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Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in DC: 15 Best Things To Do With Kids

Honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters for Mommy Poppins
Honor veterans at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters for Mommy Poppins
11/6/24 - By Jennifer Swope

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

Veterans Day weekend includes three days off from work and school for many DC-area families, with plenty of opportunities for kids and parents to enjoy some quality time together. Your family can honor veterans at events across the region, including at the Library of Congress' Family Day on Saturday or at the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

Two super fun annual events in DC are happening this weekend. Side Yards is on Friday night and includes a variety of circus and magic performances alongside activities for kids. And on Saturday, the International Spy Museum celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall with the Parade of Trabants, with opportunities to try your hand at Berlin-style graffiti.

And if your family is ready for the holidays, several Christmas and holiday events kick off this weekend, such as Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights and National Harbor's Holiday Tree Light Show.

More Things To Do near DC this Week with Kids:

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See some cool cars at the Parade of the Trabants. Photo courtesy of the International Spy Museum
See some cool cars at the Parade of the Trabants. Photo courtesy of the International Spy Museum

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

Side Yards

Washington, DC - Friday, November 8, 2024
Free
Side Yards is a family-friendly event in Yards Park featuring DC’s best performers. Multiple stages showcase the talents of contortionists, magicians, escape artists, sword swallowers, aerialists, lollipop lyra performers, and more. Attendees can also enjoy interactive activities including tarot card and palm reading, balloon artistry, glitter tattoos, and more. READ MORE

Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert at National Theatre

Washington, DC - Friday & Saturday, November 8 & 9, 2024
Building on the success of the sold-out global shows of the first Oscar®-winning Spider-Man™ animated Spider-Verse film, comes the highly anticipated sequel: SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, set to captivate audiences in concert venues worldwide. READ MORE

Encore Stage presents Disney's The Lion King Jr. (at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre)

Arlington, VA - Saturdays & Sundays, November 8-24, 2024
In this adaptation of the beloved Disney animated film, young actors bring the story of Simba and his friends to life. The young and carefree lion cub faces serious consequences that force him to flee his kingdom, leaving his cruel uncle Scar to rule in his place. With the help of his new friends Timon and Pumbaa, Simba learns the joys of “Hakuna Matata,” or “no worries,” until his past catches up with him. Will responsibility and honor win out?  READ MORE

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna, VA - Daily, November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits) while walking, and enjoy s’mores to finish out the evening. READ MORE

International Spy Museum's Parade of Trabants

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 9, 2024
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with everyone’s favorite Cold War car—the Trabant. Visitors can check out these vintage vehicles, do some graffiti Berlin-style, and try to fit in tiny spaces like those escaping East Berlin. READ MORE

Family Day at the Library of Congress: Veterans Day

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 9, 2024
Free
Dig into the role Victory Gardens played on the home front during the two World Wars, decorate a plant pot, and pick up seeds for a personal herb harvest. Learn about how Americans on the home front contributed to the war effort and supported the troops overseas. READ MORE

Uncle Devin at The Kennedy Center

Washington, DC - Saturday, November 9, 2024
Go on a magical journey through the Land of Percussion to see and hear different percussion instruments with DC-based musician Uncle Devin. Through this interactive musical experience, kids and their families discover the history of percussion and move to the beat of funky drums, Go-Go, and more. READ MORE

National Harbor Holiday Tree Light Show

National Harbor, MD - Saturdays, November 9 - December 28, 2024
Free
Each night, families can enjoy a beautiful light show as a 60-foot Christmas tree at National Harbor lights up. On Saturdays at 5:30pm, the show is followed by fireworks. READ MORE

Family Day: Veterans Day (at National Museum of the Marine Corps)

Triangle, VA - Saturday, November 9, 2024
Free
Join the National Museum of the Marine Corps as it celebrates Veterans Day and the Marine Corps birthday. Participants can create patriotic crafts and participate in birthday-themed activities while learning about the significance of Veterans Day. Children under age 5 can enjoy a special storytime and sing-along to honor veterans. READ MORE

Wheaton Family Theatre Series: Story Tapestries featuring Jamaal "Mr. Root" Collier

Wheaton, MD - Saturday & Sunday, November 9 & 10, 2024
Free
This month's program features the dynamic hip hop artist Jamaal "Mr. Root" Collier. Jamaal's interactive and engaging hip hop-based performance is challenging, fun and entertaining! Each member of the audience has an opportunity to get involved with call-and-response, steady beat chants, pop quizzes, beat production, and even some group dancing. Jamaal explains the importance of expressing oneself and explains how some legends of the culture have done the same. READ MORE

Veterans Day Weekend Activities at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Saturday & Sunday, November 9 & 10, 2024
Celebrate military veterans of the United States Armed Forces at the home of George Washington. Visitors can watch 18th-century military drills, visit Washington’s Tomb, write letters to veterans, and more. READ MORE

Veterans Day Concert at Spirit Park

National Harbor, MD - Sunday, November 10, 2024
Free
In honor of Veterans Day, join the United States Air Force Band District Brass for a special performance in Spirit Park. READ MORE

Honoring Native Veterans at the National Museum of the American Indian

Washington, DC - Monday, November 11, 2024
Free
Join the National Museum of the American Indian in honoring the enduring and distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military. READ MORE

Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington, VA - Monday, November 11, 2024
Free
The annual Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all veterans and current members of the US Armed Forces takes place at Arlington National Cemetery in the Memorial Amphitheater. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

All National Parks - Monday, November 11, 2024
Free
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. Veterans Day marks the last freebie for 2024.  READ MORE

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