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1 Wednesday
Borinquen: Music & Dance of Puerto Rico. All ages. 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. Enjoy the exciting sounds of Puerto Rican music, and watch traditional dance from the Latin American commonwealth that is part of the United States. Tickets: 202-633-8700. $$ Natural History Museum, Washington, DC.
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2 Thursday
African Roots, Latino Soul. Ages 6 - 13. 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. Music, poetry and drama are used to explore growing up multi-everything in modern-day America. Tickets: 202-633-8700. $$ Ripley Center/Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
Oh Susannah! Ages 1 - 9 with adult. 10:30 a.m. Also 10/9, 10/16, 10/23 & 10/30. Get on your feet and sing, tap and clap along. Tickets: 301-933-2006. $$ Jammin' Java, Vienna.
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3 Friday
Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Ages 6 - 17. 4 - 5 p.m. Learn about and play traditional games from various Latin American countries. Registration by 10/2: 301-864-0756. North Brentwood Community Center.
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4 Saturday
Art on the Avenue. All ages. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Celebrating Del Ray's diversity, this street festival offers works by juried artists, live music, kids' art activities, food from local restaurants and more. 703-683-3100. Del Ray, Alexandria.
Autumn Conservation Festival. All ages. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Also 10/5. Talk with scientists, get a sneak-peek at species the zoo is protecting and enjoy children's activities, live music, treats and more. www.fonz.org/acf.htm. $$ National Zoo's Conservation & Research Center, Front Royal, VA.
Down by the Sea Shore. Ages 8 - 14 with adult. 2 p.m. Also 10/5. Compare pastel drawings of the ocean with black-and-white photos. Explore the media of pastel and charcoal, and create your own seascape to take home. 202-633-1000. Free & Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC.
Fall Festival. All ages. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also 10/5, noon - 4 p.m. These two fall festivals are packed with hands-on activities, animals, music, food, hayrides and more. 301-600-1650. $$ Rose Hill Manor Park, Frederick.
Fall for Fairfax. All ages. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Live entertainment, exhibits, train rides, petting zoo, hayrides, pony rides, arts and crafts, food and more. 703-324-3247. Fairfax County Government Center.
Harry Potter's Plants & Potions. Ages 5 & up with adult. 2 - 3:30 p.m. Conjure up some magic in our gardens as we explore the magical powers of Harry Potter's favorite plants. Create your own wizard's wand, and collect recipes for potions. Registration: 703-642-5173. $$ Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria.
Harvest Barn Dance & Dinner Party. All ages. 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Enjoy French-Canadian cuisine and dancing at the Washington Revels' party, complete with activities for the little ones. Tickets: 301-587-3835. $$ Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, Bethesda.
Harvest Festival. All ages. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also 10/5. Down-home fun on the farm with a corn maze, live music, games, food, animals, crafts and more. 301-924-4141. $$ Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood.
Latin Jazz Celebration. All ages. 2 - 5 p.m. Enjoy an interactive musical performance, see a conga drum demo, hear jazz oral histories, learn the story behind the new Latin jazz stamp, design a stamp and enjoy Hispanic Heritage Month stories. 202-633-5533. National Postal Museum, Washington, DC.
Oktoberfest. All ages. Noon - 6 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, a festival marketplace, food, children's activity area and more. 703-281-1333. Church Street, Vienna.
Que Las Hay...Las Hay/You Better Believe It...They Exist. All ages. 3 p.m. Also 10/11, 10/18 & 10/25. Two sorceresses feud over helping a neighbor build a house. Things get chaotic when the cast opposing spells over the neighborhood. Tickets: 202-234-7174. $$ GALA Theatre, Washington, DC.
Super Star Glasses. Ages 3 & up. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Every child feels like a star when they wear the cool, colorful glasses they'll make. 703-719-0202. Lakeshore Learning Store, Alexandria.
Symphonic Blockbusters: Beethoven's Ninth. Ages 7 & up. 8 p.m. Also 10/5, 3 p.m. The National Philharmonic presents this performance of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9." Tickets: 301-493-9283. $$ Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.
