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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at National Children's 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

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is coming to Washington, D.C. summer 2026.

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Capitol Hill

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hill Center aims to broaden the horizons of all who enter by providing high-quality arts, education, and cultural programs to engage more fully in the life of our city.

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Southwest & The Wharf

The Anthem

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was a cultural center of D

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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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Capitol Hill

U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Cente...

The Capitol Visitor Center is the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol and is located below the East Front plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

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U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

01

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Dec

01

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 01, 2027

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Dec

01

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Dec

01

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 01, 2027

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Dec

01

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Nov 29, 2027

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Dec

01

2025

Downtown

Willard Nightly Caroling

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

02

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Dec

02

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Dec

02

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Dec 01, 2027

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Dec

02

2025

Downtown

Some Like It Hot

Now - Dec 07, 2025

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Dec

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

Now - Dec 31, 2025

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Dec

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guys and Dolls

Dec 02, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026

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Virginia

Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center

Now - Dec 31, 2026

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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

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

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

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

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children&#039;s Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

The Anthem

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Lincoln Theatre

Signature Theatre

U.S. Capitol &amp; Capitol Visitor Cente...

9:30 Club

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

01

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

01

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

01

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

01

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

01

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

01

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

01

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

01

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

01

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

01

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

01

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

National Children's Museum

U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Cente...