FRIDAY
PGCMLS’s Storytime PopUp! at The Waterhole
Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more at this innovation collaboration between PGCMLS & Mt. Rainier’s fabulous organic juice & smoothie joint, The Waterhole. Best for 0-5 years old. Curious? Click here for fun video of a past collabo!
When: 10 am
Where: The Waterhole, 4004 34th St., Mt. Rainier
Admission: Free (Heads-up: Waterhole’s menu is delish, highly recommend indulging!)
** We did a write-up of The Waterhole in Mount Rainier for our Local Biz Reviews section
Family Fun: Getting Ready for Winter at Patuxent Refuge
Come learn what the animals at Patuxent are doing to prepare for the cold. We’ll have hands on games and activities for all ages. Drop-in program. No registration required.
When: 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel
Admission: Free!
Toddler Time at Art Works Now!
Open studio time for toddlers and their accompanying adults. Even the youngest children can explore a variety of age-appropriate art materials in a safe, fun environment.
When: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: 3711 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier
Admission: $9
| Credit: Art Works Now |
Magic: The Gathering Club
Come cast spells and battle wizards in our favorite fantasy card game. Bring your own cards or use the ones we have here. For ages 5-12. All experience levels welcome, from never-played to expert.
When: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Where: Hyattsville Public Library,
Admission: Free!
Free World Hootenanny! A Post-Election Music Celebration
Bring yourselves, your families, your voices and be a part of the community music fun! A tribute to beloved songs of old, new, & a tribute to the music of Hamilton. Hosted by Eric Maring & featuring Allison Hughes, Rocky Korr, Patrick Lynch, Greg Heelan, Jeff Kaplan and the next generation.
When: 7 – 9 pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Church, 4512 College Ave, College Park
Admission: Donations welcome at the door!
SATURDAY
Family Fun: Getting Ready for Winter at Patuxent Refuge
When: 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel
Admission: Free!
Bibliobop Dance Party
Calling all Preschoolers and Toddlers! Come and bust a move and shake your sillies out at the Greenbelt Bibliobop Dance Party. Bring your parents or caregivers and prepare to boogie and bop until we all drop!
When: 10:30 – 11:30 am
Where: Greenbelt Public Library, 11 Crescent Road, Greenbelt
Admission: Free!
SantaFest @ PG Mall Join us for SantaFest! A joyful celebration for the entire family! Join Santa and friends for crafts, games and snacks. Holiday music, Snowman Toss Game, Turkey Craft kids & more. First 50 families to register before COB Friday & attend will receive a $10 gift card for The Children’s Place and special Santa photo offers.
When: 11 am – 2 pm
Where: PG Mall, Center Court & JCP Court
Admission: Free!
Dinosaur Park
Come to Dinosaur Park Open Houses (every 1st & 3rd Saturday) to meet paleontologists, learn about Maryland prehistory, and search an active fossil site for 115 million-year-old remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals!
When: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Where: 13200 block of Mid-Atlantic Blvd., Laurel
Admission: Free!
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| Credit: M-NCPPC |
A free one-day workshop for young artists and families to decorate sparkling centerpieces with glitter for their Thanksgiving table. Nothing says “Thanks!” like glitter – and all the mess can stay in our classroom. Families are encouraged to bring their own items to decorate, but can also choose from a limited selection of free centerpiece items at the workshop. Free parking.
Admission: Free!
Children build their reading confidence by reading aloud to specially trained therapy dogs that are glad to listen. Each child will read for 15 minutes. Ages 6-11. Registration is required.
When: 2 – 3:30 pm
Where: Greenbelt Public Library, 11 Crescent Road, Greenbelt
Admission: Free!
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| Credit: Arts PG Parks |
Let the innaurgural cast of PG’s Junior Academy of the Performing Arts (JAPA) take you on a musical journey through your imagination while celebrating some of Broadway’s finest melodies!
When: 6 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier
Admission: $5; children 12 and under are free! Purchase tickets here.
SUNDAY
How We Study Weather
Weather is all around us and affects us every day. Come join us to learn how professional scientists study different aspects of weather, and how you can do the same as a citizen scientist, observing the clouds and surface temperature and making the connection to satellite data. Activities are best suited for children ages 5-10. No registration is necessary to attend.
When: 1 – 3 pm
Where: NASA Goddard Visitor Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt
Admission: Free!
Kids Open Mic at New Deal Cafe
Kids 17 and under are invited to play a musical instrument, sing, dance, recite a poem or otherwise perform. This is not a talent show but an opportunity for kids to showcase and practice their skills in an informal, family-friendly atmosphere. Walk-ins welcomed!
When: 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Where: New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway, Greenbelt
Admission: Free
JAPA’s Night of Young Stars!
See description above.
When: 6 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier
Admission: $5; children 12 and under are free! Purchase tickets here.
*****************UPCOMING HOLIDAY FUN ALERT!***************************
Lucky ducks! Registration for Breakfast with Sint Niklaas at Riversdale has been extended through next Wednesday, November 23. If you haven’t done this before, know that Sint Niklaas, the kindly Flemish bishop, visits Riversdale each year to celebrate the Belgian traditions of Rosalie Stier Calvert and her family. Parents and children will enjoy a Belgian-inspired breakfast (complete with some seriously yummy waffles) and children will receive a gift. Capacity is limited and spaces are still available, but filling quickly.
