Arts & Culture

Get acquainted with the thriving arts and culture scene in Washington, DC.

Guide to African American History & Culture in Washington, DC

With its Southern connections, Washington, DC has always had a significant African American population. Before the Civil War, the city was home to a growing number of free blacks who worked as skilled craftsmen, hack drivers, businessmen and laborers, and slave auctions were outlawed altogether in...

Must-See Museum Exhibits, Events & More Ending Soon in Washington, DC

Many events , plays and museum exhibits that have elevated Washington, DC’s arts and culture scene are ending soon. Fortunately, we’ve compiled our favorites here so that you have an exciting checklist. Consider this your last chance to catch ‘em while you can! • • • ‘Drawn to Purpose: American...

5 Jazz Venues In Washington, DC That Are The Bee’s Knees

The online etymology dictionary credits jazz sax player Lester Young with coining the use of “cool” as an adjective to describe jazz, which helped give rise to the now oft-used descriptor. Young used to flash his sax chops in Washington, DC—sometimes at Olivia Davis’ Patio Lounge. Unlike that jazz...

12 Things to Do This Weekend in Washington, DC

Check out our end-of-the-week picks and discover all of the best events, festivals, museum exhibits, concerts and more happening in the nation’s capital. Friday Sketching Is Seeing: Mindful Sketching The National Gallery of Art is celebrating the art of sketching throughout the month of October. On...

Guide to Free Embassy Tours in Washington, DC During Passport DC

Passport DC is a month-long festival in May that pays tribute to Washington, DC's thriving international culture. As part of the festival, the first two Saturdays in May are devoted to embassy open houses. Consider this your chance to stroll Embassy Row – a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue NW that...

Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC

What is the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and where is it? The National Museum of African Art is located on Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall . The museum possesses the largest publicly held collection of African art in the United States, with roughly 12,000 objects in total...

3 Days of African American History & Heritage in Washington, DC

Morning Start your day at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial . Opened in summer 2011, the memorial was designed as a lasting tribute to Dr. King's legacy and will forever serve as a monument to the freedom, opportunity and justice for which he stood. It is the first federal memorial to honor a....

70+ Things to Do This October in Washington, DC

We’ve picked out the best events, festivals, museum exhibits, theater performances, concerts and more happening this month in DC. Check out the best things to do and plan your visit today. Events Maryland Renaissance Festival – Weekends through Oct. 21 Check out this unique festival that takes...

Molly Smith on Arena Stage, How to Get Last-Minute Tickets & the Southwest Waterfront

Arena Stage , the stunning theater-in-the-round complex in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood , is an ideal venue to see compelling theater. Visitors can purchase tickets to see great American theater even on the day they visit. Molly Smith, who leads the Tony Award-winning theater complex,...

9 Ways to Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Washington, DC

Chinese New Year, also known in modern Chinese as the “Spring Festival,” begins on Feb. 16. The nation's capital is rich with Chinese culture, so it’s no wonder that the city features numerous ways to celebrate the holiday. We’ve detailed events and activities in Washington, DC that can help you...