Washington DC Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

Whether you become inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods with bustling shops and cafes, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. Subscribe to a podcast that’s recorded live from your hotel. 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

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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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

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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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

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Brookland

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

The largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world.

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Dupont Circle

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Experience the history and splendor of Gilded Age Washington at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the winter home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel

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Shaw

SOST

Sost provides a versatile venue in DC’s historic Shaw neighborhood, rooted in the music, culture, and creativity of the Black and African Diaspora.

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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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Petworth

President Lincoln's Cottage

President Lincoln's Cottage offers a unique, historic, and award-winning experience for locals and travelers alike!

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Capitol Hill

U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center

The Capitol Visitor Center is the main entrance to the U.S. Capitol and is located below the East Front plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Avenues.

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Upper Northwest

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

One of the premier art collector's museums in the United States

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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...

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 ...

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 2025

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jul

06

2025

Dupont Circle

First Sunday's Gospel Music!

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jul 06, 2027

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Jul

06

2025

Independence Day Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jul 04, 2027

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Jul

06

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jul 04, 2027

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Jul

06

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jul

06

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

Now - Jul 04, 2027

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Jul

06

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

Shaw

Historic Alleyways

Now - Jul 20, 2025

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Jul

06

2025

Georgetown

River Club's One Year Anniversary!

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

07

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jul

07

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025

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Jul

07

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Jul 05, 2027

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Jul

07

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

07

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Jul 07, 2025 - Jun 08, 2027

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Jul

07

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Jul 07, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025

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Jul

07

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 05, 2027

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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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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

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Order Your Free Visitors Guide

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

Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

ARTECHOUSE

National Children's Museum

National Postal Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

SOST

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

President Lincoln's Cottage

U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

06

Dupont Circle

First Sunday's Gospel Music!

06

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

06

Independence Day Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour

06

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

06

Downtown

Free Community Day

06

Downtown

Free Community Day

06

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

06

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

06

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

06

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

06

Dupont Circle