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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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community 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

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

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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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

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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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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National Mall

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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

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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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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art: Of the nation and for all the people.

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U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

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Dupont Circle

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Experience the history and splendor of Gilded Age Washington at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the winter home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel

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Upper Northwest

Zenith Gallery

Zenith Gallery, the premiere source of art in WDC, 45 years, hundreds of artists in a wide range of styles & mediums from monumental to small.

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Concert venue located in Columbia, MD, north of Silver Spring

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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...

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

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

Explore modern artworks in this stunningly beautiful free museum on ...

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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...

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Why Washington, DC's performing arts scene is in a class of its own

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Apr

19

2025

Capitol Hill

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Virginia

Lexington and Concord Family Day

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Eckington Flea

Now - May 24, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Breakfast with The Bunny

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

Now - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

Georgetown

History of Black Georgetown

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

19

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 17, 2027

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Apr

19

2025

Maryland

Comedy Shows Near Me - Arundel Mills

Now - Apr 17, 2027

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Apr

20

2025

Mount Vernon Square

The Delegate Presents The Magic Duel

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Downtown

Annie

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

20

2025

Virginia

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Now - Jun 22, 2025

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Apr

20

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

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

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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

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Museum of the American Indian

National Children's Museum

ARTECHOUSE

SOST

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

National Gallery of Art

9:30 Club

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Zenith Gallery

Merriweather Post Pavilion

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

19

Capitol Hill

Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration

19

Logan Circle

Fighting Improv Smackdown Tournament

19

Virginia

Lexington and Concord Family Day

19

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

19

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

19

Eckington Flea

19

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

19

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

19

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Breakfast with The Bunny

19

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

19

Georgetown