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...

25+ 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...

Two performers on stage beneath ornate theater balconies and chandelier.

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 2027

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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

Tudor Place offers unique and intimate settings perfect for special occasions.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

VIEW DETAILS

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.

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

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

Capitol Hill

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hill Center aims to broaden the horizons of all who enter by providing high-quality arts, education, and cultural programs to engage more fully in the life of our city.

VIEW DETAILS

Foggy Bottom

National Museum of American Diplomacy

The first museum dedicated to telling the story of American diplomacy.

VIEW DETAILS

Adams Morgan

Shanklin Hall

Shanklin Hall provides a stunning backdrop and exceptional service for your private events.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to advancing public knowledge about the arts and cultures of Asia through exhibitions, publications, research and education.

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

More than a museum, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream invites visitors to explore what’s possible through an interactive exhibition.

VIEW DETAILS

Dupont Circle

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Experience the history and splendor of Gilded Age Washington at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the winter home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

14

2026

Capitol Hill

Measure for Measure

Now - Nov 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Score

Now - Oct 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT

Now - Nov 08, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Now - Nov 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Maryland

Summer - The Donna Summer Musical

Now - Nov 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Maryland

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Oct 15, 2026 - Jun 13, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Now - Nov 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Fruits of Our Labor

Now - Nov 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Virginia

National Symphony Orchestra: Josefowicz & Adams: Scheherazade Two Point Oh!

Oct 15, 2026 - Oct 16, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Prince Caspian Live onstage

Oct 15, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

15

2026

Foggy Bottom

Modern dance performance and conversation with Laura Halzack

Oct 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

16

2026

Capitol Hill

Soul Strolls

Oct 16, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

16

2026

Foggy Bottom

Friday Noon Concert featuring a Special Salon Trio

Oct 16, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

16

2026

Logan Circle

Stumped

Oct 16, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Creepypasties - A Burlesque and Variety Tribute to Urban Legends

Oct

16

2026

Dupont Circle

Creepypasties - A Burlesque and Variety Tribute to Urban Legends

Oct 16, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

16

2026

Maryland

My Hero Academia In Concert

Oct 16, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

16

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Magic Mic Close-Up Magic Showcase

Oct 16, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

17

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Oct 17, 2026 - Oct 14, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

17

2026

Downtown

THE CARPENTERS SONGBOOK: A LIVE CELEBRATION

Oct 17, 2026

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

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

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venues 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

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

25+ 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 2027

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

National Postal Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

National Children's Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

National Museum of American Diplomacy

Shanklin Hall

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Rubell Museum

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

14

Capitol Hill

Measure for Measure

15

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Score

15

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT

15

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

15

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

15

Maryland

Summer - The Donna Summer Musical

15

Maryland

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

15

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

15

Southwest & The Wharf

The Fruits of Our Labor

15

Virginia

National Symphony Orchestra: Josefowicz & Adams: Scheherazade Two Point Oh!

15