Looking for ways to stay busy this weekend? The DMV has plenty to offer! From nature festivals, live music, thrift expos, and even a chicken wing celebration — there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you call the DMV home or you’re just visiting, these are the can’t-miss events happening this weekend.
Shows, Activities, Events & More in Maryland This Weekend
Kick off your April with a family-friendly trip to the Cirque De Paris or hit the ground running at the Breeze Thru the Trees 5K. The Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds will be hosting two exciting events this weekend and the Frederick Fairgrounds will be transformed into a thrifting haven on Sunday.
Cirque De Paris
Where? 2002 Annapolis Mall Road, Annapolis
When? April 3rd-13th
Cirque De Paris is coming to Annapolis this April for 10 days! Catch the festivities Under the Big Top at the Annapolis Mall for a show you won’t soon forget. Cirque De Paris presents Europe’s most famous circus family, which hails from the rich traditions of France. Audience members of all ages will be amazed at this family-friendly spectacle of thrills, humor, and a touch of elegance. The all-star cast will be performing a 90-minute act showcasing aerialists, jugglers, tight-wire dancers, clowns and so much more. Tickets are on sale now for as little as $32 for adult general admission and $25 for children’s admission (ages 3 to 12). Families can snag a deal with the Family Pack, which is valid for two adults and two children for $79.99!
Breeze Thru the Trees 5K
Where? 23601 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville
When? April 6th
Breeze Thru the Trees is a 5K race, with a 1-mile fun run option for those who want to enjoy the views without the mileage! Participants will enjoy the scenery of Ruppert Nurseries in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. Proceeds go towards supporting the Children’s Opportunity Alliance — so lace up your shoes and get ready to race for a good cause! The Alliance works to support equitable and accessible early childhood systems that aim to alleviate the disparities children may be facing in order to reach their greatest potential in Montgomery County! On race day, the 5K will kick off at 9:00 AM (fun run at 8:30 AM) and there will be food options and music to follow to keep the party going. Registration for the 5K is priced at $48.70, which includes a $3.70 fee.
Key City Thrift Expo
Where? 797 East Patrick Street, Frederick
When? April 6th
Key City Thrift Expo is an all-ages event that’s set to feature 46 local vendors. Come shop until you drop and don’t forget to bring reusable shopping bags! If you love searching for hidden treasures and upgrading your wardrobe and decor for a fraction of the cost, Key City Thrift Expo is your chance to find one-of-a-kind pieces in one convenient location. From 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 6th, the Frederick Fairgrounds will be transformed into the shopping mecca of your dreams. There will be various food trucks onsite, as well as beer from Olde Mother Brewing Co. Free venue parking will be available, so grab your favorite group of scavengers and see what catches your eye. General admission is priced at $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Kids ages 12 and under are free. Use code KCTE2025 for 10% off your ticket order.
CCPL Books, Bites & Beats Fest
Where? 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf
When? April 5th
If you consider yourself the bookworm of your friend group, you won’t want to skip the CCPL Books, Bites & Beats Fest this weekend. On Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, celebrate all things literature, music, and family-friendly fun as you help raise funds for the Charles County Public Library! This festival features a touch of something for everybody, including author discussions, book signings, and local artisans and food trucks onsite. This year’s fest will also host the inaugural Citizens for the Charles County Public Library Pop-Up Book Sale tent! General admission is free, with donations of any amount receiving a CCPL tote bag to carry around all of your awesome reads!
Maryland Osprey and Nature Festival
Where? 9023 Bay Avenue, North Beach
When? April 5th
The Maryland Osprey and Nature Festival is an exciting community gathering to celebrate the charismatic Ospreys of the region. The festival is designed to educate the public and to foster conservation awareness throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its various estuaries. The festival is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine. General admission is priced at $20 per family or $10 for individual admission, with net proceeds being donated to various wildlife centers and nature societies. Attendees will be able to see live raptors, as well as other Maryland birds, and participate in nature scavenger hunts, crafts, and more! Kiddos can get their face painted, enjoy free Italian ice, and meet new friends of both the human and bird variety.
Anne Arundel Asian American Festival
Where? 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville
Where? April 6th
Get ready to celebrate all things Asian American culture this weekend with a full day of music, food, and festivities. The schedule of events kicks off at 12:00 PM for the general public and will welcome guests with a performance by the Golden Phoenix Lion and Dragon Dance Team, as well as a Mabuhay cultural performance at 2:00 PM. Tickets are on sale for $10 or you can upgrade to an Early Access ticket for $20, which allows you early admittance by an hour. If you’re looking to impress a date or you simply want to indulge in a wine flight with friends, upgrade to the $40 option to join Queen’s English and their Michelin Star sommelier, as well as sister company Half Glass, as they offer a five-glass wine flight tasting.
