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29 Best Things to Do in DC with Kids August 2024

Enjoy thrilling rides at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Photo by Lynn Willis via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Enjoy thrilling rides at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. Photo by Lynn Willis via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
7/28/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Summer is not over yet! August in DC is full of some of our area's most anticipated events, as well as other family-friendly activities to close out the season.

August is county fair season across the DC region. From the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair to the Prince William County Fair to the Howard County Fair, kids can enjoy classic rides, games, funnel cake, and more.

The Library of Congress National Book Festival is also this month, as is the DC Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in August, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

More Things To Do in DC This August With Kids:

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Dig up yummy treasures at the Big Dig Potato Harvest at Great Country Farms. Event photo courtesy of the farm
Dig up yummy treasures at the Big Dig Potato Harvest at Great Country Farms. Event photo courtesy of the farm

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids this August

Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival

Herndon, VA - Thursday - Sunday, August 1-4, 2024
Free
This annual festival includes carnival rides and games, food, farm animals, live  entertainment, tractor demos, and lots more family fun. READ MORE

DC Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor

National Harbor, MD - Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4, 2024
Families will be dazzled as they witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns floating on the water in National Harbor. The event also includes food trucks, music, and giveaways.  READ MORE

Howard County Fair

West Friendship, MD - Daily, August 3-10, 2024
At the annual Howard County Fair, families can enjoy rides, agricultural exhibits, a dog show, a parade, food, live music, and more. READ MORE

Starlight Cinema at Sully Historic Site

Centreville, VA - Saturdays, August 3-24, 2024
Free
Families can enjoy free drive-in movies and a children's show every Saturday night in August as part of Fairfax County's Summer Entertainment Series. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

National Parks - Sunday, August 4, 2024
Free
It's National Public Lands Day, and that means your admission is FREE! On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

The Stars of Peking Acrobats at Strathmore

North Bethesda, MD - Sunday, August 4, 2024
World-famous The Peking Acrobats stop at Strathmore on their 34th North American tour to captivate audiences of all ages with their unique brand of ancient artistry. Rooted in Chinese tradition, the group packs every show with powerful precision tumbling, astonishing displays of contortion and flexibility, and incredible balancing feats. Eye-catching costumes, high-tech special effects, and daring maneuvers elevate traditional Chinese acrobatics into mesmerizing performance art. READ MORE

One Loudoun Carnival at Uptown

Ashburn, VA - Daily, August 7-18, 2024
Families can enjoy all of their favorite rides, carnival food, games, entertainment, and more at the One Loudoun Carnival. READ MORE

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC's 1st Birthday Bash

Springfield, VA - Friday, August 9, 2024
Come one, come all to the brick-tastic First Birthday Celebration of Lego Discovery Center, as it marks a whole year of fun, building, and creating. Participate in a Mini World scavenger hunt, enjoy complimentary cookies in the cafe, decorate Lego birthday cake in Creative Club, receive a lego pop badge, and more. READ MORE

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

Gaithersburg, MD - Daily, August 9-17, 2024
This 75th annual fair offers 62 acres of fun for families, including over 5,000 animals, carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Prince William County Fair

Manassas, VA - Daily, August 9-18, 2024
The Prince William County Fair features livestock and arts exhibits, tractor pulls, a rodeo, demolition derbies, live music and shows, food, carnival rides and games, and more. READ MORE

KIDZ BOP Live Tour at Wolf Trap

Vienna, VA - Saturday, August 10, 2024
KIDZ BOP Live Tour will have families on their feet, dancing and singing along to some of today's favorite pop hits. READ MORE

Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta

Reston, VA - Saturday, August 10, 2024
Free
A fun and unique event, the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta has quickly become a community favorite growing in size each year. The Regatta brings together residents, businesses, and visitors from across the Greater Washington, DC metro area. In this festive environment, Lake Anne Plaza swells with thousands of spectators who cheer on their favorite boats. READ MORE

Superhero Training with The Hulk (at Fairfax Old Town Square)

Fairfax, VA - Saturday, August 10, 2024
Free
Meet The Hulk and get ready to learn what it takes to be a Superhero. Photo ops are welcome. Meet on the grassy area of Old Town Square in historic Fairfax City. READ MORE

Arlington County Fair

Arlington, VA - Daily, August 14-28, 2024
The Arlington County Fair is back this year with competitive exhibits, midway rides and games, entertainment, vendors, and more. READ MORE

DinoRock presents Dinosaur Babies (at The Puppet Co. Playhouse)

Glen Echo, MD - Thursdays - Sundays, August 15 - September 8, 2024
For nearly 40 years, DinoRock has entertained children with sing-a-longs with life-sized, colorful, prehistoric friends. This 45-minute show has kids dancing and singing the entire time. READ MORE

The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at Wolf Trap

Vienna, VA - Friday, August 16, 2024
Head to Filene Center at Wolf Trap and sing along with the songs from the classic film The Sound of Music. Audiences can expect to see the lyrics on the screen. Prior to the show, guests can participate in a vocal warm-up and a costume contest.  READ MORE

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party at CFG Arena

Baltimore, MD - Friday - Sunday, August 16-18, 2024
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is coming to Baltimore. Don’t miss the only opportunity to watch your favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks—Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Demo Derby, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster, and the brand new HW 5-Alarm, the fire truck hero of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. READ MORE

The Big Bounce America (at Middle Branch Park)

Baltimore, MD - Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18, 2024
The Big Bounce America—the world's largest touring inflatable event—returns to the DC area, featuring the world's largest bounce house (Guinness-certified!), a bouncy sports area, an inflatable obstacle course, slides, ball pits, and a 60-foot-tall maze. READ MORE

The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

Bealeton, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18, 2024
Head out to the Flying Circus Airshow to watch hot air balloons and aircraft take flight. Families wanting a breathtaking view of the area can take a ride for an additional fee. Arrive early, as lines get longer throughout the day. READ MORE

Summers Farm Sunflower Festival

Frederick, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, August 17 - September 8, 2024
Take beautiful, Insta-worthy family pictures in the acres of sunflower fields at the Summers Farm Sunflower Festival. There are also dozens of activities at the farm for kids, including corn hole, jumping pillows, farmer golf, farm animals, and more. READ MORE

Big Dig Potato Harvest at Great Country Farms

Bluemont, VA - Daily, August 17-30, 2024
Grab your shovel and dig in at Great Country Farms' Annual Potato Harvest. Start your morning off with a pancake breakfast and fresh fruit from the orchards, then walk down to the potato field to dig for potato treasures. READ MORE

Library of Congress National Book Festival

Washington, DC - Saturday, August 24, 2024
Free
The National Book Festival brings together bestselling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks, panel discussions, book signings, and other activities. The lineup includes children's authors and activities. READ MORE

Set Sail for School at Port Discovery

Baltimore, MD - Saturday, August 24, 2024
A new school year sparks a mixture of big feelings in children. As the school-jitter-storm gathers, consider Port Discovery to be an anchor. This annual event brings the Baltimore community together for activities, giveaways, and more. READ MORE

PyroJam 2024 (in Leonard, MD)

Leonard, MD - Saturday, August 24, 2024
PyroJam is a day-into-night multi-sensory outdoor festival experience. With a full lineup of food trucks, hours of live musical entertainment, and a 27,000+-square-foot area dedicated to family-friendly activities, all culminating in an unforgettable international fireworks competition, PyroJam is truly a one-of-a-kind event. READ MORE

Around The World Cultural Food Festival (at Oronoco Bay Park)

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, August 24, 2024
Free
The Around the World Cultural Food Festival features national dishes and beverages from around the world available for purchase along with cultural presentations. READ MORE

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, August 24 - October 10, 2024
This massive annual Renaissance Festival includes live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and more. Visitors are encouraged to wear family-friendly costumes to get into the spirit. READ MORE

Greenbelt Labor Day Festival (at Historic Roosevelt Center)

Greenbelt, MD - Friday - Monday, August 30 - September 2, 2024
Free
The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival includes carnival rides and games, a craft fair, live performances, food trucks, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Virginia Scottish Games & Festival

The Plains, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1, 2024
Celebrating 50 years, the Virginia Scottish Games kick off Labor Day weekend with competitions, musical performances, dancing, and more from the Highlands. Watch athletes toss logs, learn about dogs of Scotland, or listen to the beautiful sounds of bagpipes. READ MORE

Animals of George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Saturday & Sunday, August 31 & September 1, 2024
Learn about the animals that would have lived on the estate during Washington's life and have the unique opportunity to meet some of the animals that live at Mount Vernon today. Bring your dog along for a walking tour that explores canine life at Mount Vernon during the 18th century. View demonstrations of spinning and weaving at the Spinning House.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Thomas Jefferson Community Center
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Walter E Washington Convention Center
Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
Historic Roosevelt Center