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

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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...

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...

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

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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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

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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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum is America's leading cultural institution devoted to the history and impact of the built environment.

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Upper Northwest

Washington National Cathedral

Standing at one of the city's highest points, this soaring Gothic cathedral extends almost the length of two football fields and pierces the city's skyline.

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Virginia

Airbus IMAX Theater

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H Street NE

Rorschach Theatre

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U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

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Brookland

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

The largest Roman Catholic church in the United States and North America, and is one of the ten largest churches in the world.

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DC Metro Area

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C. is committed to enriching the relationship between Mexico and the United States by sharing Mexico's vibrant cultural past and present with the local community

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

Now - Oct 02, 2027

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Oct

02

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 02, 2027

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Oct

02

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Oct

02

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Oct

02

2025

Theatre Week

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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Oct

02

2025

Downtown

Farragut Fun Days

Now - Oct 16, 2025

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Oct

02

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Oct

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu

Now - Oct 15, 2025

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Oct

02

2025

Dupont Circle

Get Wicked at Phillips after 5

Now - Oct 02, 2025

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Oct

02

2025

H Street NE

Dodi & Diana

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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Oct

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Everything is Wonderful

Now - Oct 05, 2025

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Oct

03

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

"The American Five" at Ford's Theatre

Now - Oct 12, 2025

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Oct

03

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

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

Now - Oct 12, 2025

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Oct

03

2025

Virginia

Strategic Love Play

Now - Nov 09, 2025

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Oct

03

2025

Capitol Hill

Monumental Intent: Architecture of Capitol Hill Walking Tour

Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 02, 2027

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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

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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

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 2025

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of Women in the Arts

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

National Building Museum

Washington National Cathedral

Airbus IMAX Theater

Rorschach Theatre

9:30 Club

Basilica of the National Shrine of the I...

Mexican Cultural Institute

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

02

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

02

National Mall

Tidal Basin 5k Running Tour

02

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

02

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

02

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

02

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

02

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

02

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

02

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

02

Theatre Week

02

Downtown

Farragut Fun Days

02

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

02

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Hispanic Heritage Month - 25th Anniversary Tasting Menu