Washington DC Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

Whether you become inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods with bustling shops and cafes, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. Subscribe to a podcast that’s recorded live from your hotel. 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

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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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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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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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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Plan your Smithsonian visit

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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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Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Have DC's Favorite Comedy Show at Your Next Event

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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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National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

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Virginia

National Museum of the United States Arm...

The National Museum of the United States Army

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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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U Street

9:30 Club

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

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Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Guests Taking Photo of Ben's Chili Bowl Mural

Learn More

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 2025

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

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Sep

18

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Sep

18

2025

Virginia

Play On!

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Sep 17, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Great Privation (how to flip ten cents into a dollar)

Now - Oct 12, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 17, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Sep 17, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

Downtown

Constitution Day: The Full U.S. Constitution

Now - Sep 30, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Sep

18

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Sep

18

2025

Downtown

Farragut Fun Days

Now - Oct 16, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Sep

18

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

Now - Oct 15, 2025

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Sep

18

2025

H Street NE

Dodi & Diana

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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Sep

19

2025

Dupont Circle

Everything is Wonderful

Now - Oct 05, 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

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

Learning on Location

Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

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

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

National Museum of the United States Arm...

Spain-USA Foundation

9:30 Club

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 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

18

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

18

Virginia

Play On!

18

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

18

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

18

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

18

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

18

Southwest & The Wharf

The Great Privation (how to flip ten cents into a dollar)

18

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

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

Downtown

Constitution Day: The Full U.S. Constitution

18

National Mall