Happy Weekend! Go straight to these round-ups of ongoing fun: * The Great Indoors * Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums * Kid-Friendly Dining * Indoor Action * Best Outdoors in the DC Area * Local Hikes with Kids * Baltimore with Kids * Bike Rides * Stunning Spaces * Peaceful Places Fallin’ Where: Around the DMV When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by activity The trees may be losing their leaves,  but there’s still some autumn splendor left to enjoy. With sunshine in the forecast and foliage still brightening the landscape, this weekend will be a good time to relish in the season. This post has recommendations for where to savor it around the area. Disney Encanto x CAMP Where: Tysons Corner | Tysons, VA When: Through early January Admission: Starts at $32 The immersive experience inspired by the beloved movie opens at Tysons this weekend!  If tickets sold out too fast for you last year, there are plenty available this time around.  Read about what to expect behind CAMP’s magical doors. DowntownDC Holiday Market Where: 8th & F Streets NW | Penn Quarter, DC When: Starts Friday thru December 23, 12-8pm Admission: Free The market has a new operator this year, but the location and, hopefully, the festive vibe, are still the same.  Browse a variety of vendor booths along the bustling open air market in the middle of Penn Quarter. Enjoy free live entertainment, too, along with treats and coffee drinks available for purchase After you’ve done your shopping and enjoyed a snack and music, you can pop into the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum that are literally right next to the market. DC Holiday Market Where: 1500 block of 19th Street NW | Dupont Circle, DC When: Starts Friday thru December 15 Admission: Free The original Downtown Holiday Market (and its operator) has a new name and location this year — the DC Holiday Market in Dupont Circle.  Just like at its previous location, the Market will feature over 30 small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts and unique gift items. And just like at its old location, it’ll bring its signature style, local performers, bright festive décor, and yummy holiday treats. ZooLights Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC When: Starts Friday thru January 4, 5-9pm Admission: $6 The fun, festive  light display at one of DC’s most beloved spota is back.  Thousands of environmentally-friendly lights and animal lanterns transform the Zoo into a holiday wonderland in the evenings. There are also live music performances, tasty winter treats, and lots of opportunities for holiday shopping. A Gem of an Event Where: George Mason University | Fairfax, VA When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm & Sunday, 10am – 4pm Admission: $6/adult, $4/ages 13-17, $3/12 & under Kids (and adults) who like fossils, rocks, and/or gems are in for a treat. Northern Virginia’s 32nd Annual Mineral, Gem, & Fossil show will have all that and then some. Around 20 dealers will be selling collectibles, plus there will be demonstrations, exhibits, door prizes & kids activities, including mini-mines and a fossil dig. This takes place in Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center at George Mason University. More Night Lights Where: Around the DMV When: Evenings throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by locale Even more twinkling lights forming enchanting displays are open for the season, and they’re easily a holiday season favorite. Several parks and gardens, along with some city streets, in the area have transformed into sparkling wonderlands… find details about all of them in the holiday season guide. Wizards vs Celtics Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Friday, 7pm Admission: Tickets start at $64 (check for deal) The Wizards are playing the 2024 NBA Champions Celtics on Friday evening, which should be an exciting game. Make a longer outing of it and stop by the DowntownDC Holiday Market before or grab a bite to eat at a family friendly eatery in the neighborhood — this KFDC post has recommendations. College Hoops Where: Universities around the DMV When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Ticket prices vary The college basketball season has begun, and with so many schools 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: * GW women vs Georgia Southern on Saturday at 12pm * Georgetown men vs St. Francis on Saturday at 12pm * American women vs LaSalle on Saturday at 2pm * Howard women vs New Hampshire on Saturday at 2pm * George Mason men vs Ferrum on Saturday at 7pm * Maryland women vs St. Francis on Sunday at 1pm Tingle Bells Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC When: Starting Friday thru January 5 Admission: $17-30 (look for discount) Step into a world of serenity and sensory wonder this holiday season with ARTECHOUSE’s Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special, an immersive digital exhibition designed to soothe your senses and warm your spirit. Inspired by the soothing power of ASMR, this limited-run experience invites you to unwind in a sanctuary of sound and visuals designed to be oddly satisfying. Get Your Skate On Where: Ice rinks around the DC area When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by rink A couple of the areas best ice rinks are opening this weekend, and with cooler temps in the forecast, it’s really going to feel more like outdoor ice skating season.  Washington Harbour Ice Rink will begin welcoming skaters on Friday, and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden opens Saturday, joining a few others that have been operating for a couple of weeks now.  This post has details on all of the places you can skate the day (and night) away! Champions of Magic Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC When: Through December 1 Admission: $39-165 The Champions of Magic team is in town with an explosive show featuring thrilling and mind-bending illusions. Fusing their skills in grand-scale magic, a flair for spectacle, and undeniable showmanship, this interactive, high-energy show is sure to entertain the entire family. Combining their signature humor with groundbreaking magic, this team of illusionists presents a brand-new production unlike anything that has come before. Note that this production contains flashing lights and strobe effects. Disney’s The Lion King Jr. Where: TJ Community Center | Arlington, VA When: Through Sunday Admission: $15/aduolt, $12/child In Encrore Stage & Studio’s 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? Discover the answer for yourself as you sing along to the classic songs of Elton John and Tim Rice, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”Recommended for ages 4+ Fall Bazaar Where: Washington Waldorf School | Bethesda, MD When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm Admission: Free, but fees for activities  Washington Waldorf School’s annual holiday market is one of the highest quality bazaars in the DC area with unique crafts and activities for children of all ages. They welcome many local artisans and offer an array of beautiful handcrafted items made by parents. There will also be live entertainment and tasty treats. Entrance is free, but activities require tickets to be purchased. All are welcome! Family Activity: Friendship Bracelets Where: DAR Museum | Downtown DC When: Saturday, 10am Admission: Free Have a fun-filled time of creativity and crafting at the DAR Museum. In this hands-on activity, kids will learn how to make a project to take home, based on the Sewn in America: Making – Meaning – Memory exhibition. Museum educators will guide them through the process, providing all the materials needed to create a friendship bracelet. Recommended for ages 7+. Littles Kidical Mass Bike Ride Where: Lincoln Park | Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm Admission: Free Hill Family Biking are hosting their first ever Littles Ride! It’s similar to their standard monthly ride, but catered to riders ages 2-6 on trikes, balance bikes, training wheels, and first pedal bikes with a shorter route, approximately one mile starting and ending at Lincoln Park by the Lincoln statue. After the ride, Library to Go-Go (AKA the Book Bike) Librarian Megan McNitt will lead story times with bike and Thanksgiving themed books. Older siblings are welcome to ride along, but they should either stay behind or ride alongside their younger sibling(s). Fall Family Festival Where: Lincoln Park | Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm Admission: Free Join the Friends of Lincoln Park for a family-friendly fall festival on Saturday. There will be fall-themed games, arts & crafts activities, food & drinks, and more fun throughout. Friends from River Park Nursery School will throw a dance party, and at 12:30pm, Bright Bear Yoga will lead a 30-minute family yoga class (ages 3+ – bring a yoga mat). Six Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC When: Through December 1 Admission: $25-99  The Broadway show started its DC run this week…  Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over! Recommended for ages 10+, but everyone is welcome. Disney’s Frozen Where: Olney Theater | Olney, MD When: Through January 5 Admission: $41-110 Disney has asked a select few regional theaters to take a shot at their own productions of this animated classic, and it’s no surprise that Olney Theatre Center got the call! Their production 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. So get your tickets early; this promises to be a show so epic you won’t want to “Let It Go.” A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Where: Signature Theater | Arlington, VA When: Through January 12 Admission: $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. 18th Annual Capitol Hill Christmas Tree Lighting Where: Eastern Market Metro Plaza | Capitol Hill, DC When: Saturday, 5:30pm Admission: Free Join the community as the 20-foot evergreen tree is lit up in the large circle garden at Eastern Market Metro Plaza. The tree is beautifully decorated by the BID’s “men in blue” every December. Festive cheers and caroling always follow the grand illumination of the tree, while friends gather for hot chocolate and holiday treats. Caps vs Devils Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC When: Saturday, 7pm Admission: Tickets vary — check for best prices The Capitals are playing at home on Saturday night, hosting the New Jersey Devils. Plan an outing in the Penn Quarter neighborhood before… hit the National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum or stop by the DowntownDC Holiday Market or enjoy a family dinner before the game! Spirit Watch Where: Around the DC area When: Saturday, 8pm Admission: Free The Washington Spirit are playing in the NWSL championship match on Saturday night. If you want to watch with sister and fellow fans, there are some official watch parties happening around the area. See the. list of places here (and note that some require RSVP). There will also be a Watch Party on the field at Randall Rec Center with the match playing on a jumbo screen. Portrait Gallery Art Studio Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm Admission: Free Drop-in at the National Portrait Gallery and get creative in their studio. Every weekend, visitors of all ages can explore a different artistic medium, getting inspiration from the museum’s collection and exhibitions. Mapping the Solar System Where: Nature Center Planetarium | Rock Creek Park, DC When: Sunday, 11amn Admission: Free Catch a planetarium show in Rock Creek Park! On Sunday, learn about mapping the solar system from Earth to Jupiter’s moons in this planetarium program. Be sure to explore the rest of the Nature Center while you’re there — it’s a great place to explore with kiddos. Read about our experiences there back in the day (but note that Horse Center programs have changed) and about hiking in Rock Creek, which is easy to tack on to your outing. Off the Beaten Museum Path Where: Around DC When: Throughout the weekend Admission: Varies by museum If you want to do some indoor exploring, consider a not-so-well-known place.  Because if you don’t veer from the well trodden path of the National Mall now and then, you could miss out on some amazing museum exhibits and experiences. Check out this round-up of some these places in DC that may not be on your museum radar — but should be. ***MORE GOOD STUFF*** * I just shared the 2024 KFDC Holiday Gift Guide featuring all kinds of DC-inspired ideas. I promise it’s worth a look for the best DC experiences and products from local businesses! * If you’ve got a kid interested in chess, check out Magnus Chess Academy — they’re running a special offer for KFDC readers now through Small Business Saturday, November 30. * Chess enthusiasts can also look forward to the Thanksgiving Open, a chess tournament taking place next weekend, November 29 – December 1, in Dulles. * The Folger Shakespeare Library is welcoming guests to its brand new café, Quill & Crumb, starting Friday. It’s housed in the historic Great Hall and will offer lunch, baked goods, snacks, and savory bites alongside coffee and tea service. * National Geographic’s 2024 Pictures of the Year. * Sleepwear (and much more) for the whole fam on super sale! How cute are these kids’ robes? * Speaking of sales, Amazon’s Black Friday Week has begun. * 50 Notable Works of Fiction from 2024, according to the Washington Post. * Afar Magazine shares where to go in 2025.  (I’d add all of these destinations, too.) * Heads up for Swifties: The official Eras Tour book is coming soon. * Dare you not to tear up at this. * A very peri holiday