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 2026

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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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Capitol Hill

Folger Shakespeare Library

The Folger welcomes everyone—from communities throughout Washington DC to communities across the globe—to connect in their own way.

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Downtown

U.S. Navy Memorial

The United States Navy Memorial

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Southwest & The Wharf

Museum of the Bible

Museum of the Bible: What's in it will truly surprise you!

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Dupont Circle

Woodrow Wilson House

Dine intimately in the presidential Dining Room, enjoy cocktails throughout the main museum rooms or relax and unwind in the tranquil period garden.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

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National Mall

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

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Virginia

DEA Museum

Now open! Navigate your way to a new experience.

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National Mall

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Plan your Smithsonian visit

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Nov 19, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

Downtown

Hadestown

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

Now - Dec 31, 2025

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Nov

20

2025

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

Now - Nov 23, 2025

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Nov

20

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Lewis and Tolkien at Museum of the Bible

Now - Nov 30, 2025

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Nov 19, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Nov 19, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Nov 19, 2027

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Nov

20

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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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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Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

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 2026

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Anacostia Community Museum

National Postal Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

Folger Shakespeare Library

U.S. Navy Memorial

Museum of the Bible

Woodrow Wilson House

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Hirshhorn Museum &amp; Sculpture Garden ...

DEA Museum

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

20

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

20

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

20

Downtown

Hadestown

20

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

20

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"A Christmas Carol" 2025

20

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

20

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

20

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

20

Southwest & The Wharf

Fremont Ave.

20

Southwest & The Wharf

Lewis and Tolkien at Museum of the Bible

20

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

National Children's Museum

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden ...