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...

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

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

25+ 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...

Two performers on stage beneath ornate theater balconies and chandelier.

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 ...

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 ...

The Best City to Visit in 2027

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

@carahedge - Summer day outside The LINE Hotel in Adams Morgan - Unique hotels in Washington, DC

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

These hip and trendy hotels offer unique experiences that blend the ...

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Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

Tudor Place offers unique and intimate settings perfect for special occasions.

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

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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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is Now Open!

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Virginia

DEA Museum

Now open! Navigate your way to a new experience.

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National Mall

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

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Mount Pleasant

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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Downtown

Hedy's Rooftop

Hedy's Rooftop at Hotel Zena

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National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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Downtown

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

More than a museum, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream invites visitors to explore what’s possible through an interactive exhibition.

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Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Board meetings, teleconferencing and broadcast video production by day; and elegant receptions and private screenings by nigh..

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

An innovator in the development of new plays earning a reputation for staying plugged in to the mad temper of the times (New York Times).

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

21

2026

Foggy Bottom

Preview of “Emily,” a new musical by Connor & Smith, starring Susan Derry

Now - Oct 21, 2026

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Oct

21

2026

Capitol Hill

Measure for Measure

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Fruits of Our Labor

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

Now - Dec 20, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE LIVE After Dark: Nicolás Melmann Música Aperta AV Performance | In Partnership with Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain (in Washington, D.C.)

Oct 22, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Score

Now - Oct 25, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Dupont Circle

Hundred Days

Oct 22, 2026 - Nov 08, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT

Now - Nov 08, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Maryland

Summer - The Donna Summer Musical

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?

Now - Dec 06, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

Now - Nov 15, 2026

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Oct

22

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Oct

22

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Prince Caspian Live onstage

Oct 22, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026

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Oct

23

2026

Capitol Hill

Soul Strolls

Oct 23, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026

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Oct

23

2026

Maryland

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Oct 23, 2026 - Jun 13, 2027

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Oct

23

2026

Foggy Bottom

Friday Noon Concert featuring Amy K. Bormet on piano & Melinda Rice on violin

Oct 23, 2026

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Oct

23

2026

Logan Circle

Stumped

Oct 23, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026

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Oct

24

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Oct 24, 2026 - Oct 21, 2028

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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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The District Blog

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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venues 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

Delightful Patio Dining

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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

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

25+ 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

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

The Best City to Visit in 2027

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Woodrow Wilson House

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

DEA Museum

National Museum of African Art

Mexican Cultural Institute

Hedy's Rooftop

National Air and Space Museum

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

21

Foggy Bottom

Preview of “Emily,” a new musical by Connor & Smith, starring Susan Derry

21

Capitol Hill

Measure for Measure

22

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

22

Southwest & The Wharf

The Fruits of Our Labor

22

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

22

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE LIVE After Dark: Nicolás Melmann Música Aperta AV Performance | In Partnership with Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain (in Washington, D.C.)

22

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Score

22

Dupont Circle

Hundred Days

22

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT

22

Maryland