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

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

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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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

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 Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration Opens June 26

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Shaw

The Howard Theatre

One-of-a-Kind Private Event Experience: From Concert Venue to Corporate Awards Dinner

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Upper Northwest

The Washington Ballet

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

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Foggy Bottom

Arts Club of Washington

Welcome to our haven for lively programs of all artistic forms - literary, performing, and visual – and of historical exploration.

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Downtown

DAR Constitution Hall

Newly-renovated 3,702-seat facility capable of hosting a wide variety of events, including concerts, television, meetings, commencements and award shows.

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Downtown

Wild Days @ Eaton Hotel

Eaton DC's indoor/outdoor rooftop music venue and bar serves up street food from Chef Tim Ma.

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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Wesley Heights

The Kreeger Museum

The Kreeger Museum is a DC art museum focused on Impressionism, early Modernism, and Contemporary sculpture.

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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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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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Mar

31

2026

Capitol Hill

Now - Apr 12, 2026

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Apr

11

2026

National Mall

BloomFest at the Tidal Basin

Now - Apr 11, 2026

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Apr

11

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Prince Caspian Live onstage

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Apr

11

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Living Letters

Now - Apr 11, 2026

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Apr

11

2026

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - May 30, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

H Street NE

Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest

Now - May 03, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Downtown

The Wiz

Now - Apr 12, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Apr 09, 2028

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Apr

12

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Travesty

Now - Apr 12, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Virginia

Safety Not Guaranteed

Now - Apr 12, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

A Good Day to Me Not to You

Now - May 03, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hamnet

Now - Apr 12, 2026

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Apr

12

2026

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

Now - Sep 30, 2026

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Apr

13

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"1776" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 16, 2026

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Apr

13

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Apr

13

2026

Petworth

Monday Funday Concerts

Apr 13, 2026 - Apr 27, 2026

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Apr

17

2026

Foggy Bottom

Friday Noon Concert, in Celebration of International House Museum Days!

Apr 17, 2026

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Apr

17

2026

Virginia

Sense and Sensibility

Apr 17, 2026 - May 03, 2026

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Apr

18

2026

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Apr

18

2026

Georgetown

The Magic Duel at The Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

Now - May 30, 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

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 Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

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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 Marine Corps

George Washington's Mount Vernon

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Woodrow Wilson House

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

The Howard Theatre

The Washington Ballet

Arts Club of Washington

DAR Constitution Hall

Wild Days @ Eaton Hotel

Lincoln Theatre

The Kreeger Museum

Merriweather Post Pavilion

The Hamilton Live

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

31

Capitol Hill

11

National Mall

BloomFest at the Tidal Basin

11

Southwest & The Wharf

Prince Caspian Live onstage

11

Southwest & The Wharf

Living Letters

11

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

12

H Street NE

Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest

12

Downtown

The Wiz

12

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

12

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Travesty

12

Virginia

Safety Not Guaranteed

12

Southwest & The Wharf

A Good Day to Me Not to You