Celebrate Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and more with incredible events, exhibits and shows throughout the city.
Be sure to check out our special discounts and packages, from luxurious experiences to budget-friendly options.
Last year, the nation's capital landed on Condé Nast Traveler's "The Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2025," the New York Times' top places to go around the world and TripAdvisor's top destinations in the U.S.
So regardless of the season, you're bound to have an unforgettable experience in the nation's capital. Be sure to check out special discounts and packages, from luxurious experiences to budget-friendly options, and after you’ve read through this list, make sure to check out our things to do during the week, must-hit weekend events and accessibility guides to monuments and museums on the National Mall.
Honor Black History Month in DC
Black history and culture are an essential part of DC’s identity, which means that there's an abundance of ways to celebrate Black History Month in the city. The nation’s capital is also full of year-round ways to honor the Black experience at museums and memorials. You can also stop by a Black-owned business or read up on the District's Black-owned restaurants and Black chefs.
Washington Capitals
Attend a Capitals, Wizards or Go-Go game
With the winter season comes incredible indoor sports action in the District. The NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards play their exciting games inside Capital One Arena, while the Capital City Go-Go, part of the NBA’s developmental G-League, take to the court inside CareFirst Arena. Discounted tickets to select games for each team are available below.
Ice skate in DC
Lace up some skates and triple axel 'round the District at popular ice skating rinks at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, Washington Harbour in Georgetown, Canal Park in Capitol Riverfront and The Wharf. Make sure to read our detailed breakdown of each spot.
The Washington, DC Auto Show – Jan. 23 – Feb. 1
Cars have always held a special allure, captivating the American imagination from the early days of the Model T. Witness the evolution of the vehicle firsthand by attending the Washington, DC Auto Show, which takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Even if you don't consider yourself a devoted car enthusiast, there are still plenty of reasons to check out the city's largest annual indoor event.
Tickets
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Through Feb. 8
The preeminent modern dance company visits the Warner Theatre with a program that celebrates the company’s illustrious history and aims to bring audiences together in joy. Enjoy some of Ailey’s most famous compositions as well as programming from artists around the world.
Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
National Building Museum
Winter Skate Spectacular – Through Feb. 8
Don’t fret! The National Building Museum will bring back its indoor ice-skating rink this year. Sponsored by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District and Events DC, the Winter Skate Spectacular will offer daytime and after-hours skate sessions this year. Visitors can also enjoy The Wave, a 55-by-180-foot recycled aluminum space frame suspended in the Great Hall.
Tickets & More Information
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
2025 James McLaughlin Staff Show – Through Feb. 8
Named after the gifted still-life painter who learned under the mentorship of museum founder Duncan Phillips, the James McLaughlin Staff Show proudly displays the work of The Phillips Collection’s own team. The voices behind the scenes are gorgeously brought to life in this annual tribute.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic – Feb. 14-16
Founded in 2007, this 1,000+ team USA Volleyball seeding tournament held in the nation's capital champions youth sports and athletes.
More Info
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW, Washington, DC 20001
Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection – Through Feb. 15
The Phillips Collection presents both well-known and understudied artists in a dynamic new exhibit meant to examine the complexity of American art as the country turns 250 years old. Visitors can experience how artists have depicted landscapes, cultures, stories and people from the early 20th century to the present.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Celebrate Lunar New Year in the District – Begins Feb. 17
Locations all over the city ring in the Year of the Snake with colorful celebrations, including performances, educational talks, special tours and hands-on activities. Be sure to check out the festive Downtown Parade, events at the Smithsonian's free National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and more.
More Info
Celebrate Mardis Gras in DC – Feb. 17
Go all-out in the District. Each year, Mardi Gras at The Wharf brings the energy with a parade (featuring stilt walkers, jugglers, the Mardi Gras king and queen, floats and lots more), a dance party with live music and a fireworks spectacular.
Celebrate Presidents' Day and Washington's Birthday – Feb. 17
Whether you know it as our first president's birthday or a day to celebrate them all, the nation's capital presents unique ways to engage with the history and legacy of U.S. leaders. Go on an architecture-focused excursion with DC Design Tours, plan a day of presidential experiences, explore DC's monuments and memorials, indulge in presidential dining or retreat to George Washington's Mount Vernon for free.
NMWA Nights – Feb. 18
The National Museum of Women in the Arts’ popular evening series can include anything from a museum-wide scavenger hunt that uncovers new narratives within the art on view to dueling DJs in the Great Hall. Two drink tickets are included with admission with additional food and beverages available for purchase.
5:30 - 8 p.m. | Tickets
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters – Through Feb. 19
DC artist Rik Freeman’s work is showcased in-depth at this free exhibition displayed at Phillips@THEARC. For more than three decades, Freeman has engaged history, community, resilience and joy in his work. 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.
Wednesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
Phillips@THEARC, 1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
Duel in The District – February 21
You won't want to miss this matchup between reigning ACC Men’s Basketball Champion Duke and reigning Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Champion Michigan at Capital One Arena. The event marks the return of both teams to the arena, following Duke’s appearance in the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament and Michigan’s conference title win during the 2017 Big 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Sign Up for Early Presale Access
601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies – Through March 8
The photography-based work of Tawny Chatmon receives a glorious tribute at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition will debut pieces from Chatmon’s latest series, which also incorporate audio narrative, embroidery, film and assemblage. Selections from Chatmon’s acclaimed previous work will also be on display.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Arena Stage
Chez Joey – Through March 15
Prepare for a blockbuster at Arena Stage as Chez Joey lands at the historic playhouse. Co-directed by Tony Award-winning choreographer Savion Glover and actor, director and producer Tony Goldwyn, the set-in-1940s-Chicago show includes a Rodgers and Hart score as well as a spellbinding tale of a singer caught between a rich baroness and an ambitious chorus girl on his way to the top (he hopes).
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution – Through March 21
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.
Hours | Free Admission
Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20540
Folger Shakespeare Library
Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era – Through Aug. 2
For the first time since 1805, 14 paintings from the renowned Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London are on view together. Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library and capitalize on this rare chance to see the tremendous collection, which features depictions of scenes from the Bard’s plays as imagined by leading artists of the day.
Hours | Free Admission
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today – Through Aug. 30
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.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Fierce Flora: Tales of Survival and Demise – Ongoing
The U.S. Botanic Garden invites you to see the ferocious side of flora and fauna at its special new exhibit. Many plants have evolved defenses against infection, herbivores and their plant competition. The multisensory display will showcase this evolution and also pinpoint how these plants can be both harmful and helpful to humans.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you're looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today.
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