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September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend

Labor Day Weekend 2026 with Kids in Washington, DC & the DMV

5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Washington, DC · Maryland suburbs · Northern Virginia.

Organizer details checked September 5. All times are local. Recheck before leaving.

5 events in DMV

Families browsing food stalls at a sunny outdoor street fairRepresentative image · Taylor Heery · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.

Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

DC State Fair

Anthem Row · Downtown Washington, DC

Free admission · All ages

Watch local makers, join family contests, and catch live music at a compact celebration of DC creativity.

Before you go
Choose a contest or demonstration as your anchor. This is a city fair, so plan for pavement and crowds rather than a full carnival midway.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Families seated on grass watching young musicians at an outdoor community concertRepresentative image · Seattle Parks & Recreation · CC BY 2.0License · Displayed to fit card; original file unchanged.

Daily schedule varies; Monday parade 10 a.m.–noon

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival

Roosevelt Center and Community Center grounds · Greenbelt, Maryland

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.

Before you go
Metro service is interrupted between Hyattsville Crossing and Greenbelt this weekend. Check the organizer’s free shuttle plan before leaving; set a separate ride budget.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

A man riding a unicycle beside a dog on a sunny park pathRepresentative image · David R. Tribble (Loadmaster) · CC BY-SA 3.0License · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Saturday–Monday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Smithsonian Circus Arts Weekend

Arts & Industries Building + National Museum of American History · Washington, DC

Free admission · All ages

See circus skills up close, then discover the practice and teamwork behind the spectacle through hands-on activities.

Before you go
Two Smithsonian venues host different programs. Choose a performance and check its building and time before walking across the Mall.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

Families seated on grass watching young musicians at an outdoor community concertRepresentative image · Seattle Parks & Recreation · CC BY 2.0License · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Music Saturday noon–6 p.m.; art show Saturday–Monday noon–6 p.m.

Glen Echo Global Rhythms & Labor Day Art Show

Glen Echo Park · Glen Echo, Maryland

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.

Before you go
The music event is Saturday only. Sunday and Monday offer the art show; carousel, puppet shows and other attractions have separate hours and fees.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

A costumed Renaissance fair performer holding a flaming propRepresentative image · CMoore Evil · Unsplash LicenseLicense · Representative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.

Saturday–Monday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Revel Grove · Crownsville, Maryland

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.

Before you go
Buy dated tickets online before traveling; availability can change. Allow time for traffic, uneven ground and show queues. This is a Maryland day trip, not downtown DC.

Check organizer details ↗
Sources & date check

Checked 2026-09-05. General venue area confirmed; use the organizer’s arrival directions. Older independent guides support the experience; organizer sources supply 2026 details.

3 more things to do with kids in Washington, DC & the DMV

Everyday outings from our local guide—not additional holiday events. Check current hours and reservations at the linked official sites.

  1. National Museum of Natural History

    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.

    Plan this outing ↗

  2. Smithsonian’s National Zoo

    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.

    Plan this outing ↗

  3. United States Botanic Garden

    A greenhouse wander. Look for unfamiliar leaves and tropical plants, then take a short outdoor break on the Mall. Check Conservatory hours.

    Plan this outing ↗
Explore the full DMV family guide →

Planning Labor Day weekend in Washington, DC & the DMV with kids

When is Labor Day weekend in 2026?

Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to DMV.

What can families do for free?

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.

Which outings work for toddlers and younger kids?

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.

What if it rains?

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.

Do we need tickets in advance?

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.