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

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...

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 ...

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 ...

The Best City to Visit in 2026

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

@carahedge - Summer day outside The LINE Hotel in Adams Morgan - Unique hotels in Washington, DC

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

These hip and trendy hotels offer unique experiences that blend the ...

SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for ...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal 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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SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration is coming to Washington, D.C. summer 2026.

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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Woodley Park

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Cons...

Enjoy thousands of exotic animals

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Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Board meetings, teleconferencing and broadcast video production by day; and elegant receptions and private screenings by nigh..

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Capitol Hill

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hill Center aims to broaden the horizons of all who enter by providing high-quality arts, education, and cultural programs to engage more fully in the life of our city.

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Downtown

Hedy's Rooftop

Hedy's Rooftop at Hotel Zena

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

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Downtown

U.S. Navy Memorial

The United States Navy Memorial

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National Mall

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ...

Located between 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Pl., SW (formerly 15th St

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jan

14

2026

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 31, 2027

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Jan

14

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jan 14, 2028

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Jan

14

2026

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jan 14, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jan

14

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Jan 14, 2028

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Jan

14

2026

Mount Vernon Square

Lady With the Red Umbrella

Now - Jan 14, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Jan 14, 2028

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Jan

15

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Antony & Cleopatra

Jan 15, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Virginia

In Clay

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Jan

15

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Dead Sea Scrolls

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jan

15

2026

Upper Northwest

Time by Luxmuralis

Jan 15, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

15

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

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Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

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

The District Blog

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2026

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

Anacostia Community Museum

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for ...

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Postal Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Lincoln Theatre

Smithsonian&#039;s National Zoo and Cons...

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hedy&#039;s Rooftop

Sixth &amp; I

U.S. Navy Memorial

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

14

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

14

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

14

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

14

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

14

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

14

Downtown

Free Community Day

14

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

14

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

14

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

14

Mount Vernon Square

Lady With the Red Umbrella

15

National Children's Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Cons...

Hedy's Rooftop

Sixth & I