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...

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 ...

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 ...

The Best City to Visit in 2026

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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

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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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

Airbus IMAX Theater

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Downtown

U.S. Navy Memorial

The United States Navy Memorial

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Virginia

Arlington House

Former home of Robert E. Lee. Open daily 9:30 am–4:30 pm

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

Museum of the Bible: What's in it will truly surprise you!

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Upper Northwest

The Washington Ballet

The Washington Ballet (TWB) 2023/24 Season of Discovery Tickets On-Sale Now!

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National Mall

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

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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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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Oct

19

2025

The Most Unexpected Design Experience in DC

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Oct

19

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 19, 2027

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Dec 28, 2025

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Access to SPY: An Evening for Neurodivergent Adults

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Oct

19

2025

Logan Circle

Laugh Riot: Comedy in the Face of Everything

Now - Oct 25, 2025

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Oct

20

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Oct

20

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Oct 19, 2027

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Oct

20

2025

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

Now - Nov 08, 2025

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Oct

20

2025

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Oct

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

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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 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

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

The Best City to Visit in 2026

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Children&#039;s Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Postal Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

Woodrow Wilson House

Airbus IMAX Theater

U.S. Navy Memorial

Arlington House

Museum of the Bible

The Washington Ballet

National Museum of African Art

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

19

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

19

The Most Unexpected Design Experience in DC

19

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

19

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

19

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

19

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

19

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

19

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

19

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

19

Downtown

Free Community Day

19

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

19

National Children's Museum