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

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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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

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Georgetown

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

Have DC's Favorite Comedy Show at Your Next Event

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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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Upper Northwest

Zenith Gallery

Zenith Gallery, the premiere source of art in WDC, 45 years, hundreds of artists in a wide range of styles & mediums from monumental to small.

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Anacostia

Frederick Douglass National Historic Sit...

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site preserves the last residence of Frederick Douglass (1818 -1895), one of the most prominent African American leaders of the 19th century

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National Mall

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Known as the Castle, the oldest of the 19 Smithsonian museums houses the Smithsonian Visitor Center, which offers volunteers ..

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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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Virginia

Whino

Whino is a 6,500 square foot modern art centric event space.

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National Mall

National Museum of Natural History

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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

The nation’s capital is one of the most diverse—and welcoming—cities...

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...

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...

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Mar

29

2025

Downtown

The Washington Tattoo

Now - Mar 29, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Downtown

Mentalist Brian Curry: The Good Liar

Now - Mar 29, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Downtown

Women's History Month

Now - Mar 31, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Eckington Flea

Now - May 24, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

Now - Apr 13, 2025

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Mar

29

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Mar 27, 2027

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Mar

29

2025

Downtown

Women's History Costume Party

Now - Mar 29, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Downtown

The Alans: Magic and Mentalism

Now - Mar 29, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Mar 30, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

It's a MF Pleasure

Now - Mar 30, 2025

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Mar

30

2025

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

Now - Apr 06, 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

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Learn More About Partnerships

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

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Celebrate WorldPride in Washington, DC: May 17 – June 8

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.

National Postal Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Children's Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

The Magic Duel Comedy Show

9:30 Club

Zenith Gallery

Frederick Douglass National Historic Sit...

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Whino

National Museum of Natural History

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

29

Downtown

The Washington Tattoo

29

Downtown

Mentalist Brian Curry: The Good Liar

29

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

29

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

29

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

29

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

29

Downtown

Women's History Month

29

Eckington Flea

29

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

29

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

29

U Street