Oktoberfests, Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, oh my! Fall is definitely here. Enjoy apple picking, hay rides, Halloween events and more this weekend. Check out this weekend’s top 10 fun things to do with kids in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. As always, many of the events listed are free. Enjoy!

Oktoberfest - Reston Town Center. Photo from RestonChamber.org.

FREE: Oktoberfest – Reston, VA
Friday, October 8: 3 pm – 11 pm
Saturday, October 9: 11 am – 11 pm
Sunday, October 10: 12 pm – 7 pm

Yummy Oktoberfest fare and other cuisines from local restaurants, live music and entertainment, carnival rides for kids, horse carriage rides and more. Free admissions, carnival rides, food and beverages are extra. Get your tickets online.

Apple Picking at Homestead Farm – Poolesville, MD
Friday, October 8 – Monday, October 11: 9 am – 6 pm

Homestead Farm now has pink lady apples, yum! In addition to apple picking, you can also go on a hayride to the pumpkin patches on weekends and visit their adorable farm animals. Hayrides are $3 per person; pumpkins and apples are sold separately. Call 301-977-3761 before you leave to check on availabilities.

Homestead Farm is located at 15604 Sugarland Rd, Poolesville, Maryland (map it).

Kids' Pumpkin Dash in Reston Town Center, Virginia. Photo from TheGreatPumpkin5K.com.

FREE: Kids’ Pumpkin Dash – Reston, VA
Saturday, October 9: 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Get your kids all dressed up in their Halloween costumes and dash to the finish line at Reston Town Center! Kids will race in their age group, which are 4 years and younger, 5 and 6 years, 7 and 8 years and 9 and 10 years. Your kids can also participate in a pumpkin decorating contest. This popular event has reached capacity, but they’ll have a limited number of entries at the Reston YMCA on Thursday and Friday from 12 pm to 7 pm to register.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

FREE: SterlingFest – Sterling, VA
Saturday, October 9: 11 am – 5 pm

Check out crafts and booths of local companies, kids’ rides and live entertainment at SterlingFest. Free admissions.

SterlingFest is held at Sterling Park, on Commerce Street and Enterprise Street, Sterling, Virginia (map it).

National Children's Museum - Jump Off. Photo from NCM.Museum.

FREE: National Children’s Museum Presents Jump Off! – National Harbor, MD
Saturday, October 9: 11 am – 4 pm

Check out nationally renowned Double Dutch jump rope teams and enjoy family-friendly activities at National Harbor this Saturday. The National Children’s Museum will also highlight community stars, such as Prince George’s County Police and Fire Departments, including members of the bomb squad, hazmat and SWAT teams. See a real fire truck and fire boat, an ambulance, a policy car and motorycle and command center vehicles. Munch on regional foods, enjoy local crafts and fashion as well as discounts from local retailers.

National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is located at 112 Waterfront St, National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Festival of the Building Arts – Washington, DC
Saturday, October 9: 10 am – 4:30 pm

See architects, builders, designers and artisans demonstrate their skills at the National Building Museum this Saturday. Your kids can try out surveying, roof thatching, woodworking and more. Recommended for kids ages 5 to 13. Free admissions, $5 donations suggested.

The National Building Museum is located at 401 F St NW, #334, Washington, DC (map it).

Rumplestiltskin at the Kennedy Center. Photo from Kennedy-Center.org.

Rumplestiltskin at the Kennedy Center – Washington, DC
Saturday, October 9: 11 am, 1:30 pm and 5 pm
Sunday, October 10: 1:30 pm and 4 pm

Enjoy a family-friendly performance at the Kennedy Center this weekend as German Master Puppeteer Matthias Kuchta presents the classic fairy tale Rumplestiltskin with hand-made, life-sized puppets. Show lasts approximately one hour. Recommended for kids ages 5 and up. Tickets are $18 per person. Get your tickets online.

The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F St., NW, Washington, DC (map it).

