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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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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SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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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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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Downtown

Hedy's Rooftop

Hedy's Rooftop at Hotel Zena

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Warner Theatre

The Warner is host to a variety of televised events, award shows, conferences, film screenings and unique dinners on stage.

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Foggy Bottom

Shear Madness

Shrieks of Laughter, Night After Night at Shear Madness

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U Street

Lincoln Theatre

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

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National Mall

Discovery Theater

Discovery Theater is your source for live performances that celebrate the rich diversity of our region and our world

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Southwest & The Wharf

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Tony Award-winning theater with a focus on the production, presentation, development and study of American voices from classics to world premieres.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Shakespeare Theatre Company

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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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...

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

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

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...

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...

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

03

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 03, 2027

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Apr

03

2025

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

Now - Apr 13, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Cherry Blossom Jamboree

Now - Apr 03, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Maryland

Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards

Now - Apr 03, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Georgetown

Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fake It Until You Make It

Now - May 02, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

Apr 04, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Virginia

Great Sonatas - Mozart, Grieg, Fauré, Prokofiev

Apr 04, 2025

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Apr

04

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 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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Learn More About Partnerships

Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

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

National Postal Museum

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Hedy's Rooftop

Warner Theatre

Shear Madness

Lincoln Theatre

Discovery Theater

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Hamilton Live

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

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ 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

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

03

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

03

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

03

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

03

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

03

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

03

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

03

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

03

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

03

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Cherry Blossom Jamboree

03

Maryland

Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards

04