Things to Do November 2026 in Washington, DC

Attend a Capitals or Wizards game at a discounted rate
The fall and winter months bring exciting indoor sports action to the District. The NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards play at Capital One Arena in front of thousands of fans. Get in on the action with our exclusive discounted ticket offers below.
Discounted Tickets: Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards
 

Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival – Nov. 5-8
Join 100Reporters, an investigative news organization, for a virtual edition of the Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival (DX), the first and only festival dedicated to investigative storytelling on film in the U.S. This event celebrates the finest new films inspired by the investigative instinct and advocates for the rights of reporters and filmmakers to pursue investigations that are in the public interest. In addition to screenings, DX offers a professional symposium and programming for journalists and visual storytellers.
 

Archives of American Art

Materials, Methods and Meanings: Craft in the Archives of American Art – Nov. 6 – April 16, 2027
Art made from traditionally working material carries a special kind of meaning. Come and think about what it means to be a maker, a craftsman and an artist as you examine works across clay, fiber, glass, metal and wood (among others) that push beyond tradition and expand the possibilities of how we engage with the world around us.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Archives of American Art, 750 9th Street NW, Victor Building, Suite 2200, Washington, DC 20001
 

Adams Morgan BID

Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest – Nov. 7
One of the District’s most popular neighborhoods showcases some of DC’s best musical talent. Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest will feature nearly 100 artists playing an array of genres, including classic rock, funk, go-go, rap, reggae, blue grass, classical and pop. Twenty porches, business patios and parks, as well as the closed 18th Street, will become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the region into the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan.
Free Admission
 

Czech Christmas Market – Nov. 7
’Tis the season to be jolly! The Embassy of the Czech Republic brings the magic of the season to its annual Czech Christmas Market. Discover handcrafted ornaments, glassware, Bohemian garnet, crystal and beaded jewelry and unique gifts while savoring Czech pastries, traditional cuisine, mulled wine and fine Moravian wines. Enjoy children’s Czech Christmas carols, take selfies with live animals and explore the wonders of The Christmas Star with astrophysicist Václav Pavlík through astronomy, live science demonstrations and children’s workshops.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. |  Free Admission |  Registration Required
The Embassy of the Czech Republic, 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
 

D.C. United

D.C. United vs New York City FC – Nov. 7
D.C. United celebrates the supporters who bring Audi Field to life when the Black-and-Red face New York City FC on Fan Appreciation Night. Cheer on the home team while enjoying a matchday dedicated to the fans, complete with giveaways, games and other special touches throughout the evening. Use code VISITDC for 10% off.
4 p.m. |  Tickets
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
 

Washington Nationals

DC Beer Fest – Nov. 7
Nationals Park will be packed with more than 80 craft breweries in attendance as well as local food trucks, live music and much more. Two sessions are available (one from 12-3 p.m., the other from 5-8 p.m.) to give all the beer aficionados out there a couple of options. VIP tickets can also be purchased.
Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
 

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Frida…A Self Portrait – Through Nov. 8
The Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo plays Frida Kahlo on the eve of her death as her pain and passion are laid bare. Expect incredible physicality in Severo's one-woman performance, bringing the famous Mexican painter to vivid life in a play that illuminates a fascinating journey.
Tickets
Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

Honor those who served this Veterans Day – Nov. 11
Many of the monuments and memorials in the nation’s capital honor service members, shedding light on the immense sacrifices that the U.S. Armed Forces have made to protect this country. Any time of year, but especially on Veterans Day, choose from a collection of monuments, memorials and special programming to celebrate and honor those who served.
 

National Air and Space Museum

Modern Military Aviation – Opens Nov. 11
The advent of nuclear weapons and rapid advances in aviation technologies, such as missiles and automation, shaped by hot and cold wars, have in turn shaped the nature of conflict and diplomacy. These monumental developments in aerospace technologies are on display in the new Modern Military Aviation gallery. The exhibition is anchored by the museum’s unparalleled collection of military aviation artifacts including the North American F-86 Sabre, the Bell UH-1H “Huey” and the General Atomics MQ-1L Predator.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission |  Reserve Timed Passes
National Air and Space Museum, 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
 

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery Nights: Gratitude – Nov. 12
The final edition of the National Gallery of Art's fall slate of after-hours events welcomes you to create tokens of appreciation as the season of giving gets under way, build a communal mosaic, write poetry and dance the night away to the beats of DJ Chan Don. Lottery for registration opens on Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. and closes at 12 p.m. on Nov. 5.
6-9 p.m. |  Free Admission |  Registration Required
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
 

Black Cat

Chat Pile – Nov. 12
This quartet from Oklahoma City brings their brutal take on hardcore to Black Cat. Chat Pile is a band for the times, combining the dank sound of sludge metal with rage-fueled punk energy and tongue-in-cheek lyrics to make their soundtrack for the end of the world. This year's acclaimed release is titled Who Loves the Sun, so you can see what we're getting at here. Their live show energy is not to be missed.
6:30 p.m. |  Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
 

Dupont Circle Pop-up

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle – Nov. 12 – Dec. 23
Opening just before Thanksgiving through mid-December, the 1500 block of 19th Street NW hosts 30-plus small businesses with artisanal goods, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts and unique gift items, plus festive decor, local performers and beloved holiday treats.
Monday – Friday, 12-8 p.m. |  Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.  – 8 p.m. |  Free Admission
1500 Block of 19th Street NW, Washington, DC
 

Black Cat

Protomartyr – Nov. 13
They're Detroit natives and it’s evident from the moment you turn on any of their albums (start with the first and rawest, No Passion All Technique). Protomartyr singer Joe Casey’s lyrics deal with the seedier elements of life, but still resonate as beautiful and complex. Gods of Detroit’s rock past like MC5 and The Stooges can be heard in Protomartyr’s proto-punk stomp, tied together by the singer’s baritone howl (and, in the live setting, ominous stage presence). Their latest release is a concept album about the United States as a haunted hotel. Enough said.
8 p.m. |  Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
 

DowntownDC BID

Frosted at Franklin Park – Nov. 13 – Jan. 9, 2027
In the heart of Downtown DC, Frosted at Franklin Park offers a picturesque holiday experience free to the public throughout the season. Explore a breathtaking display of thousands of festive lights – including a sparkling icicle walkway, giant snowflakes, a family of bears and a shining star – perfect for your holiday photo op.
Free Admission
Franklin Park, 1332 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

Renwick Gallery

Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery – Opens Nov. 13
This installation of objects from Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection showcases the practice of making things by hand. Its presentation is part of a program at the Renwick Gallery to investigate the meaning and relevance of craft in American culture. In a year that DC has dedicated to exploring what the humans of this country make, and, therefore, what makes this country human, take time to treasure this most connected and connecting medium.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 
 

CityCenterDC

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at CityCenterDC – Nov. 14
CityCenterDC lights its jaw-dropping 75-foot Christmas tree during a cheerful (and free) event hosted by NBC4's Eun Yang. The event has been moved up on the calendar this year to line up with the opening weekend of the popular DowntownDC Holiday Market. The lighting ceremony features a countdown, a performance by the American Pops Orchestra, balloon artists, face painters and plenty of other holiday-themed activities. You can enjoy the tree throughout the holiday season, as well as gorgeous lights along Palmer Alley.
5-7 p.m. |  Free Admission
The Park at CityCenter, 1098 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

Hanukkah Spectacular – Nov. 14 – Dec. 13
Acclaimed playwright Max Posner collaborates with Tony Award-winning director David Cromer for a comedy about another type of artistic collaboration. In Hanukkah Spectacular, four artists are trapped in one conference room across three days in an urgent attempt to make a commercially viable production about the titular Jewish holiday. Tensions rise, nerves break down and the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. Happy holidays!
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

