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...

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

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

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

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

Mount Vernon Square

Cloakroom

DC's premier venue features 5,000 sq. ft. of space, a rooftop with panoramic views, a large stage, high-tech sound and lighting and luxe finishes.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

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

VIEW DETAILS

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

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

An innovator in the development of new plays earning a reputation for staying plugged in to the mad temper of the times (New York Times).

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Museum of American History

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Mus...

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Feb

05

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 31, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Feb 04, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

Now - May 03, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Feb 04, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

Now - Feb 26, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

05

2026

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Valentine’s Fête

Now - Feb 05, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Written Then, Spoken Now: Remaking the Republic

Feb 06, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage

Now - Feb 07, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Feb 04, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Feb 04, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

International Winter Village at Wunder Garten

Feb 06, 2026 - Feb 28, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

06

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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

Southwest & The Wharf

Canopy Washington DC The Wharf

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Hotel Zena

VIEW DETAILS

Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

VIEW DETAILS

Partner Content

The District Blog

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

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 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

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

National Museum of the American Indian

National Postal Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Zenith Gallery

Cloakroom

Hirshhorn Museum &amp; Sculpture Garden ...

Museum of the Bible

Spain-USA Foundation

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

National Museum of American History

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Mus...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

05

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

05

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

05

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

05

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

05

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

05

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

05

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

05

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

05

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

05

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

05

George Washington's Mount Vernon

National Children's Museum

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...