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 2025

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Shaw

SOST

Sost provides a versatile venue in DC’s historic Shaw neighborhood, rooted in the music, culture, and creativity of the Black and African Diaspora.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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Downtown

DAR Constitution Hall

Newly-renovated 3,702-seat facility capable of hosting a wide variety of events, including concerts, television, meetings, commencements and award shows

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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art: Of the nation and for all the people.

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Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was a cultural center of D

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery gives visitors a chance to meet fascinating Americans from more than 225 years of history in its halls

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Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

07

2025

Dupont Circle

Bob Dylan Heaven's Door Tasting

Now - Oct 07, 2025

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Oct

07

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 07, 2027

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

07

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Oct

07

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Oct

07

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

Now - Oct 15, 2025

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Oct

07

2025

Georgetown

EXHIBITION TOURS: Snow and Rain Shall Pass by Photographer Karin Alfredsson

Now - Nov 03, 2025

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Oct

08

2025

Maryland

Ludovico Einaudi

Now - Oct 07, 2025

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Oct

08

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"The American Five" at Ford's Theatre

Now - Oct 12, 2025

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Oct

08

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Oct

08

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Great Privation (how to flip ten cents into a dollar)

Now - Oct 12, 2025

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Oct

08

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

08

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Oct

08

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Oct 07, 2027

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Oct

08

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Oct

08

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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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

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Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

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 2025

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children's Museum

National Postal Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Anacostia Community Museum

SOST

The Hamilton Live

DAR Constitution Hall

National Gallery of Art

The Phillips Collection

Lincoln Theatre

National Portrait Gallery

Airbus IMAX Theater

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

07

Dupont Circle

Bob Dylan Heaven's Door Tasting

07

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

07

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

07

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

07

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

07

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

07

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

07

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

07

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

07

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

07

Georgetown

EXHIBITION TOURS: Snow and Rain Shall Pass by Photographer Karin Alfredsson

08

Maryland

Ludovico Einaudi

08

Penn Quarter & Chinatown