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

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

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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

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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H Street NE

Rorschach Theatre

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Dupont Circle

O Museum In The Mansion

With over 100 rooms and 80 secret doors, O Museum in The Mansion is one of the most unique experiences in the world.

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Dupont Circle

The Keegan Theatre

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

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Concert venue located in Columbia, MD, north of Silver Spring

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Mount Vernon Square

Never Looked Better DC

Located in historic Blagden Alley.

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Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

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Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

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Mount Vernon Square

Cloakroom

DC's premier venue features 5,000 sq. ft. of space, a rooftop with panoramic views, a large stage, high-tech sound and lighting and luxe finishes.

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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...

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

Couple walking with child during Capital Pride Parade - LGBTQ Summer Events in Washington, DC

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

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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 ...

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...

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Why Washington, DC's performing arts scene is in a class of its own

Grandfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown Mural by Aniekan Udofia

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Apr

20

2025

Downtown

Annie

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Capitol Hill

The Flea Market at Eastern Market

Now - May 25, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Virginia

Easter Buffet

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Apr 19, 2027

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Apr

21

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Dupont Circle

Easter Tour & Candy

Now - Apr 21, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fake It Until You Make It

Apr 21, 2025 - May 02, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Apr 21, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025

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Apr

21

2025

Petworth

Monday Fun-Day

Apr 21, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025

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Apr

22

2025

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Apr

22

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 2025

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Apr

22

2025

Brookland

BFD Tuesdays

Apr 22, 2025 - May 27, 2025

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Apr

22

2025

Virginia

Sewing Demonstrations: Reconstructing Historic Clothing

Apr 22, 2025 - Jun 04, 2025

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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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Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

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Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

ARTECHOUSE

Rorschach Theatre

O Museum In The Mansion

The Keegan Theatre

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Never Looked Better DC

CareFirst Arena

The Phillips Collection

Cloakroom

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

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

20

Downtown

Annie

20

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

20

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

20

Capitol Hill

The Flea Market at Eastern Market

20

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

20

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

20

Virginia

Easter Buffet

20

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

20

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

21

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

21