Calendar of Events

August

DC JazzFest – Citywide | Aug. 27 - 31

DC JazzFest is one of the biggest jazz festivals in the country, with more than 80 performances in multiple neighborhoods across DC. This year’s star-studded lineup includes Allyn Johnson, Joshua Bayer, Lalah Hathaway, The String Queens and Grammy-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell.

DC Festival of Magic | Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 
Back at the Capital Hilton for a fourth year, the DC Festival of Magic brings together the best magicians in the Mid-Atlantic region for three nights of Labor Day weekend entertainment that will make your head spin. 

September

National Symphony Orchestra's Free Labor Day Concert – West Lawn of U.S. Capitol | Aug. 31

A Washington, DC tradition, the National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The performance is free to attend, and tickets are not required; seating is first-come, first-served. This year, the concert is conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the recipient of the 2023 “Mexicanos Distinguidos” Award by the Mexican government, granted

National Symphony Orchestra's Free Labor Day Concert | Sept. 1 
The National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The performance is free to attend and tickets are not required. Seating is first-come, first-served. 

DC Bike Ride – Constitution Avenue NW | Sept. 6

With a family-friendly course, the event is one of the biggest celebrations of cycling in DC and offers a unique experience to its participants, winding riders through city streets and by monuments and memorials. The 20-mile excursion welcomes riders over the age of three and includes a Finish Festival with food, music and fun activities. A 10- mile alternative course is also available.

2025 National Book Festival - Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Sept. 6 

The 25th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The free event includes a book sale, panels with renowned authors and engaging exhibits. 

DC State Fair – Bryant Street NE | Sept. 6

A free showcase of the district’s agricultural, culinary and creative talents with a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. Inspired by time-honored state fair traditions, growing and gardening, contests and delicious foods, the DC State Fair honors what makes the nation's capital one of a kind. Past activities have included competitions for best photographer, best mumbo sauce and most creative use of space in a micro-garden.

Washington Commanders Season Starts | Sept. 7 

Washington, DC’s official professional football team, the Commanders, compete in the National Football League as a member of the National Football Conference East division. With a successful run in the playoffs in 2024, fans are looking forward to cheering on their team on opening day against the New York Giants.

The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture | Through Sept. 14 
The Smithsonian American Museum’s new exhibit examines sculpture’s role in understanding and constructing race in the United States. Across 82 sculptures created between 1792 and 2023 by 70 different artists, visitors can observe historical and modern works that inspire conversation and reflections on how power, identity and race are intertwined.

Art All Night – Citywide | Sept. 12 - 23

The annual all-night arts festival will spread across multiple neighborhoods. Art experiences don’t get much more lavish or expansive than this; everything from painting and performing arts to music and sculpture will be showcased in both public and private spaces, indoors and outdoors.

Adams Morgan Day – 18th Street NW | Sept. 14

The longest-running neighborhood festival in the district has been around for more than 40 years. 18th Street buzzes with music, food vendors, for-sale artwork and family-friendly activities. Celebrate one of DC’s liveliest, most diverse neighborhoods with this day-long extravaganza that is led by volunteers and showcases the businesses, artists and organizations that make up "AdMo."

Golden Triangle’s Art Ave – Connecticut Avenue NW | September - January 2026

Starting in mid-September, Art Ave will feature free family-friendly events and an outdoor collection of museum-quality art. Many of the sculptures will be illuminated at dusk and several artworks will include interactive elements. Fun events with live music, games and family-friendly programs are also planned.

Honor Hispanic Heritage Month in the District – Citywide | Sept. 15 - Oct. 15

Washington, DC's vibrant culture is deeply rooted in its Hispanic and Latin American community, Hispanic Heritage Month provides numerous opportunities to engage in Hispanic culture throughout the district. Consider Attending a show at GALA (Grupo de Artistas LatinoAmericanos) Theatre.  Since 1976, GALA has been promoting and sharing the Latino arts and cultures with a diverse audience. OR fill your stomach with authentic food.  Salvadoran barbecue at 2Fifty, killer Cubanos at Colada Shop or Mexican comfort food at El Tamarindo. Indulge in Spanish tapas at Jaleo or award-winning Peruvian at Causa/Amazonia.

