The AFI European Union Film Showcase is in its 38th year. This year, film selections include festival winners, box office hits, and debut works by new directors, as well as many official Oscar® submissions. Schedule here.
Get fired up for the holiday season with a parade of decorated boats sailing along the Washington Channel. Events begin at 5 pm with ornament decorating, holiday karaoke, s'mores, and more. The parade begins at 7 pm, and concludes with a fireworks display at 8 pm.
This annual event features a live musical performance by military bands, hot latkes and doughnuts, free dreidels and menorah kits, as well as the lighting of a giant menorah to kick off the first night of Chanukah. General admission tickets are free but must be ordered in advance.
Musical group Gerdan plays traditional Ukrainian music, and this performance will highlight the rich tapestry of Ukrainian holiday traditions through music, song and dance.
Visiting a botanical garden in the winter? Of course! The Gotelli Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifer Collection at the National Arboretum is one of the most extensive in the world. Perfect to enjoy with snow on the ground, or to wander through on a crisp winter day.
One of the District’s most popular neighborhoods showcases some of DC’s best musical talent. Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest will feature nearly 100 artists playing an array of genres, including classic rock, funk, go-go, rap, reggae, bluegrass, classical, and pop. Twenty porches, business patios and parks, as well as the closed 18th Street, will become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the region into the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan.
Location: National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20560
Cost: Free
The National Museum of Asian Art surveys ancient times to the present in a stunning exhibit that displays works that beautifully speak to the diversity of Korea’s artistic legacy across the world. Once private treasures are now public, depicting the evolution of innovation, shifts in style, and technology.
Location: 2700 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20566 in the Justice Forum at the REACH.
Cost: Free
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight captures the childhood of eight-year-old Bobo on her family farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence in 1980.
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Cost: Free
Celebrate the grand reopening of the African American Civil War Museum (which is supported by the African American Civil War Memorial) with two days of events. The DC institution will debut its new home (part of the redevelopment of the Grimke School) with a dedication of its new Lincoln statue (depicting the 16th President signing the Emancipation Proclamation), a trail march, a public ribbon-cutting, a happy hour, a Reading of the Names, and more.
Location: various monuments, memorials, and special programming
Cost: Free
Many of the monuments and memorials in the nation’s capital honor service members, shedding light on the immense sacrifices that the U.S. Armed Forces have made to protect this country. Any time of year, but especially on Veterans Day, choose from a collection of monuments, memorials, and special programming to celebrate and honor those who served.
Location: 1500 Block of 19th Street NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
30-plus small businesses with artisanal goods, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts, and unique gift items, plus festive decor, local performers, and beloved holiday treats.
Location: F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
This year's edition of the DowntownDC Holiday Market will occupy the street and sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Now in its 21st year, its bright lights bring Penn Quarter and Chinatown to life, providing a holiday spark to the neighborhood. The spacious, open-air village is free and open to the public, kicking off the season just ahead of Thanksgiving (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and closing just before Christmas.
Location: Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Cost: $6
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights, powered by Pepco, a part of their annual holiday tradition. The event includes live music performances, tasty winter treats, and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. Environmentally friendly LED lights and dozens of glowing animal lanterns transform the Smithsonian's National Zoo into a winter wonderland. Note that timed passes are required. Admission is just $6.
Location: U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Cost: Free
Trade in your dreams of a white Christmas for something even better – a green Christmas. At this year's Season's Greenings exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden, displays will feature not only holiday lights, but thousands of poinsettias, unbelievable plant-based sculptures, a circuit of model trains, and pollinators galore. Tickets are not required. This year's theme? Dinosaurs. The Botanic Garden will stay open late on Dec. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and Jan. 1. It is closed on Dec. 25.
Location: Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free but RSVP required
Join us for one of the largest Chanukah holiday markets in the city! Shop handmade goods from independent artists and food vendors – we’ll have everything from holiday cards to jewelry to baked goods. It’s Etsy IRL! In addition to our vendors, we will also have hot beverages and snacks for sale.
Location: National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Cost: Free
A new exhibit at the National Museum of American History reveals the 80-year history of lowriding culture and community-building through a display of photographs, posters, car club clothing, trophies, a pinstripe tool kit, and much more. The unique, vibrant, and bilingual exhibition dives deep into how the Lowrider tradition has become a source of pride in Mexican American communities and a way of combating discrimination.
Location: The Wharf, 760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Cost: Free
Don a dirndl or lederhosen and make your way to The Wharf for its free annual Oktoberfest celebration. The Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash kicks off the festivities, followed by a stein-hoisting championship and Polka on the Pier, which includes a free polka dance class, live music, and a best-dressed contest.
