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

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

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.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Archives Museum

Home to the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, the National Archives holds more than 15 billion records.

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

The National Theatre

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the historic National is one of America's oldest, continually-operating theaters.

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

VIEW DETAILS

Capitol Hill

National Guard Memorial Museum

The museum takes visitors through 6,000 sq. ft. of artifacts, exhibits and images covering nearly 400 years of National Guard history in vivid detail.

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Board meetings, teleconferencing and broadcast video production by day; and elegant receptions and private screenings by nigh..

VIEW DETAILS

Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

VIEW DETAILS

Brookland

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

Experience the Holy Land in DC! Dedicated in 1898, the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is one of our city's most beautiful destinations.

VIEW DETAILS

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...

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...

The Best City to Visit in 2025

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

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Apr

30

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Now - Jun 22, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fake It Until You Make It

Now - May 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Apr

30

2025

Downtown

Film: War Paint—Women at War

Now - Apr 30, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

01

2025

Dupont Circle

VIP Business to Business Breakfast

May 01, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

01

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

May 01, 2025 - Apr 29, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

May

02

2025

Dupont Circle

The Magic Duel Comedy Show at Pinstripes Georgetown

May 02, 2025 - May 31, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

May 02, 2025 - Apr 24, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

May

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Cinco de Mayo: The Mexican Way

May 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

02

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Enigma Traitors with Dermot Turing

May 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

03

2025

Virginia

Taste of Tysons Corner

May 03, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

03

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Apr 26, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

May

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Experience Egypt: A Celebration of Heritage, Art and Flavor

May 03, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

May

03

2025

Virginia

Revolutionary War Weekend

May 03, 2025 - May 04, 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

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

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Explore the Connected Capital

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

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.

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Anacostia Community Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Children's Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Signature Theatre

National Archives Museum

The National Theatre

Sixth & I

National Guard Memorial Museum

AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

The Phillips Collection

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in...

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 Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

30

Virginia

In the Heights

30

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

30

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

30

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

30

Southwest & The Wharf

Fake It Until You Make It

30

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

30

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

30

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

30

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

30

Downtown

Film: War Paint—Women at War

01