Event Bites
Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
May 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Young pet owners and their families can learn the basics of animal training with special activities and crafts through Kids CARE Club: Pet Tricks & Training, a free event at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in VA.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
May 3, 1-4 p.m.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Celebrate at the Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington, MD, which features hands-on activities, music, performances, crafts and eats.
Cinematic Cats
May 6, 7-9 p.m.
Help support cat rescue efforts at the NY Cat Film Festival, with movies focusing on everything we love about cats! Come to the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse in VA when doors open at 6 p.m. to meet adoptable cats and enjoy pre-show activities. Children must be with a parent.
Women in Jazz
May 9-10, 7:30 p.m.
The two-day Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, named for the “first lady of jazz” herself, highlights modern female jazz performers like host Dee Dee Bridgewater, the Jamie Baum Septet+, Savannah Harris and Fay Victor at the Kennedy Center in D.C.
More Events
The World and Me: Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration with the USDA Forest Service and Friends!
May 3, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Frogs are beginning to come out, making it the perfect time for Amphibian Week! This event at Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, will see USDA Forest Service workers teaching kids about their froggy friends through station-based learning, meeting live amphibians and more.
Free | naturalhistory.si.edu
Encanto and Darth Vader Host Cinco De Mayo Kids Festival
May 4, noon-6 p.m.
Shipgarten | 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons, VA 22102
This kid-friendly Cinco De Mayo Celebration features fun, games and performances from popular movie characters like Mirabel from “Encanto” and Darth Vader from “Star Wars.” Kids can play in bounce houses and on playground sets and get free face painting, and Shipgarten is dog-friendly!
Free | shipgarten.com
Pajama Party Movie Night | Dragons, Quests, and Magical Monsters
May 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
Hillwood Museum | 4155 Linnean Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Put on your PJs, bring your favorite stuffed animal and snuggle under some blankets during this kid-friendly short film festival. Shorts feature fantasy stories and friendly monsters. Kids can also participate in a treasure hunt in the museum and make a treasure box to bring home.
$10-$12; free for ages 3 and younger | hillwoodmuseum.org
World Migratory Bird Day Festival 2025
May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lacey Woods Park | N. George Mason Drive
and Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22205
This event is for the birds! From the tiny hummingbird to massive birds of prey, this festival celebrates them all as they return from their winter migration down south. This event is bilingual and features activities in English and Spanish.
Free | arlingtonva.us
Eco-City Festival
May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ben Brenman Park | 4800 Brenman Park Drive
Alexandria, VA 22304
Reduce your carbon footprint and be more mindful about the world around you by learning from local organizations highlighting eco-friendly practices and what they’re doing to make the world a better place. Test-drive an EV, make art with a bike, climb a rock wall and more!
Free | apps.alexandriava.gov
Kofi’s African Village
May 20, 10 a.m. & 11:15 a.m
Prince George’s Publick Playhouse | 5445 Landover Road, Hyattsville, MD 20784
Drummer Kofi Dennis transports young audiences to West Africa using drum performance, storytelling and dance at these enchanting 45-minute performances aimed at kids in pre-K through second grade. Kids are introduced to important cultural traditions and the role drumming plays in African art.
$6 | pgparks.com
