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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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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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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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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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National Mall

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Located between 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Pl., SW (formerly 15th St

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National Mall

Discovery Theater

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National Mall

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

The oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States

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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.

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Ivy City

Throw Social and Kick Axe Throwing

Throwing Libations In A Modern Lodge Setting.

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National Mall

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Law Enforcement Museum

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

The Lincoln Theatre, built in 1922, was a cultural center of D

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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

21

2025

Downtown

International Yoga Day

Now - Jun 21, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jun 21, 2027

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Jun

21

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Downtown

Day of Art and Community

Now - Jun 21, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

National Mall

Modern Art at the National Gallery with expert art historian

Now - Jun 21, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Downtown

Original Emancipation Proclamation & General Order No. 3 On Display

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jun

21

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Now - Aug 30, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Downtown

Tour: Celebrating Pride

Now - Jun 21, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Maryland

Arts & Social Justice Fellowship Showcase

Now - Jun 21, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Virginia

George Washington Whiskey Tasting

Now - Jun 28, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Jun

21

2025

Logan Circle

Fun & Games

Now - Jul 26, 2025

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Jun

21

2025

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

Now - Jun 19, 2027

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Jun

22

2025

Capitol Hill

Twelfth Night

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

22

2025

Downtown

Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Jun

22

2025

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Now - Jun 22, 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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Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

Learning on Location

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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

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

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 Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Discovery Theater

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

National Guard Memorial Museum

Throw Social and Kick Axe Throwing

National Museum of African Art

National Law Enforcement Museum

Lincoln 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

21

Downtown

International Yoga Day

21

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

21

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

21

Downtown

Day of Art and Community

21

National Mall

Modern Art at the National Gallery with expert art historian

21

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

21

Downtown

Original Emancipation Proclamation & General Order No. 3 On Display

21

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

21

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

21

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

21