When: Saturday, December 3rd
Where: Riversdale House Museum
Admission: $10 child; $7 adult
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| Credit: M-NCPPC |
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| Credit: M-NCPPC |
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And now, a few ideas for local weekend fun for the adults among us!
FRIDAY
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| Credit: M-NCPPC |
Jazz Vocalist & Bassist Nicole Saphos Live at the Listening Room
Emerging onto the DC jazz scene in 2012, Saphos draws upon her unique collection of influences, ranging from Charles Mingus to Fiona Apple, Saphos couples a strong sense of musicality with her achingly nostalgic sound and inventively hypnotic and rhythmically driven arrangements. While there, show some local love & buy a delish beer by PG County’s own Calvert Brewing Company!
When: 8 pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood
Admission: Tickets $15, available on the Parks and Recreation E-Store.
SATURDAY
College Park ParkRun
Head out on for a weekly, free, 5K, timed run. Afterwards, enjoy a post parkrun coffee in The Board & Brew, 8150 Baltimore Ave, College Park. All ages welcome!
When: 9 am
Where: Paint Branch Trail, 4289 Metzerott Road, College Park
Admission: Free but please register before your first run.
College Park Community Clean-Up
Get in the holiday spirit, get outside of yourselves & join in this effort to clean up North College Park! Trash bags and supplies will be provided, so all we need is you! Free bagels for breakfast; free pizza for lunch!
When: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Hollywood Road Tot-Lot, corner of Hollywood Rd & 48th Place
Admission: Free! 😉
Crochet Workshop
Join us for an afternoon of crocheting! If possible, please bring your own materials due to limited supplies. No experience required.
When: 1 – 2 pm
Where: Mt. Rainier Public Library, 3409 Rhode Island Ave, Mt. Rainier
Admission: Free!
Third Saturday Readings at Robert Harper Books
Sid Gold hosts local authors Robert Herschbach, Patric Pepper and Karen Sosnosk, plus your own readings to follow.
When: 2 pm – 4 pm
Where: Robert Harper Books, 6216 Rhode Island Ave., Riverdale
w|edge folk:land Survey Project
Join the Pyramid Art Center & Anacostia Trails Heritage Area as they welcome their first Connecting Heritage Fellow, Jacklyn Brickman, in bringing her w|edge folk:land Survey Project to Bladensburg Waterfront Park. The goal of “w|edge” is to provoke dialogue about history, environmental and social interest concerning sustainability. You’ll get a chance to assist in an artful land survey by obtaining data using measurements, observations and tests including sound, soil, water and light, which are processed into drawings on site. Look for the white w|edge tent and join in with your community by surveying the area together! Survey will last about 2 hours, but participants may join in at any time.
When: 2 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg
Admission: Free!
Harvest Tea Time
Come in from the cold and enjoy a Harvest Time Tea with foods of the season including pumpkin spice scones, gingerbread and autumn savories. Reservations required.
When: 2-4 pm
Where: Marietta House Museum, 5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale
Admission: $25/person
4th Annual Winter Festival of Lights Trot for a Turkey
| Credit: M-NCPPC |
Enjoy a unique opportunity to help families in need by running or walking through the beautiful Winter Festival of Lights! Your registration fee will provide a family in need with a holiday turkey.
When: 6-8 pm
Where: Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
Admission: $30. Register here.
UMD’s Gamer Symphony Orchestra!
Come out for a fantastic evening of live, orchestrated video game music performed by the Gamer Symphony Orchestra at UMD! We have prepared many wonderful selections like pieces from Pokemon, Uncharted, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and more.
When: 7 pm
Where: Dekelboum Hall in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Admission: Free!
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| Credit: UMD Gamer Symphony Orchestra |
SUNDAY
Numi Yoga Grand Opening & Community Yoga Class
Join Numi Yoga for its grand opening celebration from 12-2pm and stay for its 2 pm yoga class benefiting the local Crossroads Community Food Network.
Admission: Open house: free; 2 pm class: $10
The Riversdale Chamber Music Society
Enjoy a performance by talented area musicians and mingle with them at a reception after the concert. Stay tuned for program details.
When: 2 pm
Where: Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park
Admission: Free!
Fez Tones Hafla
Join us for an evening of live Middle Eastern music & dance. Musicians will play exotic instruments such as qanun, oud, darbuka, and riq. Amazing performances by the region’s best belly dancers. There will be open dancing between dance performances, so dancers – bring your shimmy!
When: 6 – 8 pm
Where: New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway, Greenbelt
Admission: Free
Event information is subject to change or weather cancellation.
Amazing!! Opens up a whloe new world! Next mamas brunch in PG!
Thank you guys for the feedback! Darrell, you'll see that I updated the Weekend Guide to include the Bladensburg event. Thanks for the heads-up!
Thank you for sending this. I like the diversity of events. Please note also that there are a couple of events happening at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, one of which, I believe is a hands on outdoor art project.
Wow, these all sound fabulous!