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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kenn...

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

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

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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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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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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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Petworth

President Lincoln's Cottage

President Lincoln's Cottage offers a unique, historic, and award-winning experience for locals and travelers alike!

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Wesley Heights

The Kreeger Museum

The Kreeger Museum is a DC art museum focused on Impressionism, early Modernism, and Contemporary sculpture.

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Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE

At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation's capital.

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Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

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Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Have DC's Favorite Comedy Show at Your Next Event

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Brookland

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Our Brookland location was opened in December 2021 boasting 9 auditoriums and a total of 870 seats.

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jan

09

2026

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Dec 31, 2027

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Jan

09

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Jan

09

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jan 09, 2028

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Jan

09

2026

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

Now - Mar 06, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Jan

09

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Jan 09, 2028

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Jan

09

2026

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Jan

10

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Jan 09, 2028

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Jan

10

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Dead Sea Scrolls

Now - Sep 07, 2026

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Jan

10

2026

Virginia

In Clay

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Jan

10

2026

Virginia

Fiddler on the Roof

Now - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

10

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Antony & Cleopatra

Jan 10, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026

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Jan

10

2026

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Jan 08, 2028

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Jan

10

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Jan

10

2026

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Jan 10, 2026 - Jan 09, 2028

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Jan

10

2026

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill Architecture Walking Tour

Now - Jan 08, 2028

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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

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

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

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kenn...

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House &amp; Garden ...

National Geographic Museum of Exploratio...

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Hedy&#039;s Rooftop

Sixth &amp; I

President Lincoln&#039;s Cottage

The Kreeger Museum

ARTECHOUSE

CareFirst Arena

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

09

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

09

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

09

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

09

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

09

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

09

Downtown

Tawny Chatmon

09

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

09

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

09

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

09

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

09

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

Hedy's Rooftop

Sixth & I

President Lincoln's Cottage