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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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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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Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE

At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation's capital.

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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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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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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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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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National Mall

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

The oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States

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Downtown

U.S. Navy Memorial

The United States Navy Memorial

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Shaw

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Stunningly furnished venue with outdoor patio, a max capacity of up to 300 guests, located directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Options for live entertainment, full bar service, and catering.

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Downtown

The National Theatre

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the historic National is one of America's oldest, continually-operating theaters.

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

Museum of the Bible: What's in it will truly surprise you!

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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

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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...

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 ...

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

Jul

03

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jul 02, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

Now - Jul 03, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Now - Jul 18, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 02, 2027

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jul

04

2025

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

Now - Jul 13, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

July 4th at the National Archives

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Jul 04, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Georgetown

4th of July at the River Club

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Friends N' Fireworks

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

4th of July in the District Concert

Jul 04, 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

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Order Your Free Visitors Guide

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Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

Learning on Location

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Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships

Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

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 Children's Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Postal Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

U.S. Navy Memorial

Eighteenth Street Lounge

The National Theatre

Lincoln Theatre

Museum of the Bible

9:30 Club

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

03

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

03

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

03

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

03

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

03

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

03

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

03

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

03

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

03

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

04

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

04