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Best Free and Fun Things To Do in DC with Kids March 2024

See live performances at the Sakura Sunday Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
See live performances at the Sakura Sunday Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
2/25/24 - By Jennifer Swope

March is the official kickoff of spring in the DC area. While some chilly days may keep us inside, the month ends with the ever spectacular cherry blossoms.

If you're Irish, or just feel like celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Ireland at the Wharf will surely be a festive time. There are also St. Patrick's Day parades in Gaithersburg, Manassas, and Old Town Alexandria. Don't forget to wear your green!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off at the end of the month, including the opening ceremony, the Blossom Kite Festival, and many more fun events.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in DC this March. We're adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

More Things To Do in DC This March With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day parades in Manassas, VA and Gaithersburg, MD. Photo by Jeffrey via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Enjoy St. Patrick's Day parades in Manassas, VA and Gaithersburg, MD. Photo by Jeffrey via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Free and Fun Things To Do in DC this March

Monet: The Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays), through April 15, 2024
Embark on an astonishing journey through the incomparable universe of Claude Monet, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century. Explore his life, his career, and his secrets like never before with the help of 360-degree digital projections and a unique virtual-reality experience. READ MORE

Bond in Motion at the International Spy Museum

Washington, DC - Daily, March 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025
The International Spy Museum hosts an official exhibition of vehicles used on-screen by 007 and his many allies and adversaries. While James Bond is a fictional character, he embodies the spirit of many real spies in this museum. These men and women from around the world were inspired by over six decades of the Bond film franchise and its enduring cultural influence.  READ MORE

REACH to FOREST: Environmental Book Fair

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 2, 2024
FREE
As part of REACH to FOREST, the Kennedy Center hosts an environmental book fair, which includes activities for kids and author readings. The fair features a collection of books on the environment and well-being for sale dedicated to children. READ MORE

Through the Sunken Lands at the Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Saturdays & Sundays, March 2-17, 2024
Six months ago, a massive flood wiped away most of Arcady. Unable to contact her family and trapped in the library, Artemis, a wheelchair user, has built the place into her sanctuary. Trying to find a way back to Aunt Maggie’s house, Artemis soon learns of a new danger—a committee determined to claim the town for themselves. Follow Artemis, Aunt Maggie, and a talking heron in the fight to save their dying town in this live show.  READ MORE

The Puppet Co. Presents Magic Mirror

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, March 2-24, 2024
Meet Toad, a young person destined for greatness in this mash-up story with lots of familiar fairy tales. Audiences go on a journey of dragons, monsters, and spirits of the woods. READ MORE

All Aboard! Family Activity Day at the National Capital Trolley Museum

Colesville, MD - Saturday, March 2, 2024
On the first Saturday of each month, the National Capital Trolley Museum hosts a family day, exploring different topics of transit history and engineering. The day includes a streetcar ride and a family-friendly activity. READ MORE

Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, March 2, 2024
FREE
Presented by the Ballyshaners, the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade features more than 2,000 participants including pipe and drum bands, historical re-enactors, Irish dancers, and more.  READ MORE

Inside Out and Backwards at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, March 3-30, 2024
It’s bedtime, and two children use their imaginations to turn their room inside out, into a wonderland of mess! While playing dress-up, a glove becomes a dancing fish, a shirt becomes a fantastical creature, and a sock dance rocks the closet.  READ MORE

Fantastic Forces with The Science Guys of Baltimore (at Discovery Theater)

Washington, DC - Thursday & Friday, March 7 & 8, 2024
In a thrilling interactive show, young scientists embark on a STEM adventure where they take on a mission filled with electrifying obstacles. Together they attempt to defy gravity, test the limits of our velocity, and uncover the science based principals that help us navigate our way through the world. READ MORE

Greater Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parade

Manassas, VA - Saturday, March 9, 2024
FREE
This parade, which can be viewed along Center Street in Old Town Manassas, boasts unique Irish flair with pipe bands including the Alexandria Pipe and Drums, Irish dance groups, and members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. READ MORE

SOAR Together @ Air and Space Family Day: Firsts in Flight

Chantilly, VA - Saturday, March 9, 2024
FREE
Visitors can join the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in celebrating firsts in flight, including two anniversaries for first flights around the world by the Douglas World Cruiser aircraft and the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon. READ MORE

Nowruz Festival at the Hilton Fairfax

Fairfax, VA - Sunday, March 10, 2024
FREE
Celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with live entertainment provided by Persian-American artists, musicians, singers, dancers, and traditional players. Visit a bazaar with vendors offering traditional foods, jewelry, crafts, books, and more. A kids' area features crafts and other activities to learn about Persian culture. READ MORE

The Harlem Globetrotters at Eagle Bank Arena

Fairfax, VA - Sunday, March 10, 2024
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters take the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation and unparalleled fan fun. See the Globetrotter stars live as they dribble, spin, slam, and dunk their way past their relentless rivals, the Washington Generals. Be amazed by new levels of mind-blowing trick shots, expert ball-handling skills, and big laughs with unrivaled opportunities for pre-game, post-game, and in-game fan engagement. READ MORE

The Peking Acrobats at George Mason University Center for the Arts

Fairfax, VA - Sunday, March 10, 2024
The Peking Acrobats fuse ancient athletic discipline with modern special effects. The gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists, and tumblers provide a gravity-defying spectacle with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. Accompanied by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, the Peking Acrobats execute daring maneuvers and display their technical prowess at trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. READ MORE

Ireland at the Wharf Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 16, 2024
FREE
Celebrate the Emerald Isle at the Ireland at the Wharf Festival featuring bagpipers, Irish dancers, live music, and a Guinness beer garden for adults. READ MORE

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg, MD - Saturday, March 16, 2024
FREE
The city of Gaithersburg hosts its annual St. Patrick's Day Parade with Celtic dancers, bagpiper bands, school groups, clowns, fire trucks, horses, and more. READ MORE

The Many Disguises of Robin Hood

McLean, VA - Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17, 2024
In merry ol’ England, the townspeople are overtaxed and unfulfilled. Lucky for them, the mysterious outlaw, Robin Hood, is outsmarting the rich with clever disguises and returning their funds to the poor. Frustrated by these tricks, the sheriff, his daughter, and the prince scheme to capture Robin Hood and maintain control of the taxes. Are Robin Hood and the band of outlaws ready for their riskiest deceit yet? This show is The Alden’s only self-produced production of the year.  READ MORE

NSO Family Concert: Music of Duke Ellington

Washington, DC - Sunday, March 17, 2024
Take the A-Train to a special afternoon of music paying tribute to the beloved jazz composer and bandleader. Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Symphony Orchestra performs this swinging session as part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Ellington 125 celebration. READ MORE

Norouz Around the World: A Celebration of Persian and Central Asian Dance

Sandy Spring, MD - Sunday, March 17, 2024
Sandy Spring Museum hosts a celebration including dance performances from many countries that celebrate Norouz, including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and more. There's also a presentation of the Haft Seen Table, which is the centerpiece of the home holiday decorations. This family-friendly program includes an intermission and culminates in a short workshop where the audience can learn a traditional Persian dance.  READ MORE

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, DC - Daily, March 20 - April 14, 2024
FREE
Each spring the nation's capital is in full bloom with gorgeous cherry blossom trees on display along the Tidal Basin. The festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 trees from Japan. READ MORE

The Harlem Globetrotters at Capital One Arena

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 23, 2024
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters take the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation and unparalleled fan fun. See the Globetrotter stars live as they dribble, spin, slam, and dunk their way past their relentless rivals, the Washington Generals. Be amazed by new levels of mind-blowing trick shots, expert ball-handling skills, and big laughs with unrivaled opportunities for pre-game, post-game, and in-game fan engagement. READ MORE

RESCHEDULED Bloomaroo at The Wharf

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 23, 2024
FREE
Bloomaroo has been rescheduled to March 30, 2024 due to inclement weather. Celebrate springtime and the cherry blossoms at the Wharf with a day of cherry blossom-themed art, live music, and family-friendly fun. There's also a beer garden, s'mores for purchase, and a fireworks finale. READ MORE

National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 23, 2024
FREE
The opening ceremony launches the National Cherry Blossom Festival with peformances from artists with ties to both Japan and the United States. READ MORE

Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly

Washington, DC - Sunday, March 24, 2024
FREE
Fly kites and enjoy live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, food, and more at Oxon Run Park as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. READ MORE

The Harlem Globetrotters at CEI Arena

Baltimore, MD - Sunday, March 24, 2024
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters take the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation and unparalleled fan fun. See the Globetrotter stars live as they dribble, spin, slam, and dunk their way past their relentless rivals, the Washington Generals. Be amazed by new levels of mind-blowing trick shots, expert ball-handling skills, and big laughs with unrivaled opportunities for pre-game, post-game, and in-game fan engagement. READ MORE

Sakura Sunday Festival at National Harbor

National Harbor, MD - Sunday, March 24, 2024
FREE
Sakura Sunday features a wide array of free cultural activities including Japanese-inspired art, music and dance, culinary delights, and more. READ MORE

Blossom Kite Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 30, 2024
FREE
This long-standing DC tradition, part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, invites people of all ages to fly kites among the cherry blossom trees on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  READ MORE

Sakura Taiko Fest

Washington, DC - Saturday, March 30, 2024
FREE
At this cherry blossom celebration, Japanese taiko groups share their passion for music, culture, and community. From traditional favorites to modern Japanese-African fusion, the groups showcase different drumming styles celebrating Japanese culture. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

International Spy Museum DC
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Discovery Theater – Ripley Center
Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
George Mason University Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Rio Lakefront Shopping Center
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Various Locations across DC
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena