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 ...

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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Foggy Bottom

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for ...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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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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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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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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

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

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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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Virginia

Signature Theatre

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre is DC's positively swanky (The New York Times) home for contemporary musicals and new plays.

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

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Dupont Circle

The Keegan Theatre

The Keegan Theatre a unique meeting space just steps away from Dupont Circle.

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Brookland

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

The largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world.

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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.

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Feb

01

2026

Virginia

In Clay

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Clue

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Feb

01

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Feb 01, 2028

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Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jan 02, 2028

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Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

Now - May 03, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jan 02, 2028

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Feb

01

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Feb 01, 2028

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Feb

01

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Bob Ross Paint Party

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Mercy in IMAX

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Feb

01

2026

Logan Circle

Joyride with Washington Improv Theater

Now - Feb 22, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Feb 01, 2028

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Feb

02

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Feb 02, 2026 - Jun 08, 2027

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Feb

02

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 15, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Feb

02

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Feb 02, 2026 - 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

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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 Children&#039;s Museum

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for ...

National Postal Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Gallery of Art

Rubell Museum

Signature Theatre

Merriweather Post Pavilion

The Phillips Collection

The Keegan Theatre

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

Zenith Gallery

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

01

Virginia

In Clay

01

Downtown

Clue

01

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

01

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

01

Downtown

Free Community Day

01

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

01

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

01

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

01

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

01

Downtown

Free Community Day

01

National Children's Museum