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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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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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at National Children's 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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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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Downtown

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Permanent collection and exhibitions of American crafts. This gem of a museum, located in a historic building near the White House, is dedicated to exhibiting the finest American crafts from the 19th century to the present

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National Mall

Discovery Theater

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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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Virginia

National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

Find Inspiration at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

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Embassy Row

Theatre Washington

Experience Theatre in Washington, DC

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National Mall

National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

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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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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...

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

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...

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

Jun

14

2025

Virginia

250th Celebration of Washington Taking Command

Now - Jun 14, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jun

14

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Now - Aug 30, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

Virginia

George Washington Whiskey Tasting

Now - Jun 28, 2025

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Jun

14

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Jun

14

2025

Logan Circle

Fun & Games

Now - Jul 26, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Dupont Circle

FALSETTOS

Now - Jun 15, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jun

15

2025

Capitol Hill

Twelfth Night

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Frankenstein

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

Now - Jul 13, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Now - Jun 13, 2027

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Jun

15

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jun

15

2025

Downtown

Free Community Day and Makers' Market

Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 13, 2027

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Jun

16

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Now - Jul 18, 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

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Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Washington Nationals Baseball: 20th Anniversary Season

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

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

Washington Nationals Baseball: 20th Anniversary Season

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.

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Children's Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

National Postal Museum

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Discovery Theater

SOST

National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

Theatre Washington

National Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Signature Theatre

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

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

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

14

Virginia

250th Celebration of Washington Taking Command

14

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

14

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

14

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

14

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

14

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

14

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

14

Virginia

George Washington Whiskey Tasting

14

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

14

Logan Circle

Fun & Games

15

Dupont Circle