Head to Eastern Market for November Fest on Saturday   Happy Weekend!  Get quick inspo for local fun in these go-to posts: * Best Outdoors in the DC Area * Kid-Friendly Dining * Local Hikes with Kids * Indoor Action * Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums * The Great Indoors * Baltimore with Kids * Bike Rides * Stunning Spaces * Peaceful Places Side Yards Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC When: Friday, 5:30-8:30pm Admission: Free This nighttime circus that’s great for the entire family is back at the Yards. And I can tell you from experience, it’s a super fun event! The evening of eccentric amusement includes magicians, stilt walkers, contortionists, jugglers, sword swallowers, and more offbeat entertainers. There will also be glow giveaways, glitter tattoos, a DJ, an interactive bubble artist, and new this year… mud wrestlers! Food and drinks will be available for purchase, or plan to dine at one of many nearby eateries. Reserve free tickets. Caps vs Penguins Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, 7:30pm Admission: Tickets start at $110 (check for deal) Hockey, anyone? The Capitals are playing at home on Friday evening as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Go early to grab a bite in the Penn Quarter neighborhood  — this post about kid-friendly eats in DC has suggestions for places to go. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live In Concert Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm Tickets: $25-99 See the movie showcased on a colossal HD screen, complemented by a diverse ensemble of musicians and instrumentalists performing the film’s iconic score and soundtrack live. This extraordinary lineup includes a full orchestra, a skilled scratch DJ on turntables, as well as percussion and electronic instrumentalists. November Fest Where: Eastern Market | Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday & Sunday Admission: Free Eastern Market is always a great destination on weekends, especially in the fall when the weather is nice and crisp. This weekend will be extra lively with extra entertainment to celebrate the market, its vendors, and the community. Shop the flea market outside and the purveyors inside, have some tasty food, and enjoy the music of local acts! Family Day: Veterans Day Where: Library of Congress | 10 1st Street SE, DC When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3:30pm Admission: Free with tickets Join the Library for their monthly Family Day that highlights Veterans Day in November, with activities related to the national holiday. 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 your own herb harvest. And learn more about how Americans contributed to the war effort and supported the troops overseas. Read more about the local and national treasure here. STEAM (& Free) Saturday Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm Admission: Free Families are invited to join the Building Museum from 1-3pm for STEAM activities related to the Brick City exhibition. The series occurs the second Saturday of each month, and for November, guests will explore the basics of geodesic domes and the innovative ways architects and engineers use forces to create self-supporting structures. There is also a Building Readers Club meeting in collaboration with The Washington Ballet! Young readers will journey through the story of The Nutcracker, then enjoy an interactive movement class with Clara and friends. Even more, the museum is offering free admission to all of its exhibits on Saturday, so whether or not you join the STEAM or reading fun, it’s a great time to go! Registration required. Open Studio: Primary Palettes Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC When: Saturday, 10:30am – 2pm Join the museum for an art-making adventure inspired by artist Mark Bradford. Play with the possibilities of primary colors and see what you can make from yellow, red, and blue. Plan to see the fantastic Osgemeos: Endless Story exhibit while you’re there — make sure to reserve free passes for it! Uncle Devin Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Saturday, 11am & 1:30pm Tickets: $22 Go on a magical journey through the Land of Percussion to see and hear different percussion instruments with D.C.-based musician Uncle Devin. Through this interactive musical experience, kids and their families will discover the history of percussion and move to the beat of funky drums, Go-Go, and more. Recommended for ages 5+. Mr. Root Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD When: Saturday, 11am | Sunday, 2pm Admission: Free InterAct Story Theatre’s Wheaton Family Theatre Series continues with a show from from Story Tapestries featuring dynamic Hip Hop artist Jamaal “Mr. Root” Collier. His interactive and engaging performance is challenging, fun and entertaining! Each member of the audience has an opportunity to ‘GET INVOLVED’ with call-and-response, steady beat chants, beat production and even some group dancing! Jamaal explains the importance of expressing yourself and explains how some legends of the culture have done the same. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Foil Sculpture Workshop Where: Anacostia Community Museum | Anacostia, DC When: Saturday, 12-2pm Admission: Free This workshop is for kids, families, and anyone with a love for creativity. Unleash your imagination and craft amazing foil sculptures that can strike any pose with Artist Rain Young. Learn how to transform aluminum foil and wire into dynamic figures, create unique poses for your sculptures, and paint and add stone details to make your art truly yours. The program ends with a mini art show to share your creation with other participants. Disney’s Frozen Where: Olney Theater | Olney, MD When: Through January 5 Tickets: $41-110 Olney’s production of the Disney classic promises to deliver everything families love about the adventures of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, along with a unique production you won’t experience anywhere else. Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka directs their biggest musical ever. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Where: Signature Theater | Arlington, VA When: Through January 12 Tickets: $59-126 (look for discount) In one of the greatest musical comedies of all time, three households reside next to each other in ancient Rome. Just outside their doors, the exploits of a quick-thinking Roman slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan, a lovesick young man and others devolve into uproarious chaos in a fast-paced, witty and monumental escapade. With mistaken identities, wily ruses, madcap chases, a love story, and a happy ending of course, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s audacious and irreverent spectacle has something for everyone. Recommended for age 6+. Playoff Spirit Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC When: Sunday, 12:30pm Admission: Tickets start at $25 The Washington Spirit are playing a quarterfinal playoff match on Sunday against Bay FC. It’s a blackout, so don your black gear and join an unforgettable day packed with pregame festivities, flag giveaways, a halftime performance by the Morgan State marching band, and, of course, exciting soccer play by some fierce women! Skate Under the Sky Where: Local ice skating rinks When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by rink It’s outdoor skating season! Several outdoor rinks have opened their ice, so you can glide the day (or night) away. Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Rockville Town Square, Westpost Outdoor Skating (formerly Pentagon Row rink), and Reston Town Center are all open.  This post has the scoop on all of them — indoor venues, too — including bonus activities while you’re there. Fun at Fairfax Parks Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages.  Appreciate and celebrate fall nature at Hidden Meadows Nature Center. Join a Planet Adventure Night at Turner Farm Park Observatory. Learn about animal and plant survival in nature at Burke Lake Park. And there are even more interesting adventures! Details and registration for activities this weekend and beyond are available here. Park it in MoCo Where: MoCo Parks | Montgomery County, MD When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity Montgomery Parks also presents loads of special activities for visitors of all ages. Sign up young bikers for a youth mountain bike ride at Little Bennett Regional Park.  Join a group of little garden explorers at Brookside Gardens.  Listen to a raptor caretaker chat at Meadowside Nature Center.   Find details on these activities and more! Tour the Veterans Memorials Where: National Mall, DC When: Monday (& throughout the weekend) Admission: Free Observe Veterans Day on the actual day or anytime over the weekend by visiting the sites that honor those who have served. Make the rounds on the Mall at your leisure — the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and  Korean War Memorial are all within easy walking distance.  And while not on the National Mall, another obvious place for a Veterans Day Weekend outing (or a visit anytime) is Arlington Cemetery. National Veterans Parade Where: Constitution Ave. | Downtown DC When: Sunday, 12pm Admission: Free It’s DC’s 2nd Annual National Veterans Parade. On Sunday, a procession of veterans organizations, floats, specialty vehicles, and marching bands will make its way down Constitution Avenue, from 7th to 17th Streets, to celebrate and honor our nation’s veteran community for their duty to defend and protect the United States. The parade steps off at the National Archives and will make its way west. Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans Where: Mount Vernon Estate | Mount Vernon, VA When: Monday, 9am – 4pm Admission: Free/military, $28/age 12+, $15/6-11, free/0-6 Special activities at George Washington’s former estate include a wreath laying ceremony, performances by the Harmony Heritage Singers and the United States Air Force Strings, music and history on the Bowling Green, and a chance to meet General Washington. Throughout the day, write a thank you letter to an active duty service member in the Vaughan Lobby. Honored guests are also invited to place a flower at Washington’s Tomb. (Above admission fees are for online; prices are slightly higher on site.) In honor of our nation’s veterans, Mount Vernon admits FREE all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Veterans Day. Honoring Native Veterans Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC When: Monday, 10am – 5pm Admission: Free Join the American Indian museum in honoring the enduring and distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military. Events include a lecture and book reading by US Air Force veteran and children’s author Teresa Lynch-Chrapkiewicz (Navajo) and a conversation on healing veterans with US Air Force veteran and mental health counselor Shannon E. Ayres, and Diné historian and traditional practitioner Shawn Price. The day concludes with the Presentation of Colors by the National Capital Region Native American Color Guard and a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Hoops Time! Where: Colleges around the DMV When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Ticket prices vary The college basketball season just started, and with so many universities in the area, there’s always some good hoops action going on — and it’s also a great time for families. Here are some games you can catch this weekend: * America women vs Faileigh Dickinson on Friday at 12pm * GW men vs Hampton on Friday at 7pm * Howard women vs GW on Friday at 7pm * Maryland men vs Mt. St. Mary’s on Friday at 8pm * Georgetown Men vs Fairfield on Friday at 4pm * George Mason women on Saturday at 3pm * Catholic women vs Shenandoah Saturday at 5pm * American men vs Harvard on Sunday at 2pm * George Mason men vs Stony Brook on Monday at 7pm Autumn Adventures Where: Around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity Fall festival time has wound down, but there are plenty of other fantastic ways to enjoy the season around the area. This KFDC post has 10 suggestions for great places to go for fall adventures. Early Holiday Fun Where: Around the DC Area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity If you want to start your holiday season celebrating early, a few annual events are happening this weekend. The Winter Lantern Festival began last week, the Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens opens Friday, the Czech Embassy’s Christmas Market is on Saturday, and National Harbor’s Tree Lighting and Fireworks is on Saturday evening. ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre is a DC holiday tradition for many, and tickets ae on sale. * Thanksgiving dine-in and to-go options around DC. * A local volunteer event leading up to Thanksgiving with a special Young Families Program. Find even more ongoing volunteer ops. * Let the gift shopping begin!  Snag some kids’ things in this big sale, like an adorable winter hat, a Spider Man hoodie, the sweetest slippers, or family pajamas for your whole crew. * Always good to have hostess gifts on hand… something small and fun is great, like quirky wine stoppers, cute cocktail picks, or a cool puzzle. * The Sephora sale is great time to snag some stocking stuffers for my teen daughter, like her fave lip balm, an eyelash curler, and the drying lotion she likes. (And maybe a good time to go for this hair dryer, too!) Use code SAVINGS. * And speaking of shopping for teen daughters, this is a fun activity with them. * Just started reading All Fours, which has been getting raves this year, and into it so far! * A couple of watch recs: The Martha documentary on Netflix and the new series High Potential on Hulu (tweens and older could watch it, too) * Last minute Thanksgiving abroad sounds kinda fun. * 10 Happy Things for November   Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. This helps me continue to produce KFDC, all completely free to readers. Thank you so much for the support!