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 ...

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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is coming to Washington, D.C. summer 2026.

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

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Wesley Heights

The Kreeger Museum

The Kreeger Museum is a DC art museum focused on Impressionism, early Modernism, and Contemporary sculpture.

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National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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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.

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Downtown

National Environmental Museum and Educat...

National Environmental Museum and Education Center

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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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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

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

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Feb

02

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Feb

02

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Feb 02, 2028

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Feb

02

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

Now - May 03, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Feb

02

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Feb 02, 2028

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Feb

02

2026

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Jan 31, 2028

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Feb

03

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage

Now - Feb 07, 2026

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Feb

03

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Feb 02, 2028

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Feb

03

2026

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Feb

03

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Dead Sea Scrolls

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Feb

03

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The World to Come

Feb 03, 2026 - Mar 01, 2026

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Downtown

State Fairs: Growing American Craft

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Feb

03

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Feb

03

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Feb

03

2026

Downtown

The American Story

Now - Feb 02, 2028

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Feb

03

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Feb

03

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 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

The District Blog

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Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships

The District Blog

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

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

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Postal Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Anacostia Community Museum

Sixth &amp; I

The Kreeger Museum

National Air and Space Museum

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

National Environmental Museum and Educat...

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Shear Madness

Rubell Museum

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

02

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

02

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

02

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

02

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

02

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

02

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

02

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

02

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

02

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

03

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage

03

National Children's Museum

Sixth & I