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

Learn More

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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

Tudor Place offers unique and intimate settings perfect for special occasions.

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Wild Days @ Eaton Hotel

Eaton DC's indoor/outdoor rooftop music venue and bar serves up street food from Chef Tim Ma.

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

VIEW DETAILS

U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

VIEW DETAILS

Anacostia

The Go-Go Museum & Cafe

The Go-Go Museum & Café’s 16 interactive exhibits, recording studio and concert stages celebrate the past, present and future of go-go

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Museum of African American Hist...

A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

DEA Museum

Now open! Navigate your way to a new experience.

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 18, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Dec 18, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Dec 18, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Woodley Park

Jazz in the Lobby Happy Hour

Now - Dec 17, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Downtown

A Magical Holiday Experience in Washington DC

Now - Jan 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

18

2025

Downtown

Willard Nightly Caroling

Now - Dec 23, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

19

2025

Shaw

Close-Up Magic Showcase

Now - Dec 18, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 13, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

19

2025

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill Architecture Walking Tour

Dec 19, 2025 - Dec 18, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Dec

19

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

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

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Hotel Zena

VIEW DETAILS

Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

VIEW DETAILS

Partner Content

The District Blog

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Holiday-Themed Theater Performances & Shows

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

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 Postal Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Anacostia Community Museum

National Children&#039;s Museum

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Tudor Place Historic House &amp; Garden ...

Wild Days @ Eaton Hotel

Airbus IMAX Theater

Lincoln Theatre

The Go-Go Museum &amp; Cafe

Airbus IMAX Theater

Shakespeare Theatre Company

National Museum of African American Hist...

DEA Museum

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

18

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

18

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

18

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

18

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

18

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

18

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

18

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

18

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

18

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

18

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

18

National Mall

National Children's Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

The Go-Go Museum & Cafe