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Labor Day Weekend in DC: Festivals, Parades, and More Things To Do with Kids

Enjoy musical performances, competitions, and more at the Virginia Scottish Games. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy musical performances, competitions, and more at the Virginia Scottish Games. Photo courtesy of the event
8/28/24 - By Jennifer Swope

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Labor Day weekend with kids? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

There are so many fun ways to celebrate Labor Day weekend with kids across the DC area. Some of the area's best festivals, including the Virginia Scottish Games & Festival and the Maryland Renaissance Festival, are happening this weekend. You can also head to free Labor Day parades in Gaithersburg and Kensington, Maryland.

Families can also mark the unofficial end of summer with one last visit to an outdoor water park or a free public swimming pool, or plan a tourist day at one of DC's many kid-friendly attractions.

More Things To Do near DC this Week with Kids:

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The Maryland Renaissance Festival offers loads of old-fashioned entertainment. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Maryland Renaissance Festival offers loads of old-fashioned entertainment. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend in Washington, DC with Kids

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

Gaver Farm Fall Fun Fest

Mount Airy, MD - Daily, August 30 - November 5, 2024
There are over 60 fun attractions for families at Gaver Farm's Fall Fun Fest, including giant slides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, playgrounds, jumping pillows, and more. READ MORE

Clay Sculpture and Storytime at Anacostia Community Museum

Washington, DC - Saturday, August 31, 2024
Free
Bring the family to participate in a workshop for children feauturing a storytime and creating their own clay sculptures. READ MORE

Homecoming Celebration for Local Boxer Jahmal Harvey (at Tanger National Harbor)

National Harbor, MD - Saturday, August 31, 2024
Free
Join Tanger National Harbor in the Food Truck Plaza for a special celebration to honor and support hometown athlete, Jahmal "Hard Rock" Harvey, as he returns from the summer games. Jahmal, a gold medalist at the 2021 Elite World Championships, has made his community proud with his outstanding achievements in boxing. READ MORE

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD - Saturdays & Sundays, through October 20, 2024
(and Monday, September 2)
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

Labor Day Arts Show at Glen Echo

Glen Echo, MD - Saturday - Monday, August 31 - September 2, 2024
Free
The Annual Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park, held in the historic Spanish Ballroom, is one of the largest art shows in the area. It features the work of more than 200 artists from the mid-Atlantic region in a wide range of artistic media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and more. 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

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

Great Country Farms Corn Maze and Apple Harvest

Bluemont, VA - Daily, August 31 - September 30, 2024
Celebrate everything delicious about the harvest season with apple picking, apple cider donuts, a corn maze, and a romp in Great Country Farms' 12-acre play area. READ MORE

Family Magic Show with Master Magician Chris Capehart

Washington, DC - Sunday, September 1, 2024
Chris Capehart dazzles kids and families with his routines that include magical illusions. Very few magicians can do it all. Chris Capehart is one of them. This is what makes him an outstanding entertainer and a Master Magician. READ MORE

NSO Labor Day Concert

Washington, DC - Sunday, September 1, 2024
Free
The National Symphony Orchestra returns to the West Lawn of the US Capitol for its annual Labor Day weekend concert. The performance is free to attend, no tickets required. Seating is first-come, first served. READ MORE

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade

Gaithersburg, MD - Monday, September 2, 2024
Free
The 86th annual Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade returns to Olde Towne and features high school marching bands, dance groups, antique cars and fire engines, equestrian units, clowns, and more.  READ MORE

Kensington Labor Day Parade and Festival

Kensington, MD - Monday, September 2, 2024
Free
Kensington celebrates Labor Day with a parade through town, beginning at St. Paul Park and ending at the grandstand at Noyes Children's Library. The parade features marching bands, equestrian show groups, dance groups, and floats.  READ MORE

Labor Day Car Show (in Fairfax, VA)

Fairfax, VA - Monday, September 2, 2024
Free
The annual Labor Day Car Show in the City of Fairfax showcases more than 300 types of motor vehicles, including street rods, foreign, customs, antiques, trucks, muscle cars, motorcycles, and more. READ MORE

LoCo Kids Fest (at Segra Field Parking Lots)

Leesburg, VA - Monday, September 2, 2024
Free
Families are invited to Loudoun County’s annual LoCo Kids Fest, with tons of family-friendly activities at the Segra Field Parking Lots on Labor Day. READ MORE
Be sure to visit Dopamine Land by the end of the month! Photo by Jennifer Swope
Be sure to visit Dopamine Land by the end of the month! Photo by Jennifer Swope

Last Chance: Exhibits Closing in September

Mindbender Mansion at National Children’s Museum

Washington, DC - closes Monday, September 2, 2024
Solve puzzles, decipher codes, and engage in interactive challenges that promote STEAM education for every age! The answers found in the 11 individual brain teasers and three group activities will lead visitors through each themed room of the mansion. The innovative challenges found in this whimsical exhibit are fun for the whole family and promote problem solving, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills. READ MORE

Pixar Putt at The Wharf

Washington, DC - closes Monday, September 2, 2024
PIXAR PUTT is a pop-up, open-air mini-golf experience made up of 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by the stories, characters and icons from some of Disney and Pixar's most beloved films including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out. READ MORE

Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience (at Friendship Center)

Washington, DC - closes Sunday, September 29, 2024
Dopamine Land is a multisensory experience combining media, technology, and play in one place. Visitors travel through an interactive museum boasting multiple rooms and activities that provide something new and exciting at every corner. READ MORE

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures at Rhode Island Center

Washington, DC - closes Sunday, September 29, 2024
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is an exhibition that offers guests an unprecedented glance into Ancient Egypt. With hundreds of perfectly reconstructed objects, breathtaking decorations, and fascinating explanations, visitors can step right into the wonder of the most famous archaeological discovery site of the 20th century. Ready to travel to the era of the pharaohs? READ MORE

Monet: The Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC - closes Monday, September 30, 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

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About the Author

Jennifer Swope
Jennifer Swope, a DC resident since 2003, transitioned from humanitarian work to freelance editing in 2012 to stay home with her two kids. This shift sparked her passion for finding fun ways to keep them entertained—and inspired her to contribute to Mommy Poppins. When she's not navigating DC's chaos with her kids, she and her husband love watching sports, planning their next trip, and attending concerts. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenniferswope.
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