Family Weekend Guide

Washington, DC family weekend: Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18

103 events for the weekend of Oct 16–18, with 100 free and 100 indoors.

Updated

Age
Area
Cost
Weather
Days (pick any)

Top picks this weekend

Big outings first: festivals, farms, shows and attractions, mixing free and paid, for a range of ages.

Oct 16 – Oct 18 · 6pm–8:30pm

Boo at the Zoo at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Smithsonian's National Zoo — Washington, DC · District of Columbia Co. · DC

After-hours family trick-or-treating at treat stations across the Zoo, with festive displays and animal viewing.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid: $35 per person; children 2 and under free

Nightly Oct 16–18, last entry 8pm. The Zoo closes at 2pm those days to prepare.

Details at Smithsonian's National Zoo ↗

More big outings

Sep 19 – Nov 8 · 10am–6pm

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Cox Farms — Centreville, VA · Fairfax Co. · Virginia suburbs

Northern Virginia's big farm fall festival with hayrides, slides, animals and the festival market.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid

Open Thursday–Monday through Nov 8; November hours end at 5pm. Tickets and prices on the farm site.

Details at Cox Farms ↗

Museums, gardens & more

Library storytimes & programs (100, free)

From DC Public Library, Montgomery County (MD), Prince George's County and Arlington (VA) public libraries. Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Oct 16

Time variesEvil Laugh · Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · 11+ · Free
11amMusic and Movement · Northeast Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · Free
3:30pmTeen Gaming · Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
4pmBraille Club · Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
4pmMovie Matinee · Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · 11+ · Free

Saturday, Oct 17

Time variesEvil Laugh · Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · 11+ · Free
10amThe Big Build · Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · 11+ · Free
10:30amFamily Storytime · Aspen Hill Library, Montgomery County, MD 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
10:30amPlaytime @ the Library · Quince Orchard Library, Montgomery County, MD 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10:30amRead to a Dog · Potomac Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · Free
10:45amYoga With NZINGA · Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
11amCelebrate Diwali! · Gaithersburg Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · 11+ · Free
11amPuzzle Mania · Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
11amRead to a Dog · Aspen Hill Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · Free
12pmLet's Build! · Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · Free
1pmSpooky Slime · Long Branch Library, Montgomery County, MD 11+ · Free
2pmBird Walk · Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · Free
2pmChess Club · Courthouse Library, Arlington, VA 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmSTEM Club · Germantown Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · Free
3pmRocket Science! · Rockville Memorial Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · Free
3:30pmAccessible Game Meet-Up · Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
4pmChess Club · Aspen Hill Library, Montgomery County, MD 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Sunday, Oct 18

Time variesEvil Laugh · Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 0-2 · 3-5 · 11+ · Free
10:30amFamily Storytime · Rockville Memorial Library, Montgomery County, MD 0-2 · 3-5 · Free
1pmSit & Stitch · Southwest Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC 11+ · Free
1pmThe YoYo Club · Central Library, Arlington, VA 6-10 · 11+ · Free