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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Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

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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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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Dupont Circle

Woodrow Wilson House

Dine intimately in the presidential Dining Room, enjoy cocktails throughout the main museum rooms or relax and unwind in the tranquil period garden.

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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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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital.

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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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Woodley Park

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservat...

Enjoy thousands of exotic animals

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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital.

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Anacostia

The Go-Go Museum & Cafe

The Go-Go Museum & Café’s 16 interactive exhibits, recording studio and concert stages celebrate the past, present and future of go-go

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Capitol Hill

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hill Center aims to broaden the horizons of all who enter by providing high-quality arts, education, and cultural programs to engage more fully in the life of our city.

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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...

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

Aug

16

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Aug 15, 2027

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Aug

16

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Last Chance to Experience Bond In Motion at the International Spy Museum!

Now - Sep 01, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Aug

16

2025

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

Now - Aug 16, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Aug

16

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Now - Aug 30, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

Downtown

Last Seen: Searching for Missing Loved Ones after the Civil War

Now - Aug 16, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Aug

16

2025

The Dinner Detective Washington DC

Now - Sep 20, 2025

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Aug

16

2025

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

Now - Jul 17, 2027

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Aug

17

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Aug

17

2025

Downtown

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Now - Sep 07, 2025

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Aug

17

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

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Aug

17

2025

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Aug 15, 2027

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Aug

17

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Aug

17

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Aug

17

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 15, 2027

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Aug

18

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 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

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.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Children's Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Woodrow Wilson House

Washington National Cathedral

Rubell Museum

Spain-USA Foundation

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservat...

Rubell Museum

The Go-Go Museum & Cafe

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

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

16

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

16

Southwest & The Wharf

Last Chance to Experience Bond In Motion at the International Spy Museum!

16

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

16

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

16

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

16

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

16

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

16

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

16

Downtown

Last Seen: Searching for Missing Loved Ones after the Civil War

16

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

16