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...

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 ...

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 ...

The Best City to Visit in 2026

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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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

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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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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Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

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Shaw

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Stunningly furnished venue with outdoor patio, a max capacity of up to 300 guests, located directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Options for live entertainment, full bar service, and catering.

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Southwest & The Wharf

The Anthem

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

DC History Center

Learn about local Washington, DC history!

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Anacostia

Frederick Douglass National Historic Sit...

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site preserves the last residence of Frederick Douglass (1818 -1895), one of the most prominent African American leaders of the 19th century

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National Mall

National Museum of American History

The National Museum of American History showcases national treasures, like the Star-Spangled Banner and special exhibits on girlhood and religion

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Upper Northwest

Washington National Cathedral

Standing at one of the city's highest points, this soaring Gothic cathedral extends almost the length of two football fields and pierces the city's skyline.

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

06

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Nov

06

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Nov

06

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Nov

06

2025

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

Now - Dec 17, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

Capitol Hill

Monumental Intent: Architecture of Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Nov 07, 2025 - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

07

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 06, 2027

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Nov

07

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Nov

07

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

07

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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Nov

07

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Lewis and Tolkien at Museum of the Bible

Now - Nov 30, 2025

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Nov

07

2025

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 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

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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

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

The Best City to Visit in 2026

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the American Indian

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

Airbus IMAX Theater

Eighteenth Street Lounge

The Anthem

Lincoln Theatre

DC History Center

Frederick Douglass National Historic Sit...

National Museum of American History

Washington National Cathedral

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

06

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

06

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

06

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

06

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

06

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

06

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

06

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

06

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

06

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

06

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

06

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

National Children's Museum