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...

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!

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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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

Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE

At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation's capital.

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

Live! Casino & Hotel

Live! is Maryland's #1 Tourist Attraction

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

National Air and Space Museum Steven F. ...

Fly High at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

08

2025

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

Now - Nov 08, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 06, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

Now - Nov 22, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

Downtown

How Civil War Medicine Killed President James Garfield

Now - Nov 08, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

08

2025

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - Nov 22, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

Downtown

"DC's Must See Show"

Now - Nov 08, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Nov

09

2025

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 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

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

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

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

National Postal Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Rubell Museum

CareFirst Arena

ARTECHOUSE

Live! Casino &amp; Hotel

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Hirshhorn Museum &amp; Sculpture Garden ...

Rubell Museum

National Air and Space Museum Steven F. ...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

08

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

08

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

08

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

08

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

08

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

08

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

08

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

08

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

08

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

08

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

08

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

National Children's Museum

Live! Casino & Hotel

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...