Things to Do for Kids in Washington DC in September 2026
Bluey x CAMP at Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA
Daily, through October 31, 2026
Calling all Bluey fans! Come laugh, play, and pretend with Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad, everyone’s favorite family. Your family can step inside Bluey’s House for an unforgettable immersive adventure that ends with a meet-and-greet with Bluey and Bingo! Website
Greenbelt Labor Day Festival (at Historic Roosevelt Center)
Greenbelt, MD - FREE
Friday - Monday, September 4-7, 2026
The Greenbelt Labor Day Festival includes carnival rides and games, a craft fair, live performances, food trucks, children's activities, and more. Website
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Annapolis, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, through October 25, 2026 (also on Monday, September 7)
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. Website
Virginia Scottish Games & Festival
The Plains, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 5 & 6, 2026
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. Website
DC State Fair
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, September 6, 2026
The DC State Fair is back. Showcasing the talents and uniqueness of DC, the fair has contests, a pet parade, exhibitions by local vendors, and more. Be sure to stop by workshops and exhibitions throughout the day. Website
Labor Day Car Show (in Fairfax, VA)
Fairfax, VA - FREE
Monday, September 7, 2026
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. Website
PRCS Kids Fest (at Segra Field Parking Lots)
Leesburg, VA - FREE
Monday, September 7, 2026
Families are invited to Loudoun County’s annual PRCS Kids Fest, with tons of family-friendly activities at the Segra Field Parking Lots. Website
Art All Night
Washington, DC - FREE
Friday & Saturday, September 11 & 12, 2026
Spanning 22 neighborhoods in all eight wards of the city, DC Art All Night features different activations each night. It brings visual and performing arts including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts, fashion, music, literary arts, dance, theater, film, and poetry to indoor and outdoor public and private spaces, including local businesses and restaurants. Website
Maryland Seafood Festival (at Sandy Point State Park)
Annapolis, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 11-13, 2026
This festival celebrates the bounty of Maryland seafood with oyster tastings, crabs, crab cakes, and more from local restaurants. There are also plenty of activities and performances for kids. Website
Bowie International Festival (at Allen Pond Park)
Bowie, MD - FREE
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Bowie's annual International Festival is a celebration of global culture and diversity with entertainers, artists, crafters, and food from around the world. Kids can pick up a passport and earn stamps at the event by participating in a variety of fun children's activities. At the end of their journey around the world, kids with enough stamps receive a special prize. Website
Virginia Native American Festival (at Riverbend Park)
Great Falls, VA
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Celebrate Native culture, history, and traditions at Riverbend Park. Meet tribal members from across Virginia, watch traditional dancing and drumming, shop for handmade crafts from Native vendors, and try hands-on activities including archery, dugout canoe demonstrations, nature walks, and crafts. Website
Kensington Train Show (at Kensington Town Hall)
Kensington, MD
Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2026
The National Capital Trackers chug into town with model trains, railroad songs and stories, and children's activities. Website
Adams Morgan Day
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, September 13, 2026
DC's longest-running neighborhood festival is a free, family-friendly celebration with music, art, lawn games, face painting, sports, and other activities for all ages. Food and wares from local businesses are available for purchase. Website
Washington Ukrainian Festival in Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 18-20, 2026
Bring your family and friends to the 22nd annual Ukrainian Festival of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Come and enjoy Ukrainian artists and dancers, crafts, children's activities, delicious Ukrainian food, and a Kozak beer garden. Website
Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage
Washington, DC - FREE
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Lincoln's Cottage invites families to Homecoming Family Day with pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts, storytelling, and more. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the South Lawn. Website
H Street Festival
Washington, DC - FREE
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Eleven blocks long with 14 staging areas, the H Street Festival features tons of music, dance, youth-based performances, interactive children’s programs, and more. Website
DC Family Bike Fest
Washington, DC - FREE
Sunday, September 20, 2026
The big annual community festival is around the corner. All kids on bikes, families on bikes and bike-curious folks are welcome! Featuring neighborhood bike rides, Kids Bike Parade, free tuneups, library storytime, BIG raffle prizes, learn to ride class, demos, test rides, food trucks and lots more. Website
Galbani Maryland Italian Festival (at Harford County Equestrian Center)
Bel Air, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 25-27, 2026
The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival is the state’s biggest Italian Festival, featuring activities, entertainment, and Italian cuisine for attendees of all ages. The three-day outdoor festival includes attractions such as carnival rides and a midway, two wine/beer/liquor piazzas, cooking and wine demos, and local vendors. Website
Bug Fest (at Lake Accotink Park)
Springfield, VA
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Join an insect safari hike, meet live insects up close, make bug-themed crafts, try a buggy maze and a spiderweb slackline course, and enjoy other games, stories, and hands-on activities. Website
Harvest Happenings at Mclean Community Center
McLean, VA - FREE
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Celebrate the magic of autumn with your family right here at MCC! Harvest Happenings is a festive indoor-outdoor fall celebration filled with seasonal fun for all ages. Enjoy live entertainment, hands-on crafts, interactive games, and visits with friendly animals in the petting zoo. Pick out the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home. Website
Alexandria Art Festival
Alexandria, VA - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2026
This annual art festival is one of the top rated in the DC area, where attendees will be able to peruse art from artists from all over the country. Check out the event website for a list of scheduled exhibitors. Admission is FREE. Website
Fiesta DC
Washington, DC - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27, 2026
Experience a celebration of Latino culture from across Central and South America at Fiesta DC. The festival includes a parade, music, and food from several Latino countries. Website
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical (at Imagination Stage)
Bethesda, MD
Daily, September 26 - October 18, 2026
A beloved children's book springs to life on stage in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical. Teeming with vibrant songs, energetic dancing, and whimsical puppets, this performance captivates kids and adults alike! Playful chaos ensues as alphabet letters race each other to climb the coconut tree, only to tumble down in a cascade of color and laughter. With plenty of audience interaction and lively performances, children will delight in exploring sound, rhythm, and reading in this fun and engaging spectacle. Website
Tons of Trucks at Chinquapin Park
Alexandria, VA - FREE
Saturday, September 26, 2026
The City of Alexandria will host its tenth annual Tons of Trucks event at Chinquapin Park (3210 King Street). The event is FREE to the public! Website
Mosaic Fall Festival
Fairfax, VA - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, September 26-27
Mosaic District's annual fall festival includes live music and entertainment, vendors, beer and wine gardens, fitness demos, and children's activities including a moon bounce, balloon twisting, face painting, and more. Website
Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival
Wheaton, MD - FREE
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Everyone can be an artist at the Wheaton Arts Parade and Arts Festival. Participants are invited to make their own art and be part of the parade, or simply watch from the sidewalks. The festival features more than 50 local artists and galleries, performances from top Montgomery County musicians, food from local restaurants, and crafts for kids. Website