Taste of Bethesda. All ages. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy musical and cultural performances, food samples from Bethesda restaurants, children's activities and more. 301-215-6660. $$ Woodmont Triangle, Bethesda.
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5 Sunday
Cathy & Marcy. Ages 10 & under. 4 p.m. Grammy Award-winning singers Cathy and Marcy rock the hill with fun children's songs. Tickets: 703-281-4422. $$ Hunter Mill Country Day School, Vienna.
Friends of the Orphans' Fiesta 5K Fun Run/Walk. All ages. 8 a.m. Join the 5K fun run/walk to raise money for Friends of the Orphans. Enjoy post-race festivities, including food, a live bluegrass band, activities and more. www.friendsoftheorphans.org. $$ George Mason University, Fairfax.
Garcia & Gourds. Ages 6 - 12 with adult. 1 - 3 p.m. Take a look at the unique styles and designs of Tammy Garcia's pottery, then carve the outside of a gourd or coil pot with similar techniques and shapes. Registration: 202-783-7370. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC.
Kinderfest. All ages. Noon - 5 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, workshops, exhibits, moonbounces, carnival games, a pumpkin patch, nature activities and more. www.ncm.museum. Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro.
O' Inner Voice. Ages 8 & up. 3 p.m. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs works by Brahms, Haydn, Tallis and more. Tickets: 703-548-0885. $$ Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Art Center, Alexandria.
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7 Tuesday
Mr. Don, Music & Sing-Along. Ages 1 - 12. 6 - 8 p.m. Come sing, dance and play instruments with Mr. Don Bridges. 703-924-1701. $$ Silver Diner, Springfield.
San Jose Taiko Drumming. All ages. 10:15 a.m. & noon. Also 10/8. This California company mixes the rhythms of Japan, Cuba and Africa with American rock and roll and hyper kinetic choreography. Tickets: 301-277-1710. $$ Publick Playhouse, Cheverly.
Tiny Tot Tuesdays: Teddy Bear's Picnic. Ages 0 - 4. 10 & 11:30 a.m. Bob Brown Puppets presents a colorful and musical adventure. Tickets: 301-320-6668. $$ The Puppet Co., Glen Echo.
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8 Wednesday
Kingman Island Debris Event. All ages. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Help remove harmful debris from Kingman Island and the Anacostia River. Registration: 202-488-0627. Kingman Island, next to RFK Stadium, Washington, DC.
National Squirrel Awareness Week. Ages 5 & up. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Learn all about these furry rodents. Discover the different kinds of squirrels we have here. Registration: 703-228-4747. Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington.
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9 Thursday
Mi Casa Es Su Casa. Ages 2 - 6. 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. Also 10/10. Music and puppets delight in two languages as the audience meets Maria Elena, sings "La Bamba" with a Mexican conjunto band and coaxes Señora Nina to put more water in the soup. Tickets: 202-633-8700. $$ Ripley Center/Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
Story Time at the Kreeger. Ages 3 - 5 with adult. 10 a.m. Also 10/21, 2 p.m. Stories about artists, artworks and their inspiration. Explore the collections, and enjoy a creative activity. Registration: 202-338-3552. $$ Kreeger Museum, Washington, DC.
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10 Friday
Family Campfire. Ages 2 & up. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Join us around the campfire as we tell stories, meet live animals and enjoy marshmallows. Bring a marshmallow stick. Registration: 301-218-6702. $$ Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro.
Song & Dance Ensemble of West Africa. All ages. 8 p.m. Also 10/11. This ensemble paints a colorful and electrifying collage of the many cultures of West Africa, celebrating the musical, dance and folkloric traditions of the diverse region. Tickets: 703-993-2787. $$ GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax.
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11 Saturday
Alexandria Arts Safari. All ages. Noon - 4 p.m. Enjoy this festival of hands-on arts and crafts activities for children, plus archaeological fun. 703-838-4565. Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria.
Apple Festival. All ages. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Also 10/12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Enjoy everything apples! Pick your own, sample varieties, listen to music, take a wagon ride, participate in children's activities and more. 540-662-1980. $$ Marker Miller Orchards, Winchester.
