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

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

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

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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Museum of the American Latino

VIEW DETAILS

Georgetown

Old Stone House

The oldest house on its original foundation in Washington, DC.

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

VIEW DETAILS

Ivy City

Throw Social and Kick Axe Throwing

Throwing Libations In A Modern Lodge Setting.

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

Arlington House

Former home of Robert E. Lee. Open daily 9:30 am–4:30 pm

VIEW DETAILS

Foggy Bottom

Shear Madness

Shrieks of Laughter, Night After Night at Shear Madness

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Oct

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Now - Oct 19, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

The Most Unexpected Design Experience in DC

Now - Oct 19, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Oct 19, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

Now - Jan 11, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Dec 28, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Access to SPY: An Evening for Neurodivergent Adults

Now - Oct 19, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

19

2025

Logan Circle

Laugh Riot: Comedy in the Face of Everything

Now - Oct 25, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Oct 19, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

Now - Nov 08, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

Anacostia

Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters

Now - Feb 19, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Oct

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 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

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

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 2026

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the American Latino

Old Stone House

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Museum of African Art

Throw Social and Kick Axe Throwing

National Building Museum

Arlington House

Shear Madness

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

19

Southwest & The Wharf

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

19

The Most Unexpected Design Experience in DC

19

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

19

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

19

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

19

Downtown

Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750

19

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

19

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

19

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

19

Downtown

Free Community Day

19

National Mall

Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

19

National Children's Museum

George Washington's Mount Vernon