Happy Presidents Day weekend! DC is buzzing with family fun, from puppet shows and art workshops to parades celebrating George Washington. Don't miss the Mardi Gras fireworks on Sunday or the specialized science and history activities happening Saturday.
See our top picks
250th Festival: Celebrating Our Story
National Portrait Gallery
Free arts, crafts, tours, and live performances celebrating America's 250th birthday on Saturday.
Beale Street Puppets presents The Enchanted Mermaid
The Puppet Co.
An indoor puppet show featuring elaborate sets perfect for escaping winter weather.
Paper Dreams
Imagination Stage
A gentle, dance-based performance specifically designed for very little ones Saturday morning.
· February 14
8FREE : Spend Saturday celebrating Black history with hands-on fun, including playing traditional African music and testing historical knowledge. This is a great free event just outside the DC core.A specific, free, hands-on cultural event scheduled only for Saturday.
FREE : Celebrate Washington’s birthday at the Library of Congress by exploring The Two Georges exhibition. You get to learn directly from staff experts about the Library’s amazing collections.It's a free, historical activity tied directly to the Presidents' Day holiday happening Saturday.
250TH FESTIVAL: CELEBRATING OUR STORYFREE : Kicking off the 250th celebration with a free family day packed with arts and crafts, tours, and live performances you can dance along to. This is a massive indoor event perfect for Saturday fun.It’s a major museum celebrating the anniversary kickoff with free family programming only on Saturday.
FREE : Held at the Portrait Gallery, this is an annual festival for Presidents Day featuring tours of the 'America's Presidents' exhibit, story times, and art-making activities. Stop by Saturday afternoon for the main event.Specific time slot (11:30-3:00 PM) for this Presidents Day celebration at a key museum.
FREE : It’s Valentine's Day, so learn about chocolate's history and role in Native American cultures with cooking demos, performances, and a make-and-take bookmark craft. This free event runs all day Saturday.Perfect timing for a Valentine's Day-themed, free cultural event featuring food demonstrations.
FREE : Head down to Old Town Alexandria for the oldest and largest Washington Birthday Parade in the country. Expect marching bands, historical reenactors, and floats winding through the streets.This is the actual parade day, a classic local tradition occurring only on Saturday.
MAPLE SUGARING : Get outdoors to learn how to identify maple trees and watch the process of collecting sap during this peak season hike-and-learn session. They have an early morning slot available Saturday.A unique, seasonal outdoor activity available only Saturday, focusing on nature and food science.
FREE : This specialized tour highlights African American aviators and the history of the Columbia Air Center, the first licensed airfield owned by Black aviators. It’s a fascinating piece of history accessible Saturday morning.A unique, free, targeted history tour happening Saturday, related to Black History Month.
· February 15
1FREE : The Wharf hosts its annual Mardi Gras party featuring a parade starting at 3:30 PM, plus kids activities and a massive fireworks show at 6:30 PM. Plan to stay into the evening for the spectacular finale.This is the main event showcasing the fireworks and parade, happening only on Sunday.
Also On· anytime this weekend
5: Catch the beautifully crafted Bunraku-style puppets in action based on the short story “Lord Fish.” This show features elaborate miniature sets framed by a large black theatre stage. Great for an early start to the day.It’s a weekend-long puppet show perfect for younger audiences, offering multiple showtimes on Saturday.
: The story follows John Cobbler who finds a maiden turned into a mermaid and must use his wits to free her from the wicked Lord Fish. Check out the afternoon performance slot on Sunday.It's the same great puppet show as Saturday, giving parents flexibility to attend on Sunday.
: This is the perfect time to dive into hands-on activities focusing on science, tech, engineering, art, and math. It’s a great way to engage older elementary kids in problem-solving.It's the dedicated STEAM event happening Saturday afternoon, aligning perfectly with the target date.
FREE : Take advantage of the long weekend by joining a National Park Service ranger for a free tour exploring the art and history of the Lincoln Memorial. Sunday afternoon slots are open.The specific ranger-led tour is only confirmed for Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
: This is a charming, dance-based performance specifically for very young children about two friends living in a wastepaper basket who learn how ideas come from crumpled paper. Grab the early show Saturday morning.It is geared specifically toward 'little ones' and has performances Saturday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Washington DC this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 14-15) offers several great free options, including the 250th Festival: Celebrating Our Story at the National Portrait Gallery (Sat), the Black History Month Family Day in Sandy Spring (Sat), Family Day: Happy Birthday, George Washington at the Library of Congress (Sat), and the Lincoln Memorial Tour (Sat/Sun).
Are there any special events for Presidents Day weekend?
Yes! Saturday, Feb 14th, features the George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria and the Presidential Family Fun Day at the National Portrait Gallery. The Library of Congress is also hosting a special Family Day on Saturday.
What is happening on Sunday, February 15th?
Sunday features the Mardi Gras Celebration at The Wharf with a parade and fireworks, plus shows for older kids like the musical In the Heights in Arlington.