Baby Loves Disco. Ages 6 months - 7. 1 - 4 p.m. A disco dance party featuring hula hoops, rhythm instruments, swirly scarves, snacks, diaper stations, a chill-out room and more. Tickets: www.babylovesdisco.com. $$ Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC.
Build Your Own Victorian Dollhouse. Ages 8 & up. 10 a.m. - noon. View the current exhibit "Return to Toyland," then build your own Victorian dollhouse. Registration: 202-879-3240. $$ DAR Museum, Washington, DC.
Campfire: Spooky Stories. All ages. 6 - 7 p.m. Enjoy a campfire, some child-friendly spooky stories and a campfire treat. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Registration by 10/6: 240-314-8770. $$ Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville.
Columbus Day Boat. Ages 3 & up. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Discover a world of fun as you make and decorate delightful boats with shells, sea creatures and more. 703-719-0202. Lakeshore Learning Store, Alexandria.
Commemorative Cancels & Covers. All ages. 1 - 3 p.m. Mail your own example of the museum's commemorative 15th anniversary cancel, learn about covers flow by Amelia Earhart and explore the delightful details of covers on display. 202-633-5533. National Postal Museum, Washington, DC.
Fall Carnival. All ages. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Enjoy crafts, games and face painting. 703-719-0202. Lakeshore Learning Store, Alexandria.
Festival of the Building Arts. All ages. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Enjoy hands-on activities, nail-driving contest, construction vehicle "petting zoo," artisans, a ballet featuring skid steer loaders and more. 202-272-2448. National Building Museum, Washington, DC.
O'Keeffe & Adams Family Day. All ages. 1 - 4 p.m. Celebrate the fall season by exploring the beauty of nature with Georgia O'Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Hear stories, make prints, go on a photo safari and listen to nature-inspired tunes. 202-633-7970. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC.
Oktoberfest. All ages. 1 - 6 p.m. Enjoy German food, Bavarian dancing, arts and crafts, hayrides, animals and more. 301-292-5665. $$ Hard Bargain Farm, Accokeek.
Principles of Leave No Trace. Ages 7 & up with adult. 1 - 2:30 p.m. Learn how to minimize your impact on nature by learning about the seven principles of Leave No Trace. Registration: 301-652-9188 x26. $$ Audubon Naturalist Society, Chevy Chase.
Saturday Morning at the Movies. All ages. 10 a.m. The Marlboro Boys & Girls Club Cheerleaders rev up the audience, and Walt Disney's "Game Plan" is on the screen. Tickets: 301-277-1710. $$ Publick Playhouse, Cheverly.
Sterlingfest. All ages. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Join us for a day of food, fun and entertainment with live music, demonstrations, kids' activities, rides and more. 703-430-9480. Sterling Community Center.
There's a Fungus Amongst Us. Ages 3 - 6 with adult. 10 - 11 a.m. Learn all about how we use fungi in our everyday lives and how the forest ecosystem requires fungi to survive. Registration: 301-652-9188 x26. $$ Audubon Naturalist Society, Chevy Chase.
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12 Sunday
NSO Family Concert: Orchestra from Planet X. Ages 5 & up. 1 & 3 p.m. Two devious but bumbling space creatures try to take over an NSO performance - and then the world! Can anyone foil their master plan? Tickets: 202-467-4600. $$ Kennedy Center/Concert Hall, Washington, DC.
Oktoberfest at the Kentlands. All ages. Noon - 4 p.m. Bavarian music and dance, food, crafts, horse-drawn hayrides, children's activities and more. 301-258-6350. Kentlands Green, Gaithersburg.
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13 Monday
Flower Buds. Ages 3 - 5 with adult. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Enjoy gardening activities, stories, crafts and a garden walk. Registration: 301-962-1400. $$ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton.