National Portrait Gallery

Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Collecting at the National Portrait Gallery – Nov. 14 – Nov. 7, 2027
In 2026, the National Portrait Gallery will observe the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of its photographs collection, which now accounts for nearly half of the museum’s total holdings. Encompassing more than one hundred works, from the Daguerreian era to our own digital age, this exhibition explores the evolution of photographic portraiture through treasures from the Portrait Gallery’s wide-ranging collection. Capturing time in its unique way, photography has allowed the museum’s collection to include likenesses of those who have shaped the nation’s history but never posed for painted or sculpted portraits.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

The Atlantis

Gilla Band – Nov. 15
One of the most acclaimed LPs of 2026 comes from Gilla Band, who dropped Pugnello to rave reviews this September. The Atlantis will barely be able to hold the bombastic sound of the Dublin-based group, whose distinct riff on noise rock, electronic pop and blistering punk makes for an unforgettable live show.
6:30 p.m. |  Tickets
The Atlantis, 2047 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
 

The Keegan Theatre

Hundred Days – Through Nov. 15
Keegan Theatre brings an incredible true story to the stage in a thrill-filled new production. What would you do if you only had 100 days to live? With folk-punk music as the soundtrack, Hundred Days goes for broke and welcomes you to embrace the unknown and take risks along the way.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
 

Photo by Timothy Norris

The Hip Hop Nutcracker – Nov. 17-22
Tony and Olivier Award nominee Jennifer Weber directs and choreographs a family-friendly holiday mash-up that ties together hip-hop dance and the music of Tchaikovsky in a beautiful bow. A dozen dancers take you through the tale of Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they battle mice, journey through a land of sweets and learn valuable holiday season lessons in contemporary New York City.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

A Christmas Carol – Nov. 19 – Dec. 31
In this time-honored holiday tradition in the nation’s capital, acclaimed actor Craig Wallace assumes the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a lavish Victorian-style musical production of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. Scrooge’s riveting journey alongside the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future is a joy even if you’ve experienced it a hundred times before – especially in one of the world’s most historic theaters.
Tickets
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

©2026 Enchant | Courtesy of Social House Holiday, LLC

Enchant Christmas – Nov. 20 – Dec. 27
Nationals Park transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland anchored by the world's largest Christmas light maze when Enchant Christmas comes to town. Guests can expect breathtaking larger-than-life light sculptures, millions of twinkling lights, festive experiences around every corner, and an all-new holiday adventure: Night of the Nutcrackers. There's also an ice skating trail, experiences with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow slide, live entertainment, a village marketplace and seasonal food and beverages. Group experiences, including private suites and spaces, are also available.
Get 20% Off Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
 

ZooLights – Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2027
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights, powered by Pepco, a part of their annual holiday tradition. Environmentally friendly LED lights and dozens of glowing animal lanterns transform the Smithsonian's National Zoo into a winter wonderland. On a given night, you'll find live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. Note that timed passes are required. While you won't be able to see any live animals, proceeds go directly to animal care and conservation science at the National Zoo.
Tickets
Smithsonian's National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
 

Hi-Lawn

Snowglow – Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2027
This holiday season, The Dome at Hi-Lawn, the 50-foot spherical immersive venue above Union Market, once again transforms into Snowglow, the type of unique seasonal experience you don't want to skip. Beginning, Nov. 20, step into The Alpine Hotel, a fictional 1970s European mountain resort brought to life high above Union Market. Inspired by vintage Alpine hospitality and classic hotel culture, the experience combines projected visuals, richly layered holiday décor, Alpine-inspired food and old school hotel-bar cocktails into a singular rooftop escape.
Hi-Lawn, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
 

National Women's Soccer League

NWSL Championship – Nov. 21
DC’s Audi Field, the home of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, will host the league’s biggest game of the year. The primetime match will feature two elite teams as they battle for a championship. Of course, we hope the Spirit participate. Regardless of the teams though, expect a week of programming in the lead-up to the Saturday game.
Tickets
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
 

National Museum of Asian Art

Adorned in Gold: Japanese Lacquer from the Jacqueline Avant Collection – Nov. 21 – Jan. 2, 2028
Gold powder falls gently onto wet lacquer, shimmering. There, it transforms into plants, birds and even scenes from stories. This Japanese art form is called maki-e (literally, “sprinkled picture”). Artists have used this method since the tenth century to turn everyday objects into luxuries. Adorned in Gold explores how maki-e intertwined with Japanese fashion, literature and identity during the Edo period (1603–1868). Part of America 250 exhibits in celebration of prominent American collectors, highlighting art’s power to bridge time and culture.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
 

DowntownDC Holiday Market – Nov. 21 – Dec. 23
This year's edition of the DowntownDC Holiday Market will occupy the street and sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Now in its 21st year, its bright lights bring Penn Quarter and Chinatown to life, providing a holiday spark to the neighborhood. The spacious, open-air village is free and open to the public, kicking off the season just ahead of Thanksgiving (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and closing just before Christmas.
Free admission
F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC
 

Season's Greenings – Nov. 26 – Jan. 3, 2027
The free Season's Greenings celebration at the U.S. Botanic Garden is a beloved annual tradition in the nation's capital. The exhibition features G-gauge model trains circulating through plant-based creations (perfect for kids), plus thousands of poinsettias and incredible miniature landmarks like the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the National Gallery of Art's East Building, all made from organic materials. Throughout the Terrace Gardens and Bartholdi Gardens, visitors are met with string lights, festive evergreens and a magical experience worth a visit year after year. Tickets are not required. This year's theme? National parks and historic places, including Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful Inn, George Washington's Mount Vernon and many more.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
 

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

Celebrate Thanksgiving in the Nation's Capital – Nov. 27
Give thanks and savor the flavors of the season at DC restaurants this Thanksgiving. In previous years, Gatsby, Mi Vida and Succotash have served up all-American classics, while Officina, ilili and Estuary have offered more international takes on tradition. For a family brunch, spots like Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City and the Salamander are known for lavish brunches perfect for when you just don't feel like cooking any more.
 

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon by Candlelight – Nov. 27-28
Take to George Washington's former estate for a tour guided by candlelight. Hear of holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia, learn about the build-up to the American Revolution and enjoy the estate's array of seasonal activities, including greeting Aladdin the Christmas Camel, dancing in the greenhouse and spiced cider.
Tickets
George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
 

Washington Ballet

The Washington Ballet presents The Nutcracker – Nov. 28 – Dec. 27
DC's favorite ballet company pulls out all the stops for this classic Christmas tale that features a special DC twist. The Russian ballet goes local thanks to a Nutcracker Prince in the likeness of George Washington and cherry blossom set designs. Set in historical 1882 Georgetown, you will be dazzled by an impressive roster of dancers and the beautiful Tchaikovsky score. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this quintessential program that is a highlight of every holiday season in the District.
Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

Arena Stage

Nikola: A New Musical – Through Nov. 29
A visionary production comes to Arena Stage filled with electricity and eccentricity. Charting the course of inventor Nikola Tesla, the musical sees him go from unknown engineer to world famous rival of Thomas Edison. Tesla’s push to the brink makes for riveting theater and stunning new songs.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
 

National Museum of Asian Art

Saodat Ismailova: Melted Into the Sun – Through Nov. 29
The first major solo museum presentation in the U.S. by film and installation artist Saodat Ismailova highlights her ongoing interest in Central Asia’s traditions, oral histories and landscapes. A unique blend of images, sounds and textures, Ismailova’s work creates a space between dream and reality.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20004
 

Fever Originals

Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience – Through Nov. 30
This first-of-its-kind virtual reality adventure doesn't just show you the universe but places you inside of it. Created in collaboration between Fever Originals and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole.
Tickets
Fever Hub Washington DC, 926 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

Signature Theatre

All the World’s A Stage – Through Dec. 20
The story of a closeted math teacher and his mentorship of a student as they explore the classic play Angels in America is a humanistic tale sure to strike your soul at Signature Theatre. The two outsiders turn their small town on its head as a powerful score soundtracks this tribute to the power of teaching and expressing yourself.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
 

National Air and Space Museum

At Home in Space
Discover the challenges and benefits of a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit. The knowledge gained from the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs informs where we go next and what we do there. If you’ve ever wondered how it might be possible that humans live and work in space, this immersive, highly interactive exhibit is for you. Space out and explore it during the Museum’s 50th anniversary year.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |  Free Admission |  Reserve Timed Passes
National Air and Space Museum, 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
 

Hirshhorn Museum

The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Reopens
Art lovers, rejoice. The Hirshhorn's sculpture garden returns with double the amount of works on display, a widened entryway from the National Mall and an underground passageway from the museum, a new feature that adds a whole new element to the experience. No longer will visitors have to cross Jefferson Drive to take in the 60 monumental sculptures showcased in the garden. The west lawn will now serve as a rotating exhibition space, with three works by Yoshitomo Nara serving as the inaugural display.
More Information
 

ARTECHOUSE

SUBMERGE 
ARTECHOUSE DC resumes programming with SUBMERGE, which presents innovative digital art that utilizes technology for a wholly immersive experience. The exhibition is anchored by Beyond the Render, a 45-minute large-scale show created in collaboration with Render Network that brings together 13 artist teams — including Emmy winners Emily Yang and Maciej Kuciara — to transform the venue. A floor-to-ceiling projection canvas showcases a 280-degree, 18K-resolution digital world, a total reimagination of the possibilities of spatial storytelling.
Tickets (10% off most bookings)
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
 

Be the People
An inextinguishable optimism about where we’ve come from and where we can go pervades the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD). Beginning October 3, MCAAD shines a light on the resource that gives America its tenacity: its people. Be the People is a national effort to make problem-solving the defining trait of American identity by focusing on the nation-altering civic engagement of “ordinary” people across our 250 years. The exhibit also features ways for visitors to get involved with their communities and make their own mark.
Free Admission |  Timed Entry Passes
Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

Arena Stage

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? – Through Dec. 6
A new docudrama that comes straight from off-Broadway immerses audiences in the fear and paranoia caused by McCarthyism. Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro drops you into the tension of the hearings held by the House Committee on Un-American Activities in the 1940s. Only original transcripts inform the play’s dialogue, which features the words of Arthur Miller, Lillian Helman, Paul Robeson and many other artists.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
 

©Jasper Johns and ULAE, National Gallery of Art

American Icon: The US Flag in Art – Through Dec. 6
The exhibition spotlights more than 30 works from the late-1800s to today, each illustrating the changing uses and interpretations of the American flag. Paintings, prints and photographs from seminal artists such as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Jasper Johns and Faith Ringgold examine the ever-evolving symbolism of the Stars and Stripes.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
 

Hillwood Museum

Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles – Through Jan. 3, 2027
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, the sumptuous estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, presents myriad treasures literally in every corner – this year they’ve rounded up their rich holding of fabrics for their first ever textile-focused exhibition. The offering invites visitors to consider the enduring power of textiles, not only as decorative or domestic objects but also as expressions of identity, devotion, innovation and exquisite craftsmanship.
No tickets required; suggested $20 donation for adults
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
 

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California – Through Jan. 17, 2027
The National Museum of Women in the Arts' new exhibit  traces the flow and flourishing of quilts in the context of the Second Great Migration, a mass movement of approximately five million African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North and West between 1940 and 1970 in search of a more equitable life. Many of the hundreds of thousands of migrants who arrived in California carried quilts for warmth and protection, as containers for ancestral memory and as emblems of cultural survival. America itself has always been a quilt of many cultures; come celebrate the art form in the country’s 250th year.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

From the Louvre: Masterpieces of Islamic Art – Through Jan. 18, 2027
In its only U.S. stop, this exhibition comes to DC with 26 works from the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Some of the pieces, which showcase Islamic art from Spain to India, date back to the 7th century. The collection explores the evolution of artistic styles and reveals how art shaped cultural exchange, trade and diplomacy across centuries.
Free Admission
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20013
 

Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream

Shaping American Identity: The Art of the U.S. Department of the Treasury – Through Jan. 18, 2027
If you’ve ever (or never) thought about how the visuals of a nation’s currency affect its identity, this is the exhibit for you. In this special showcase at MCAAD, get to know a department of American government not often thought of for its art. From rare oil paintings by classically trained artists to famed war bond posters to the meticulously designed paper in your pocket, the Treasury’s history of producing iconic works of art takes center stage.
Free Admission | Timed Entry Passes
Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, 1503 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

The Phillips Collection

Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea – Through Jan. 24, 2027
For three months this fall and winter, you can savor a lovely moment of summer. This exhibition will tell the story of the lifelong friendship between three towering figures in American art: Milton Avery (1885–1965), Adolph Gottlieb (1903–1974) and Mark Rothko (1903–1970). Approximately 90 works of art will highlight the inspiration they derived from summers in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on Cape Ann, and from each other. Many have never been on public view.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
 

Fever Originals

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer – Select dates through Feb. 27, 2027
Experience Hans Zimmer's most iconic film scores in an entirely new way inside the architectural marvel that is DC's National City Christian Church. Surrounded by the warm glow of thousands of candles, live musicians bring indelible melodies from Inception, Interstellar, The Lion King, Gladiator and more to life in a breathtaking concert.
Tickets
National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC 20005
 

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Carlotta Corpron: Light Is a Plastic Medium – Through March 14, 2027
Step into the light. This exhibit at the Hirshhorn surveys work by the American abstract photographer and educator Carlotta Corpron whose investigations into the poetics of light and form and innovative use of technology supported the establishment of photography as fine art. Explore six bodies of work from Corpron’s career in Texas from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
 

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Much Here Is Beautiful: Photography Surveys of the U.S. Bicentennial – Through April 18, 2027 
From the California coast to the Kansas heartland to the streets of New York City, the photographs in this exhibit (which takes its name from Robert Hayden’s poem “American Journal”) offer an expansive and evocative portrait of America in the 1970s and early 1980s. Explore selected images from photography surveys that document people and places in the United States from the 19th century to the years before and after the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
 

Folger Shakespeare Library

To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare – Through May 2, 2027
For centuries, Black women have claimed Shakespeare, reshaping his words to assert their humanity, creativity and power.  To Hear Her Speak brings these voices into focus for the first time. Curated by Dr. Patricia Akhimie, Director of the Folger Institute, this landmark exhibition of nearly 100 objects highlights the ways in which Black women have engaged Shakespeare in performance and in writing and art. “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date,” but when fall rolls around, don’t miss this powerful exhibit.
Hours |  Free Admission
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
 

Homelands – Through Aug. 1, 2027
Discover how people and places relate to each other in a new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art’s East Building. Across 20 pieces, see the ways in which artists consider ancestral links, pressures that caused them to move from one place to the next and the larger histories to be found all across the United States.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
 

Library of Congress

Alive in Many Hands – Through Jan. 8, 2028
The Library of Congress debuts a new exhibit that explores how the American Folklife Center has preserved and shared cultural traditions across generations. The Center's collections are the source for the in-depth display that includes more than 150 items; standout treasures include a performance by Go-Go legend Chuck Brown of "Bustin' Loose" at the 2002 American Folklife Center Homegrown concert, a Diné (Navajo) rug that blends traditional and contemporary imagery (pictured above) and a banjo signed by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and other folk music legends.
Hours & Admission (free; timed-entry required)
Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20540
 

Places to Stay

Hotel Nell

Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!