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 Children's Museum

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

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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 Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration Opens June 26

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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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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National Mall

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Located between 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Pl., SW (formerly 15th St

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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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Brookland

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

Experience the Holy Land in DC! Dedicated in 1898, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of our city's most beautiful destinations.

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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.

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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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National Mall

National Museum of African American Hist...

A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story

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Southwest & The Wharf

The Anthem

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Downtown

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Established in 1840, St. Matthew's is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jun

20

2026

National Mall

History Film Forum presents: “Hairspray” (1988)

Now - Jun 20, 2026

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Jun

20

2026

Virginia

Broadway in the Park

Now - Jun 20, 2026

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Jun

20

2026

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - Jun 20, 2026

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Jun

20

2026

Logan Circle

Escape with Washington Improv Theater

Now - Aug 01, 2026

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Jun

20

2026

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

Now - May 20, 2028

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Jun

21

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Jun 11, 2028

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Jun

21

2026

H Street NE

Precarious

Now - Jun 28, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Downtown

SUFFS: The Musical

Now - Jun 28, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

Now - Sep 30, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Downtown

National Scrollathon

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Capitol Hill

How Shakespeare Saved My Life

Now - Jul 05, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Downtown

National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center

Now - Jun 21, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

SUFFS

Now - Jun 28, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Virginia

Pippin

Now - Jul 26, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

“A General’s Prayer”

Now - Jul 19, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Virginia

What Became of Us

Now - Jul 26, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

CrazySexyCool - The TLC Musical

Now - Aug 09, 2026

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Jun

21

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Othello

Now - Jun 21, 2026

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Jun

22

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jun

22

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

The Logos Theatre Camp

Jun 22, 2026 - Jun 27, 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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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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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

Woodrow Wilson House

National Children's Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the American Indian

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Postal Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Mexican Cultural Institute

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

ARTECHOUSE

The Keegan Theatre

National Museum of African American Hist...

The Anthem

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

20

National Mall

History Film Forum presents: “Hairspray” (1988)

20

Virginia

Broadway in the Park

20

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

20

Logan Circle

Escape with Washington Improv Theater

20

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

21

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

21

H Street NE

Precarious

21

Downtown

SUFFS: The Musical

21

Downtown

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project

21

Downtown

National Scrollathon

21

Capitol Hill