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...

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...

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 ...

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

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is Now Open!

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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.

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SPONSORED

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

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

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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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Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Board meetings, teleconferencing and broadcast video production by day; and elegant receptions and private screenings by nigh..

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Foggy Bottom

Shear Madness

Shrieks of Laughter, Night After Night at Shear Madness

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H Street NE

Rorschach Theatre

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

An innovator in the development of new plays earning a reputation for staying plugged in to the mad temper of the times (New York Times).

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Downtown

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

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Downtown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Ford's Theatre

Where Lincoln's Legacy Lives

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Aug

29

2026

Maryland

The Magic Duel Live Shows in Bethesda, MD

Now - Dec 28, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

Now - Sep 30, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Downtown

National Scrollathon

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Aug 27, 2028

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Aug

30

2026

Virginia

Respect: Aretha Franklin

Now - Aug 30, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Dupont Circle

Gruesome Playground Injuries

Now - Sep 06, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Downtown

The Notebook

Now - Aug 30, 2026

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Aug

30

2026

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

Now - Nov 01, 2026

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Aug

31

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Sep

01

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Concert on the Avenue - Sea Chanters

Sep 01, 2026

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Sep

04

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - The Magic of Puck

Sep 04, 2026

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Sep

04

2026

Virginia

Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration with the National Symphony Orchestra

Sep 04, 2026

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Sep

04

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Prince Caspian Live onstage

Sep 04, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026

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Sep

05

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - Magician Ben Barnes

Sep 05, 2026

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Sep

05

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - Mark Kalin: Master Magician

Sep 05, 2026

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Sep

05

2026

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Silver Spring

Sep 05, 2026 - Aug 05, 2028

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Sep

06

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - Mentalist Jason Suran

Sep 06, 2026

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Sep

06

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - The Great Kaplan: Family Show (1pm)

Sep 06, 2026

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Sep

06

2026

Downtown

2026 DC Festival of Magic - The Great Kaplan: Family Show (3pm)

Sep 06, 2026

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Sep

08

2026

Virginia

Something Wonderful: Broadway's Leading Ladies

Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 20, 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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The District Blog

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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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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 2026

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Postal Museum

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Woodrow Wilson House

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children's Museum

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Shear Madness

Rorschach Theatre

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

The Hamilton Live

The Keegan Theatre

Ford's Theatre

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

29

Maryland

The Magic Duel Live Shows in Bethesda, MD

30

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

30

Downtown

National Scrollathon

30

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

30

Virginia

Respect: Aretha Franklin

30

Dupont Circle

Gruesome Playground Injuries

30

Downtown

The Notebook

30

Virginia

Merrily We Roll Along

31

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

01

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Concert on the Avenue - Sea Chanters

04