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

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

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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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Georgetown

Old Stone House

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

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Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

The iconic riverside estate of George Washington. Open daily, 365 days a year.

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DC Metro Area

Charlie Ross Magic

Sophisticated Magic & Mentalism for Corporate Events

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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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Virginia

National Museum of the United States Arm...

The National Museum of the United States Army

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NoMa & Union Market

Wunder Garten

Outdoor community German inspired beergarden

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Maryland

The Fillmore Silver Spring

The Fillmore Silver Spring is the newest edition to downtown Silver Spring's historical arts community just minutes from Washington, DC.

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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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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

13

2025

Petworth

Fall Break at President Lincoln's Cottage

Now - Oct 13, 2025

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Oct

13

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 13, 2027

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

13

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Oct

13

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

13

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

Now - Oct 15, 2025

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Oct

13

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Oct 11, 2027

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Cuba Libre's District Deal and "Secret Menu"

Now - Oct 31, 2025

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Oct

14

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

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Oct

14

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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Oct

14

2025

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Oct

14

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Oct 13, 2027

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Oct

14

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

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Oct

14

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Oct

14

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Oct

14

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

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

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

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

Old Stone House

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

Charlie Ross Magic

National Gallery of Art

National Museum of the United States Arm...

Wunder Garten

The Fillmore Silver Spring

The Hamilton Live

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

13

Petworth

Fall Break at President Lincoln's Cottage

13

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

13

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

13

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

13

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

13

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

13

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

13

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

13

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

13

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

13

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Cuba Libre's District Deal and "Secret Menu"

14

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

14

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

14

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

14

Capitol Hill

Julius X

14

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

14

National Children's Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon