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The DC Winter Lantern Festival dazzles through January 12. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Tony Ventouris for Montgomery County Parks
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The Washington Ballet gives The Nutcracker a historic twist at the Warner Theatre. Photo by XMB photography
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35 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids June 2024

Get ready for summer break!
Get ready for summer break!
5/31/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Get ready for summer break! June in DC brings Father's Day, Juneteenth, Pride, ripe strawberries, and the first day of summer.

Schools are letting out this month, and if you want to keep your kids busy, then you won't be disappointed. For truck lovers, DC holds its annual Truck Touch the first Saturday in June. If trains are more your kiddo's thing, then head out to the Manassas Railway Festival.

Two popular stage productions open this month: Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage and Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Adventure Theatre at Glen Echo.

Be sure to see our complete lists of pride celebrations and summer festivals taking place in June through the rest of summer.

We have so many more great events listed below for your family this June, 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 June With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Vehicle enthusiasts will love DC's annual Truck Touch. Photo courtesy of the DC Department of Public Works
Vehicle enthusiasts will love DC's annual Truck Touch. Photo courtesy of the DC Department of Public Works

Best Things to Do in DC with Kids in June 2024

Encore Stage's Rapunzel (at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre)

Arlington, VA - Fridays - Sundays, May 31 - June 9, 2024
When Rene Schwartzbuckle spots rapunzel, a turnip-like vegetable, in Witch Izwitch's garden, she sends her husband Walt out to "borrow" some. Using her diabolical henchmen, the Glumpwarts, Witch Izwitch terrorizes Walt into promising her his firstborn child in exchange for his freedom. Jumping ahead to Rapunzel Schwartzbuckle's 18th birthday, the witch and her henchmen show up and whisk poor innocent Rapunzel away to a tower deep in the forest. Can prince Llwellyn persevere over the power of evil? READ MORE

Black Birders Week: STEAM Day on the National Mall

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
Visitors can participate in a bird walk on the National Mall (8-10am), learn about Black birders and ornithologists, learn how to participate in Black Birders Week activities, and engage in hands-on STEAM lessons guided by Smithsonian educators.  READ MORE

DC's Annual Truck Touch at RFK Stadium

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
Hosted by the DC Department of Public Works, this family-friendly event allows children to climb aboard and explore nearly 30 distinct vehicles from various DC government departments, while adults get a rare opportunity to operate some of the equipment.Explore the machinery behind street cleaning, traffic management, waste disposal, snow removal, emergency services, and even mobile healthcare. READ MORE

Pride Family Day at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
Pride comes to the Kogod Plaza in the Smithsonian American Art Museum with a performance by DC’s Different Drummers, GenOUT - the youth chorus of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and dancing with Batalá Washington. Attendees can make rainbow-themed crafts, and face painting is available for visitors ages 12 and under.  READ MORE

Manassas Railway Festival at Manassas Railroad Depot

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 1, 2024
Free
This family celebration of rich railroad history features model train displays, train memorabilia, and specialty vendors, and is free to attend. These elaborate train displays are created by a number of local model train groups.  READ MORE

Weber's Cider Mill Farm Strawberry Festival

Parkville, MD - Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2, 2024
Weber's Cider Mill Farm's 8th annual Strawberry Festival features fresh strawberry treats, a barrel train ride, slides, live music, farm animals, play structures, and more family fun. READ MORE

World Heritage Festival at Silver Spring Veterans Plaza

Silver Spring, MD - Sunday, June 2, 2024
Free
Families can sample delicious ethnic foods, watch cultural performances, and shop from more than 70 vendors at Silver Spring's World Heritage Festival.  READ MORE

World Ocean Day at National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC - Friday, June 7, 2024
Free
Through interactive experiences and conversations with experts, visitors to the Natural History Museum can celebrate World Ocean Day. In the Sant Ocean Hall, art, science, and community action connect humans to Earth's waters. READ MORE

