Washington DC Arts & Culture

Tap into the city’s creative heartbeat.

Whether you're inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. The District oozes with local flavor and one-of-a-kind experiences. Bottle it up on your trip when you tour colorful street murals, chat with artists at Eastern Market or accept a standing invite to the Meridian Hill drum circle.

Passport DC - Embassy Open Houses

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Guests Taking Photo of Ben's Chili Bowl Mural

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Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Vibrant street art adds color to DC in any season.

Henry the elephant in the National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

History, science, art and culture come alive at these free DC museum...

National Gallery of Art East Building - Museum on the National Mall - Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

Explore modern artworks in this stunningly beautiful free museum on ...

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

20+ Cool & Interesting Museums in Washington, DC That Aren’t On the National Mall

Venture off the National Mall to these knowledge centers for a uniqu...

Inside National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ways to Celebrate African American History & Culture in Washington, DC

Honor the Black experience at these museums, memorials and more thro...

Grab A Seat: Washington, DC’s Theaters Are Must-See Attractions

Why Washington, DC's performing arts scene is in a class of its own

Grandfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown Mural by Aniekan Udofia

Keep on Groovin’: An Intro to Go-Go Music in Washington, DC

The official music of the city has a fascinating history, but its st...

A couple looks at a colorful painting at the Phillips Collection.

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

Whether during Pride or year-round, visitors and locals can embrace ...

The Best City to Visit in 2026

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Museum of Women in the Arts

First major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at National Children's Museum!

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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SPONSORED

Virginia

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps: Enter and experience what it means to be a Marine.

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SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Brookland

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

The largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world.

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Upper Northwest

Zenith Gallery

Zenith Gallery, the premiere source of art in WDC, 45 years, hundreds of artists in a wide range of styles & mediums from monumental to small.

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NoMa & Union Market

Wunder Garten

Outdoor community German inspired beergarden

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Virginia

Signature Theatre

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre is DC's positively swanky (The New York Times) home for contemporary musicals and new plays.

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Brookland

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Our Brookland location was opened in December 2021 boasting 9 auditoriums and a total of 870 seats.

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DC Metro Area

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C. is committed to enriching the relationship between Mexico and the United States by sharing Mexico's vibrant cultural past and present with the local community

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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Woodley Park

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Cons...

Enjoy thousands of exotic animals

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Oct 23, 2027

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Oct

23

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 23, 2027

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

23

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Oct

23

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Oct

23

2025

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

Now - Dec 17, 2026

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Oct

24

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Oct

24

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Oct 23, 2027

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Oct

24

2025

Capitol Hill

Monumental Intent: Architecture of Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Oct 24, 2025 - Oct 23, 2027

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Oct

24

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Oct 23, 2027

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Oct

24

2025

Dupont Circle

Halloween Nights Fun

Oct 24, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025

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Oct

24

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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Oct

24

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

24

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Featured Places to Stay

Book a memorable night at DC hotels

Boutique hotels, family-friendly hotels, budget-friendly hotels - whatever you're looking for, you'll find it. Explore the hotel options waiting for your arrival.

Take Me There

Southwest & The Wharf

Canopy Washington DC The Wharf

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Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

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Downtown

Hotel Zena

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Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

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Partner Content

The District Blog

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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

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Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

Learning on Location

Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Arts & Culture

Tap into the city’s creative heartbeat.

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

20+ Cool & Interesting Museums in Washington, DC That Aren’t On the National Mall

Ways to Celebrate African American History & Culture in Washington, DC

Grab A Seat: Washington, DC’s Theaters Are Must-See Attractions

Keep on Groovin’: An Intro to Go-Go Music in Washington, DC

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2026

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Postal Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

Zenith Gallery

Wunder Garten

Signature Theatre

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Mexican Cultural Institute

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Smithsonian&#039;s National Zoo and Cons...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

23

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

23

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

23

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

23

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

23

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

23

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

23

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

23

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

23

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

23

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

23

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

National Children's Museum

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Cons...