Washington DC Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

Whether you become inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods with bustling shops and cafes, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. Subscribe to a podcast that’s recorded live from your hotel. 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

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at National Children's Museum!

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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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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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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SPONSORED

Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE

At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation's capital.

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Brookland

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

Experience the Holy Land in DC! Dedicated in 1898, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of our city's most beautiful destinations.

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Southwest & The Wharf

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Tony Award-winning theater with a focus on the production, presentation, development and study of American voices from classics to world premieres.

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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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National Mall

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to advancing public knowledge about the arts and cultures of Asia through exhibitions, publications, research and education.

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National Mall

National Museum of African American Hist...

A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story

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Downtown

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Established in 1840, St. Matthew's is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington

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Upper Northwest

Zenith Gallery

Zenith Gallery, the premiere source of art in WDC, 45 years, hundreds of artists in a wide range of styles & mediums from monumental to small.

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Concert venue located in Columbia, MD, north of Silver Spring

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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...

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

Couple walking with child during Capital Pride Parade - LGBTQ Summer Events in Washington, DC

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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 ...

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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...

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Why Washington, DC's performing arts scene is in a class of its own

Grandfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown Mural by Aniekan Udofia

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Apr

05

2025

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Apr 03, 2027

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Apr

05

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Georgetown

Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Eckington Flea

Now - May 24, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 03, 2027

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Apr

05

2025

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

Now - Apr 13, 2025

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Apr

05

2025

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Silver Spring

Now - Apr 03, 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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Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

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Celebrate WorldPride in Washington, DC: May 17 – June 8

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

National Postal Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of Women in the Arts

ARTECHOUSE

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

National Museum of African American Hist...

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Zenith Gallery

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

05

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

05

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

05

Virginia

In the Heights

05

Georgetown

Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu

05

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

05

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

05

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

05

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

05

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

05

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

05