Capital Pride Parade

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
The Capital Pride Parade is one of the largest LGBTQ+ parades, and this year its route honors the history and evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in DC.  READ MORE

Family Playtime at Capital Pride (at Stead Field)

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
Children can celebrate Pride with a day of family-friendly activities. Located near the Capital Pride Parade route, the day includes games, cooking demonstrations, crafts, and drag story hour.  READ MORE

Pride on the Pier (at District Wharf)

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 8, 2024
Free
Pride celebrations continue at the District Wharf with music, a fireworks show, and more activities for the entire family. READ MORE

Annual Frank Lloyd Wright Birthday Celebration (at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House)

Alexandria, VA - Saturday, June 8, 2024
Join the Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House to celebrate the 157th birthday of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Enjoy an open-house tour of the Pope-Leighey House and learn about its history and designer. In the yard, enjoy activities related to the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright and grab a celebratory bite of cake. READ MORE

Capital Book Fest: Children's Book & Learning Festival (at Wilson Plaza)

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
Children and their families can enjoy a variety of activities including author readings, art activities, and more. This event includes over a dozen children’s authors and illustrators, including many from the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC.  READ MORE

Juneteenth Community Day at NMAAHC

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
The NMAAHC hosts a Juneteenth Community Day themed "Freedom, Movement, and Migration". This special day is designed to engage people of all ages in a meaningful celebration of freedom and cultural evolution, commemorating Juneteenth's significance in the journey toward equality and recognition in American history.  READ MORE

The World and Me Family Program: Pollinator Celebration at National Museum of Natural History

Washington, DC - Sunday, June 15, 2024
Free
The National Museum of Natural History with the US Forest Service and USDA invite families to celebrate pollinators and learn about how humans connect to pollinators and plants with interactive activities. READ MORE

Juneteenth at Watkins Regional Park

Upper Marlboro, MD - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
This festival commemorates Juneteenth, the day African American slavery ended in the United States. Join this cultural program as it entertains and educates through performances, family activities, vendors, and a genealogy workshop. READ MORE

Kensington Juneteenth Celebration (at St. Paul Park)

Kensington, MD - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
Kensington’s Juneteenth Celebration, a family-friendly event with activities for all ages, brings together a multiracial coalition of organizers, historians, re-enactors, civic and faith leaders, local and Black-owned businesses, musicians, and supporters to proudly mark Juneteenth. The event features live music, poetry, historical presentations, kids' activities, food trucks, and more. READ MORE

MudFest at Woodstock Equestrian Special Park

Beallsville, MD - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Kids of all ages have a chance to get dirty in the mud with a giant mud slide, a mud volcano, mud arts, mud pies (the non-edible kind), mud games, and more mud. READ MORE

Puerto Rican Festival (at Harris Pavilion)

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 15, 2024
Free
Puerto Rico Cafe's 2024 Puerto Rican Festival marks its 2nd annual event celebrating the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico in Manassas, which includes musical and dance performances, plus food and vendors reflecting this beautiful Caribbean island. READ MORE

Flying Circus Father's Day Air Show

Bealeton, VA - Sunday, June 16, 2024
The Flying Circus Air Show on Father's Day celebrates dads with daring feats of flight.  READ MORE

Sully Antique Car Show

Chantilly, VA - Sunday, June 16, 2024
This annual car show includes over 200 antique cars on display, music, food, a children's tent, a flea market, and more. Visitors can also learn about Juneteenth and little-known African American inventors and patent holders in the transportation industry. READ MORE

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration at Anacostia Community Museum

Washington, DC - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Free
Unity, freedom, and acknowledgment are the themes of ACM's Juneteenth Day Celebration this year, during this day-long celebration with family, friends, and neighbors to honor the present and reflect on shared tradition and history. READ MORE

The Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival (at Cabin John Regional Park)

