September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend
5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Washington, DC · Maryland suburbs · Northern Virginia.
5 events in DMV
Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Free admission · All ages
Watch local makers, join family contests, and catch live music at a compact celebration of DC creativity.
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Daily schedule varies; Monday parade 10 a.m.–noon
Free admission; rides and food extra · All ages; rides have individual restrictions
A community festival with carnival rides, art, music, and a Monday parade gives families several ways to spend a few hours.
Representative imageSeattle Parks & RecreationCC BY 2.0Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.
Saturday–Monday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Free admission · All ages
See circus skills up close, then discover the practice and teamwork behind the spectacle through hands-on activities.
Representative imageDavid R. Tribble (Loadmaster)CC BY-SA 3.0Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.
Music Saturday noon–6 p.m.; art show Saturday–Monday noon–6 p.m.
Free festival and art-show admission; other attractions extra · All ages
Spend Saturday listening to music, watching dance, and hearing stories from different cultures; browse the local art show throughout the weekend.
Representative imageSeattle Parks & RecreationCC BY 2.0Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.
Saturday–Monday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Date-specific paid tickets; ages 6 and under free with ticket · Best for school-age children; younger children welcome
Enter a village of costumed performers, craftspeople and stage shows, with jousting as a big-day highlight.
Representative imageCMoore EvilUnsplash LicenseRepresentative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.
A little more adventure
More things to do with kids in Washington, DC & the DMV. Keep one in your back pocket for the long weekend.
A dinosaur-first museum visit
Start in the fossil hall, then let each child choose one more gallery. Free admission makes a short visit worthwhile.
A morning with the pandas
Choose a few animal habitats and leave time for the zoo’s hills. Reserve free entry passes; parking is paid.
A greenhouse wander
Look for unfamiliar leaves and tropical plants, then take a short outdoor break on the Mall. Check Conservatory hours.
Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to DMV.
DC State Fair, Greenbelt Labor Day Festival, Smithsonian Circus Arts Weekend, Glen Echo Global Rhythms & Labor Day Art Show offer free admission. Food, rides, parking and special exhibitions can cost extra; free does not always mean no reservation.
For younger children, choose one circus performance or a short Greenbelt festival visit. The Renaissance Festival is a bigger day with more walking and queues.
Try the National Museum of Natural History or U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. The Smithsonian circus spans two venues: check where your chosen session takes place.
Use each organizer link to confirm the latest admission rules and availability. A listing here is not a live ticket inventory. Reserve timed or dated admission before traveling, and check outdoor-event updates on the day.
Keep exploring
Guides, destinations and activities worth a family weekend.
Kids Activities Near MeA parent-first guide to finding ideas for today by age, distance, weather, budget, and energy level.
After-School Adventures Near YouTen genuinely doable ways to move, reconnect, and reset between school pickup and dinner.Representative imageFilip Rankovic Grobgaard / Unsplash
Meaningful Date Ideas for ParentsTwelve date formats for time alone, kids-along adventures, and meaningful connection after bedtime.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
This Weekend with KidsFamily events, festivals, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings—plus a backup when the weather changes.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
The Ultimate Kids’ Party GuideFind kids’ birthday themes by age, Spidey, PAW Patrol Dino Movie, Bluey, Minecraft and LEGO party plans, researched supplies and a practical planning checklist.Representative imageVlada KarpovichPexels License
16 Extraordinary Family Trips for 2027A worldwide edit with a month-and-age finder, side-by-side comparisons, realistic routes, stays and honest planning tradeoffs.MimihitamCC BY 4.0
Where to Go When with KidsA month-by-month global shortlist with one standout family destination in every world region.Representative imageUnsplash
October & November School-Break TripsTen complete family destinations compared by weather logic, travel ambition, and a pace children can actually enjoy.
