We’re excited to kick off the 2026-27 season of Saturday Morning Live at The National this September! This season of theatre, music, dance, and puppetry is united under the theme Let’s Be Friends! Friends old and new will be taking us on a journey around the world, and we want you to come along. Scroll down for more information about Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe’s presentation on our historic Main Stage and keep an eye out for an official announcement coming your way soon.
New to Saturday Morning Live at The National? Our long-running season of free performances for young children and their families has been entertaining audiences for over 45 years. Check out what our audience members are saying about their time with us last season.
“We loved our experience at Saturday Morning Live! and are already looking forward to returning. This is such an excellent way to introduce children to live performances. And it is FREE?! What a gift to the community.”
“I first attended Saturday Morning Live as a child and now have a whole monthly routine built around it with my own kiddo and husband. It’s one of our favorite family traditions, and it feels extra special to have the continuity with my own childhood!”
“Having ASL interpreters give access to my deaf child so that he could experience music was great. They were also very accommodating and friendly.”
“Our family loves to attend Saturday Morning Live! It opens discussions within our family and exposes my children to an array of arts performances. My oldest has taken an interest in theater and attends performances for adults regularly because of her experiences here. Thank you!”
All Saturday Morning Live at The National programs are interpreted into American Sign Language (ASL) and take place in a wheelchair-accessible space. Pre-registrations are taken via our Eventbrite page but we do accept walk-ups pending availability of space. Stroller parking is available in the lobby and best guidance on car parking comes courtesy of our commercial managers Broadway at The National.
COMING UP NEXT
We’re delighted to kick of the 2026-27 Saturday Morning Live at The National season with this special Main Stage engagement! Join us as Choy Wun Lion Dance Troupe shares this Chinese dance practice aimed at celebrating auspicious occasions. Watch these incredible dancers and musicians at work and learn more about this vibrant cultural tradition. Performances at 10am and 11:30am on September 12th. Pre-registration is now live on Eventbrite; walk-ups are welcome, pending the availability of space.
LOOKING BACK
Enjoy some choice snaps from our most recent season, featuring travel across space and back in time, lessons in ballet and tap, and a host of international musical acts. Be on the lookout for more information about our next season coming your way soon!
PROGRAM CORE VALUES
Saturdays are for great, big sparks
It’s been proven that early exposure to the arts can improve the lives of children. Live performance —which is what Saturday Morning Live! is all about—teaches self-expression and communication skills, fosters empathy, and allows kids to unplug and see the larger, real-life community that welcomes them. Good stuff, right? So come join us Saturdays and let’s spark kids’ imaginations.
Our artists encourage children to play along with them; whether that’s through singing, dancing, clapping, or call and response throughout the shows. Children’s theatre is inherently educational, but primarily fun!
Studies have shown that watching live performance can help students practice empathy by engaging in perspective taking with the characters onstage. Our programming is designed to promote student’s self awareness, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills.
We strive to offer programming that reflects the racial, ethnic, cultural, and social diversity of the DMV area and allows children to relate the narratives presented to their own lived experiences.
Missing the wonderful characters, creatures, and creators who lit up our last season? Take a trip down memory lane with these highlights from 2025-26! If you attended a show and want to share your experience with us, please fill out our end-of-season survey.
LOOKING FOR MORE?
Let’s Go Exploring! Click the button to read about this season, and keep an eye out for more updates!
Re-watch your favorite episodes or explore the performances that you missed from our two virtual seasons of Saturday Morning Live!
Saturday Morning Live! is made possible by The Jacqueline Badger Mars Next Generation Fund.