Hallowings and Things at Baltimore Aquarium – Baltimore, MD
Saturdays, October 8 – Monday, October 11: 12 pm

Check out Baltimore Aquarium’s creepiest and crawliest creatures in October! Every Saturday and Sunday at Noon, the Aquarium features special Halloween animal encounters. Visit warty toads, hissing cockroaches, slithering snakes and more. Admission fees: $24.95 for adults, $23.95 for seniors (60+), $19.95 for kids (3 – 11) and free for kids under 3. Get your tickets online.

Baltimore Aquarium is located at 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

Jump for St. Jude at JW Tumbles – Herndon, VA
Sunday, October 10: 9:15 am – 12:15 pm

This Sunday, Herndon JW Tumbles will donate half of your entrance fee to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Pick from one the three open bounce times (each lasts for an hour): 9:15 am, 10:15 am or 11:15 am. For kids 1 to 5 years old; bounce area is recommended for kids 2.5 to 5 years old. To pre-register, call 703-481-2990 or email herndon@jwtumbles.com with your name, phone number, child’s name, child’s age and your desired open bounce time. Pre-payment is required with pre-registration. Admission fees for kids ages 2.5 to 10: $12 for members, $14 for non-members and siblings are half off. Admission fees for kids under 2.5: $8 for members, $12 for non-members and siblings are half off.

Herndon JW Tumbles is located at 12950 Highland Crossing Dr, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

Oktoberfest - Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD. Photo from GaithersburgMD.gov.

FREE: Oktoberfest at the Kentlands – Gaithersburg, MD
Sunday, October 10: 12 pm – 4 pm

Pumpkin painting, horse-drawn hay rides, pony rides, moon bounce, face painting, arts and crafts, authentic Bavarian food and beer, live performances by Bavarian dancers and live entertainment by local dance and singing groups. Free admissions; some activities may require additional fees.

Kentlands Village Green is located at 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

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Boo! It’s that time of the year again. Time to get all dressed up in your favorite Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating! Nothing beats the old-fashion trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood, but there are many other fun things that you can do with your kids this Halloween, too!

Check out these fun Halloween activities and Fall festivals for kids in Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard – Germantown, MD
Saturdays and Sundays in October (2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 25, 30 and 31): 10 am – 5 pm
Columbus Day (Monday, October 11): 10 am – 5 pm

Enjoy a fun country pumpkin festival at Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland. New this year is their giant corn bin! Go on a hayride, play in a straw maze, go on giant slides, visit farm animals, go on pedal tractors and check out Pumpkinland. Most activities are included with admissions. Kids’ activities that require additional charge are arts and crafts, pony rides and face painting. They’ll have burgers, hot dogs, pitas, caramel apples, cider and other country food. Admissions are $10 per person and free for kids under 2.

See my review of Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival.

Butler’s Orchard is located at 2200 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, Maryland (map it).

Giant slide at Cox Farms Fall Festival.

Fall Festival at Cox Farms – Centreville, VA
September 18 – 19 (preview weekend): 10 am – 6 pm
September 27 – October 31: 10 am – 6 pm
November 1 – 7: 10 am – 5 pm

Family-friendly activities and entertainment at Cox Farms, leading up to Halloween. Your kids will love going on a hayride (as many times as they like!), giant slides, straw tunnels and rope swings. Visit farm animals, enjoy local apples and fresh apple ciders and take home a a patch pumpkin. Shop for pumpkins and other fresh produce from their local market. New this year is Farm Chores, where kids can enjoy interactive play with farm tasks, such as milking a cow and exploring a corn crib. Pack your lunch for a picnic, or buy food at the farms. They sell burgers, cheese sandwiches, chips, pretzels and pop corn there. Tickets are $9 per person for weekdays, $15 per person for weekends and free for kids under 2. Get your tickets online or at the farms.

See my review of Cox Farms Fall Festival.

Cox Farms are located at 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, Virginia (map it).

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch at Crumland Farms – Frederick, MD
September 26 – November 1 (Saturdays and Sundays only): 10 am – 6 pm

Check out the eight-acre corn maze featuring Crumland Farms’ mascot, Mazey the Cow. Besides finding your way out of the corn maze, you and your kids can feed farm animals, ride the MooChoo train, go down a giant slide, leap into a pile of fresh hay, go on a hayride to pumpkin patch and more. Admission fees: $9 per person and free for kids under 2.

