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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Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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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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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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Georgetown

Old Stone House

The oldest house on its original foundation in Washington, DC.

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Eastern Market

As You Are DC

Chill spot catering to LGBTQIA+ guests with regular dance nights, plus coffee, snacks, meals & beer.

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Shaw

The Howard Theatre

One-of-a-Kind Private Event Experience: From Concert Venue to Corporate Awards Dinner

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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

National Museum of the United States Arm...

The National Museum of the United States Army

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National Mall

National Museum of Natural History

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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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...

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 ...

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...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jul

03

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jul 03, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jul

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

Now - Jul 03, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Now - Jul 18, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 03, 2027

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jul

04

2025

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

Now - Jul 13, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

July 4th at the National Archives

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Jul 04, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Georgetown

4th of July at the River Club

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Friends N' Fireworks

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

4th of July in the District Concert

Jul 04, 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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Order Your Free Visitors Guide

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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

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

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

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.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Rubell Museum

Old Stone House

As You Are DC

The Howard Theatre

National Portrait Gallery

National Museum of the United States Arm...

National Museum of Natural History

Lincoln Theatre

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

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

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

03

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

03

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

03

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

03

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

03

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

03

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

03

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

03

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

03

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

04

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

04