Location: National Gallery of Art East Building, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Cost: Free
The East Building of the National Gallery of Art hosts another edition of one of the museum’s most popular events. Strike a Pose emphasizes the Gallery’s newest exhibit, Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985, with a delirious celebration of self-expression, fashion, and photography. Wear your favorite outfit inspired by looks from the ‘50s through the ‘80s, step into the photobooth, experiment with photography via on-site artmaking, and take advantage of a rare opportunity to visit the West Building after-hours to check out the exhibit.
Due to high demand, passes to National Gallery Nights are distributed through a free lottery system. Lottery open: Monday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. — Thursday, October 2, 12:00 p.m.
Location: National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Cost: Free
A collection that spans 100 years of Black creativity comes to the National Gallery of Art’s East Building Mezzanine thanks to Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson. The largest group of objects by Black artists to enter the museum’s collection at one time includes 175 works. These range from lyrical abstractions to intricate sculptures to well-known paintings. Featured artists include Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley, Vivian Browne, Mildred Thompson, Alison Saar, and many others.
Location: 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Cost: Free
Union Market District brings back its electric outdoor go-kart racetrack, this time with the backdrop of a full festival weekend of live entertainment, food, and family activities daily. Races are ticketed and 15 minutes each, open to all skill levels (58" or taller), and just as fun to watch. On Oct. 11, electronic duo Louis The Child headlines a block party on 5th Street, presented by Nü Androids. Ticket holders are invited to access F1 Arcade’s sim racing for free, and all are welcome to Songbyrd’s 10th-anniversary block party on Oct. 12.
Location: 1250 New York Ave. NW Washington, DC 20005
Cost: Free
The photography-based work of Tawny Chatmon receives a glorious tribute at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibition will debut pieces from Chatmon’s latest series, which also incorporate audio narrative, embroidery, film, and assemblage. Selections from Chatmon’s acclaimed previous work will also be on display.
Location: The Line DC, 1770 Euclid Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Cost: Free
The 12th Annual Apple Festival brings neighbors and visitors together to celebrate the season with heirloom apple varieties from the Adams Morgan Farmers’ Market and a spirited apple pie-baking contest judged by local food personalities. Guests can sample apples, cheer on the bakers and purchase slices of freshly made pies. Proceeds support the Sitar Arts Center, a local nonprofit that provides arts education to young people.
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd Street and 6th Street
Cost: Free
The community-organized Turkish Festival fills Pennsylvania Avenue with special art and photo exhibits, folk dancers and concerts ranging from Turkish rock to folk. There will also be Turkish coffee and tea demos and a bazaar touting food and artisanal goods.
Location: National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Cost: Free
The National Gallery of Art hosts a monumental tribute to the work of Black artists from around the world. Photography and the Black Arts Movement spans four decades and features roughly 150 pieces by more than 100 artists, including luminaries such as Gordon Parks, Carrie Mae Weems, Frank Stewart, Billy Abernathy, David C. Driskell, Lorna Simpson, and many more.
Location: Capital Jewish Museum 575 3rd St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Cost: $12 Adults, $10 Ages 65+ & Students w/Valid ID, Free Ages 12 & Younger, Free for Members
This landmark exhibition is the first of its kind to explore DC history, Jewish history, and LGBTQ+ history together, drawing from the Museum’s robust LGBTQ+ archive. Immerse yourself in historical and contemporary photography, artifacts, and oral histories. Learn about legal milestones, far-ranging protests, changes in religious spaces, and vibrant cultural life. Saturday, October 4, 2pm – 7pm
Back 2 Business: Student Organization Fair Location: University Student Center, Grand Ballroom 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Cost: Free
Back 2 Business is GWSB’s undergraduate student organization fair that brings together undergraduate clubs and key campus offices to help students explore involvement opportunities, connect with campus resources, and engage with the broader business school community. This event is a great way to meet student leaders, discover organizations aligned with your interests, and start building your GWSB experience! #GWSB
2025 GW Student-Employer Ice Cream Social Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Location: University Student Center, Grand Ballroom 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052 Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Cost: Free
Kick off the fall and enjoy sweet treats with employers! Engage casually with companies looking to recruit GW students from across majors or academic disciplines.
This is a casual event, so come as you are!
Attending employers include KPMG, Teach for America, Dell, JLL, Wolf Trap, Ned's Club, and more to be announced!
Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel Location: Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage Date: September 3, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm Cost: Free
Backed by his band Palmetto Motel, Duane Betts delivers a dynamic live show filled with searing guitar solos, heartfelt storytelling, and a mix of classic influences with fresh energy.
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Zachary Smith & the Mardi Gras Kings bring a passion for delivering unforgettable performances, playing a unique blend of zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans jazz, and funk.