Crumland Farms are located at 7612 Willow Road, Frederick, Maryland (map it).

Cow train at Temple Hall Corn Maize and Fall Festival in Leesburg, Virginia. Photo from NVRPA.org

Temple Hall Farm Corn Maize and Fall Festival – Leesburg, VA
Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from September 24 to November 1 (maze and daytime activities): 10 am – 6 pm
Friday and Saturday night maze admission: 6 pm – 10 pm
Tractor-pulled wagon rides are on Saturdays and Sundays only and horse-drawn wagon rides are on Saturdays only

Check out this 24-acre corn maze in Leesburg! Other activities include hay fort, corn box, cow train, pig races, corn cannons, pumpkin blasters (launch a pumpkin 100 yards away), horse-drawn wagon rides and more. Admission fees: $12 for adults (12 – 54), $10 for kids (3 – 11), $10 for seniors (55+) and free for kids 2 and under. Horse drawn wagon rides are $2 per person and pumpkin blasters are $1 per pumpkin. Get a coupon online. Update: see my review of Temple Hall Farm Corn Maize and Fall Festival.

See my review of Temple Hall Corn Maize and Fall Festival.

Temple Hall Farm is located at 15855 Limestone School Rd, Leesburg, Virginia (map it).

Kid-Friendly Halloween Haunt at King’s Dominion – Doswell, VA
October 2 – October 31 (Saturdays and Sundays only): 12 pm – 5 pm

Halloween Haunt at King’s Dominion can be pretty scary for your little kids since it’s a PG-13 style event. To include little kids in their event, King’s Dominion will hold kid-friendly activities on Saturdays and Sundays in October from 12 pm to 5 pm. Kids 12 and younger can wear costumes during the day, just no masks or face makeup. Adults may not wear costumes into the Haunt. Admission fees: $56.99 for ages 3 – 61 and at least 48″ tall and $34.99 for under 48″ tall and over 61 years old. Get discounted tickets online.

King’s Dominion is located at 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia (map it).

Kids' Pumpkin Dash in Reston Town Center, Virginia. Photo from TheGreatPumpkin5K.com.

Kids’ Pumpkin Dash and Oktoberfest at Reston Town Center – Reston, VA
Kids’ Pumpkin Dash (FREE):
Saturday, October 9: 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Oktoberfest:
Friday, October 8: 3 pm – 11 pm
Saturday, October 9: 11 am – 11 pm
Sunday, October 10: 12 pm – 7 pm

Two fun Halloween events at Reston Town Center in October! This is the second annual Kids’ Pumpkin Dash at Reston Town Center. Kids can dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes and participate in a fun race. Parents/guardians are encouraged to run alongside kids on the course. Four age categories: 4 years and younger, 5 and 6 years, 7 and 8 years, 9 and 10 years. All Kids’ Pumpkin Dash participants will receive a race bib, ribbon and pumpkin. After the race, your kids can compete in a pumpkin carving contest. Register for Kid’s Pumpkin Dash for free.

Stay for Octoberfest for the rest of day at Reston Town Center and enjoy food, drink and live performances. They’ll have carnival rides for kids, too! Get your Oktoberfest tickets online.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

Boo at the Zoo, National Zoo – Washington, DC
Friday, October 22 – Sunday, October 24: 5:30 pm

Join the 12th annual Boo at the Zoo at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Get your kids all dressed up (and you, too!) to go trick or treating while saying hello to pandas, lions, elephants, apes and other zoo animals. More than 40 treat stations will be available, as well as animal encounters, keeper talks and festive decorations. For kids ages 2 to 12. Rain or shine. Tickets are $20 per person for FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) members, $30 per person for non-members and free for kids under the age of 2. Parking passes are included (Saturday passes are no longer available). Get your tickets online.

The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC (map it).

Greenbelt Pumpkin Festival. Photo from GreenbeltPumpkinWalk.com.

