will marvel at this wondrous experience.
Art on the Avenue
October 5
Del Ray Neighborhood
Alexandria, VA
From 10am through 6pm, Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray Neighborhood will host this entertaining annual music and arts festival. Enjoy music all day on three different stages. Browse the artworks of a variety of artists. The Kids Art Corner will host experiences throughout the day including painting birdhouses, DIY fidget toys, a robot demo, a taekwondo demo, and more. Eager bakers can submit an entry into a pie baking contest. And, of course, there will tons of food for purchase.
Open Streets DC
October 5
7th Street NW (Rhode Island Avenue to E Street NW)
Washington, DC
DC is closing down this portion of 7th Street NW to cars for a day of community celebration and health and wellness. So many fun events are planned including a variety of musical entertainment, yoga classes, wrestling lessons, Chinese 9-man volleyball scrimmages, bike repair workshops, a virtual sports lounge in the ESPN zone, and much more. There will even be a bike giveaway for DC residents!! Twenty-two adult bikes and 29 kids bikes will be raffled off. Enter the raffle here. This event is FREE.
Farm Day
October 5
Cherry Hill Park
Falls Church, VA
Enjoy a day full of farm fun at this annual festival. You can take part in several family-friendly activities such as pony rides, corn shelling, and birdhouse painting. Kids can get up-close-and-personal with their favorite farm animals at the petting zoo, and learn from beekeeping and blacksmithing demonstrations. This event is FREE to attend, but many of the activities require tickets, which can be purchased onsite.
Literary Hill BookFest
October 6
Eastern Market, North Hall
Washington, DC
Book lovers of all ages will enjoy celebrating local authors and books at the 13th Annual Literary Hill BookFest. There will be book signings, panel discussions, and variety of family-friendly activities. Check out the event website for a schedule of events and list of participating authors. This event is FREE to attend.
Takoma Park Street Festival
October 6
Carroll Ave to Carroll St. NW
Takoma Park, MD
For 43 years, this family-friendly festival has brought together community residents and visitors for a day of fun. Three stages will host 18 bands providing all-day entertainment. Local artists will sell their creations – photographs, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, woodworking, and much more. Attendees can buy food from various local vendors and onsite food trucks.
Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play
October 10
Warner Theater
Washington, DC
Mysterious weather repeatedly interrupts a playdate between Mickey and his Clubhouse pals and Spidey and his Amazing Friends. Follow along as your favorite Disney characters work together to figure out who is behind these pesky interruptions. Tickets are available online.
Disney on Ice: Let’s Dance
October 10 – 14
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
This Disney on Ice show will have kids singing and dancing along as Mickey and his friends play DJ for the night. Beloved characters, including Elsa, Anna, Maui, Moana, Pumbaa, Ariel, and more, will dazzle audiences with their skills on the ice set to the tunes of remixed Disney favorites. Check out the website for information about a Character Experience add-on that includes photo-ops and interactive activities.
National Fossil Day
October 11
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC
Where better to celebrate National Fossil Day than the National Museum of Natural History? The Museum is offering a variety of kid-friendly activities. Participants can touch and hold real fossils, observe experts at work in the FossiLab, and more. This is event runs from 10am until 2pm and is FREE to attend. No registration is required.
Saturday Morning Live!: Shake Your Bones!
October 12
National Theater
Washington, DC
Saturday Morning Live! offers FREE performances aimed at exposing kids to the arts and all the benefits of live performances, including encouraging their self-expression and sparking their creativity. This month’s interactive show, Shake Your Bones!, will be performed by Cantaré. Preschool and kindergarten aged kids will be introduced to Latin American songs, dances, and instruments. And music will be sung in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. It is FREE to attend this energetic show, but you must register online.
Spells of the Sea
October 12 – 20
The Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
This family-friendly musical tells the story of Finley Frankfurter, a girl on a quest to save her father from the Big Bad Sickness of the Sea. Kids and grown-ups alike will be delighted by the humor and magic in this inspiring coming-of-age tale. This production is recommended for kids age 6 and over. There is a sensory-friendly performance on October 19th.
Fall Harvest Days & Carnival
October 18 – 20
Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon, VA
Head to Frying Pan Farm Park for a weekend full of fall fun. On Friday, visitors will be able to explore a variety of large vehicles, such as tractors and a fire engine, at Big Truck Night. Throughout the weekend, carnival rides and games will delight your family and a variety of fair food will be available for purchase. On Saturday and Sunday, Fall Harvest Days gives families the opportunity to meet farm animals and learn how to do various farm tasks such as milking a cow, shelling corn, and peeling apples. Admission is FREE, but there is a $10 parking fee and tickets must be purchased for the carnival rides.