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14 Tuesday
Catch the Beat with Luis Garay. Ages 4 - 10. 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. Also 10/15, 10/16 & 10/17. Luis Garay uses drums to create the rhythms of Puerto Rico in a show that's both a workshop and a performance. Tickets: 202-633-8700. $$ Ripley Center/Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
Hip Hat Hurray Night with Glories Happy Hats. Ages 1 - 12. 6 - 8 p.m. Come compete in a coloring contest and get ready to make some hats! 703-924-1710. $$ Silver Diner, Springfield.
Oh Susannah! Ages 1 - 9 with adult. 5 - 8 p.m. Get on your feet and sing, tap and clap along. 301-933-2006. Austin Grill, Silver Spring.
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15 Wednesday
Community Sing. All ages. 7 p.m. Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock presents this uplifting program of group song. Tickets: 202-686-8000 x0. $$ Levine School of Music, Washington, DC.
Ghosties, Ghoulies & Things That Go Bump in the Night. Ages 2 1/2 - 6. 11 a.m. Also 10/18. Get in the mood for Halloween with fun and spooky stories and songs presented by storyteller and guitarist Marlena Thompson. 703-241-8281. Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, Arlington.
Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre. All ages. 7:30 p.m. Be introduced to the vibrant culture of the native Maori people of New Zealand with chants in honor of ancestors, martial arts demonstrations and powerful songs of Maori pride. Tickets: 202-857-7700. $$ National Geographic, Washington, DC.
Meet Author Arthur Dorros. Grades K & up. 4 p.m. Join Arthur Dorros and discover new ways you and your family can bring your stories to life. A book signing will follow. Registration: 703-241-8281. Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, Arlington.
World Rainforest Day. Ages 6 - 10. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Learn about the tropical rainforest, the critters that inhabit it and what you can do to save it. Registration: 703-228-4747. $$ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington.
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16 Thursday
Raccoons & Ripe Corn. Ages 3 - 5 with adult. 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Take a look at these ring-tailed rascals and other nocturnal animals in this program that includes a story, craft and short hike. Registration: 703-228-4747. $$ Gulf Branch Nature Center, Arlington.
Tiny Tot Walk/Tyke Hike - Leaves. Ages 2 - 3 1/2. 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 1/2 - 6, 1 p.m. Learn more about the changing leaves through stories, hands-on activities and a craft. Dress for the weather. Registration: 240-314-8770. $$ Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville.
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17 Friday
Art in the Garden - Trees & Leaves. Ages 8 - 12. 10 a.m. - noon. Join botanical artist Judy Brown to spend time exploring your inner Georgia O'Keeffe using Brookside Gardens' plant life for inspiration. Registration: 301-962-1400. $$ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton.
Craftsmen's Fall Classic Arts & Crafts Festival. Ages 6 & up. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Also 10/18, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. & 10/19, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. See the creative process in action as more than 400 exhibitors demonstrate and sell their wares. Tickets: www.craftshow.com. $$ Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly.
Ghost Tours. Ages 10 & up. 8 p.m. Also 10/19, 10/24 & 10/28. Explore the museum's haunted past on a lantern-lighted tour led by the ghost of Mary Surratt. Registration: 202-272-2448. $$ National Building Museum, Washington, DC.
Pumpkin Science. Ages 7 - 11. 1 - 2:30 p.m. Perform hands-on experiments on these fantastic fall fruits. Dress to get messy! Registration: 240-314-8770. $$ Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville.
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18 Saturday
Autumn Adventure. All ages. Noon - 5 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, a hay maze, living scarecrows, face painting, arts and crafts, a costume parade, trick or treating and more. www.restontowncenter.com. $$ Reston Town Center.
Celebration of India. All ages. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Also 10/19. Celebrate the opening of the exhibit "Garden and Cosmos: The Royal Paintings of Jodhpur" with Rajasthan music, dance, storytelling, food and children's activities. 202-633-1000. Free & Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC.
Courage! The Civil War in Washington. All ages. 11 a.m. Stroll through downtown Washington, and meet characters from the city's Civil War era. Tickets: 301-588-9255. $$ Cosi Coffee, Metro Center, Washington, DC.
