Washington DC Arts & Culture

Tap into the city’s creative heartbeat.

Whether you're inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. 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

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...

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 ...

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 ...

The Best City to Visit in 2026

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

@carahedge - Summer day outside The LINE Hotel in Adams Morgan - Unique hotels in Washington, DC

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

These hip and trendy hotels offer unique experiences that blend the ...

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.

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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Virginia

George Washington's Mount Vernon

The iconic riverside estate of George Washington. Open daily, 365 days a year.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Georgetown

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

Tudor Place offers unique and intimate settings perfect for special occasions.

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

National Environmental Museum and Educat...

National Environmental Museum and Education Center

VIEW DETAILS

NoMa & Union Market

Wunder Garten

Outdoor community German inspired beergarden

VIEW DETAILS

Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery gives visitors a chance to meet fascinating Americans from more than 225 years of history in its halls

VIEW DETAILS

Petworth

President Lincoln's Cottage

President Lincoln's Cottage offers a unique, historic, and award-winning experience for locals and travelers alike!

VIEW DETAILS

Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

U.S. Navy Memorial

The United States Navy Memorial

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Hedy's Rooftop

Hedy's Rooftop at Hotel Zena

VIEW DETAILS

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Feb

01

2026

Virginia

In Clay

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Clue

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

Now - Sep 05, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Feb 01, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jan 02, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

Now - Mar 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

Now - May 03, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Downtown

Free Community Day

Now - Jan 02, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Dupont Circle

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection

Now - Feb 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Virginia

Historic Blenheim - Tours & History

Now - Feb 01, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Bob Ross Paint Party

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

National Mall

Mercy in IMAX

Now - Feb 01, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

01

2026

Logan Circle

Joyride with Washington Improv Theater

Now - Feb 22, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

02

2026

Capitol Hill

Julius X

Now - Feb 01, 2028

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

02

2026

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Feb 02, 2026 - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

02

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Now - Mar 15, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

02

2026

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Feb

02

2026

Southwest & The Wharf

Chez Joey

Feb 02, 2026 - Mar 13, 2026

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

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

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

The District Blog

20+ Restaurants with Fires to Cozy Up to

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Why DC is the Best City to Visit in 2026

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Arts & Culture

Tap into the city’s creative heartbeat.

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

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

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2026

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the American Indian

George Washington&#039;s Mount Vernon

National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

Tudor Place Historic House &amp; Garden ...

National Children&#039;s Museum

National Environmental Museum and Educat...

Wunder Garten

Merriweather Post Pavilion

National Portrait Gallery

President Lincoln&#039;s Cottage

CareFirst Arena

U.S. Navy Memorial

Hedy&#039;s Rooftop

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

01

Virginia

In Clay

01

Downtown

Clue

01

National Mall

Mall to Monuments 5k Running Tour

01

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

01

Downtown

Free Community Day

01

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

01

National Mall

The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art

01

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

01

Dupont Circle

peter campus: there somewhere

01

Downtown

Free Community Day

01

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden ...

National Children's Museum

President Lincoln's Cottage

Hedy's Rooftop