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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration Opens June 26

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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

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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

Live! Casino & Hotel

Live! is Maryland's #1 Tourist Attraction

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Downtown

Mastro's Steakhouse

You can order delicious dine-at-home steak kits from Mastro's for delivery or carry-out

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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DC Metro Area

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C. is committed to enriching the relationship between Mexico and the United States by sharing Mexico's vibrant cultural past and present with the local community

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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.

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

Experience the Bible like never before at one of Washington, DC's premier museums

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National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

May

06

2026

Foggy Bottom

History Program and Reception

Now - May 06, 2026

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May

07

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"1776" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 16, 2026

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May

07

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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May

07

2026

Downtown

1776 - The Musical

Now - May 16, 2026

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May

07

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Motion

Now - Jun 14, 2026

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May

07

2026

Downtown

44 - The Obama Musical

Now - May 10, 2026

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May

07

2026

Downtown

Drunk Shakespeare

Now - Jun 07, 2026

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May

07

2026

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

Now - Sep 30, 2026

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May

09

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

May 09, 2026 - Apr 30, 2028

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May

09

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Magic Duel in Penn Quarter & Chinatown

May 09, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026

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May

09

2026

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

May 09, 2026 - Sep 12, 2026

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May

09

2026

Georgetown

The Magic Duel at The Glover Park Hotel Georgetown

May 09, 2026 - May 30, 2026

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May

09

2026

Logan Circle

Tara' Hootenanny

May 09, 2026 - Apr 10, 2027

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May

09

2026

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

May 09, 2026 - Jun 20, 2026

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May

09

2026

Downtown

Cinderella

May 09, 2026 - May 10, 2026

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May

09

2026

Downtown

"DC's Must See Magic Show"

May 09, 2026 - May 23, 2026

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May

12

2026

Downtown

The Great Gatsby - A New Musical

May 12, 2026 - May 24, 2026

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May

12

2026

Virginia

Pippin

May 12, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026

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May

12

2026

Foggy Bottom

New Play Reading featuring the work of Chris Stezin

May 12, 2026

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May

15

2026

Adams Morgan

Magic Night

May 15, 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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Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

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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

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

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 Postal Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children's Museum

Lincoln Theatre

Live! Casino & Hotel

Mastro's Steakhouse

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Mexican Cultural Institute

Milken Center for Advancing the American...

Museum of the Bible

National Air and Space Museum

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

06

Foggy Bottom

History Program and Reception

07

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"1776" at Ford's Theatre

07

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

07

Downtown

1776 - The Musical

07

Southwest & The Wharf

The Motion

07

Downtown

44 - The Obama Musical

07

Downtown

Drunk Shakespeare

07

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

09

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

09

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Magic Duel in Penn Quarter & Chinatown

09