Court & Market Days of Leesburg. All ages. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Step back in time and celebrate Leesburg's history. Visit traders and demonstrators, watch court case reenactments and enjoy live entertainment and children's activities. 703-777-1368. Downtown Leesburg.
Downtown Silver Spring's Fall Fest. All ages. 2 - 6 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, live entertainment, children's activities, artisans and more. www.downtownsilverspring.com. Downtown Silver Spring.
Fall Farm Color Tour. All ages. Times & locations vary. Also 10/19. Tour Loudoun County's vineyards, orchards and pick-your-own farms, learn about the area's agro-tourism opportunities and support the rural economy. www.loudounfarms.org. Loudoun County.
Fall Harvest Family Days. All ages. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Also 10/19. Enjoy this harvest celebration with dancing, blacksmithing, wagon rides and free pumpkins for kids under 11. 703-780-2000. $$ Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.
Festival of Lights. Ages 8 - 14 with adult. 4 - 8 p.m. Also 10/19, 1 - 4 p.m. Explore the "Garden and Cosmos" exhibit, color a woodblock print and construct a lantern to welcome Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, into your home. 202-633-1000. Free & Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC.
KC Fall Fair. All ages. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Enjoy food and fun from around the world with crafts, games, music, storytelling, dance and more. 202-797-1555. $$ Mitchell Park, Washington, DC.
Lassie Come Home. All ages. 2 p.m. After her family is forced to sell her, Lassie escapes from her new owner and begins the long trek from Scotland to her Yorkshire home. Registration: 202-707-0851. Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Mozart, Mendelssohn & Brian Ganz. Ages 7 & up. 8 p.m. Brian Ganz, piano, and the National Philharmonic present works by Mozart and Mendelssohn. Tickets: 301-493-9283. $$ Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.
Spooky Spider Web. Ages 3 & up. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Make a spooky spider web that is sure to be a favorite Halloween decoration for years to come. 703-719-0202. Lakeshore Learning Store, Alexandria.
The Art of Yuriko Yamaguchi. Ages 8 - 12. 9:30 a.m. - noon. Draw your ideas based on Yuriko Yamaguchi's sculptures, then create a 3-D form using wire and mixed media. Registration: 202-338-3552. $$ Kreeger Museum, Washington, DC.
The Green Hunt & the SSP Middle School Challenge. All ages. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Also 10/19, 1 - 3 p.m. On Saturday, go on a science-inspired scavenger hunt. On Sunday, view students' innovative science projects. 202-334-1201. Koshland Science Museum, Washington, DC.
Turtle Island Quartet with Sergio & Odair Assad. All ages. 8 p.m. Hear music from across the globe, from Africa and India to the Appalachian Mountains, to the poetry of the Balkans, to the warmth of Brazil and everything in between. Tickets: 703-993-2787. $$ GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax.
Whale Rider. All ages. Noon. A courageous young Maori girl is put to the test of respecting tradition while accepting change when a group of whales are stranded on her village's beach. 202-857-7700. National Geographic, Washington, DC.
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19 Sunday
A Photographer's Vision: Transforming the Feminine. Ages 13 - 18. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Through an artist's journal and mixed media project, explore how awareness of your feminine identity can transform your life's journey. Registration: 202-783-7370. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC.
Art with Heart Family Benefit Concert. All ages. 4 p.m. Songs, stories, poetry and dance from the world of folk, pop, movies and Broadway. Tickets: 301-603-9627. $$ Concord Hill School, Chevy Chase.
Fall Open House. Ages 2 & up. Noon - 5 p.m. See streetcars, American trolleys and European trams. Hear about the last days of the Third Ave. elevated train in New York City, and take a ride on the demonstration railway. 301-384-6088. National Capital Trolley Museum, Colesville.
HART's Dogwalk & Homecoming. All ages. 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Enjoy a 1-mile dogwalk, vendors, doggie moonbounce, games and more. www.hart90.org. Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville.
Operation Undercover: Secrets of Disguise. Ages 8 - 12. 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Learn to look like a different person and think like one, too. Create a cover identity complete with "pocket litter," documentation and disguise. Registration: 202-393-7798. $$ International Spy Museum, Washington, DC.
