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

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...

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

25+ 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...

Two performers on stage beneath ornate theater balconies and chandelier.

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 2027

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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

The iconic riverside estate of George Washington. Open daily, 365 days a year.

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Museum of Women in the Arts

First major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is Now Open!

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

Upper Northwest

The Washington Ballet

The Washington Ballet (TWB) 2023/24 Season of Discovery Tickets On-Sale Now!

VIEW DETAILS

Foggy Bottom

National Museum of American Diplomacy

The first museum dedicated to telling the story of American diplomacy.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

VIEW DETAILS

Mount Pleasant

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

VIEW DETAILS

Capitol Hill

National Guard Memorial Museum

The museum takes visitors through 6,000 sq. ft. of artifacts, exhibits and images covering nearly 400 years of National Guard history in vivid detail.

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

Glenstone

Glenstone seamlessly integrates art, architecture, and nature

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

14

2026

Logan Circle

Tara' Hootenanny

Nov 14, 2026 - Apr 10, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Downtown

Mamma Mia!

Now - Nov 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?

Now - Dec 06, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Nov 14, 2026 - Nov 12, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

Now - Nov 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Washington National Opera - Madama Butterfly

Nov

15

2026

Downtown

Washington National Opera - Madama Butterfly

Now - Nov 20, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Logos Theatre presents "Silent Star"

Now - Dec 06, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Maryland

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Nov 14, 2026 - Jun 13, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

Now - Dec 20, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

14

2026

Downtown

MAMMA MIA

Now - Nov 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

15

2026

Downtown

Magician Charlie Ross at Barbouzard 'Le Brunch'

Nov 15, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

16

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

17

2026

Maryland

Hell's Kitchen The Musical

Nov 17, 2026 - Nov 23, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

17

2026

Downtown

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER

Nov 17, 2026 - Nov 22, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Renée Fleming, Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness

Nov

17

2026

Foggy Bottom

Renée Fleming, Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness

Nov 17, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Washington National Opera - Nixon in China

Nov

14

2026

Downtown

Washington National Opera - Nixon in China

Nov 14, 2026 - Nov 21, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

19

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

A Christmas Carol

Nov 19, 2026 - Dec 20, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

19

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Magic Mic Close-Up Magic Showcase

Nov 19, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Friday Noon Concert featuring Yuanju Liu, violin

Nov

20

2026

Foggy Bottom

Friday Noon Concert featuring Yuanju Liu, violin

Nov 20, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

21

2026

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

Nov 21, 2026 - Oct 21, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

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

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

Canopy Washington DC The Wharf

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Hotel Zena

VIEW DETAILS

Partner Content

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

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venues for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

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

25+ 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 2027

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children's Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of the American Indian

National Postal Museum

The Washington Ballet

National Museum of American Diplomacy

National Air and Space Museum

Mexican Cultural Institute

National Guard Memorial Museum

Glenstone

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Airbus IMAX Theater

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

14

Logan Circle

Tara' Hootenanny

14

Downtown

Mamma Mia!

14

Southwest & The Wharf

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?

14

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

14

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

15

Downtown

Washington National Opera - Madama Butterfly

14

Southwest & The Wharf

The Logos Theatre presents "Silent Star"

14

Maryland

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

14

Virginia

All The World's A Stage

14

Downtown

MAMMA MIA

15