FREE: Greenbelt Pumpkin Festival: Carving Party and Pumpkin Walk – Greenbelt, MD
Friday, October 22 (Carving Party): 4 pm – 8 pm
Saturday, October 23 (Pumpkin Walk): 6 pm – 9 pm

This is as Halloween as it’s going to get! Participate in a pumpkin carving party on Friday night while enjoying live music. Your pumpkin may appear in trees, on stumps or on the ground, lighting the path of the Pumpkin Walk on Saturday night. Enjoy a walk through the woods with Jack-o-lanterns will be lighting the way! This is not a haunted walk, so your little kids can enjoy this walk. For the pre-dark walk with your little kids, arrive around 5:30 pm. Night time walk will begin at dark and end at 9 pm. Free apple ciders and hot chocolate will be provided, so bring an empty thermos.

The Carving Party will be held at the Roosevelt Center, located at Crescent Rd and Southway Dr, Greenbelt, Maryland (map it).

The Pumpkin Walk will be held at Northway Fields, located at Northway Rd and Ridge Rd, Greenbelt, Maryland (map it).

Air and Scare – National Air and Space Museum – Chantilly, VA
Saturday, October 23: 2 pm – 8 pm

Go trick-or-treating and check out thousands of aviation and space artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Other fun Halloween activities for kids during Air and Scare include simulation rides (normally $7-$8, but it’s free during Air and Scare), a puppet show, a showing of a family-friendly movie, face painting and photo opportunities with Star Wars characters. The museum will also have a Tot Zone, where kids ages 3 to 7 can play dress up and create crafts, as well as a Teen and Tween Zone, where teens and tweens can learn to pack a parachute, watch robotic demonstrations and more. Free admissions, with parking fee of $15 per car.

The National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, is located at 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, Virginia (map it).

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate Fall Harvest Family Days. Photo from MountVernon.org.

Fall Harvest Family Days at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate – Mount Vernon, VA
October 23 – 24: 9 am – 5 pm

Visit the four-acre George Washington Pioneer Farmer site for a fun Fall festival! Horse-drawn wagon rides, a straw bale maze, outdoor cooking demonstrations and learn how to dance 18th century style. Admission fees: $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (62+), $7 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free for kids 5 and under.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate is located at 200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Vienna Halloween Parade – Vienna, VA
Wednesday, October 27: 7 pm – 9 pm

Vienna Halloween Parade begun in the 1940s as a gathering of local kids to show off their Halloween costumes. Now the parade draws tens of thousands of people; kids in Halloween costumes are still an important part of this event as they lead the parade. Rain or shine. Free admissions.

The parade will run down Maple Ave, from Branch Road to Center Street in the Town of Vienna, Virginia (map it).

ZooBOOO! at Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, MD
October 29 – 31: 10 am – 4 pm

Dress in your favorite Halloween costume and go trick-or-treating at Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Fun carnival games, live entertainment, costume contests and yummy food. Musical Zoo will start at 10:30 am, magic show will start at 1 pm and costume contests will be held at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Admission fees: $14 for adults, $10 for kids ages 2 to 11, $12 for seniors (65+) and free for kids under the age of 2. Get your tickets online.

The Maryland Zoo is located at Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

NSO Family Concert: Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales. Photo from Kennedy-Center.org.

National Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Spooky Sounds and Scary Tales – Washington, DC
Sunday, October 31: 1 pm – 2 pm and 3 pm – 4 pm

Put on your spookiest Halloween costume and get ready for the spirited Spooky Sounds and Scare Tales concert by National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Arrive early for pre-concert trick or treating and musical “petting zoo.” Dressed in their Halloween costumes, the NSO will perform Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, John Williams’s Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter and music from other scary tales. For kids ages 5 and up. Tickets are $15 to $18, depending on your seating area. Get your tickets online.

The Kennedy-Center is located at 2700 F St, NW, Washington, DC (map it).

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There are so many things to do this Labor Day weekend in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Check out our top 10 things to do with kids below, with eight of the events free for kids! Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival. Photo from GreenbeltLaborDay.com.