Strathmore Family Sings. Ages 6 & up. 4 - 5:30 p.m. Explore folk traditions and the joy of singing in harmony in this lively sing-along. Tickets: 301-581-5100. $$ Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. PreK & up. 1 p.m. In this whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley travels the globe, meets new friends and learns about different cultures through song and dance. Tickets: 301-581-5100. $$ Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.
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20 Monday
Meet Author & Illustrator David Macaulay. Grades 4 & up. 6:30 p.m. David Macaulay will introduce his newest book "The Way We Work," which takes readers on a visual journey through the human body. A book signing will follow. Registration: 703-241-8281. Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore, Arlington.
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21 Tuesday
Harvest Celebration with Pony To Go. Ages 1 - 12. 6 - 8 p.m. Celebrate the fall with ponies and petting zoo we have grown to love. 703-924-1710. $$ Silver Diner, Springfield.
Tiny Tot Tuesdays: Monster Merriment. Ages 0 - 4. 10 & 11:30 a.m. Bob Brown Puppets presents a colorful and musical adventure. Tickets: 301-320-6668. $$ The Puppet Co., Glen Echo.
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22 Wednesday
Outdoor Cooking. All ages. 4 - 6 p.m. Learn how to cook outdoors. We'll make a box oven using household items, then bake cookies in it. Registration: 703-228-4747. $$ Bluemont Park, Arlington.
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23 Thursday
Halloween Magic. Ages 2 - 8. 10:15 & 11:30 a.m. Also 10/24. Have Halloween fun at this magic show of tricks and treats. Tickets: 202-633-8700. $$ Ripley Center/Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
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24 Friday
Croydon CREEP Special Event. All ages. 6 - 8 p.m. Join us for an evening of frightful fun with games, hands-on activities, live animal interpretations and a spooky nature hike. 240-314-8770. $$ Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville.
The Ghost Story Tour of Washington. Ages 8 & up. 8 p.m. Also 10/25, 6 & 8 p.m.; 10/31, 8 p.m. Hear ghostly legends and eyewitness accounts, meet historic ghosts and learn of Edgar A. Poe's connection to Washington. Tickets: 301-588-9255. $$ McPherson Square Metro, Washington, DC.
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25 Saturday
Apple Festival. All ages. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. See orchard tools at work, learn how to make cider, browse locally made apple products and more. 571-258-3800. $$ Heritage Farm Museum, Sterling.
Beyond Space & Time. Ages 8 - 14 with adult. 2 p.m. Create your own miniature diorama that combines imagination with elements from paintings depicting classic Hindu visions of the cosmic universe. 202-633-1000. Free & Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC.
Fall for Lake Anne. All ages. Noon - 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, entertainment, activities, face painting, a balloon artist and trick-or-treating. www.lakeanneplaza.com. Lake Anne Village Center, Reston.
Flight Night. All ages. 7 - 9 p.m. Wear your costume and join the Halloween fun, including arts and crafts, hayrides and more. 301-864-6029. $$ College Park Aviation Museum.
Frankenstein. All ages. 7 p.m. Also 10/26, 5 p.m. The Manassas Ballet Theatre presents award-winning choreography, accompanied by the live music of The Kim Reynolds Band. Tickets: 703-257-1811. $$ Metz Junior High School, Manassas.
Fright at the White House Family Hunt. Ages 7 & up. 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Learn the stories of ghosts who have roamed the White House halls and other buildings nearby while you answer tricky questions about what you discover. Tickets: 877-9-GOHUNT. $$ White House, Washington, DC.
Galápagos George. Ages 4 & up. 2 p.m. Barefoot Puppets tell the tale of the last tortoise to be found on Pinta Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Tickets: 703-790-0123. $$ Alden Theatre, McLean.
Great Kids Expo. All ages. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Also 10/26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, educational sessions, demonstrations and more focused on raising healthy, happy and safe kids. Tickets: www.expo4greatkids.com. $$ Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly.
Halloween Windsock. Ages 3 & up. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Create a ghostly windsock using materials like glitter, paper stems and tissue paper. 703-719-0202. Lakeshore Learning Store, Alexandria.
