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, 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!
Family Fishing
October 3
Kingman Island
Washington, DC
Enjoy an evening of fishing with Anacostia Riverkeeper. Attendees don’t need to know how to fish…the friendly folks with Anacostia Riverkeeper are happy to help teach newbies. And they provide the bait, tackle, and rods. This event is FREE, but you do need to register online.
Not Your Mother’s Goose
October 3 through November 2
Adventure Theater
Glen Echo, MD
This laugh-out-loud play takes audiences to Gooseville, where classic nursery rhymes come to life. Beloved nursery rhyme characters work together to restore order in Gooseville after chaos is unleashed when the enchanted Tickety-Tock Clock stops, unraveling time and space. Audiences will delight in this fast-paced, clever, and heartwarming production.
Art on the Avenue
October 4
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 many experiences throughout the day including bracelet making, a photo booth, 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.
Girls in Aviation Day
October 4
College Park Aviation Museum
College Park, MD
Celebrate the 11th 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.
Animal Tea Party
October 4 & 11
Frying Pan Farm Park
Herndon, VA
Head to Frying Pan Farm Park for a sweet tea party where you can meet one of the farm animals. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal and help decorate for the tea party. In addition to meeting a friendly farm animal, guests will be read a story while enjoying cookies and tea. There are sessions at 10am and 2pm. Purchase tickets and register online. Please note that this event is for children age 4 to 7 years old.
Takoma Park Street Festival
October 5
Carroll Ave to Carroll St. NW
Takoma Park, MD
For 44 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.
Washington Capitals Home Opener
October 8
Capital One Arena
Washington, DC
Cheer on our Washington Capitals as they take on the Boston Bruins in their 2025-2026 Season home opener. Everyone attending the game will receive a schedule magnet and a rally towel. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take part in the pregame Block Party, which will begin at 2:30pm on F Street between 6th and 7th Streets NW. Players will greet fans, sign autographs, and take pictures as they make their red carpet arrival. There will be loads of other fun activities at this FREE event including face painting, a street hockey rink, and a caricature artist.
Disney on Ice: Jump In!
October 9 – 13
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
This Disney on Ice show brings beloved Disney stories to life on the ice. Fan favorite characters from Moana 2, Inside Out 2, Toy Story, Encanto, and Frozen will delight your kiddos. Mickey & Friends will have audiences singing and dancing. They will dazzle 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 with Moana and Mickey!
Farm Day
October 11
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 grinding, 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.
Saturday Morning Live!: Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure
October 11 & 25
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, Jennie the Cat: A Halloween Adventure, follows Jennie the Cat who feels like she has been pegged as a scary cat. As she decides who she wants to be, she will meet new friends and new interests. This interactive, musical puppet show is aimed at 3 to 6 year olds, but all are welcome. It is FREE to attend this show, but you must register online.
National Fossil Day
October 15
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.
Kids Euro Fest Family Day
October 18
Spanish Cultural Center
Washington, DC
Fifteen European embassies will take part in this fun and educational family-friendly event. Kids will be able to take part in an Irish soccer workshop, enjoy Ukrainian dance performances, lose themselves in children’s tales from Portugal, and much more. Food will be available for sale. The Kids Euro Fest activities are geared for children from 2 to 12 years old. This event is FREE, but online registration is required.
The Big Build
October 18
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, and more. While this event is FREE to attend, guests are encouraged to register online.
College Park Day
October 18
College Park Aviation Day
College Park, MD
This annual family-friendly festival brings together the community of College Park for a day of entertainment and fun! Live music, wandering performers, games, races, bounce house and much more are sure to entertain all ages. Local restaurants, breweries, and food trucks will have food and drink for sale. This event is FREE to attend.
Oxon Hill Farm Fall Festival
October 18
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, “Getting Ready for Winter.” Seasonal fun and discovery is guaranteed as attendees will learn what it took to get the farm ready for the changing seasons throughout history. Cozy crafts, food preservation, and more traditions will be celebrated. This event is FREE to attend and no registration is required.
Family Day: Creating Comics
October 18
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 give visitors the chance to create their own comics and explore the Library’s extensive comics collections. The bestselling creators of “The Cartoonists Club” will take part in an author talk at 2:00pm. Visitors need to register separately for this Family Day event. This event is FREE, but you must reserve FREE timed-entry tickets to the Library ahead of time.
Fall Harvest Festival
October 18 – 19
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, VA
Experience the fall as families would have in colonial times. Learn from 18th-century demonstrations of farm activities such as wheat-treading, horseshoeing, cooking, and much more. Guests can also purchase bread freshly made in an 18th-century-style oven, play Colonial era games, 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 19
Pennsylvania Ave, NW (between 3rd and 6th Street)
Washington, DC
Join the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC in celebrating Turkish Heritage Month. 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.
Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience
October 23, 24, and 25
The Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
The National Symphony Orchestra will perform music along with the most iconic moments of 23 films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe throughout this live-to-film experience. Audiences will be able to relive highlights from their favorite MCU films including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy and many more. Tickets available online.
Duke Ellington’s March for the Arts
October 25 from 10 am to 3 pm
Duke Ellington Campus in Georgetown
Washington, DC
Come to this spine-tingling family adventure at Duke SPELL-ington School of the Arts in Georgetown. This is a fundraiser to support the arts. Adult tickets are $15 and children’s tickets are $10. During the Haunted Homecoming season’s March for the Arts Event, enjoy moon bounces, vendor market, train ride, and food offerings. Get mesmerized by thrilling monster performances at 11 am and 1 pm. This haunted homecoming is perfect for families to dance with friendly monsters and enjoy spooky treats. Dress up and receive a spooktacular gift that will haunt your heart! This event supports the arts!
Glen Echo Fall Frolic
October 25
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.
Family Workshops: Spooky Shakespeare
October 25
Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, DC
Shakespeare’s works include many spooky elements like witches and ghosts. This Family Workshop explores how he used these in his plays. Participants are welcome to wear costumes, but they are not required to do so. There are two sessions. The first, at 11:30am, is for kids from 5 to 7 years old. The second session is at 1pm and is for kids from 8 to 11 years old. It is FREE to attend this workshop (though donations are appreciated), but you must reserve your spot online.
Fábulas Fairytales
October 29 – 31
Discovery Theater
Washington, DC
Bring your little ones from 3 to 8 years old to this interactive, original production at Discovery Theater. Four story time favorites will be brought to life in this fun introduction to Spanish. Audiences will also learn about literacy through storytelling, math, and music. Tickets are available online.
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.
