If this installment of the Kids Weekend Guide is arriving in your inbox late, it’s only because there are SO many amazing events around Route 1 this weekend. Every time I thought I’d included everything, I found another great event.
That’s probably because this happens to be Juneteenth weekend, plus Father’s Day. Every day of this weekend, Route 1 families can celebrate with community parties, live music, food, and cultural activities. And the weather looks perfect; after a steamy Friday, we’ll get cooler temps that make it all the more joyful to get outdoors and enjoy Route 1.
FRIDAY
Hyattsville Library Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring your preschooler and enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and more at the new Hyattsville Library.
When: 10:30-11 am
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Chesapeake Bay Boats with the Laurel Historical Society (ages 3-7)
Aspiring mariners will adore this beginner’s introduction to the work boats of the Chesapeake Bay. Learn how to identify different boats by their design, what different activities work boats have been used for, and where famous boats that are associated with Maryland can be found. Participants will craft their own play boats to take home. Face masks are required for all participants ages 2+.
When: 11 am to 12 pm
Where: Laurel Library
Cost: FREE!
Fun at Montpelier (all ages)
Montpelier House Museum has two fun ongoing events this summer. Stroll the grounds of beautiful Montpelier House while the kids hunt for herbs, trees, and other features to fill out a scavenger hunt sheet, which are included with a tour of the house or $1 per sheet without a tour. Return your scavenger hunt/bingo sheets to the main office for a prize! Or, follow a path of pages to read a story that fosters confidence, encourages self-care, and makes teamwork fun.
When: 10 am to 4 pm, Thursdays through Mondays all summer
Where: Montpelier House Museum, Laurel
Cost: Scavenger hunts are free with tour or $1 per sheet without a tour; Story Strolls are FREE!
Hyattsville Summer Jam: Juneteenth Celebration (all ages)
The Hyattsville Summer Jam is back after a two-year hiatus! Celebrate Juneteenth at this special event that will feature the contributions of local Black artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and performers. There will also be food vendors, a beer and wine garden, and children’s activities. Satellite parking will be available at Driskell Park, and the City’s Call-A-Bus will transport community members between Driskell Park and Hyatt Park. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming Summer Jams on July 15, August 19, and September 16.
When: 5-8 pm
Where: Hyatt Park, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Bear Square Summer Concert Series – Brad Doggett (all ages)
The splash pad at Bear Square is officially on and ready for splashing, and Friday is the perfect time to cool off while listening to some live music.
When: 5 pm
Where: Bear Square, Riverdale Park
Cost: FREE!
Jazz Night at Maryland Meadworks (all ages)
Listen to the Hyattsville Jazz Collective while sipping some mead. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Maryland Meadworks, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE! (tipping encouraged)
Antibalas: Afrobeat Ensemble (all ages)
Join Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas as they present their greatest hits at the Publick Playhouse. Their music generally follows the musical architecture and language of Afrobeat and incorporates elements of jazz, funk, dub, improvised music, and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa.
When: 8-9:30 pm
Where: Publick Playhouse, Cheverly
Cost: $30/person; $20/senior, student
Black Folks Don’t Swim? (all ages)
Jazz, future-funk and soul collective Black Folks Don’t Swim? share their signature artistry in a special show honoring Black Music Month and celebrating Juneteenth.
When: 8-10 pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange
Cost: $15
SATURDAY
Cheverly Community Market (all ages)
The Cheverly Community Market is back with the best in local produce, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, bread, pastries and wine. The market accepts Maryland-DC WIC/FMNP/SNAP and happens every other Saturday from May to November.
When: 8 am to 12 pm
Where: Cheverly Community Center
Cost: FREE!
Hollywood Farmer’s Market (all ages)
You’ll find a great variety of farm-fresh veggies, fruits, meats, baked goods, cheeses, eggs, hot foods, honey, coffee, and plants, plus live music every Saturday. The market happens rain or shine in the parking lot of MOM’s in College Park.
When: 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Hollywood Shopping Plaza, near MOM’s
Cost: FREE!
Hyattsville Library Spanish-English Ready 2 Read Storytime (ages 3-5)
Bring the tots for stories, fingerplays, and songs in Spanish and English for ages 3-5.
When: 12:30-1 pm
Where: Hyattsville Library
Cost: FREE!
Yoga in the Parks at Lake Artemesia (ages 13+)
Yoga in the Parks is a free yoga program where classes take place in the beautiful outdoors. Classes are scheduled for one hour and are designed for all fitness levels. Learn basic moves to strengthen your body and increase your flexibility.
When: 9:15-10:15 am
Where: Lake Artemesia, Berwyn Heights
Cost: FREE!
Interfaith Children’s Circle (ages 1-5)
Join the Interfaith Children’s Circle for prayers, songs, and a story. The program is about 15 minutes, after which kids and parents can enjoy playing and chatting together. Some past stories have included We’re Different, We’re the Same, I Am Brave, The Rabbit Listened, and Say Hello!
When: 10:30 am -12 pm
Where: Hyatt Park, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE!
Fun at Montpelier (all ages)
Montpelier House Museum has two ongoing events this summer. Stroll the grounds of beautiful Montpelier House while the kids hunt for herbs, trees, and other features to fill out a scavenger hunt sheet, which are included with a tour of the house or $1 per sheet without a tour. Return your scavenger hunt/bingo sheets to the main office for a prize! Or, follow a path of pages to read a story that fosters confidence, encourages self-care, and makes teamwork fun.
When: 10 am to 4 pm, Thursdays through Mondays all summer
Where: Montpelier House Museum, Laurel
Cost: Scavenger hunts are free with tour or $1 per sheet without a tour; Story Strolls are FREE!
Juneteenth Celebration at Watkins Park (all ages)
This free family event will feature food, vendors, live music, art activities, a puppet theater, and a scavenger hunt.
When: 12-5 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
Cost: FREE!
Meet & Make – Hawks
Meet a critter and get crafty! Kids will enjoy an up-close visit with a nature center animal and learn what makes them special. Discover how each animal is unique, then use what you have learned to create a craft about that animal. This is a great way to understand conservation and nature.
When: 1-1:45 pm
Where: Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro
Cost: $4
Fun on the Farm Saturday Series
Interact with barnyard animals close up! Meet the farmers and educators of the farm, learn about the animals, and even enjoy some delicious farm treats. Guaranteed fun for the whole family and a great way to get outside and discover something new.
When: 4 pm
Where: Hard Bargain Farm, Accokeek
Cost: $15/person (kids under age 2 are free)
What’s Out There Weekend in DC (all ages)
The Cultural Landscape Foundation has put together a weekend jam-packed with free, expert-led tours of iconic locations around DC. On Saturday, take a guided tour of the National Arboretum, Theodore Roosevelt Island, or the Franciscan Monastery. On Sunday, visit the Watergate, Black Lives Matter Plaza, or the MLK Memorial. Most tours last about an hour and there are so many choices each day.
When: Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout the DMV
Cost: FREE!
Chadwick Boseman Film Festival (ages 18+)
Celebrate Juneteenth with older teens with a screening of Da 5 Bloods at Old Greenbelt Theatre. While this R-rated film isn’t appropriate for younger kiddos, if you’re reading this in time, you can also catch a screening of 42 on Thursday or Get On Up on Monday (both rated PG-13) as part of this film festival.
When: 5:30 pm
Where: Old Greenbelt Theatre
Cost: FREE!
DMV Bluegrass Collective at Maryland Meadworks (all ages)
The DMV Bluegrass Collective is composed of friends who all moonlight in multiple bluegrass projects throughout the area. They formed the Collective to play the traditional mountain music they all love and share the music with a wider audience. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
When: 7-10 pm
Where: Maryland Meadworks, Hyattsville
Cost: FREE! (tipping encouraged)
SUNDAY
Greenbelt Farmer’s Market (all ages)
The Greenbelt Farmers Market brings a fantastic mix of local vendors to Roosevelt Center in Old Greenbelt, including produce, pasture-raised meats, sustainable seafood, soaps, ice cream, breads and baked goods, mushrooms, flowers, bedding plants, vegetable and herb plant starts, honey, coffee, wine, beer, baked desserts, and prepared entrees and sides, both frozen and hot.