Haunted Halloween. Ages 6 & up. 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Celebrate the spirit of Halloween as you build and design your own haunted house. Festivities include crafts, treats and ghost stories. Registration: 202-272-2448. $$ National Building Museum, Washington, DC.
Hispanic Festival. All ages. 3 & 8 p.m. Be captivated by fiery flamenco, effervescent Cuban salsa, seductive tango, Mexican folk and other dances from Latin America. Tickets: 202-399-7993. $$ Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC.
Walk for Autism - Virginia. All ages. 9 a.m. Enjoy a community resource fair, children's activities, DJ, silent auction, food and more. www.walkforautismva.org. $$ Prince William County Fairgrounds, Manassas.
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26 Sunday
Carnival of Creatures: A Scary Family Concert. Ages 6 & up. 1 p.m. The Post-Classical Ensemble pokes in creatures' caves and charms sinuous snakes with music from the shrieks and howls of Henry Cowell's "The Banshee" to Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals." Tickets: 301-581-5100. $$ Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda.
It's All Happening at the Zoo. All ages. 2 p.m. Pianists Krysta Hawkley and Mimi Kim bring to life Saint-Saëns' musical suite "Carnival of the Animals," as well as Ravel's "Mother Goose." Reservations: 202-686-8000 x0. Levine School of Music, Washington, DC.
Potomac River Jam. All ages. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the Potomac River and C&O Canal. Enjoy performances by local musicians, bird walks, canoe trips, face painting and more. 301-608-1188. River Center at Lockhouse 8, C&O Canal National Historical Park, Cabin John.
Where the Desert Blooms. Ages 8 - 14 with adult. 2 p.m. Discover how artists interpreted the palace gardens at Nagaur in India in their paintings, then create your own palace garden to take home. 202-633-1000. Free & Sackler Galleries, Washington, DC.
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28 Tuesday
Oh Susannah! Ages 1 - 9 with adult. 10:30 a.m. Get on your feet and sing, tap and clap along. Tickets: 301-933-2006. $$ SOVA Expresso, Washington, DC.
Spooktacular Halloween Party. Ages 1 - 12. 6 - 8 p.m. Show off your Halloween costume, come for a spooky good time and activities. 703-924-1710. $$ Silver Diner, Springfield.
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29 Wednesday
Pumpkin Party. All ages. 3:30 - 5 p.m. Bring your favorite pumpkin to the center for a seasonal makeover. Go from plain to "gourd-eous." Registration: 703-228-4747. $$ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington.
Tree ID. Ages 8 - 12. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Learn how to identify common trees around the nature center. Take home a tree identification guide. Registration by 10/21: 240-314-8770. $$ Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville.
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30 Thursday
The Velveteen Rabbit. Grades K - 4. 10:15 a.m. & noon. Enchantment Theatre Company presents a musical version of Margery William's beloved children's book. Tickets: 301-277-1710. $$ Publick Playhouse, Cheverly.
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31 Friday
Ballet Flamenco José Porcel. All ages. 8 p.m. Also 11/1. Experience the passion and spectacle of flamenco when Spain's preeminent company returns to delight audiences with their explosion of rhythm, color and emotion. Tickets: 703-993-2787. $$ GMU Center for the Arts, Fairfax.
Halloween Fest. All ages. 6:30 - 8 p.m. Enjoy a magic show and children's games. 301-258-6350. City Hall Concert Pavilion, Gaithersburg.
Ongoing
Jul 12 -- Oct 5 Jim Henson's Fantastic World. All ages. Times vary. Get a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of the Muppets' creator. View 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards, that illustrate Henson's talent as a storyteller. www.sites.si.edu. International Gallery/Smithsonian, Washington, DC.
Jul 18 -- Oct 18 A Boy and His Glider. All ages. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. See a rebuilt 1930s era glider, built by Bert Brooks and flown at Congressional Airport. 301-864-6029. $$ College Park Aviation Museum.