FREE: Greenbelt Labor Day Festival – Bel Air, MD
Friday, September 3: 10 am – 11 pm
Saturday, September 4: 8 am – 11 pm
Sunday, September 5: 9 am – 11 pm
Monday, September 6: 9 am – 6 pm (parade from 10 am to 12 pm)

A fun festival for the entire family! Go on amusement rides, play carnival games, enjoy live bands and entertainment, enjoy food and refreshments, check out art exhibits, see Greenbelt Idols competition, enjoy a children’s pet show and more. Labor Day Parade will be held on Monday, September 6th. See the full festival schedule.

Free admissions, tickets are needed for carnival games and rides. Discounted tickets for carnival rides are available at the Greenbelt Consumer Co-op Supermarket Pharmacy until Friday, September 3rd. Discounted tickets are $10 for unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday (50% savings!).

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival will be held at the Roosevelt Center, located at 101 Centerway, Greenbelt, Maryland (map it). More on parking and free shuttle buses.

Maryland State Fair - Timonium, MD
Friday, August 27 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 10 pm

State fair time! Carnival rides, games, food stands, thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, thoroughbred horse racing, jousting tournament, cow milking clinic, US Navy simulators and more. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older), $3 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free kids for under 6. Rides are $1 per ticket and each ride uses between 1 and 6 tickets. See the full schedule.

The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Rd, Timonium, Maryland (map it). More on directions to the fair.

Maryland Renaissance Festival, Annapolis, Maryland. Photo from RennFest.com.

FREE for Little Kids: Maryland Renaissance Festival – Annapolis, MD
Saturday, September 4 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 7 pm

It’s all about magic! This weekend is Magic Weekend at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the second largest renaissance fair in the country. Free admissions for kids under the age of 11. Check out special performances featuring sleight of hand, card tricks and large illusions. See full entertainment schedule and map of the village. Admission fees: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), $8 for kids (7 – 15) and free for kids 6 and under.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be held at 1821 Crownsville Rd, Annapolis, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Irish Music and Dance Showcase – Glen Echo, MD
Saturday, September 4: 1 pm – 5 pm
Sunday, September 5: 12 pm – 2 pm
Monday, September 6: 1 pm – 5 pm

This showcase is brought to you by the Glen Echo Park Partnership and the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. Enjoy Irish music and dancing, featuring the area’s finest performers. See full schedule of performers. Free admissions.

Irish Music and Dance Showcase will be held at the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, Maryland (map it).

FREE for Kids: Abbey Road on the River (Beatles-Inspired Music Festival) – National Harbor, MD
Thursday, September 2: 4 pm – 10:15 pm
Friday, September 3: 2 pm – 1:30 am
Saturday, September 4: 11 am – 1:50 am
Sunday, September 5: 10:30 am – 2 am
Monday, September 6: 12 pm – 4 pm

Fun music festival honoring the music and legend of The Beatles. Lasting the entire Labor Day weekend, this festival features over 50 bands that celebrate the music of The Beatles. See full schedule of entertainment. Admission fees: $20 to $70 per day per person, depending on your seating area. Free for anyone under the age of 21, when accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket. Get your tickets online.

Abbey on the Road will be held at Gaylord National Hotel, located at 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, Maryland (map it). See festival map.

FREE for Toddlers: SARC Family Fun Day Balloon Festival – Bel Air, MD
Saturday, September 4: 12 pm – 6 pm

Activities for kids include horse rides, fainting goats, moon bounces, face painting and pony races. Family-friendly entertainers include Urban Pirates, Alex and The Kaleidoscope Band and Kinetic Youth Academy’s Tumbling Show. Other activities include search dog demonstration and the Maryland Zoo animal presentations. Admissions are $5 per person and free for kids 5 and under. Proceeds benefit SARC. Get your tickets online.

SARC Family Fun Day Balloon Festival will be held at located at 608 N. Tollgate Rd, Bel Air, Maryland (map it).

NSO Labor Day Concert at the Capitol, Washington, DC. Photo from Kennedy-Center.org.

FREE: National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Capitol Concert – Washington, DC
Sunday, September 5: 8 pm

Enjoy NSO performance this Sunday at the West Lawn of the US Capitol. If not raining, there will be a dress rehearsal at 3:30 pm. Gates open to the public at 3:15 pm. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Call 202-416-8114 after 2:30 pm on Sunday to confirm. Free admissions.

