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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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

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

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

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

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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital.

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National Mall

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

The oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States

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Embassy Row

Theatre Washington

Theatre Week is back! Tickets on sale now.

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National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

27

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 25, 2027

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Dec

27

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 27, 2027

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Dec

27

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 27, 2027

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Dec

27

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Dec

27

2025

Downtown

A Magical Holiday Experience in Washington DC

Now - Jan 01, 2026

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Dec

27

2025

Logan Circle

A Very Improv Holiday

Now - Dec 27, 2025

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Dec

28

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Living Letters

Now - Dec 29, 2025

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Dec

28

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

28

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Dec 27, 2027

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Dec

28

2025

Virginia

AVATAR: Fire and Ash 3D

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

28

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guys and Dolls

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Dec

28

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

Now - Dec 31, 2025

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Dec

28

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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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

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

Anacostia Community Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Woodrow Wilson House

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Tudor Place Historic House &amp; Garden ...

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

CareFirst Arena

Lincoln Theatre

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Museum of the Bible

Rubell Museum

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

Theatre Washington

Hirshhorn Museum &amp; Sculpture Garden ...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

27

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

27

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

27

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

27

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

27

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

27

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

27

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

27

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

27

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

27

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

27

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...