11th Annual Maryland Chicken Wing Festival
Where? 1450 Generals Highway, Crownsville
Where? April 5th
The Maryland Chicken Wing Festival is for poultry lovers from across Anne Arundel County and beyond. ABC Events is bringing the 11th annual fest back, complete with wings from some of the best area establishments. Admission is priced at $20 online and at the door. Children ages 12 and under are free but still require a children’s ticket. The festival will kick off at 11:00 AM on Saturday, with events and activities including axe throwing and archery, a “Best of Show” judging, and a chicken wing eating contest from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM on the main stage. Live music will be performed throughout the day by Aaron Hawkins, Casey McConville, Honest Lee Soul, PJ & Neal, and more!
Shows, Activities, Events & More in Washington D.C. This Weekend
Washington DC will be buzzing with energy this weekend, with the Nationals facing off against the Diamondbacks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and The National Cherry Blossom Festival continuing with a day of fun at Petalpalooza!
Diamondbacks @ Nationals
Where? 1500 South Capitol Street SE
When? April 4th-6th
The Nationals are facing off against the Diamondbacks in a three-day home stand at Nationals Park this weekend! Friday’s 6:45 PM game will feature a NATS20 replica commemorative ring giveaway for the first 20,000 fans and Saturday will feature a 2005 replica jersey giveaway to commemorate the anniversary weekend. Sunday’s 1:35 PM matchup will complete the three-day weekend of games as the Nationals try to secure a win. Whether you want to catch the games in person or you’re content to cheer on the home team from a local sports bar or from home — baseball season is back and fans couldn’t be happier!
Petalpalooza
Where? Capitol Riverfront
When? April 5th
Petalpalooza is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival events and activities around DC and the DMV region. This Saturday from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, visit the Capitol Riverfront Navy Yard to catch the festivities or view the fireworks from Anacostia Park. Petalpalooza will feature a full day of live music and engaging activities for all ages, such as an interactive art installation, a cashless beverage garden, and roaming entertainers. Participate in large yard games, a silent disco, or relax in one of the hammocks! Food and beverage options will include Italian ice, kettle corn, and coffee samples from Dunkin’ Donuts in Tingey Square. The evening fireworks show will start at 8:30 PM. Petalpalooza is free to the public!
Fifty After the Fall
Where? Old North Way
When? April 3rd & 4th
Fifty After the Fall is a two-day film festival hosted at the Davis Performing Arts Center in the Gonda Theater. The event is designed to engage Georgetown students and community members in important conversations. Films to be screened at this year’s festival include award-winning short films including In Living Memory, Family Circus, and We Were The Scenery. Friday will feature The Motherload (a DC premiere) and a conversation with filmmaker Van Tran Nguyen, as well as New Wave with a keynote address with filmmaker Elizabeth Ai. General admission tickets are free but registration is encouraged.
Shows, Activities, Events & More in Northern Virginia This Weekend
Northern Virginia has no shortage of exciting opportunities this weekend, especially for dog lovers and bookworms! The 3rd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is fun for canines and humans alike and the Friends of the Arlington Public Library Book Sale is a great way to stay on top of those 2025 reading goals!
3rd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest
Where? 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
When? April 6th
The Del Ray Dog Rest is an outdoor springtime celebration that welcomes dogs, their owners, and members of the community who are looking to enjoy the immaculate vibes. The dog fest will be held from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the parking lot of the George Washington Middle School, with a special VIP-access entrance opening an hour earlier. The fest will include a Dog Fashion Show, with registrations due onsite by 12:30 PM. Following the main fest, there will be “Yappy Hour” fun at various participating restaurants to keep the barking good time going. Additional planned activities include an off-leash puppy playground, a distracted dog race, and live music by Rook Richards!
Friends of the Arlington Public Library Book Sale
Where? 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington
When? April 4rd-6th
The Spring Book Sale at the Arlington Central Library will be taking place through Sunday. Visitors can head to the garage of the library or shop specialty books in the Quincy Room on the first floor of the library. Specialty books are priced individually and may include sets, first editions, and rare finds. The public sale will be open to everyone from 10:30 AM to 4:45 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday will also be a half-price day! Cash and credit cards will be accepted and teachers and librarians with school IDs can snag 50% off book purchases on Friday and Saturday as well.
Zac Brown Band
Where? 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill
When? April 4th
The Zac Brown Band is coming to MGM National Harbor this weekend. On Friday at 8:00 PM, get ready to jam out with the opening act Gaelic Storm before the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning Southern rock group takes the stage. Over the course of more than a decade, the Zac Brown Band has achieved 6 consecutive albums reaching the top 10 of the Billboard 200! With songs such as “Chicken Fried,” “Toes,” “Highway 20 Ride,” and many more amassing a dedicated following over the years. In the summer of 2022, the band was inducted into the Fenway Music Hall of Fame, joining the likes of music icons such as Paul McCartney and Billy Joel. Limited tickets are available, so grab yours now and catch this once-in-a-generation band in Oxon Hill.
We Hope You Enjoy Your Weekend!
Spring is an exciting season in the DMV region, with many tourists visiting the area to catch the blooming cherry blossoms. It’s also a great time to enjoy the outdoors or take in a baseball game at Nationals Park! Dive in headfirst to all that this weekend has to offer and make sure to visit us again next week for an updated list of can’t-miss weekend itinerary options.