Family events in Washington, DC

Radford Night at Nationals Park brings together Radford University alumni, students, parents, faculty, and fans to show Highlander pride as the Nationals take on the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets for this Radford offer place attendees in a dedicated Radford section and include a co-branded Radford and Nationals T-shirt, plus a post-game concert with Jordan Davis. A VIP Pregame Tailgate is available in the Family Picnic Area inside the park, and the $135 VIP ticket pairs a seat in the main Radford outfield section with entry to a private Radford Alumni pregame tailgate featuring an all-inclusive buffet and an open bar with beer, wine, and soda. Additional seating options include Outfield Reserved in the main Radford section for $55, Baseline Reserved for $74, and Infield Box for $95.

Give your puppy a chance to socialize and get some exercise at a structured playgroup hosted by Frolick for dogs under 2 years old. The drop-in fee is $15, no reservation needed, and you can stay for any length of time. Staff are on hand to support positive play and to demonstrate how to guide your pup over low agility obstacles for an added workout. It is also a good place to practice obedience skills in a safe, temperature controlled setting with distractions. Friends are welcome to bring their puppies too. For participation, puppies must be fully vaccinated, including the rabies series, which generally puts them at least 4 to 5 months of age.

CareFirst Arena hosts a matchup between the Mystics and the Atlanta Dream, featuring an upcycled tote giveaway for the earliest 1,500 attendees. Bags are not permitted in the venue. For VIP, hospitality, or group ticket inquiries, call 1-877-DC-HOOP1. Offers from Capital One are available.

A joint cookout hosted by members of Doric Lodge No. 19 and Naomi Chapter No. 9 takes place at Hains Point, with a focus on fellowship and good food. This casual outdoor gathering provides an afternoon to connect and enjoy the sunshine. For more information, contact Annie Williams at 202-669-7886 or Leonard Minus at 301-356-2995.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck returns to Westpost at National Landing, set up in the courtyard near DSW. Fans can find themed treats and merchandise, available while supplies last.

Celebrate young musicians at a spirited showcase from Girls Rock! DC’s August Summer Camp. Ten new youth bands will perform original songs they created during the week, and participants will share highlights from their camp experience, including learning instruments, forming bands, and writing together. This all-ages event shines a light on the talent and creativity of the campers while raising funds for Girls Rock! DC’s youth music education programs. Tickets are $10 for youth and $20 to $30 for adults, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

A friendly puzzle swap and puzzling party at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library invites participants to trade previously loved jigsaws or choose from extras provided. There is time and space to collaborate on the Summer Puzzle Challenge, a 40,000 piece puzzle. It is a chance to connect with other puzzle fans and leave with a new challenge, even if you arrive without one to trade.

Enjoy an in-person storytime with Jessie Atkin featuring Oodles of Noodles, a playful counting adventure that uses lively rhymes and wordplay to move from one to ten as hungry animals enjoy their favorite foods. Each page pairs an animal with a dish and a measurement, building the numbers until every plate is empty. Children can have fun guessing the next silly animal-and-food pairing, and there may be stickers and coloring pages to explore. This gathering takes place at People’s Book. Seating is first come, first served, with space for up to 50 seated and additional standing room, and accessible seating is available.

Explore a new installment of the rotating Changemakers series at the Arlington Historical Museum, a temporary showcase honoring people whose efforts have shaped Arlington’s story and civic life. Created as part of Arlington 250, it spotlights residents from many walks of life, including leaders, advocates, teachers, innovators, and others who help strengthen community ties, whose work has left an enduring mark on the county. Through these narratives, the exhibit invites visitors to reflect on how individual actions can influence a community and help define Arlington’s history, today, and tomorrow.

Hosted by the DC Road Runners Club and the Potomac Valley Track Club, Family Night at the Track and Meet of Miles takes place at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. The meet features 400 meter and 800 meter fun runs for kids, multiple heats of the mile, and a 3000 meter run. The race director is Paul Ryan.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s Summer Camp offers 48 one-week classes for young creatives ages 0 to 18, with options that range from Broadway-style song and dance, acting, improv, and musical theatre to filmmaking, D&D-inspired adventures, technical theatre, and imaginative storytelling for the youngest participants. Each class is tailored to be age-appropriate and designed to build confidence while sparking creativity in a fun, supportive setting. Sessions are offered in one-week formats with full day, half day, and extended day choices available, and age ranges vary by class. Instruction is provided by theatre professionals in an energetic environment that welcomes both first-time performers and students looking to refine skills for auditions. Registration is required in advance and space is limited, so families can review the full lineup and select preferred weeks early to secure availability. A limited number of partial scholarships are offered. All programs take place at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.

At Code Ninjas Alexandria, JR Game Coding offers a hands-on way for tech-loving kids to learn by doing. Guided by mentors known as Code Senseis, participants develop practical technology skills and make friends as they explore game coding. The experience also nurtures leadership, creativity, and computational thinking, all through themes kids enjoy such as Robotics, Roblox, Minecraft, and YouTube. It provides an engaging, supportive setting that encourages young learners to imagine and share their future in technology.

Walk-in crafting is available during Craft Bar hours with no registration required. Pick a mini wood or canvas project from the Craft Bar and create it in the workshop studio with the provided art supplies. You can also pour a custom scented candle by blending fragrances at the scent bar. Candles cannot be taken home right away because they need time to solidify, and they will be available for pickup during regular business hours. Please allow about a week of curing before lighting. Another option is to design a personalized beaded bracelet at the bracelet bar.

Sunset Cinema at The Wharf turns Transit Pier into an open-air theater with free screenings presented by Pacifico. This edition features 10 Things I Hate About You. The season spans action, romance, blockbusters, and beloved classics, with other titles including Everything Everywhere All at Once, Shrek 2, Hairspray, Sinners, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Hamilton, A League of Their Own, Catch Me If You Can, Apollo 13, Roman Holiday, F1, Project Hail Mary, and a double feature of When Harry Met Sally and First Wives Club.

Explore Arlington National Cemetery’s signature landmarks along with quieter corners that honor individuals who shaped the nation. This guided walk is led by historian and criminologist Madeline Feierstein, a former cemetery employee who shares detailed background on the site and the stories behind the people remembered there. The pace adjusts to the group’s preference, and questions are encouraged throughout for both historical context and on-the-ground guidance. Suitable for families, couples, and history enthusiasts, this experience is offered on Thursdays and select Saturdays.

Drop in for hands-on creativity with no registration needed. Pick a mini wood or canvas project from the Craft Bar and make it on-site using the workshop studio and available art supplies. Prefer candle making? Blend fragrances at the Scent Bar and pour your own scented candle. Candles need time to set and cannot go home right away, so plan to pick them up during regular business hours and allow about a week of curing before lighting. Another option is to design a custom beaded bracelet at the Bracelet bAR.

Open gaming night at Labyrinth is open to players of all experience levels, whether trying something new or enjoying modern classics like Catan, Splendor, and Ticket to Ride. The library includes more than 800 games available to play. No advance registration is needed, but seating is limited and will be filled in the order of arrival. Staff and regular gamers are on hand to teach rules and help groups get started. This gathering is intended primarily for adults and offers a relaxed way to sample games, learn new mechanics, and meet others with similar interests.