Kids Euro Fest Family Day
October 19
MLK Library
Washington, DC
Over a dozen European embassies will take part in this fun and educational event. Kids will be able to take part in Spanish jeopardy, enjoy dances from Bulgaria, lose themselves in children’s tales from Italy, and much more. The Kids Euro Fest activities are geared for children from 4 to 10 years old. This event is FREE, but online registration is required.
The Big Build
October 19
National Building Museum
Washington, DC
This FREE event will give you and your kiddos the chance to learn about design and building from experts in fields such as plumbing, design, roofing, and more. Hands-on activities such as wiring a light, pouring concrete, and hammering nails will be available. There will also be an outdoor Truck Petting Zoo, story times, virtual reality experiences, and more.
Kingman Island Friends & Family Day
October 19
Kingman Island
Washington, DC
Come celebrate and explore this special natural space at this FREE event. Nature walks, scavenger hunts, crafts, fishing, animal encounters, and much more will be available.
Oxon Hill Farm Fall Festival
October 19
Oxon Hill Cove & Oxon Hill Farm National Park
Oxon Hill, MD
Get out and enjoy a fall day with your family. The theme for this year’s Fall Festival is, “Art in the Park.” Seasonal fun is guaranteed as attendees will celebrate the beauty of Fall through family-friendly art activities. This event is FREE to attend and no registration is required.
Family Day: Halloween
October 19
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
Family Days at the Library of Congress give kids and their families the opportunity to explore a particular theme through Library of Congress collections, creative activities, and speaking with topic experts. This month’s Family Day will focus on Halloween, so visitors can expect spooky crafts and haunting images from the Library’s collections. This event is FREE, but you must get FREE timed-entry tickets to the Library ahead of time.
Fall Harvest Festival
October 19 – 20
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, VA
Experience the fall as families would have in colonial times. Learn from 18th-century demonstrations on Pioneer Farm, purchase bread freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven, find your way through a straw bale maze, meet General Washington, and more. The cost for attending this event is included in the cost of admission to the Mount Vernon Estate.
Turkish Festival
October 20
Pennsylvania Ave, NW (between 3rd and 6th Street)
Washington, DC
Join the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC in celebrating the Turkish Republic. Attendees of this fun, FREE, family-friendly event will enjoy live music, folk dancing performances, fortune telling, cultural events, kids activities, and more. Authentic Turkish cuisine and arts and crafts will be available for purchase.
Girls in Aviation Day
October 20
College Park Aviation Museum
College Park, MD
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Girls in Aviation Day a the College Park Aviation Museum. Inspire the girls in your life to dream big as they meet women in aviation and take part in activities that may spark an interest in exploring the sky. Make sure you arrive early to grab a swag bag while they last! This event is FREE, but registration is required.
123 Andrés
October 23
Discovery Theater
Washington, DC
Bring your little ones to this performance by the entertaining and lively Grammy-winning duo, 123 Andrés. This husband-wife duo will have your kids singing and dancing while learning Spanish and English. It is sure to be a super fun show! This performance is recommended for kids from age 3 to 8. Tickets are available online.
Glen Echo Fall Frolic
October 26
Glen Echo Park
Bethesda, MD
Kick-off Halloween a few days early at this annual family-friendly event. Your little ghouls will enjoy Halloween arts and crafts activities, a costume contest, trick-or-treating, and more. This event is FREE, but organizers would appreciate an online RSVP. Check the website for more details about this year’s event.
Día de los Muertos Family Day
October 26
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Washington, DC
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a variety of activities to entertain the whole family. Corazon Folklorico, Mariachi Aguila DC, and Sol y Rumba will excite guests with their dance and musical performances. Other crafts and activities, such as face painting, will be available. This event is FREE, but online registration is encouraged.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
October 26 – 27
National Museum of the American Indian
Washington, DC
This two-day celebration at the National Museum of the American Indian gives visitors the opportunity to honor ancestors and appreciate the cycle of life and death. Enjoy dance performances and artist demonstrations. Make paper marigolds and masks. Leave photos or mementos of loved ones on the Museum’s ofrenda. Check out the event website for a schedule of activities. This event is FREE and no registration is required.
We hope you enjoy this guide! If you know of additional family-friendly events in our area this month, please leave it in the comments below.
