August is coming to a close and back-to-school season is here, so it's a great time to satisfy your inner (or outer) nerd. And many events will deliver that opportunity this weekend in the D.C. area.
Hear ye, hear ye: the Maryland Renaissance Festival opens on Saturday. Between the jousting tournaments, giant turkey legs, impassioned performances and costumed revelers, it's always a delightful time in Revel Grove near Annapolis. Bonus: Kids under 15 can get in free with an adult who buys a ticket.
If dressing up for Halloween is your thing, the ren fair and Fairfax Comic Con are great places to show off your costume skills.
Novice astronomers will feel gravity’s pull toward Webb Telescope Night at the Gaithersburg Community Museum.
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And our fellow news junkies will probably know all the answers when NPR’s “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” news quiz show comes to Wolf Trap on Thursday and Friday.
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It’s also a big weekend for Clear the Shelters, NBC4 and Telemundo 44's annual campaign to help animals in need! Groups including the Humane Rescue Alliance and the Fairfax County Animal Shelter will open their doors Saturday and waive adoption fees to help all kinds of pets find a loving home.
As summer travel winds down, head over to meet your new furry friend. Here's a map of participating shelters.
Can you believe that Labor Day weekend is almost here? Sign up for The Weekend Scene newsletter and on Wednesday we'll show you how to send off summer memorably with live music, food festivals and more fun things to do with your friends and family. Thanks for subscribing here.
Things to Do in D.C. This Weekend
Free Pick
Books & Boards
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shaw Skatepark (1530 11th St NW, Washington, D.C.)
Bring the kids to meet author and skateboarder Yuri Cruz, watch skateboarding demos — plus grab a free slice of pizza and scoop of ice cream. Your family can also learn about opportunities for volunteering from the host, Reading Partners DC.
MegaFest beer festival
Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Parks Historic Walter Reed
This festival celebrating Black-owned breweries is going for a block party vibe with music, food vendors and beers from Soul Mega, Sankofa Beer Company, Urban Garden Brewing, Black Viking Brewing, Patuxent Brewing Co, and Joyhound Beer Company.
Tickets start at $50 and get you admission plus unlimited 4 ounce beer samples.
Note that backpacks and purses must be clear. Hand-sized clutch bags are also allowed.
DCBX14 Latin Music & Dance Festival
Through Sunday
Turn up the beat for a weekend of dance and music spaning styles and genres from across Latin America. The schedule includes more than 200 performances, workshops, concerts, rooftop parties, lessons for all levels and more. Tickets to individual events and workshops start at $60.
8th Annual Ubiquitous Women's Expo
Friday to Sunday
Washington Convention Center
The Ubiquitous Women's Expo organizers say it's "the largest event in the DMV area dedicated to empowering, uplifting and inspiring multicultural women." Expect a weekend of entertainment, workshops and opportunities to purchase goods from and connect with unique vendors.
Things to Do in Maryland This Weekend
Maryland Renaissance Festival
1821 Crownsville Rd, Annapolis, Maryland
Weekends through Oct. 23
The jousting tournament is a must-see, or eat all types of food on a stick.
The festival runs on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 23, plus Labor Day Monday. To celebrate opening weekend on Aug. 27-28, kids under 15 can get in for free.
Maryland State Fair
Maryland State Fairgrounds
The Maryland State Fair will run Aug. 25-28, Sept. 1-5 and Sept. 8-11 in Lutherville-Timonium. Here's our full guide.
Free Pick
Webb Telescope Weekend
Gaithersburg Community Museum
Saturday, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
NASA’s Caitlin Ahrens will visit the Gaithersburg Community Museum to discuss how the James Webb Space Telescope is changing astronomy and our understanding of the cosmos. There will be a screening of the documentary “Hunt for Planet B.” The whole family can join skywatching, hands-on activities (including making galactic slime!) and telescope viewing. The event is aimed at people age 6 and up. It’s free, but register in advance. Details.
Free Pick
Fairwood Music Festival
Saturday, 1-6 p.m.
Fairwood Park, Bowie, Maryland
Pack a picnic and head down to Fairwood Park in Bowie, Maryland, on Saturday for a day of live music featuring local bands DC Fusion, Elyscia, Kevin Jackson and The Exclusives.
Sunflower Festival at Summers Farm
Aug. 27-28, Sept. 3-5, Sept. 10-11
Summers Farm (7503 Hollow Road, Middletown, Maryland)
Summers Farm invites you to stroll their 8-acre sunflower fields and take pictures with your family. Take a wagon ride to the field and choose a sunflower to take home.
Lawn games and kid-friendly activities, including meeting farm animals, are open after your trip through the blooms. Food truck eats plus local beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $17.50 if you buy them online and $20.50 at the gate. Kids 2 and under can visit for free.
Things to Do in Virginia This Weekend
Fairfax Comic Con Mini-Con
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dulles Expo Center
Show off your best sci-fi or superhero vogue face, meet celebrity guests and authors and take a selfie with a model DeLorean at the Dulles Expo Center. Anyone can sign up to join the cosplay competition — there are categories for adults, kids and groups. Tickets start at $12. Kids 10 and under can go for free.
Free Pick
Around The World Cultural Food Festival
Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oronco Bay Park, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Bring your kids and pets, plus a picnic blanket or chairs, out for a day of cultural performances from 11 countries and food from more than a dozen cultures. Organizers say there will be moon bounces, henna artists, yard games and more entertainment. Admission is free.
Wine & Food Festival – NOVA
Saturday, VIP noon to 6 p.m., GA 1-6 p.m.
Bull Run Special Events Center, Centreville, Virginia
Sip unlimited wine samples, enjoy performances and be merry at the Bull Run Events Center. Tickets start at $42 for general admission and $75 for VIP.
Carpenter’s Cook-Off Pop-Up
Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.
201 N. Union Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Sample food from local restaurants, dance along to live music and join silent auctions plus raffles with the whole family. The event benefits Carpenter’s Shelter, which supports people experiencing homelessness in Alexandria. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $20 for children if you purchase in advance.