US Capitol is located at the far eastern end of the National Mall beyond the Capitol Reflecting Pool (map it). More on directions.

FREE for kids: Herndon Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival – Herndon, VA
Monday, September 6: 12 pm – 6 pm

Enjoy great music, check out crafts, munch on yummy food and check out twelve wineries. Admission fees: $8 for designated drivers, $15 for unlimited wine tasting and commemorative glass, $15 micro-brew tasting and commemorative glass and free for kids under the age of 12.

Herndon Labor Day Jazz and Wine Festival will be held at Herndon Town Green, located at 777 Lynn St, Herndon, Virginia (map it).

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Image from GaithersburgMD.gov.

FREE: Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade – Gaithersburg, MD
Monday, September 6: 1 pm – 3 pm

See fire engines, high school marching bands, large balloons, horses, clowns and more at Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade. Rain or shine. Gaithersburg Labor Day parade will be held on the streets of Old Towne Gaithersburg. See parade routes.

Free parking is available in the Old Town garage, located at Old Towne and South Summit Avenues (map it). A shuttle bus is also available starting at 12 pm at Lakeforest Shopping Center.

Tot Day at The Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, MD
Monday, September 6: 10 am – 2 pm

Say hello to zoo animals in Baltimore and enjoy fun activities with your kids. Puppet shows, craft time, story time, hands-on activities to learn about animals and more. Free with admission to the zoo. Admission fees: $14 for adults, $10 for kids ages 2 to 11, $12 for seniors (65+) and free for kids under 2.

The Maryland Zoo is located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland (map it). Free parking at the zoo.

What a busy week! We had a birthday party at an awesome kids’ venue (review next week!) and this weekend is booked solid already. Can’t wait for Labor Day weekend to finally relax. Enough about my ranting, here are top 10 things to do with kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Curious George Live!

Curious George Live – Fairfax, VA
Friday, August 27: 7 pm
Saturday, August 28: 11 am and 3 pm
Sunday, August 29: 1 pm and 5 pm

A live stage musical, Curious George Live! will delight the entire family! Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome. Tickets range from $20.60 to $84.05, depending on show time and your seat. Get your tickets online.

Curious George Live! will be showing at Patriot Center, located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, Virginia (map it).

Banjo Man – Vienna, VA
Friday, August 27: 10:30 am – 11:30 am

The Banjo Man performs folk and bluegrass-inspired children’s songs accompanied by his 5-string banjo. An entertaining show for young children. Tickets are $5 per person. Get your ticket at the door.

The Banjo Man will be performing at Jammin’ Java, located at 227 Maple E Ave, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Outdoor Screening of Wizard of Oz – Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, August 27: 8 pm

Enjoy an outdoor screening of Wizard of Oz for a family fun night in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Free admissions. Donations of nonperishable food items for local food banks are appreciated. Call 301-258-6350 before you go in case movie is cancelled or rescheduled due to weather.

Movie will be shown at Malcolm King Park, located at 1200 W Side Dr, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

Maryland State Fair in Timonium, Maryland. Photo from MarylandStateFair.com.

Maryland State Fair - Timonium, MD
Friday, August 27 – Monday, September 6: 10 am – 10 pm

State fair time! Carnival rides, games, food stands, thousands of home arts and agricultural exhibits, thoroughbred horse racing, jousting tournament, cow milking clinic, US Navy simulators and more. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and older), $3 for kids ages 6 to 11 and free kids for under 6. Rides are $1 per ticket and each ride uses between 1 and 6 tickets. See the full schedule.

You can also purchase concert tickets to see Gretchen Wilson on August 27th, Bret Michaels on September 1st and Justin Bieber on September 5th. No surprise, the Justin Bieber concert is sold out. You can still get tickets to see Gretchen Wilson and Bret Michaels. Bring blankets for the concert!

The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland (map it). More on directions to the fair.

Reston Restaurant Week – Reston, VA
Friday, August 20 – Sunday, August 29

Enjoy prix-fixe menus at Reston Town Center restaurants, including Mon Ami Gabi, Uncle Julio’s and Market Street Bar & Grill. Then throw some pennies and make your wish at the fountain and enjoy a leisurely stroll to check out the local stores. See menu of participating restaurants.