National Dance Day – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | Sept. 20

This year’s event champions dance as a starting point for community engagement. Free classes and performances provide a wealth of ways to celebrate creativity and community.  Free classes, performances and other activities

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985 – The National Gallery of Art | Sept. 21 – Jan. 4, 2025

The National Gallery of Art hosts a monumental tribute to the work of Black artists from around the world. Photography and the Black Arts Movement spans four decades and features roughly 150 pieces by more than 100 artists, including luminaries such as Gordon Parks, Carrie Mae Weems, Frank Stewart, Billy Abernathy, David C. Driskell, Lorna Simpson and more.

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters – Phillips@THEARC | Sept. 24 –  Feb. 19, 2026

DC artist Rik Freeman’s work is showcased in-depth at this free exhibition. Wade in the Waters zooms in on waterways – from the beaches of Bahia to the Anacostia River – and how they connect to the diaspora over generations.

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600-1750 – National Museum of Women in the Arts | Sept. 26 – Jan. 11, 2026

More than 40 Dutch and Flemish women artists are showcased in a new exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Pieces include paintings, lace, prints, paper cuttings, embroidery and sculpture, all of which deepens understanding of the Dutch and Flemish visual culture of the period. Artists displayed include Gesina ter Borch, Maria Faydherbe, Anna Maria de Koker, Judith Leyster and Magdalena van de Passe. https://nmwa.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ 

Theatre Week – Citywide | Sept.18 - Oct. 5

Celebrate a new theatre season in the Washington, DC region with a weeks-long promotion from TheatreWashington. Tickets to highly anticipated productions at venues across the city are priced at $20, $40 and $60, including fees. There are musicals, dramas, comedies, theater for young audiences and more. In addition to discounted tickets, Theatre Week also includes special events (most of which are free) designed to entertain, educate and inspire, including the free Kickoff Fest.

All Things Go Music Festival – Merriweather Post Pavilion | Sept. 26 - 28

Hosted at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the event features two stages, an epic lineup of delicious local food and art installations.  This year’s performances include Clairo, Doechii and more.

Corazón y vida: Lowrider Culture – National Museum of American History | Sept. 26 – TBD

A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History reveals the 80-year history of lowriding culture and community-building through a display of photographs, posters, car club clothing, trophies, a pinstripe tool kit and more. The unique, vibrant and bilingual exhibition dives deep into how the Lowrider tradition has become a source of pride in Mexican American communities and a way of combating discrimination.

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art – National Gallery of Art | Oct. 18 – March 1, 2026

North American audiences are introduced to the dazzling visual art of Indigenous Australia, made up of more than 250 distinct nations. The exhibit features over 200 works by more than 130 artists, including trailblazing pieces from Emily Kam Kngwarray, Gulumbu Yunupiŋu (known as "Star Lady”), Brook Andrew, Destiny Deacon and Betty Muffler.

The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture – National Portrait Gallery | Oct. 18 – Aug. 30, 2026

Drawing from more than 3,300 entries and contributions from 14 states, DC and Puerto Rico, the National Portrait Gallery displays 35 portraits by 36 artists. Curated by a panel of experts, the seventh triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition informs this showcase of emerging talent each year.

Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work – Smithsonian American Art Museum | Oct. 24 – July 12, 2026

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, who was dubbed “Grandma Moses” by the press, lived through the American Civil War, two world wars and the civil rights era. In the 1940s, she emerged as a central figure thanks to her unique tapestries of American life. The Smithsonian American Art Museum introduces her essential work to new generations with an in-depth exhibit.

Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe – National Museum of the American Indian | Oct. 24  – Jan. 2027

The acclaimed Ho-Chunk artist receives his first major retrospective at the National Museum of the American Indian. Truman Lowe used willow branches, feathers and organic materials to create minimalist sculptures to evoke rivers, streams and waterfalls. The exhibit also features similarly distinctive drawings and paintings by Lowe.

Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared – National Museum of Asian Art | Nov. 8 – Feb. 1, 2026

The National Museum of Asian Art surveys the ancient times to the present in a stunning exhibit that displays works that beautifully speak to the diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy across the world. Once private treasures are now public, depicting the evolution of innovation, shifts in style and technology.

Capital Harvest on the Plaza – Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center | Wednesdays through October

Farm-fresh deliciousness and artisanal crafts, as well as recipes and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder and the Natural World – National Gallery of Art | through Nov. 2

Across more than 70 paintings, prints and drawings, visitors can see how nature has inspired art since the dawn of European natural history in the 16th and 17th centuries. Specimens and taxidermy from the National Museum of Natural History will also be showcased along with a new film by artist Dario Robleto.

Niki de Saint Phalle In Print – National Museum of Women in the Arts | through Nov. 30

The National Museum of Women in the Arts displays 20 of multimedia artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s large-scale prints. Although primarily known for performances and sculptures, Saint Phalle showcases mastery as a printmaker as well, using striking colors, a whimsical and animated drawing style and looping handwriting to stamp a style all her own.

Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond – Smithsonian American Art Museum | through Nov. 30

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, will showcase the imprint of Asian Americans on the physical and cultural terrain of the nation's capital. Installed in a gallery that overlooks DC's Chinatown, the exhibition features examples of cultural products that feature Chinese, Korean and Japanese heritage and/or express coalitional Asian American and BIPOC identities. These include displays of artwork, material culture, images and other graphic material drawn from Smithsonian collections and shared by local lenders, including community members and repositories such as the DC History Center and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. A free celebration on Sept. 7 marks the exhibit's opening.

Collecting Memories – Library of Congress | through December 2025

The Library of Congress opens its new David M. Rubenstein Treasures Gallery with an exhibit full of fascinating artifacts. Collecting Memories includes Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, a map from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, lyrics from The Sound of Music and much more in its examination of how cultures preserve the past.

Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour – Frederick Douglass – National Portrait Gallery | through Dec. 6, 2026

The first joint acquisition of the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum (the two share a building) is Sir Isaac Julien’s fascinating moving image installation, which blends period reenactments across five screens to give the viewer insight into the life, accomplishments, activism and brilliance of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895).

Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains – National Museum of the American Indian | through Jan. 20, 2026

The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates narrative art among Native nations of the Great Plains with an exciting new exhibition. Historical works alongside contemporary commissions, from battle records to ledger books to pop culture takes.

The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution – Library of Congress | through March 21, 2026

The Library of Congress brings together letters, ledgers, diaries, maps, drawings and other artifacts to illuminate the similarities and differences between two iconic figures of the Revolutionary War: George Washington and King George III. Although the two never met, visitors can envision where they would clash and where they would compromise in this stirring exhibit that features items from a wide range of collections, including the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, London’s Science Museum and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Making a Statement – National Museum of the American Indian | through March 2026

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian displays two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) in a special installation. Four public programs are planned for Women's History Month as well. Both gowns were designed by Gucci and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) of Ironhorse Quillwork and were worn by Gladstone the evening of March 10, 2024, to the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars party. Gladstone was the first Native American nominated for best actress for her work in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.

Reasons to Gather: Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped – National Museum of Asian Art | through April 26, 2026

The Japanese tea practice of chanoyu revolves around the appreciation of utensils that assist in the preparation and consumption of matcha (powdered green tea). The objects tell a story of trade and exchange across Asia and reveal a vast network of tea practitioners.

Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen – Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden | through Jan. 3, 2027

Known for his rigorous work in creating jaw-dropping paintings, Adam Pendleton will showcase new and recent pieces as well as single-channel video in this landmark exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum. Pendleton’s first solo showcase will highlight his contributions to contemporary American painting and utilize the architecture of the Hirshhorn and the vast history of DC’s National Mall.

Ruffled Feathers: Creating Whistler’s Peacock Room – National Museum of Asian Art | through Jan. 31, 2027

One of the most famous rooms in the nation’s capital receives a full in-depth investigation thanks to a new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. The Peacock Room is the museum’s calling card, and this display will be located right next door. Ruffled Feathers offers a unique opportunity to see intimate and formal portraits Whistler created of the Leyland family, chronicling the personal relationships that flourished and fractured over the course of the room’s creation.

Forces for Change: Mary McLeod Bethune and Black Women’s Activism – National Museum of African American History and Culture | Ongoing

Explore the powerful societal impact of local hero, educator and reformer Mary McLeod Bethune at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The exhibit space focuses on Bethune’s incredible work with the National Council of Negro Women as well as the contributions of other women who have fought for social change. In total, the display includes 75 images, 35 artifacts, a multimedia film, an eight-foot-tall plaster sculpture of Bethune, and an interactive engagement.

Fierce Flora: Tales of Survival and Demise – U.S. Botanic Garden | Ongoing

The U.S. Botanic Garden invites you to see the ferocious side of flora and fauna at its special exhibit. Many plants have evolved defenses against infection, herbivores and their plant competition. The multisensory display will showcase this evolution and pinpoint how these plants can be both harmful and helpful to humans.

October

With Passion and Purpose: Gifts from the Collection of Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson – National Gallery of Art | through Oct. 5

A collection that spans 100 years of Black creativity comes to the National Gallery of Art’s East Building Mezzanine. The largest group of objects by Black artists to enter the museum’s collection at one time includes 175 works. These range from lyrical abstractions to intricate sculptures to well-known paintings. Featured artists include Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley, Vivian Browne, Mildred Thompson, Alison Saar and many others.

Because They're Funny Comedy Festival – The Wharf | Oct. 10 - 12

Showcasing BIPOC comedians throughout the Wharf, including the Anthem, the lineup includes headline shows, new comic showcases, comedy classes, panels, podcasts, screenings and live music.

Snallygaster – Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest | Oct. 11

Named after a mythical creature, this massive beer festival on Pennsylvania Avenue roars with a hefty lineup of 450 brews selected by Greg Engert, one of the city’s leading beer connoisseurs, including countless new breweries and rare beers. Festivalgoers can also expect two stages with live music, a makers' market by Shop Made in DC, a kids' zone and a selection of ciders, wines and cocktails.

Army Ten-Miler – Army Navy Drive | Oct. 12

Now in its 40th year, the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo attracts over 35,000 runners and 900 teams from around the world to celebrate the spirit of sport. Military, civilians, wheelchair athletes and wounded warrior athletes can participate, and all are encouraged to cheer them on.

Turkish Festival – Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest | Oct. 19

The community-organized Turkish Festival fills Pennsylvania Avenue with special art and photo exhibits, folk dancers and concerts ranging from Turkish rock to folk. There will also be Turkish coffee and tea demos and a bazaar touting food and artisanal goods.

Home Rule Music Festival – Alethia Tanner Park | Oct. 26

The second annual Home Rule Music Festival celebrates the rich musical and cultural scene of DC and includes a show at Alethia Tanner Park. Expect a variety of locally based performers across a full day of concerts.

DC Coffee Festival – Dock 5 at Union Market | Oct. 27 - 28

The second annual iteration of the festival will include two days of festivities, with coffee roasters, tea brewers and live music filling the warehouse at Dock 5 at Union Market. All coffee samples are included with a ticket and additional snacks are available for purchase.

Día de los Muertos – National Museum of the American Indian | Nov. 1

With Halloween just around the corner, don’t forget about Día de los Muertos (translation: “Day of the Dead”), a Mexican tradition of honoring past ancestors that features lavish celebrations. The National Museum of the American Indian hosts a free, day-long event in observance of the holiday. Visitors can take in dance performances, enjoy artist and food demos, participate in coloring activities and mask-making, learn about fascinating Mexican traditions, leave photos and mementos to their loved ones and more.

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection – The Phillips Collection | Nov. 8 - Feb 15.

Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection is a celebration and examination of the beauty and complexity of this nation's history. Presenting artists well-known and understudied from the permanent collection, Out of Many builds a dynamic story about how, from the early 20th century to the present, various artists have imagined and depicted the people, cultures, landscapes and histories of the United States.

Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs – National Museum of Asian Art | through Nov. 20

The National Museum of Asian Art showcases 17 Japanese artists who have pushed boundaries in printmaking and photography. The exhibit features multilayered images that challenge distinctions between mediums, traditions and notions of fine art and commercial design.