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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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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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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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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Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Ford's Theatre

Where Lincoln's Legacy Lives

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Downtown

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Permanent collection and exhibitions of American crafts. This gem of a museum, located in a historic building near the White House, is dedicated to exhibiting the finest American crafts from the 19th century to the present

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NoMa & Union Market

Wunder Garten

Outdoor community German inspired beergarden

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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

District E Powered by Ticketmaster

District E is a state-of-the-art destination gaming and hospitality space, conveniently located directly adjacent to Capital One Arena. OPENING 2023!

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National Mall

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Plan your Smithsonian visit

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Southwest & The Wharf

The Anthem

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

07

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

07

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 07, 2027

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Nov

08

2025

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 2026

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Nov

08

2025

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

Nov 08, 2025

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Nov

08

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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Nov

08

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

08

2025

Georgetown

The Magic Duel at The Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

Nov 08, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025

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Nov

08

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

08

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 07, 2027

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Nov

08

2025

Capitol Hill

Monumental Intent: Architecture of Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

08

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Delegate Presents The Magic Duel

Nov 08, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025

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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

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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

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

Anacostia Community Museum

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

The Phillips Collection

Ford&#039;s Theatre

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Wunder Garten

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

District E Powered by Ticketmaster

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

The Anthem

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

07

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

07

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

07

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

07

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

07

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

07

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

07

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

07

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

07

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

07

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

07

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

National Children's Museum

Ford's Theatre