Reston Town Center is located at 11900 Market St, Reston, Virginia (map it).

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! in New York. Photo from YoGabbaGabbaLive.com.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! – Bristow, VA
Saturday, August 28: 2 pm – 3 pm and 6 pm – 7 pm

DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Foofa, Toodee, Brobee, and Plex will be in town, along with Biz Markie as a special guest. They’ll also have surprise guests for the dancy dance and super music friend, how fun! Tickets range from $48.60 to $69.50, depending on your seat. You can also get a party package for VIP access, such as a silly party with the Gabba gang and Biz’s Beat of the Day, for $135.50. Get your tickets online.

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! will be performing at Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion), located at 7800 Cellar Door Dr, Bristow, Virginia (map it).

FREE: International Children’s Festival Preview – Fairfax, VA
Saturday, August 28: 6 pm – 8:30 pm

Enjoy a preview of International Children’s Festival coming up at Wolf Trap, including performances by International Dance School, Juventud Boliviana, Nomad Dancers and Phooljharis (Sparklers). Free admissions.

International Children’s Festival Preview will be held at Grand Plaza of Fairfax Corner, located at 11900 Palace Way, Fairfax, Virginia (map it).

Storm Center Newseum Family Day. Photo from Newseum.com.

FREE for Kids: Storm Center Newseum Family Day – Washington, DC
Saturday, August 28: 11 am – 5 pm

Be a weather reporter for the day, learn how meteorologists predict the weather, participate in News Hound Scavenger Hunt and listen to meteorologist Bob Ryan discusses the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, during Storm Center Newseum Family Day. Besides the Storm Center, see the Berlin Wall gallery, check out 4-D theater, see interactive exhibits, play in the interactive newsroom and step out to the Family Terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of Washington, DC. Free admissions for kids up to age 18, with up to 10 free kids with each paid adult admission at $19.95. If you can’t visit the Newseum this weekend, they’ll have the free admissions for kids until September 6th! Get your tickets online.

Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC (map it).

FREE for kids: Maryland Renaissance Festival – Annapolis, MD
Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29: 10 am – 7 pm

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is the second largest renaissance fair in the country. This weekend is Children’s Weekend at the fair! Free admissions for kids under the age of 11. Visit King Henry VIII and interact with villagers of Revel Grove. Enjoy entertainment from a strolling magician, mingle with a mime and more. See full entertainment schedule and map of the village.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be held at 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Movies on the Potomac – National Harbor, MD
Sunday, August 29: Sunset

Watch Spider-Man on the plaza’s big screen this Sunday night. Bring lawn chairs! Outside food and coolers with alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Free admissions.

Movies on the Potomac event will be held in National Harbor, Maryland (map it).

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of August already. My email box is full of back-to-school offers from retailers! Take a break from shopping and check out some fun and free activities that you can do with your kids this weekend in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.

The Puppet Co - The Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs. Image from ThePuppetCo.org

Little Red Riding Hood and The 3 Little Pigs Puppet Show – Glen Echo, MD
Friday, August 20: 10 am – 10:45 am and 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22: 11:30 am – 12:15 pm and 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm

The Big Bad Wolf tells his side of the story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs. A tongue-in-cheek version of the two children’s favorite stories that uses humor and music to surely delight your little one. This fun puppet show also includes audience participation so your kid won’t be bored! Recommended for kids ages 3.5 and up. Tickets are $10 per person or free for kids under 2. Get your tickets online.

The Puppet Co. is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, Maryland (map it).

FREE: Arlington County Fair – Arlington, VA
Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21: 10 am – 10 pm
Sunday, August 22: 11 am – 10 pm

See Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue, where many rainforest animal friends will be making appearances, such as Treetop the singing toucan, Allie the 18-foot Albino Burmese python, Juan the Green-winged Macaw and Tikatu the Kinkajou. Free kids’ activities include moon bounce, face painting and 30 foot long Monster Mural. Other activities include movie nights, carnival rides and pony rides. Don’t miss the Racing Piglets! Free admissions.

Arlington County Fair is held at 3501 South Second St, Arlington, Virginia (map it). Shuttle services are available for $1 for adults and free for kids and seniors.

Alexandria Restaurant Week – Alexandria, VA
Friday, August 20 – Sunday, August 29

Alexandria Restaurant Week starts this Friday! Sixty restaurants are participating with $35 pre-fixe menu, $35 dinner for two or $3.50 for sweet treats. Among participating restaurants are Mango Mike’s for Caribbean food (kids’ menu), Austin Grill for Tex Mex food (kids’ menu) and Fontaine Caffe and Creperie for yummy crepes.

Forensic Friday at National Museum of Natural History. Photo from MNH.SI.edu.

FREE: Forensic Friday at National Museum of Natural History – Washington, DC
Friday, August 20: 10:30 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm

What a great opportunity for your little anthropologist to learn about the science of forensics! He or she can join Smithsonian forensic anthropologists as they study new and historic cases and observe first-hands the basic methods used for documenting human remains recovered from archaeological investigations. Free admissions. Call 202-633-1000 for more information.

National Museum of Natural History is located at 1000 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC‎ (map it).

Target Family Fun Night at Port Discovery Children’s Museum – Baltimore, MD
Friday, August 20: 4 pm – 7 pm

Check out Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore for only $2 during Target Family Fun Night. Normal admission fee is $12.95, so take advantage of this discount! See Bob the Builder exhibit where kids get to practice their own fixing with kid-smart activities that build up their Can-Do attitudes and encourage them to be active. Call 410-727-8120 for more information.

Port Discovery is located at 35 Market Place, Baltimore, Maryland (map it).

Our Town at the Arts Barn – Gaithersburg, MD
Friday, August 20 – Saturday, August 21: 8 pm – 10 pm
Sunday, August 22: 2 pm – 4 pm

Wilder’s stark and simple masterpiece chronicles the daily life of close knit families and reveals the universal truths that connect us all. This show is suitable for all ages. Fees: $13 for residents, $15 for non-residents and $9 for children. Get your tickets online. Call 301-258-6394 for more information.

The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Rd, Gaithersburg, Maryland (map it).

Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke. Photo from JamminJava.com.

Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke at Jammin’ Java – Vienna, VA
Saturday, August 21: 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Key Wilde and Mr Clarke create a zany musical world where pigs grow as big as tractor trailers, little dogs think they are bullfrogs and people can go to the moon in a red balloon. See their performance at Jammin’ Java. Admission fees: $8 per person and free for babies under one.

Jammin’ Java is located at 227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia (map it).

Family Flicks at Wheaton Outdoor Rink (Shrek) – Wheaton, MD
Saturday, August 21: 7 pm

Bring your blanket or chairs and watch Shrek with your family at Wheaton Outdoor Rink in Wheaton, Maryland. Doors open at 7 pm and movie starts at dusk, around 8 pm. Fees: $2.50 per person and free for kids 2 and under. Snacks are available for purchase; no outside food or drinks. Call 301-905-3000 for more information.

Wheaton Outdoor Rink is located at 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland (map it).

Marriott Family Golf Festival at Westfield Golf Club, Clifton, VA

FREE: Marriott’s Family Golf Festival – Clifton, VA
Sunday, August 22

Free golf instruction, clinics, interactive golf games and fun family activities at Westfield Golf Club in Clifton, Virginia. In the afternoon, kids ages 8 to 15 can play for free as part of Marriott Golf’s Kids Golf-4-Free program with purchase of a paid adult. Call 703-631-3300 for more information.

Westfield Golf Club is located at 13940 Balmoral Greens Ave, Clifton, Virginia (map it).

FREE: Cambodian Community Day Festival – Alexandria, VA
Sunday, August 22: 12 pm – 6 pm

Discover Cambodia, and its culture, heritage, traditions and values. Participate in Cambodian folk games, enjoy Cambodian classical dances and see a Cambodian traditional wedding. Activities for kids include moon bounce, face paintings, balloons and games. Free admissions.

Cambodian Community Day Festival is held at Ben Brenman Park, located at 4800 Brenman Park Dr, Alexandria, Virginia (map it).