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

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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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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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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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U Street

9:30 Club

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

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Columbia Heights

Spain-USA Foundation

Enjoy and discover cultural events and works of internationally renowned Spanish artists in the fields such as design, urban culture, architecture, visual arts, performing arts, literature and music

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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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National Mall

Discovery Theater

Discovery Theater is your source for live performances that celebrate the rich diversity of our region and our world

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Virginia

Signature Theatre

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre is DC's positively swanky (The New York Times) home for contemporary musicals and new plays.

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Shaw

SOST

Sost provides a versatile venue in DC’s historic Shaw neighborhood, rooted in the music, culture, and creativity of the Black and African Diaspora.

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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

Jul

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Duel Reality

Now - Jul 20, 2025

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Jul

20

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jul 20, 2027

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Jul

20

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jul

20

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

Now - Jul 18, 2027

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Jul

20

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jul

20

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

20

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jul

20

2025

Shaw

Historic Alleyways

Now - Jul 20, 2025

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Jul

20

2025

Downtown

The Bigger Cake Exchange: Cake is Art

Now - Jul 20, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Downtown

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Now - Sep 07, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jul

21

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Jul 19, 2027

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Jul

21

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

STC Academy: King John

Now - Jul 26, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Jul 21, 2025 - Jun 08, 2027

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Jul

21

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Ali Wong and Bill Hader Present

Now - Jul 27, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Spy Camp 2025

Jul 21, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Jul 21, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025

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Jul

21

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 19, 2027

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Jul

22

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

STC Academy: The Taming of the Shrew

Now - Jul 26, 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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Partner Content

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

What You Need to Know About Summer Restaurant Week

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

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

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

What You Need to Know About Summer Restaurant Week

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.

ARTECHOUSE

National Children's Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

President Lincoln's Cottage

9:30 Club

Spain-USA Foundation

Washington National Cathedral

Discovery Theater

Signature Theatre

SOST

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

20

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Duel Reality

20

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

20

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

20

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

20

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

20

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

20

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

20

Shaw

Historic Alleyways

20

Downtown

The Bigger Cake Exchange: Cake is Art

21

Downtown

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

21

Penn Quarter & Chinatown