Visit the District in April to see the city in full bloom with vibrant theater productions, exciting outdoor sports and the only-in-DC National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Regardless of the season, you're bound to have an unforgettable experience in the nation's capital. Be sure to check out special discounts and packages, from luxurious experiences to budget-friendly options, and 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.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival – Through April 12
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.
Arena Stage
A Good Day to Me Not to You – March 27 – May 3
Arena Stage welcomes a new work from Drama Desk Award-winning actor Lameece Isaaq and two-time Obie-winning director Lee Sunday Evans. The play concerns a 40-something dental lab tech who loses her job and relocates to a woman’s boarding house run by nuns. She’s forced to confront her own personal demons as well as the house’s deranged inhabitants in this deeply psychological production.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Prediction – March 29 – April 1
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 in the days leading up to peak bloom and up to a week or so afterward. 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.
BloomFest at the Tidal Basin (Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
I Put A Spell on You: Nina Simone – March 31 – April 19
The brilliant Felicia Curry pays tribute to Nina Simone and the many women artists she inspired with a new cabaret at Signature Theatre. Simone songs like “Mississippi Goddam” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” will be performed alongside additional classics like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Washington Nationals Baseball
The Washington Nationals, 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. The season begins on April 3. Use code VISITDC for 15% off your tickets.
Tickets
1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Experience a DC Defenders game at Audi Field
Defenders football has become a springtime tradition at Audi Field in the nation’s capital. Hard-hitting action returns so expect a rowdy atmosphere as the DC squad looks to defend home field against. Purchase tickets through the link below to save up to 35%. Upcoming home games include an April 11 matchup against the Houston Gamblers and an April 18 matchup versus the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Tickets (up to 35% off)
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Visit the Tidal Basin and Cleveland Park with DC Design Tours
DC Design Tours offers a 90-minute tour around the Tidal Basin to gaze at magnificent cherry blossoms that includes stops at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and other notable stops. The company also offers an excursion through Cleveland Park, the DC neighborhood with the most cherry trees and a fascinating history. Please note: tour dates will depend on the cherry blossoms' peak bloom.
Nate Bargatze – April 2-3
One of the most popular comedians working today takes to the stage at Capital One Arena on consecutive nights. Nate Bargatze has exploded into a stand-up superstar over the last decade, taking his clean comedy and deadpan delivery to the top of his industry.
Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
National Museum of Asian Art
Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings – April 2 – Sept. 27
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
Enjoy Easter Weekend in DC – April 3-5
Stroll through blooming spring gardens, indulge in a decadent District brunch or find the perfect family-friendly hotel this Easter weekend in Washington, DC. Explore our guide to find inspiration and happenings around the city.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Petalpalooza® – April 4
Part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, this all-ages event features outdoor performances, interactive art displays, a cashless beverage garden, hands-on fun for families, strolling entertainers and more – all along the picturesque Yards Park in Navy Yard. Be sure to stay for the official fireworks show.
Free Admission
Capital Classic – April 4
A legendary game that pits DMV superstars against the rest of the nation’s top high school talent, the Capital Classic hosts its 53rd edition inside Capital One Arena. The game has been a steppingstone for NBA greats such as LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and many, many more since its inaugural game in 1974. Don't miss your chance to see the best rising talents in the sport.
12 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Minutes – April 4 – May 3
The Keegan Theatre hosts a production from one of the great purveyors of the art form. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts’ brilliant examination of small-town politics plays out over the course of one city council meeting.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
The National Theatre
Disney's Beauty and the Beast – Through April 5
This "tale as old as time" awaits you at National Theatre, on stage like never before. Disney’s first North American production of the beloved musical in over 25 years, the show includes all your favorites from the original plus spectacular new sets and costumes, and, of course, the Oscar-winning and Tony Award-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Whether you're team Gaston (why?) or team Beast, or maybe just team love, this one's for you.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Wiz – April 7-12
Dorothy and crew groove down the Yellow Brick Road in this soulful twist on a classic. The National Theatre transforms into a magical world for one of the most highly anticipated productions of the year, based on the classic play and film of the same name.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Cardi B – April 8
A generational artist and personality, Cardi B’s show at Capital One Arena is must-see for pop music fans. The female rapper with the most no. 1 singles puts on concerts that open at a fever pitch and never relent. Expect to hear her chart-topping hits and witness a stage show packed with dancing, daring outfits and unstoppable momentum.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration – April 10 – Oct. 12
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden showcases the official flowers of every U.S. state and territory. Varieties on display include fragrant magnolias, roses, orchids, bluebonnets, saguaro cactus flowers and many more; all of them symbolize the natural beauty of America.
Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Cherry Blossom Parade – April 11
Witness DC's grandest petal procession with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC. Catch everything from giant helium balloons to elaborate floats to live musical performances. Enjoy prime performance viewing in the grandstand (tickets are $25-$40), or stand along the parade route – which runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue NW – for free.
More Info
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Eddie Izzard in The Tragedy of Hamlet – Through April 11
Pay witness to the solo show talents of Eddie Izzard, who has dazzled Chicago, London, San Francisco and Seattle with her riveting one-woman interpretation of Hamlet. The comedian, actor and activist pushes boundaries and performs The Bard’s work unlike you’ve ever seen it performed before.
Tickets
Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Sakura Matsuri: Japanese Street Festival – April 11-12
The Sakura Matsuri, produced by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, returns for two exciting days each year. The event presents over 80 cultural groups, art vendors, food booths and dozens of hours of programming. You can also enjoy a Ginza Marketplace, popular Japan Now! Pavilion, a cosplay contest, sake tasting and more. This goes down on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd to 7th Streets NW.
More Info
Sasha Velour's Travesty – Through April 12
The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner stages a multi-media extravaganza on queer history and resistance featuring lip syncing, video art and costume changes at Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Signature Theatre Company
Safety Not Guaranteed – Through April 12
Based on the film of the same name, this Signature Theatre Company production mixes indie rock with imagination into an unforgettable time traveling adventure. Journalist Darius sees a classified ad requesting “someone to go back in time with me” and agrees to go along for the ride. She gets in over her head very quickly.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Folger Theatre
As You Like It – Through April 12
One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies is reimagined by Folger Theatre’s Artistic Director Karen Ann Daniels. The story concerns Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, who are forced to leave the “court” and in turn explore the vast forest of Arden, where adventure awaits. The setting conjures love for DC, and the production takes care to showcase the city as a place of redemption, resilience and community.
Tickets
Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Hamnet – Through April 12
With the 2025 film adaptation up for eight Oscars, you would be well-served to see the U.S. premiere of Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage take on Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel. The powerful tale focuses on the deep impacts of grief and loss while also showcasing how suffering can lead to extraordinary wonder.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Demi Lovato – April 16
Prepare for an emotional and electric evening inside Capital One Arena when Demi Lovato’s It’s Not That Deep tour comes to town. The global pop star’s high-energy music is fit to turn the Arena into one big dance floor. Long-time fans can also expect to hear Lovato’s enduring hits and her Earth-shattering vocal prowess.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Filmfest DC – April 16-26
The largest and longest-running annual international film festival in Washington, DC, Filmfest DC returns each April with a new lineup featuring quite the genre exercise: comedies, dramas, thrillers, shorts, documentaries and more.
More Info
DAR Constitution Hall
The DAR Celebrates America 250! Weekend – April 17-19
Join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for a weekend packed with activities and events in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Saturday includes a free public event at DAR Headquarters as well as DAR Celebrates America 250!: A Salute to Women Veterans, headlined by the legendary Patti LaBelle at Constitution Hall.
More Information
National Museum of Asian Art
Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India’s Himalayan Kingdoms – April 18 – July 26
Discover the jaw-dropping beauty and fascinating history of paintings made for Hindu kings in the Pahari region of India between the 1620s and 1830s. The National Museum of Asian Art’s new exhibit examines the political, cultural and religious contexts of 48 pieces filled with exquisite detail. Some of these works have never been shown publicly before.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20004
National Museum of the American Latino
¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa – Opens April 18
The Molina Family Latino Gallery, the first gallery space of the National Museum of the American Latino, is housed inside the National Museum of American History. The space hosts a new bilingual exhibition that explores how Afro-Cuban music became an essential part of U.S. culture. Artists like Tito Puente and Celia Cruz – as well as local legends – are covered.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
District Sounds 2026 – April 18
In its return to The Wharf, District Sounds 2026 promises a compelling mix of hip-hop, flamenco, cumbia and house music across six hours of live performances. Both students from local public schools as well as world-class musicians will take to the stage. On the schedule: a flamenco-versus-tap showcase, a shamanic Argentine orchestra and a can’t-miss finale.
3-9 p.m. | Tickets
District Pier at The Wharf, 101 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
Glow Block Party – April 18
Black Book Records and Project Glow collaborate to present the first-ever electronic music show on DC’s Pennsylvania Avenue. Chris Lake, a fixture in the city’s club scene, headlines this 18-and-over block party that is meant to create an unforgettable moment in the nation’s capital. A world-class stage layout complimented by local vendors and art installations makes for an exciting spring experience.
4-10 p.m. | Tickets
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580
Florence + The Machine – April 18
Capital One Arena’s outstanding spring lineup continues with Florence + The Machine, one of the most inventive acts in pop music today. Lead vocalist Florence Welch is backed by an enchanting soundscape that has produced some of the most innovative songs to chart this century.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
44: The Musical – Opens April 18
Head to Klein Theatre for a healthy dose of political satire with a musical ideal for a DC audience. 44: The Musical tackles the Obama Era with hilarious characters and songs. Expect appearances by (actors humorously playing) Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz and Joe Biden.
Tickets
Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
21st Annual DC Emancipation Day Festival, Parade and Concert – April 19
DC’s Emancipation Day holiday, celebrated for 21 years, honors the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which freed more than 3,000 enslaved people in DC. Enjoy a day packed with free, family-friendly events and activities at Franklin Park. The celebration includes a parade with community groups, bands and entertainers as well as live music, food and a grand finale that you won’t want to miss. The festival grounds at Franklin Park open at 1 p.m. The parade begins at 14th Street NW and New York Avenue at 1:30 p.m.
More Information
Franklin Park, 1332 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Lily Allen – April 19
Last year’s West End Girl, Lily Allen’s most personal album yet, finds the British singer revealing a lyrical honesty previously unseen in her work. Its release was also lavished with accolades and 2026 finds Allen at the peak of her powers. You can experience the mega-talent live and in-person as she performs West End Girl in its entirety at Warner Theatre.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Smithsonian Craft Show – April 22-26
The country's premier showcase for the finest in hand-crafted, American artisanal works returns to the National Building Museum. Marvel at the lineup of exhibitors that represents all facets of contemporary craft and design: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood.
Tickets
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Lincoln Theatre
Lovett or Leave It – April 23
As co-host of Pod Save America, Jon Lovett became one of the leading voices in political podcasts. Lovett or Leave It is the former Obama speechwriter and current comedian’s solo venture. He’ll bring the show to Lincoln Theatre to cover the silliest stories in politics with conversations – and special guests – that you won’t find anywhere else.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Georgetown French Market – April 24-26
Georgetown's Book Hill neighborhood turns into its own version of Paris for an entire weekend every April. The Georgetown French Market features more than 35 locally owned merchants, restaurants, galleries and salons participating in an open-air shopping frenzy from Friday through Sunday. Spectacles also include a caricature artist, live music and stilt-walkers.
More Information
Wisconsin Avenue NW, O Street to Reservoir Road, Washington, DC
Washington Nationals
Uncorked: DC – April 25
Sip and swirl your way through a spring afternoon at Nationals Park. Overlook the gorgeous field and marvel at the more than 100 wines, bubblies and cocktails on display. You can also enjoy tasty food from local food trucks. Four ticket options are available, including a VIP admission option.
Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne – Through April 25
Four stunning art works across six centuries are in conversation in a new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. Through a recent piece by Rozeal., Titian’s Venus with a Mirror and Ranuccio Farnese and Cezanne’s Boy in a Red Waistcoat, visitors can find unexpected connections and visual similarities that draw the 16th, 19th and 21st centuries together.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
ARTECHOUSE
Peak Bloom: Dome Experience – Through April 26
Hi-Lawn, in collaboration with ARTECHOUSE Studio, transforms its rooftop dome into a breathtaking digital cherry blossom spectacle. The immersive visual show features 360 degrees of petals, light and motion projected overhead, surrounding guests with luminous blooms and flowing digital landscapes.
Tickets
Hi-Lawn, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Reasons to Gather: Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped – Through April 26
The Japanese tea practice of chanoyu revolves around the appreciation of utensils that assist in the preparation and consumption of matcha (powdered green tea). This new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art presents 11 historic tea utensils and accessories, including ceramics, hanging scrolls, boxes and wrapping cloths. All the objects tell a story of trade and exchange across Asia and reveal a vast network of tea practitioners.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
The National Theatre
The Book of Mormon – April 28 – May 3
One of the funniest – and most acclaimed – plays of all-time comes to DC’s National Theatre. The musical comedy about two missionaries sent way too far from home will pack the evening with laughs. Note that the production contains explicit language.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
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
Museum of Illusions
Cherry Blossom Takeover at the Museum of Illusions – Through May 10
The Museum of Illusions partnered with local artist Hiba Alyawer for a limited-time cherry blossom-themed takeover. The immersive artistic experience is inspired by DC's most iconic season. Selected illusion rooms throughout the museum feature stunning blossom installations and floral-inspired artistic elements, blending the magic of visual perception with the delicate beauty of spring in DC. Special workshops are also available.
Buy Tickets
Museum of Illusions, 927 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
1776 – Through May 16
The story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is transformed into a vibrant musical as the country’s beginnings are brought to blazing life inside the historic Ford's Theatre.
Tickets
Ford's Theatre, 511 10th Street 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
Miró and the United States – Through July 5
The Phillips Collection's new exhibit will explore the artistic conversation between Spanish artist Joan Miró (1893–1983) and American artists from the 1940s to the 1960s. The exhibition will trace Miró’s relationships with American artists, collectors and institutions in an examination of the ways this exchange spurred inspiration and experimentation on both sides of the Atlantic. Expect to see works by Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, Lee Krasner, Norman Lewis, Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Adolph Gottlieb and many more.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
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
Photo by Gary Staab
Bronze Bison – Ongoing
Over a century ago, bison roamed outside the Smithsonian Castle building. This spring, the National Museum of Natural History commemorates this history with three larger-than-life bronze bison created by sculptor Gary Staab. The pieces, which are at 125% scale and modeled after taxidermy specimens, will live outside the National Museum of Natural History.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
National Gallery of Art
Mary Cassatt: An American in Paris – Through Aug. 30
The National Gallery of Art presents the vibrant work of Mary Cassatt across three galleries. The museum’s impressionist collection served as the source for this in-depth examination of how Cassatt went about creating her radically modern pieces. Roughly 40 paintings, drawings and prints will be on display.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art – Through Aug. 23
The National Museum of African Art has assembled a powerful showcase of works that marks the first continental and diasporic survey of its scale outside of Africa. LGBTQ+ identities and experiences are the focus of the exhibit, with many of the pieces serving as challenges to legacies of homophobia and bigotry.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
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
A South Fourty: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South – Through Winter 2026
The National Building Museum’s new exhibit is dedicated to distinctive modern architecture and contemporary design practices in the American South. The display aims to provide an overview of the current vibrancy of contemporary architecture through illustrated profiles of buildings and practices, statements of principles and observations by those who build in the region.
Hours & Admission
National Building Museum, 401 F Street 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
Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen – Through Jan. 3, 2027
Known for his rigorous work in creating jaw-dropping paintings, Adam Pendleton will showcase new and recent pieces as well as single-channel video in this landmark exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum. Pendleton’s first solo showcase will highlight his contributions to contemporary American painting and utilize the architecture of the Hirshhorn and the vast history of DC’s National Mall.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, 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
Places to Stay
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