Kids Theater and Family Concerts in DC, Maryland & Virginia
Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade
Eighty-eight years of marching bands, antique cars and floats around Bohrer Park. Two hours, free, always candy.
Fiesta DC 2026
A free Latino culture weekend: Saturday street festival on Pennsylvania Ave, then Sunday's Parade of Nations on Constitution. Brazil is the 2026 country of honor.
Takoma Park Folk Festival 2026
Seven stages of folk, blues, bluegrass, and world music at Takoma Park Middle School, plus a Children's Nook with face painting. Free, rain or shine.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
The 50th season opens Aug 29 in Crownsville: jousting, stage shows, and a wooded village. Date-specific tickets on sale July 27.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Tony-winning play opens its DC run at the National Theatre. Try the Golden Snitch Digital Lottery for $40 tickets.
Past events
These already happened. We keep them here so you can see what this category looks like across the year, and so you know what to watch for next season.
Ended
National Harbor Kids Day on the Plaza
Free waterfront fun every Tuesday at 10:30am through Aug 25: story time, music, dance, and meet-and-greets with police and fire crews.
Kidwell Farm Children's Concerts
Free Wednesday morning concert at the farm. Kids see farm animals and play on the grounds after the show.
Rock Hall Pirates & Wenches Weekend
The whole town goes pirate for three days on the Eastern Shore. Costume contests, kids' games, a harbor full of skull flags.
Live from the Lawn at Strathmore
Free Wednesday concerts on the big Strathmore lawn through Aug 12. BBQ tent, ice cream truck, kids dancing at dusk.
Mosaic LIVE Saturday Concerts
Free all-ages concerts Saturdays at 6pm in the Mosaic District through Aug 16, playground steps from the stage.
Live from the Lawn: Nathalie Pires
Free Portuguese fado on the Strathmore lawn with BBQ tent and ice cream truck. Kids dance in the grass.
Marcella Simien at Strathmore
Saturday special on the Strathmore lawn: Memphis soul, blues, and roots. BBQ tent, ice cream truck, no school-night bedtime.
Marine Corps Sunset Parade
Free 45-minute show at the Iwo Jima Memorial: Drum and Bugle Corps, then the Silent Drill Platoon, monuments glowing behind.
Runway Rhythms: Jazz at the Aviation Museum
Free jazz trio on the museum lawn while planes land next door. Food trucks, blankets, museum admission included.
Live from the Lawn: Damn Tall Buildings
Free Brooklyn bluegrass on the Strathmore lawn. BBQ tent, ice cream truck, and room for kids to dance until dark.
Wolf Trap: Omnium Circus
Free inclusive circus with acrobats and aerialists in Wolf Trap's shaded woodland theater. No tickets needed.
Postal Museum: Bluegrass Celebration
Live bluegrass music celebrating the new stamp. Hands-on activities for kids, exhibits open late. Right next to Union Station.
Kennedy Center: Matheus Fonseca
Brazilian troubadour at the Millennium Stage. No tickets, just show up. Plus outdoor films on the REACH Video Wall.
Capital Pride Parade + Family Fun Festival
Family Fun Festival at Stead Park with crafts, glitter tattoos, and inflatable obstacle course. Parade at 3 PM. Sunday festival with Maren Morris.
Home Rule Music Festival
Free all-day outdoor music at Walter Reed. Chuck Brown Band, Trouble Funk, Sun Ra Arkestra. Kids Zone, vinyl record fair, food trucks, live mural painting.
Montgomery County Juneteenth Festival
Family carnival with rides, games, live performances, and hands-on activities at Cabin John Regional Park. Evening baseball game. Free parking shuttle.
Sesame Street Live
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and the whole Sesame Street gang live on stage. Singing, dancing, and interactive fun your little ones will remember.
Jazz in the Garden
Free live jazz every Friday evening in the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden. Bring a blanket, grab food from the vendors, and let the kids run around while you listen.
Free Concert at Yards Park
Outdoor live music at Yards Park along the Anacostia riverfront. Bring a blanket and enjoy a Thursday evening concert with the kids.
Salute the Sunset Concert
Live music at National Harbor as the sun sets over the Potomac. Great waterfront views and a relaxed vibe that works well for families.
Adams Morgan PorchFest
Live music fills the streets of Adams Morgan as neighborhood musicians perform from porches, storefronts, and outdoor spaces throughout the day.
Purcellville Music & Arts Festival
Two stages of live music, an art show in the historic Bush Tabernacle Skating Rink, face painting, glitter tattoos, and sidewalk chalk art. Small-town Virginia at its best.
Virginia Renaissance Faire
Knights, jousting, jesters, and artisan crafts at Lake Anna Winery. One of the most immersive live performance experiences for the whole family.
Festival of the Earth
A beloved community festival featuring a live bluegrass band, costume parade, and family activities, completely free admission.
Tephra ICA Arts Festival
200+ artists, live musical performances, and hands-on creativity at one of Northern Virginia's biggest outdoor arts festivals.
KidStory Theatre Festival
Professional actors perform short plays and musical numbers based on stories written by real kids. Part of the Wheaton Family Theatre Series.
The Music Man (Broadway)
The classic Broadway musical is at the Kennedy Center. Big, fun numbers that kids love, especially the marching band finale.
Yards Park Boardwalk Concert
Saturday afternoon live music along the Capitol Riverfront boardwalk. Kids can splash in the water park between sets.
U.S. Navy Band: Schoolhouse Rock Live!
The U.S. Navy Band performs classic Schoolhouse Rock songs live at the Navy Memorial. Free outdoor concert perfect for families with kids who love music.
ALX Jazz Fest & Tall Ships Alexandria
Live jazz along the Alexandria waterfront combined with tall ships docked at the marina. Free music, food vendors, and a gorgeous setting for families.
Taiko Adventure! at National Theatre
Free Saturday morning show featuring Japanese taiko drumming at the National Theatre. High-energy performance kids will love, with audience participation.
DelFest
DelFest bluegrass and roots music festival in Cumberland, MD. Dedicated KidZone, camping, food vendors, and live music. May 22-25, 2026.
Fete de la Musique, Georgetown
Free Fete de la Musique in Georgetown on June 20, 2026, with more than 40 acts across outdoor stages and the French Embassy.
National Memorial Day Concert
Free National Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol West Lawn with the National Symphony Orchestra and host Gary Sinise. Live PBS broadcast.
Rockville Hometown Holidays
Your guide to Hometown Holidays 2026 in Rockville, MD. Free concerts, carnival rides, bouncy houses, face painting, and food trucks at Town...
Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods
Wolf Trap's outdoor kids' theater returns to Vienna, VA for summer.
Friday Night Concerts at Yards Park
Free Friday night concerts run June through July 2026 at Yards Park in DC's Capitol Riverfront.