Breathe in the first weeks of spring in the nation's capital as the National Cherry Blossom Festival begins, the Washington Nationals open their season and springtime events fill the calendar.
Springtime in DC means lively festivals, dynamic theater and a historic city painted in pink, but regardless of the season, you're bound to have an unforgettable experience. Be sure to check out special discounts and packages, from luxurious outings to budget-friendly options. After you’ve read through this list, make sure to check out our things to do during the week, must-hit weekend events and accessibility guides to monuments and museums on the National Mall.
Honor Women’s History Month in DC
The nation's capital offers ways to celebrate the achievements of women year round, from dining and shopping at women-owned businesses, visiting museum exhibits spotlighting women's contributions to our country, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Each March, the city proudly honors Women's History Month with a diverse array of events, exhibits, performances and programs that showcase the art, stories and accomplishments of women.
Washington Capitals
Attend a Capitals, Wizards or Go-Go game
With the winter season comes incredible indoor sports action in the District. The NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards play their exciting games inside Capital One Arena, while the Capital City Go-Go, part of the NBA’s developmental G-League, take to the court inside CareFirst Arena.
Get discounted tickets: Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Capital City Go-Go
The National Theatre
Stereophonic – Last Day: March 1
The most Tony Award-winning show of 2024. The most Tony Award-nominated play of all time. Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of breaking up — or breaking through to superstardom. Featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, the play is "... a staggering, ingeniously entertaining achievement," according to The New York Times.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Men’s (March 6-10) and Women’s (March 11-15) Basketball Championships
Kick off March Madness with the CAA Championships at CareFirst Arena in Congress Heights. You can enjoy both the men’s tournament and the women’s tournament across nine straight days of high-stakes college basketball. The winner of each competition is granted an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament.
CareFirst Arena, 1100 Oak Drive SE, Washington, DC 20032
Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies – Through March 8
The photography-based work of Tawny Chatmon receives a glorious tribute at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition will debut pieces from Chatmon’s latest series, which also incorporate audio narrative, embroidery, film and assemblage. Selections from Chatmon’s acclaimed previous work will also be on display.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Awesome Con – March 13-15
DC’s Convention Center turns into a massive celebration of geek culture during Awesome Con. More than 70,000 fans will be able to see their favorite stars from comics, films, TV, toys and games throughout Awesome Con, a three-day festival that is Washington, DC’s own Comic Con. Expect plenty of costumed attendees and an array of activities to enjoy during one of the city’s most vibrant annual events.
Tickets
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC 20001
Shakespeare Theatre Company
On Beckett – Feb. 11 – March 15
Bill Irwin is both a Tony Award-winning actor and a master clown. When he steps on the stage at Klein Theatre, he’ll explore both the comedy and tragedy of the essential work of Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett. The one-man show features physical and verbal comedy that makes Beckett’s writings accessible to all.
Tickets
Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Arena Stage
Chez Joey – Through March 15
Prepare for a blockbuster at Arena Stage as Chez Joey lands at the historic playhouse. Co-directed by Tony Award-winning choreographer Savion Glover and actor, director and producer Tony Goldwyn, the set-in-1940s-Chicago show includes a Rodgers and Hart score as well as a spellbinding tale of a singer caught between a rich baroness and an ambitious chorus girl on his way to the top (he hopes).
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
The National Cherry Blossom Festival – March 20 – April 12, 2026
DC celebrates the blooming of cherry trees with a month-long festival that commemorates the 1912 gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city. Check out popular festival events in the lead-up to the celebration, in addition to our guide to the celebration, how to get the most popular blossom spots and the best places to snap photos.
2026 St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running – March 21
The race that “brings the fun to the run” rocks the District again this year. Choose between half marathon or 5K distances, enjoy the sounds of this musical running tour and help the patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the same time. All while taking in DC’s monumental views.
Race begins at 13th Street and Constitution Avenue.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony – March 21
Along with the Japan Foundation, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 114th anniversary of the gift of trees with an exciting tribute to the longstanding relationship between Japan and the United States.The spectacle at the historic Warner Theatre features world-renowned artists connected to both the U.S. and Japan who gather on the stage together for one-night only. Early access to tickets to this epic spring celebration can be obtained by signing up for the Festival's email list. The event will also be livestreamed on the Festival's YouTube channel.
More Information
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Washington Nationals: Home Opener vs. the Baltimore Orioles – March 23
The Nats, who have four National League East titles, five postseason appearances and a World Series championship since coming to DC in 2005, are one of the city's main attractions throughout the spring and summer. Head to Nationals Park to experience MLB action with an exciting schedule, plenty of home runs and, of course, Racing Presidents.
1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Prediction – Stay Tuned!
Last year, Washington, DC's famed cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on the final three days of March, according to the National Park Service. Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the flowers of the cherry blossom trees are open, and the best viewing is usually within a week of peak bloom. REMINDER: Please do your part in helping to protect the trees by never picking the cherry blossoms (it’s against the law). Plan ahead and read up on the best spots to see the blossoms.
Tidal Basin Welcome Area & ANA Stage (Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Blossom Kite Festival – March 28
Head to the Washington Monument grounds for this free kite-flying extravaganza, one of the most highly anticipated events of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The entire family can watch expert kite fliers from all over the world, whether enjoying the event near the Monument or at a featured park. More information is available on the Festival's website.
Bloomaroo at the Wharf – March 28
Visit The Wharf for Bloomaroo®, a free spring extravaganza featuring an evening of cherry-blossom themed art, music, fireworks and family-friendly fun along the waterfront. Enjoy beer gardens on District Pier, fireworks and three stages, each with its own lineup of live music. You can also check out more than 80 shops and restaurants along The Wharf.
Free Admission
760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Smithsonian Institution
Making a Statement – Through March 2026
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian displays two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) in a special installation. Four public programs are planned for Women's History Month as well. Both gowns were designed by Gucci and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) of Ironhorse Quillwork and were worn by Gladstone the evening of March 10, 2024, to the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars party. Gladstone was the first Native American nominated for best actress for her work in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Photo by Ruth Orkin
Ruth Orkin: Women on the Move – Through March 29
The National Museum of Women in the Arts displays 21 vintage photos by Ruth Orkin. The collection documents women’s lives in the mid-20th century across images of European tourists, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members, Hollywood celebrities, Broadway stars and women at work in classrooms, parks and neighborhoods.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
The Phillips Collection
peter campus: there somewhere – Through May 3
The Phillips Collection showcases one of the leading figures in new media art with there somewhere. peter campus’ breakthrough videos from the early 1970s are displayed alongside four new, serene landscape works, which the artist has named “the phillips quartets."
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
National Children's Museum
The Pigeon Comes to Washington, DC! A Mo Willems Exhibit – Through May 10
The National Children’s Museum tips its cap to Mo Willems with a special exhibit that features a phone booth that makes you sound like the famous Piggie, a hot-dog-launching catapult, a fashion runway, art inspired by popular Willems characters and much, much more, all in the Visiting Exhibit Hall.
Hours & Admission
National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
National Museum of Asian Art
Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings – Through June 14
Japanese artists Hiroshi Senju and Bingyi and their different visualizations of water – each hypnotic and transfixing in their own way – form the basis of this new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. Senju’s abstract approach and Bingy’s traditional methods along with each painter’s influences and ethos are examined in detail.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20004
The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution – Through July 4
The Library of Congress brings together letters, ledgers, diaries, maps, drawings and other artifacts to illuminate the similarities and differences between two iconic figures of the Revolutionary War: George Washington and King George III. Although the two never met, visitors can envision where they would clash and where they would compromise in this stirring exhibit that features items from a wide range of collections, including the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, London’s Science Museum and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Hours | Free Admission
Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20540
Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work – Through July 12
Anna Mary Robertson Moses, who was dubbed “Grandma Moses” by the press, lived through the American Civil War, two world wars and the civil rights era. In the 1940s, she emerged as a central figure thanks to her unique tapestries of American life. The Smithsonian American Art Museum introduces her essential work to new generations with an in-depth exhibit.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
National Museum of African American History and Culture
At the Vanguard – Through July 19
The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s new exhibit features more than 100 objects from the collections of five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Clark Atlanta, Florida A&M, Jackson State, Texas Southern, Tuskegee) in a stunning display of how these institutions have shaped American education and culture through innovation, ingenuity, resistance and activism.
Free Admission | Hours & Information
National Museum of African American History & Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Folger Shakespeare Library
Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era – Through Aug. 2
For the first time since 1805, 14 paintings from the renowned Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London are on view together. Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library and capitalize on this rare chance to see the tremendous collection, which features depictions of scenes from the Bard’s plays as imagined by leading artists of the day.
Hours | Free Admission
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today – Through Aug. 30
Drawing from more than 3,300 entries and contributions from 14 states, DC and Puerto Rico, the National Portrait Gallery displays 35 portraits by 36 artists. Curated by a panel of experts, the seventh triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition informs this showcase of emerging talent each year.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Photo by Kate Capshaw
Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees – Through Nov. 8
In honor of recent recipients of the Portrait of a Nation Award, the National Portrait Gallery showcases an exhibit dedicated to stunning work. The award elevates “extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people.” This year’s group of honorees includes Jamie Dimon, business leader, by photographer Jason Alden; Temple Grandin, professor, inventor and groundbreaking researcher of animal science, by artist David Lenz; Joy Harjo, renowned poet, performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and 23rd U.S. poet laureate, by artist Joel Daniel Phillips; and Steven Spielberg, Academy Award-winning director, producer and writer, by artist Kate Capshaw.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe – Through Jan. 1, 2027
The acclaimed Ho-Chunk artist receives his first major retrospective at the National Museum of the American Indian. Truman Lowe used willow branches, feathers and organic materials to create minimalist sculptures to evoke rivers, streams and waterfalls. The exhibit also features similarly distinctive drawings and paintings by Lowe.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Nick Cave: Mammoth – Through Jan. 3, 2027
Internationally renowned artist Nick Cave uses surrealism, real-life experiences, raw materials and an unceasing creative intensity to create works that speak to race, gender, identity and history in America. This new installation at the Smithsonian American Art Museum explores the entanglement of land and race in the national consciousness.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
Big Things for Big Rooms – Through July 4, 2027
Explore the evolution of immersive, large-scale art from the late 1960s to today. The presentation of 10 artworks—five on view for the first time at the Hirshhorn—is drawn largely from the museum's collection. Organized in two parts, the exhibition offers a multisensorial investigation of how artists create installation works that expand the boundaries of an artwork and the role of the visitor.
Hours | Free Admission
Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Avenue & 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20560
National Museum of American History
How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories – Through Nov. 28, 2027
A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History, presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, explores California’s “Little Manila,” a community of Filipinos that thrived from the 1910s to the 1970s. Through more than 50 artifacts found in preserved steamer trunks (three of which are on display in the gallery), visitors can gain insight into what was once the largest population of Filipinos living outside of their home country.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Fierce Flora: Tales of Survival and Demise – Ongoing
The U.S. Botanic Garden invites you to see the ferocious side of flora and fauna at its special new exhibit. Many plants have evolved defenses against infection, herbivores and their plant competition. The multisensory display will showcase this evolution and also pinpoint how these plants can be both harmful and helpful to humans.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Places to Stay
The Riggs Hotel
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