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 Children's Museum

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

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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 is coming to Washington, D.C. summer 2026.

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SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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SPONSORED

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

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

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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

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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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Petworth

Hook Hall

DC's premier event venue, beer garden, cafe and tavern featuring a large indoor and outdoor space located in the heart of Washington, DC.

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Maryland

Strathmore

Strathmore Music Center

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Southwest & The Wharf

Angie D Entertainment

Full service entertainment and engagement production company using digital photo technology to create interactive entertainment for events.

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Downtown

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

More than a museum, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream invites visitors to explore what’s possible through an interactive exhibition.

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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art: Of the nation and for all the people.

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

21

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Mary Day's The Nutcracker

Now - Dec 21, 2025

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Dec

21

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 21, 2027

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Dec

21

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Dec 28, 2025

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 21, 2027

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Dec

21

2025

Downtown

A Magical Holiday Experience in Washington DC

Now - Jan 01, 2026

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Dec

21

2025

Downtown

Willard Nightly Caroling

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

22

2025

Dupont Circle

AN IRISH CAROL

Now - Dec 28, 2025

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Dec

22

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Dec 22, 2025 - Mar 13, 2026

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Dec

22

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guys and Dolls

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

22

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Dec 21, 2027

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Dec

22

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Dec 22, 2025 - Jun 08, 2027

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Dec

22

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

Now - Dec 31, 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

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 Children&#039;s Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Postal Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House &amp; Garden ...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

The Hamilton Live

Sixth &amp; I

Spain-USA Foundation

Hook Hall

Strathmore

Angie D Entertainment

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

National Gallery of Art

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

21

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Mary Day's The Nutcracker

21

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

21

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

21

Downtown

Free Community Day

21

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

21

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

21

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

21

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

21

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

21

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

21

Downtown

National Children's Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

Sixth & I