Sep 12 -- Oct 12 Beauty and the Beast. Grades PreK - 4. Wed., Thurs. & Fri., 10 & 11:30 a.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. This romantic tale of a handsome prince and his love, Beauty, is full of curses, conflicts, hopes, wishes, dreams and exciting adventures. Tickets: 301-320-6668. $$ The Puppet Co., Glen Echo.
Sep 19 -- Nov 4 Harold & The Purple Crayon. All ages. Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Join Harold as he sets out to conquer the world armed only with an oversized purple crayon. Tickets: 301-634-2270. $$ Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo.
Sep 20 -- Nov 16 A Classical Fool. Ages 4 & up. Sat. & Sun., 12:30 p.m. Set to famous pieces by classical composers, this play follows the Fool as he tries to win the heart of a beautiful woman. Tickets: 800-494-8497. $$ Classika Theater, Arlington.
Sep 20 -- Nov 4 Cox Farms 2008 Fall Festival. All ages. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Enjoy 90 acres of fall festival fun, including hayrides, giant slides, rope swings, farm animals and their babies, food, entertainment, Cornundrum corn maze and more. 703-830-4121. $$ Cox Farms, Centreville.
Sep 25 -- Oct 13 Big Apple Circus. All ages. Times vary. Enjoy "Play On!" - a magical music box of a show including a circus symphony of amazing acts and laughter propelled by a mix of classical, soul and rock & roll music. Tickets: 703-828-9014. $$ Dulles Town Center, Sterling.
Oct 1 -- Oct 7 Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. All ages. Times & locations vary. See jazz performances throughout the city, including a free, all-day concert on the National Mall and a Jazz 'n Families Fun Day. www.dejazzfest.org. $$ Washington, DC.
Oct 2 -- Oct 5 All Roads Film Festival. All ages. Times vary. Enjoy music, photography and films, including "Kids' Stories," a series of animated children's films, that present the stories of indigenous and minority cultures. Tickets and schedule: www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads. $$ National Geographic, Washington, DC.
Oct 3 -- Oct 26 Disorder in the Court. Ages 3 & up. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. An original musical comedy about a wacky day in insect court. Anything goes in Judge Waspner's courtroom! Tickets: 301-604-2844. $$ Young Artists Theatre, Laurel.
Oct 10 -- Oct 26 Mermaids, Monsters & The World Painted Purple. Ages 9 & up. Times vary. Inspired by characters from Hispanic folklore and culture, this series of stories uses color and imagination to capture the vibrant spirit of the Latino community. Tickets: 202-467-4600. $$ Kennedy Center/Family Theater, Washington, DC.
Oct 11 -- Oct 30 CP Hauntington Haunted Train. Ages 8 & up. 6 - 9 p.m. 10/11 & 10/12, 10/16 - 10/19 & 10/23 - 10/30. Haunted train rides, creepy carousel, hall of jack-o'-lanterns, face painting and more. Tickets: 301-942-6703. $$ Wheaton Regional Park.
Oct 17 -- Nov 21 The 3 Billy Goats Gruff. Grades PreK - 4. Wed., Thurs. & Fri., 10 & 11:30 a.m.; Sat. & Sun., 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. In this marionette romp, three brothers get the goat of a hen-pecked troll. Tickets: 301-320-6668. $$ The Puppet Co., Glen Echo.
Oct 21 -- Oct 26 Washington International Horse Show. All ages. Times vary. Enjoy equestrian competitions, boutiques, pony rides, exhibits and more. Tickets: www.wihs.org. $$ Verizon Center, Washington, DC.
Oct 23 -- Oct 30 "Eye Spy" Halloween Train. Ages 8 & under. 6 - 9 p.m. Just enough boo-power for the younger set. Halloween movies, prizes, giveaways, train rides and special activities. Tickets: 301-469-7835. $$ Cabin John Regional Park, Rockville.
Oct 23 -- Oct 26 Boo at the Zoo. Ages 12 & under. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. A spook-tacular trick-or-treat featuring activities, treats and animal encounters. Tickets: www.fonz.org/boo.htm. $$ National Zoo, Washington, DC.