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Kids will love seeing the colorful balloons at the Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
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8/29/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Back-to-school doesn't mean family fun has to stop! September is packed with fabulous, family-friendly things to do in DC and all month long.

We jump into fall this month, and with the start of September comes harvest fairs, pumpkin festivals, and other fall festivals across our area.

There are also some fun and unique events happening throughout the month, such as the Kensington Train Show, Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage, and the Clemyjontri Park Open House. And you won't want to miss two new shows—The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Imagination Stage and Cirque du Soleil: Luzia in Tysons Corner!

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in September, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

More Things To Do in DC This September With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Jody Mercier
Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA will dazzle the whole family. Photo by Jody Mercier

Top Things To Do in DC with Kids this September

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Annapolis, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, through October 19 (also on Monday, September 1)
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. READ MORE

Labor Day Car Show (in Fairfax, VA)

Fairfax, VA - Free
Monday, September 1
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. READ MORE

DC State Fair

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 6
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. READ MORE

Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA (at Tysons II)

Tysons, VA
Thursdays - Sundays, September 6 - October 19 (also on Wednesday, September 10)
Cirque du Soleil takes audiences on a journey into the colorful and fantastical world of LUZIA, set in a make-believe Mexico, with stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances. LUZIA deftly visits the locations, people, and sounds of both classical and contemporary Mexico, from urban locations like an old movie set and a smoke-filled dance hall to the beach and barren desert. READ MORE

Library of Congress National Book Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 6
The National Book Festival brings together bestselling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks, panel discussions, book signings, and other activities. The lineup includes children's authors and activities. READ MORE

Kensington Train Show (at Kensington Town Hall)

Kensington, MD
Saturday, September 6
The National Capital Trackers chug into town with model trains, railroad songs and stories, and children's activities.  READ MORE

US Asian Fest

Sterling, VA
Saturday, September 6
The first-ever Asian Festival was held in Loudoun County in 2024. Over 5000 people came out to experience the vibrant energy, traditional cultural performances, and delicious flavors of Asia. This year the 2nd Annual US ASIAN FEST is returning Saturday, September 6, 2025 and it’s going to be bigger, better, and even more unforgettable than before. READ MORE

Clemyjontri Park Open House

McLean, VA - Free
Sunday, September 7
Check out Clemyjontri Park for a day of family fun. Enjoy carousel rides, a trackless train, arts and crafts, a community resource fair, a guided nature hike, the Wonder Wagon mobile nature center, and of course, the Clemyjontri playground itself. READ MORE

Adams Morgan Day

Washington, DC - Free
Sunday, September 7
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. READ MORE

The Sound of Music (at The Kennedy Center)

Washington, DC
Daily (except Mondays), September 9 - October 5
Sixty-five years after its original stage debut, a critically acclaimed North American tour of The Sound of Music transports the next generation of theatergoers to the hills of Austria. Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien, the smash-hit musical classic once again graces stages across the country, captivating audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience, and the power of music. READ MORE

Art All Night

Washington, DC - Free
Friday & Saturday, September 12 & 13
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. READ MORE

Washington Ukrainian Festival in Silver Spring, MD

Silver Spring, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 12-14
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. READ MORE

Bowie International Festival (at Allen Pond Park)

Bowie, MD - Free
Saturday, September 13
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. READ MORE

Maryland Seafood Festival (at Sandy Point State Park)

Annapolis, MD
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 &14
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. READ MORE

Joint Base Andrews Air Show

Camp Springs, MD - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 - 14
Get ready for an exhilarating experience at Joint Base Andrews Air Show, where the legendary USAF Thunderbirds take to the skies! Enjoy a thrilling showcase of aerial acrobatics and patriotic displays that will leave you breathless. Don’t miss this chance to witness the precision and artistry of America’s finest pilots in action. READ MORE

Alexandria Art Festival

Alexandria, VA - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 and 14
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. READ MORE

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Imagination Stage

Bethesda, MD
Various dates, September 17 - October 12
Experience 75 beautiful , larger-than-life puppets and original music as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Lonely Firefly, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar come to life on stage at Imagination Stage. READ MORE

Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 20
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. READ MORE

H Street Festival

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday, September 20
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. READ MORE

Bug Fest (at Lake Accotink Park)

Springfield, VA
Saturday, September 20
Join an insect safari, explore live insects and bug science, roll logs to find bugs, play in soil stations, make your own bug, and participate in more bug-themed activities at Bug Fest. READ MORE

The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

Bealeton, VA
Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21
Head out to the Flying Circus Airshow to watch hot air balloons and aircraft take flight. Families wanting a breathtaking view of the area can take a ride for an additional fee. Arrive early, as lines get longer throughout the day. READ MORE

Galbani Maryland Italian Festival (at Harford County Equestrian Center)

Bel Air, MD
Friday - Sunday, September 26-28
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.  READ MORE

Fiesta DC

Washington, DC - Free
Saturday & Sunday, September 27 & 28
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.  READ MORE

Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival

Wheaton, MD - Free
Sunday, September 28
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. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Under the Big Top, Tysons II
Walter E Washington Convention Center
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
All 8 Wards
St. Andrews Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral
Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base
Harford County Equestrian Center