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

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

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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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

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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Columbia Heights

Spain-USA Foundation

Enjoy and discover cultural events and works of internationally renowned Spanish artists in the fields such as design, urban culture, architecture, visual arts, performing arts, literature and music

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Logan Circle

Washington Improv Theater

An interactive, laughter-filled session from Washington Improv Theater (WIT) is the perfect addition to your next event!

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Downtown

The National Theatre

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the historic National is one of America's oldest, continually-operating theaters.

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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.

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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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U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

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National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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Downtown

Hedy's Rooftop

Hedy's Rooftop at Hotel Zena

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

23

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Dec

23

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 22, 2027

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 22, 2027

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Dec

23

2025

Downtown

A Magical Holiday Experience in Washington DC

Now - Jan 01, 2026

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Dec

23

2025

Virginia

Mount Vernon by Candlelight

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

23

2025

Downtown

Willard Nightly Caroling

Now - Dec 23, 2025

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Dec

24

2025

National Mall

Avatar: Fire and Ash 3D

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

24

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Dec

24

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Dec 22, 2027

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Dec

24

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

24

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 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

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

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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

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

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

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Spain-USA Foundation

Washington Improv Theater

The National Theatre

National Guard Memorial Museum

Mexican Cultural Institute

9:30 Club

National Air and Space Museum

Hedy&#039;s Rooftop

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

23

Southwest & The Wharf

Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show

23

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

23

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

23

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

23

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

23

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

23

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

23

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

23

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

23

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

23

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Hedy's Rooftop