Bethesda, MD - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Free
Featuring a children’s carnival, musical performances, art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in the region, the annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival takes place across Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road. READ MORE

Juneteenth: Freedom Day Celebration at National Harbor

National Harbor, MD - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Free
Celebrate Juneteenth on the National Harbor Plaza with performances from the Prince George’s County Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate, local dancers, live music, artists, and more. READ MORE

Family Day for Juneteenth: Freedom before Emancipation at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Wednesday - Saturday, June 19-22, 2024
Mount Vernon celebrates Juneteenth by remembering how enslaved people resisted enslavement and sought freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation. Visitors can watch character performances from actors portraying Ona Judge and Christopher Sheels, take a tour of the estate, and honor the lives of those that were enslaved at a commemoration ceremony. READ MORE

Miss Nelson is Missing! at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD - Tuesdays - Sundays, June 20 - August 10, 2024
The students of Smedley Elementary School’s Room 207 are not just badly behaved–they’re the “worst kids of all!” No matter what their sweet and caring teacher Miss Nelson tries, they simply won’t listen (or stop throwing paper airplanes across the room). Fed up with their behavior, Miss Nelson leaves her class in the hands of dreaded substitute teacher Miss Viola Swamp, infamous for bringing “woe to those who misbehave.” Terrified of “the Swamp,” the kids must work together and with Detective McSmogg to find their kindhearted teacher and win her back. Tuneful and... READ MORE

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Adventure Theatre

Glen Echo, MD - Fridays - Sundays, June 21 - August 18, 2024 (also on Thursday, June 20)
Trixie and her father bustle through the streets of New York City down the block, through the park, past the school, to the Laundromat. But returning home, Knuffle Bunny is gone, and Trixie cannot tell her father what is wrong.   READ MORE

Portside in Old Town Summer Festival

Alexandria, VA - Friday & Saturday, June 21 & 22, 2024
Free
Summer kicks off at this fun festival that begins Friday evening with an eclectic collection of jazz performances. It continues Saturday with live music, a beer garden, local food, hands-on art and history activities, and more. READ MORE

Astronomy Festival on the National Mall

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
Hofstra University’s Astronomy Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC, offers visitors a free guided tour of the sky. The event features solar, optical, and radio telescope observations; hands-on activities, demonstrations, handouts, posters, banners, and videos; speakers from scientific and educational organizations; and a chance to mingle with astronomers. READ MORE

Smithsonian Solstice Saturday

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
To mark the first Saturday of summer, Smithsonian museums are staying open late and hosting programs and performances. For a complete listing of all events, visit the website. READ MORE

Pride Family Day at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
Glen Echo Park presents its annual Pride Family Day. Families can enjoy free arts and crafts, free carousel tickets, rainbow desserts, a family dance party, and more. READ MORE

Manassas Bee Festival (at Liberia House and Grounds)

Manassas, VA - Saturday, June 22, 2024
Free
Celebrate pollinators at the Manassas Bee Festival. Guests can taste fresh honey, dance with other bees and butterflies in costume, enjoy honey crafts, and see an apiary. READ MORE

Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic at The Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23, 2024
The National Symphony Orchestra performs a celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories—100 years in the making! Favorite characters and soundtracks come to life in this live-to-film concert like never before as the NSO takes audiences on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable moments from Peter Pan, Moana, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, and more. READ MORE

Giant National Capital BBQ Battle

Washington, DC - Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23, 2024
Restaurants and chefs from around the country compete at this festival, which also offers plenty of food, live music across four stages, BMX and skateboarding freestyle shows, backyard games, and lots of other activities.  READ MORE

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, DC - Daily, June 26 - July 7, 2024 (except Monday & Tuesday, July 1 & 2)
Free
Through cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, food, and more, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival aims to spark curiosity of various cultures and nurture human connection. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

National Museum of African American History & Culture
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Smithsonian Museums
Liberia House and Grounds
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts