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

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 ...

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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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

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

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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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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Virginia

Wolf Trap

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National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art: Of the nation and for all the people.

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Downtown

The National Theatre

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the historic National is one of America's oldest, continually-operating theaters.

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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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Downtown

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Permanent collection and exhibitions of American crafts. This gem of a museum, located in a historic building near the White House, is dedicated to exhibiting the finest American crafts from the 19th century to the present

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jan

05

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Jan

05

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jan 04, 2028

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Jan

05

2026

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Jan

05

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Jan 04, 2028

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Jan

05

2026

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Jan 03, 2028

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Jan

06

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jan

06

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Jan 04, 2028

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Jan

06

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Dead Sea Scrolls

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

Virginia

Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center

Now - Dec 31, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

Virginia

In Clay

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

Downtown

The American Story

Now - Jan 04, 2028

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Jan

06

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Jan

06

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

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

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Anacostia Community Museum

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Postal Museum

Woodrow Wilson House

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Wolf Trap

Hirshhorn Museum &amp; Sculpture Garden ...

The Kreeger Museum

Shakespeare Theatre Company

National Gallery of Art

The National Theatre

President Lincoln&#039;s Cottage

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

05

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

05

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

05

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

05

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

05

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

05

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

05

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

05

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

05

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

05

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

06

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

President Lincoln's Cottage