Spring in Washington, DC is one-of-a-kind.
March
Women's History Month
Citywide | March 2023
Check out women-powered festivals, live-streams, museum happenings and exhibits and attractions celebrating the accomplishments, art and stories of women. Find programming at the National Portrait Gallery, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, International Spy Museum and more.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Citywide | March 18-April 16
Nothing signifies the arrival of spring in the nation's capital quite like the blooming of the cherry blossom trees and the National Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the occasion. Enjoy four weeks of mostly free events including a parade, fireworks and kite festival.
Pixelbloom: Timeless Butterflies
ARTECHOUSE | March 11 – June 11
Experience a virtual world of cherry blossoms and butterflies through ARTECHOUSE’S 6th annual cherry blossom celebration interactive installation.
Shout Sister Shout!
Ford’s Theatre | March 15-May 23
Inspired by Gayle F. Walde’s book Shout, Sister, Shout!, this musical follows the rise to international stardom of the most influential rock, R & B and Gospel singer and guitarists Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures
National Museum of African American History | March 23, 2023 - March 24, 2024
Investigating Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism and more, this exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture. A highlight is the Black Panther hero costume worn by the late Chadwick Boseman and Trayvon Martin’s flight suit from Experience Aviation, highlighting his childhood dream of being an astronaut.
Shear Madness
The Kennedy Center | Ongoing
Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington's hilarious whodunit. After more than 13,500 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.
April
My Fair Lady
The National Theatre | April 6-9
The timeless classic from Lerner and Loewe is directed by Bartlett Sher and features performances of hits such as “I Could Have Danced All Night.”
Kennedy Center | April 11-29
Seen by more than 130 million people worldwide, this performance tells a story of love, passion, and survival set in 19th-century France.
The Georgetown French Market
Georgetown | April 28-30
An annual open-air market featuring small businesses of Book Hill, where more than 25 local boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, salons and galleries display their discounted wares and specials.
1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions
National Portrait Gallery | April 28-Feb. 25, 2024
On the 125th anniversary of the Spanish-American-Cuban-Philippine War, 1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions is the first exhibition to examine this pivotal period through the lens of portraiture and visual culture.
May
Passport DC
Citywide| May 1-31
A month-long festival in May pays tribute to Washington, DC's thriving international culture. The first two Saturdays in May are devoted to embassy open houses. Thanks to this only-in-DC experience, you can step inside a foreign embassy with the Around the World Embassy Tour and the EU Open House.
National Asian Art Museum 100th Anniversary Celebration
National Asian Art Museum | May 1-13
Celebrating its 100th anniversary through 2023, the Asian Art Museum rolls out its newly conserved Peacock Room, its new Introductory Hall (April 2023) and its first gallery devoted to modern and contemporary art (summer 2023) with four video-based exhibitions. A celebratory anniversary festival is scheduled for May 1-May 13, 2023.
Citywide| May 29
Memorials are DC’s specialty, and the city celebrates with unique and meaningful events and exhibits designed to recognize the selfless service of our active-duty military and veterans. Experience the country’s largest Memorial Day parade and more during this start-of-summer holiday.
June
National Mall | June 28 – July 9
Each summer, the National Mall hosts this free, kid-friendly celebration of cultures across the globe, providing an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers.
Citywide| June 2-11
Each June, the Capital Pride Alliance curates Capital Pride, which features a popular collection of events including the Pride Parade, Festival and Concert. These events – and many others that take place during the week – celebrate Washington, DC's dynamic LGBTQ+ community.
National Theatre | June 6-18
Based on tales of voyaging into the underworld, Hadestown is an energetic musical and the winner of eight Tony awards in 2019.
Kennedy Center | June 22-July 29
The well-loved musical returns to the Kennedy Center to dazzle audiences ranging from kids to those who are young at heart.