When: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Roosevelt Center, Old Greenbelt
Cost: FREE!
Cheverly Juneteenth Celebration (all ages)
Cheverly African American Community Organization will host its 3rd annual Juneteenth celebration. The celebration begins with a parade at 10 am, followed by a flag raising ceremony, food, and guest speakers.
When: 10 am
Where: Cheverly Town Hall
Cost: FREE!
Fun at Montpelier (all ages)
Montpelier House Museum has two ongoing events this summer. Stroll the grounds of beautiful Montpelier House while the kids hunt for herbs, trees, and other features to fill out a scavenger hunt sheet, which are included with a tour of the house or $1 per sheet without a tour. Return your scavenger hunt/bingo sheets to the main office for a prize! Or, follow a path of pages to read a story that fosters confidence, encourages self-care, and makes teamwork fun.
When: 10 am to 4 pm, Thursdays through Mondays all summer
Where: Montpelier House Museum, Laurel
Cost: Scavenger hunts are free with tour or $1 per sheet without a tour; Story Strolls are FREE!
Father’s Day Tours of Riversdale (all ages)
Celebrate dad, grandpa, or another special gent with a free tour of this historic home. Hear about some of the fathers who lived and labored at Riversdale and stop in the open hearth kitchen where Kitchen Guild members will be demonstrating hearty recipes.
When: Tour times are 12, 1:30 and 3 pm
Where: Riversdale House Museum, Riverdale
Cost: FREE!
Creative Suitland presents: Juneteenth Festival (all ages)
This outdoor community event will feature live performances, vendors, food trucks, a farmers market, a community drum circle, and genealogy resources.
When: 12-4 pm
Where: Creative Suitland Arts Center
Cost: FREE!
The Foods of Juneteenth in the Garden (all ages)
Celebrate Juneteenth with a garden-to-table chef demo and exploration of African diaspora crops that grow well in our area. There will also be music from across the African diaspora and self-guided tours of the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum.
When: 12-2 pm
Where: National Arboretum, NE DC
Cost: FREE!
Finding Rhythm Live in Concert (all ages)
This interactive show for all ages will honor the roots and rhythms of DC’s go-go music, while teaching about the biological origins of human music and celebrating how rhythm grows the brain. There will be gifts for all children who attend plus a chance to win a free Finding Rhythm CD or tee shirt.
When: 2-3 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mt. Rainier
Cost: FREE! (register in advance)
What’s Out There Weekend in DC (all ages)
The Cultural Landscape Foundation has put together a weekend jam-packed with free, expert-led tours of iconic locations around DC. On Saturday, take a guided tour of the National Arboretum, Theodore Roosevelt Island, or the Franciscan Monastery. On Sunday, visit the Watergate, Black Lives Matter Plaza, or the MLK Memorial. Most tours last about an hour and there are so many choices each day.
When: Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout the DMV
Cost: FREE!
Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor (all ages)
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious restaurants at National Harbor, and meet at The Plaza’s big screen for a free screening of Are We There Yet. National Harbor will be featuring family movies every Sunday for the rest of the spring and summer, plus date night movies for grown-ups on Thursdays.
When: 6 pm
Where: The Plaza at National Harbor
Cost: FREE!
Fez Tones Hafla (all ages)
Join New Deal Cafe for an evening of live Middle Eastern music & dance. Musicians will play exotic instruments such as qanun, oud, darbuka, and riq and the region’s best belly dancers will perform. There will be open dancing between dance performances, so dancers – bring your shimmy!
When: 6-8 pm
Where: New Deal Cafe, Greenbelt
Cost: FREE!
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