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...

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Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

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Columbia Heights

Spain-USA Foundation

Located in the 16th Street, NW Historic District, the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain serves as the headquarters of the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain

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Dupont Circle

Woodrow Wilson House

Dine intimately in the presidential Dining Room, enjoy cocktails throughout the main museum rooms or relax and unwind in the tranquil period garden.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Virginia

National Museum of the United States Arm...

The National Museum of the United States Army

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Petworth

President Lincoln's Cottage

President Lincoln's Cottage offers a unique, historic, and award-winning experience for locals and travelers alike!

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery gives visitors a chance to meet fascinating Americans from more than 225 years of history in its halls

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 18, 2027

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Dec

18

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 18, 2027

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 18, 2027

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Dec

18

2025

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

Now - Dec 17, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Dec

18

2025

Downtown

A Magical Holiday Experience in Washington DC

Now - Jan 01, 2026

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Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Willard Nightly Caroling

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

19

2025

Shaw

Close-Up Magic Showcase

Now - Dec 18, 2025

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Dec

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Dec

19

2025

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill Architecture Walking Tour

Dec 19, 2025 - Dec 18, 2027

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Dec

19

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

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

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Anacostia Community Museum

CareFirst Arena

Spain-USA Foundation

Woodrow Wilson House

Smithsonian American Art Museum

National Museum of the United States Arm...

President Lincoln&#039;s Cottage

The Hamilton Live

National Portrait Gallery

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

18

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

18

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

18

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

18

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

18

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

18

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

18

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

18

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

18

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

18

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

18

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

National Children's Museum

President Lincoln's Cottage