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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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Embassy Row

Theatre Washington

Theatre Week is back! Tickets on sale now.

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Upper Northwest

Zenith Gallery

Zenith Gallery, the premiere source of art in WDC, 45 years, hundreds of artists in a wide range of styles & mediums from monumental to small.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

DC History Center

Learn about local Washington, DC history!

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Ford's Theatre

Where Lincoln's Legacy Lives

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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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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

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

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Dupont Circle

The Keegan Theatre

The Keegan Theatre a unique meeting space just steps away from Dupont Circle.

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

12

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Good News

Now - Nov 12, 2025

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 11, 2027

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Nov

12

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 11, 2027

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Nov

12

2025

Downtown

Today at Apple

Now - Nov 12, 2025

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Nov

13

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

13

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Nov

13

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

13

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Nov

13

2025

Georgetown

Romanian Film Festival in Washington, DC

Nov 13, 2025 - Nov 17, 2025

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Nov

13

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 11, 2027

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Nov

13

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Nov 13, 2025 - Nov 11, 2027

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Nov

13

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Lewis and Tolkien at Museum of the Bible

Now - Nov 30, 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 Meeting Planner Toolkit

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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

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Postal Museum

Theatre Washington

Zenith Gallery

DC History Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Ford&#039;s Theatre

Mexican Cultural Institute

Museum of the Bible

The Keegan Theatre

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

12

Southwest & The Wharf

Good News

12

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

12

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

12

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

12

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

12

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

12

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

12

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

12

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

12

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

12

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

National Children's Museum

Ford's Theatre