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Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in DC: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Relax in nature at the National Arboretum this Father's Day weekend. Photo courtesy of Friends of the National Arboretum
Relax in nature at the National Arboretum this Father's Day weekend. Photo courtesy of Friends of the National Arboretum
6/14/23 - By Jennifer Swope

Fathers are special people, even when they are telling the corniest dad jokes. You can find them giving the kids piggyback rides, teaching them to ride a bike or change a flat tire, or just dispensing advice or hugs. To celebrate all of the dads and father figures in our lives, we've rounded up the best dad- and kid-approved events near DC this Father's Day weekend.

Monday, June 19 is also Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in America. Celebrate this special day at the Anacostia Community Museum in DC, Cabin John Regional Park in Bethesda, or National Harbor.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

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Commemorate Juneteenth at one of several celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Department of Parks and Rec in Prince George County
Commemorate Juneteenth at one of several celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Department of Parks and Rec in Prince George County

Things to Do Near DC on Father's Day Weekend

Awesome Con - Washington, DC's Comic Con

Washington, DC - Friday, June 16 - Sunday, June 18
Awesome Con is a celebration of geek culture that brings fans together with their favorite stars from across comics, movies, television, toys, games, and more.  READ MORE

Portside in Old Town Summer Festival

Alexandria, VA - Friday & Saturday, June 16 & 17
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

Capital Book Fest: Children's Event

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 17
Free
Children and their families can enjoy a variety of activities including author readings, book-making and illustration workshops, a STEAM station presented by the National Children’s Museum, Double Dutch led by DC Retro Jumpers, a book sale for all ages, and DC Public Library’s Discover Summer Program featuring book giveaways, bookmark-making, and more. READ MORE

Father's Day Forest Bathing

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 17
Join a nature and forest therapy guide in a two-hour program that encourages participants to slow down and to take in the National Arboretum through all their senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. READ MORE

Juneteenth Community Day

Washington, DC - Saturday, June 17
Free
At the National Museum of African American History & Culture's Juneteenth Community Day, visitors can explore gardening and the culinary arts, hear stories, listen to music, and participate in craft projects for all ages. These activities represent the museum's perennial theme—Senses of Freedom: The Taste, Sound, and Experience of an African American Celebration. READ MORE

Juneteenth at Watkins Regional Park

Upper Marlboro, MD - Saturday, June 17
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

Kensington, MD - Saturday, June 17
Free
The town of Kensington is hosting its second annual Juneteenth Celebration with live music, poetry, historical presentations, kids' activities, food trucks, and more. This year's theme is Acknowledging Our Past and Charting the Future. READ MORE

Pride Family Day

Glen Echo, MD - Saturday, June 17
Free
Spend a festive day on the verdant grounds of St. John the Divine, taking part in an ice cream social and engaging in art activities inspired by artist Gabriel Garcia Roman’s Queer Icons, on view in the cathedral. Music is provided by the Queer Big Apple Corps, leading a joyous and inclusive procession into the cathedral. READ MORE

National Ice Cream Fest

National Harbor, MD - Saturday, June 17
Enjoy a day of ice cream, games, music, fun, and more at National Harbor's inaugural National Ice Cream Fest. READ MORE

MudFest

Beallsville, MD - Saturday, June 17
Kids of all ages have a chance to get dirty in the mud with mud arts, mud pies (the non-edible kind), mud games, and more mud. READ MORE

Juneteenth Celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park

Herndon, VA - Saturday, June 17
Free
Celebrate Juneteenth with African American stories, food trucks, live music, crafts, and history at this free one-hour event at Frying Pan Farm Park. READ MORE

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

Mount Vernon, VA - Saturday, June 17
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

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour - Tysons, VA

Tysons Corner, VA - Saturday, June 17
Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour brings Blippi and special guest Meekah off the screen and onto the stage in this interactive musical that will have kids singing and dancing along. Discover what makes cities unique and special. Always curious, Blippi encourages learning through playing, doing, and exploring. READ MORE

Family Fun Day at the Wharf

Washington, DC - Sunday, June 18
The Wharf hosts a family fun day with music, food, games, and an obstacle course presented by the Washington Commanders. READ MORE

Father's Day Special at Green Meadows Farm

Ijamsville, MD - Sunday, June 18
For Father's Day, Green Meadows Farm has a special just for dads. Dads get FREE admission to the petting farm with a paid general admission. Families can enjoy a hay ride, select a favorite pig for the pig race, and get free animal feed along with lots of hands-on time with the friendly farm animals.  READ MORE

NOI+F Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf

College Park, MD - Sunday, June 18
Free
Prokofiev's beloved symphonic fairy tale returns to NOI+F! The young Peter goes out into the forest–against his grandfather's advice. Join Peter as he makes friends with whimsical forest creatures and faces a ferocious gray wolf. READ MORE

Pride Awareness Hike

Burtonsville, MD - Sunday, June 18
Free
Following the Little Paint Branch Trail, hikers of all ages can celebrate Pride and connect with members and advocates of the LGBTQ+ community.  READ MORE

Sunday Family Movies on the Potomac

National Harbor, MD - Sunday, June 18
Free
Enjoy a free family-friendly movie every Sunday all spring and summer at National Harbor. Visitors should bring their own blanket or chairs and watch on the big screen at the plaza starting at 6pm. READ MORE

Flying Circus Father's Day Air Show

Bealeton, VA - Sunday, June 18
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 18
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: Unity. Freedom. Acknowledgment.

Washington, DC - Monday, June 19
Free
Unity, freedom, and acknowledgment are the themes of ACM's Juneteenth Day Celebration this year. Live music, East of the River trivia, a double-dutch contest, activities with the National Portrait Gallery, and more round out the day's festivities. READ MORE

The Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival

Bethesda, MD - Monday, June 19
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

National Harbor, MD - Monday, June 19
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

Places featured in this article:

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Cathedral of St John the Divine