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...

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 ...

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 2026

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 ...

SPONSORED

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

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

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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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

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 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

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration Opens June 26

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

Experience the Bible like never before at one of Washington, DC's premier museums

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Dupont Circle

O Museum In The Mansion

With over 100 rooms and 80 secret doors, O Museum in The Mansion is one of the most unique experiences in the world.

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Brookland

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

Experience the Holy Land in DC! Dedicated in 1898, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of our city's most beautiful destinations.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum is America's leading cultural institution devoted to the history and impact of the built environment.

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Virginia

Arlington House

Former home of Robert E. Lee. Open daily 9:30 am–4:30 pm

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Downtown

11:Eleven Gallery

11:Eleven gallery is a contemporary art gallery and event space located in Downtown Washington, DC, just steps from the White House and the Convention Center.

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Dupont Circle

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Experience the history and splendor of Gilded Age Washington at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the winter home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel

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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

May

12

2026

Downtown

1776 - The Musical

Now - May 16, 2026

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May

12

2026

Virginia

Pippin

May 12, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026

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May

12

2026

Downtown

Drunk Shakespeare

Now - Jun 07, 2026

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May

12

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Motion

Now - Jun 14, 2026

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May

12

2026

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

Now - Sep 30, 2026

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May

12

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"1776" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 16, 2026

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May

12

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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May

12

2026

Downtown

The Great Gatsby - A New Musical

May 12, 2026 - May 24, 2026

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May

12

2026

Foggy Bottom

New Play Reading featuring the work of Chris Stezin

May 12, 2026

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May

15

2026

Adams Morgan

Magic Night

May 15, 2026

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May

16

2026

Georgetown

The Magic Duel at The Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

Now - May 30, 2026

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May

16

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - May 07, 2028

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May

16

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Magic Duel in Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Now - Jun 27, 2026

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May

16

2026

Foggy Bottom

Washington Magic at The Arts Club of Washington

May 16, 2026

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May

16

2026

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

May 16, 2026 - Apr 15, 2028

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May

19

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Othello

May 19, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026

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May

20

2026

Downtown

National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center

May 20, 2026 - Jun 21, 2026

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May

23

2026

Downtown

"DC's Must See Magic Show"

Now - May 23, 2026

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May

26

2026

Downtown

National Scrollathon

May 26, 2026 - Sep 07, 2026

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May

30

2026

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - Jun 20, 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

Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

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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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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

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

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

The Best City to Visit in 2026

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

National Museum of the American Indian

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Museum of the Bible

O Museum In The Mansion

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

National Building Museum

Arlington House

11:Eleven Gallery

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

12

Downtown

1776 - The Musical

12

Virginia

Pippin

12

Downtown

Drunk Shakespeare

12

Southwest & The Wharf

The Motion

12

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

12

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"1776" at Ford's Theatre

12

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

12

Downtown

The Great Gatsby - A New Musical

12

Foggy Bottom

New Play Reading featuring the work of Chris Stezin

15

Adams Morgan

Magic Night

16