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

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Museum of Women in the Arts

First major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps: Enter and experience what it means to be a Marine.

VIEW DETAILS

Shaw

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Stunningly furnished venue with outdoor patio, a max capacity of up to 300 guests, located directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Options for live entertainment, full bar service, and catering.

VIEW DETAILS

Southwest & The Wharf

Angie D Entertainment

Full service entertainment and engagement production company using digital photo technology to create interactive entertainment for events.

VIEW DETAILS

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

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

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

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Due to construction, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration will be temporarily closed as we reimagine our Base Camp experience.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to advancing public knowledge about the arts and cultures of Asia through exhibitions, publications, research and education.

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

Dupont Circle

The Keegan Theatre

The Keegan Theatre a unique meeting space just steps away from Dupont Circle.

VIEW DETAILS

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 2025

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

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Sep

15

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Sep 15, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

Now - Oct 15, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

NoMa in Color

Now - Sep 15, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Sep 13, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

15

2025

Downtown

Joy Goddess with Author A’Lelia Bundles

Now - Sep 15, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Great Privation (how to flip ten cents into a dollar)

Now - Oct 12, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Virginia

Play On!

Now - Oct 05, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

16

2025

Downtown

Constitution Day: The Full U.S. Constitution

Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

17

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 15, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

17

2025

Downtown

NMWA Nights - September 25

Sep 17, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Sep

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Everything is Wonderful

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Learning on Location

Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Fall 2025 Events & Festivals

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.

National Postal Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the American Indian

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Anacostia Community Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Angie D Entertainment

National Portrait Gallery

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Woodrow Wilson House

The Keegan Theatre

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 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

15

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

15

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

15

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

15

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

15

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

15

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

15

NoMa in Color

15

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

15

Downtown

Joy Goddess with Author A’Lelia Bundles

16

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

16

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

16

Southwest & The Wharf

The Great Privation (how to flip ten cents into a dollar)

16

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations