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...

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Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

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

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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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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National Mall

Discovery Theater

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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

An innovator in the development of new plays earning a reputation for staying plugged in to the mad temper of the times (New York Times).

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

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U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

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National Mall

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Plan your Smithsonian visit

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H Street NE

Rorschach Theatre

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Columbia Heights

Spain-USA Foundation

Located in the 16th Street, NW Historic District, the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain serves as the headquarters of the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

22

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 20, 2027

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Nov

22

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 22, 2027

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Nov

22

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Nov

22

2025

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

Now - Nov 22, 2025

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Nov

22

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Nov

22

2025

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - Nov 22, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

H Street NE

A Case for the Existence of God

Now - Dec 07, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Nov 21, 2027

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Nov

23

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

Now - Dec 31, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 22, 2027

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Nov

23

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Lewis and Tolkien at Museum of the Bible

Now - Nov 30, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

Downtown

Hadestown

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

23

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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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

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

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

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

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

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

National Postal Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Discovery Theater

Rubell Museum

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Sixth &amp; I

9:30 Club

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Rorschach Theatre

Spain-USA Foundation

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

22

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

22

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

22

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

22

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

22

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

22

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

22

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

22

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

22

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

22

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

22

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

National Children's Museum

Sixth & I