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Explore a wide array of fun and exciting activities and programs from the Library of Congress, sponsors, and exhibitors. Don't miss the Roadmap to Reading or the scheduled presentations, readings, and demonstrations in the Library of Congress Pavilion, the STEM District, and the Story District. Learn more on the Family-Friendly Activities webpage.,
Need a boost before classes? Join the Office of Advocacy and Support for Coffee, Canvas, and Community on Monday, September 8, Monday, October 20, and Monday, November 17 from 11-2 pm.
Join your community for painting with a relaxing cup of tea or an energizing coffee beverage. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Don't worry, no painting supplies or skills required. Come to make friends, relax, paint, or just chill! We hope to see you there!
Women in Sports Location: District Wharf 760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC Date: September 6, 2025 Time: 12:00n - 8:00pm Cost: Free
A Day of Women in Sports at The Wharf is back for its second annual celebration on Saturday, September 6, 2025—and this year, we’re bringing even more inspiration, excitement, and impact to the waterfront. Featuring Legends & Legacy and Tennis of Tomorrow.
Join us in celebrating the fourth birthday of Qing Bao, our female giant panda, on Friday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m.! This marks Qing Bao's first birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Highlights:
Panda keepers will present Qing Bao with a "beary" special birthday treat - a custom fruit-based ice cake made by the Zoo’s commissary team.
Can’t make it to the panda exhibit? Tune into the Giant Panda Cam to catch the celebration live.
Admission is free for all visitors.
Art All Night 2025 Date: September 12 & 13, 2025 Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Cost: Free
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is excited to participate in this year’s 2025 Art All Night, with The Block Party @ MLK on Saturday, Sept. 13. For the fifth year, the library is bringing you an amazing experience featuring Go-Go music, jazz, art, comedy, a silent disco so much more! The Block Party @ MLK invites you to enjoy all that the library and D.C. have to offer! (Stay tuned for more details)
Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band embodies the heart and soul of modern Togo, bringing a psychedelic and infectious dance floor groove.
Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Hyattsville Arts Festival Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 Location: 4314 Farragut Street Hyattsville, MD Cost: Free
Experience a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and craft brews at the Hyattsville Arts Festival! This lively, family-friendly event unites the local community and visitors alike, featuring over 100 talented artists, unique vendors, top craft brewers, and food trucks from across the DMV area. Enjoy live music all day from some of the region’s best musical acts! Best of all—it’s FREE! Don’t miss this unforgettable day of creativity, culture, and connection!
Tour - Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom Highlights Tour Date: Monday, September 22, 2025 Location: African American History and Culture Museum 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560 Time: 12:45 pm & 2:45 pm Cost: Free, walk-in
This tour program meets in the Defending Freedom, The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibit, located on C2.
Converse with a docent. Learn how African Americans flourished in their own communities during the Era of Segregation 1876-1968 despite the turmoil around them. Under a time of intense pressure to take away their rights as citizens, African Americans not only survived the challenges set before them but crafted an important role for themselves in the nation.
Tour - Arts of Japan Date: September 30, 2025 Time: 2:15 - 3:15 Location: Freer Gallery of Art 1050 Independence Ave., Washington, D.C. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only)
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.
A concept popularized by Sigmund Freud in 1919, the uncanny describes the psychological experience of something that is strangely familiar, yet alien, eliciting a sense of anxiety. In historical representations, women’s bodies were often associated with strangeness and horror, or positioned as passive or uncanny objects when viewed through a male gaze. This exhibition uncovers women’s authorship of uncanny narratives, revealing how the concept is used by women artists to regain agency and probe feelings of revulsion, fear, and discomfort.
The Jogo Project blends electrifying Go-Go grooves with jazz vibes, fusing congas, horns, and soul into a high-energy sound. Both bold and funky, their music will have you dancing the night away!
Before making A Complete Unknown, the Oscar-nominated biopic about Bob Dylan, James Mangold notched this riveting tale that chronicles the rise of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and his lifelong love story with singer June Carter (Reese Witherspoon, in an Oscar-winning role).
Have a paw-some time with the cats at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute! Visitors can prowl to the Great Cats exhibit and celebrate the cats living at the Zoo. Get the inside scoop from animal care staffers about how the Zoo's species of cats spend their daily lives, and learn about conservation programs that are working to save cats in the wild.
Dive beneath the surface to explore how the octopus masters physical and mental strengths to outwit and escape its underwater rivals as it navigates our planet's oceans.
Learn how African Americans flourished in their own communities during the Era of Segregation 1876-1968 despite the turmoil around them. Under a time of intense pressure to take away their rights as citizens, African Americans not only survived the challenges set before them but crafted an important role for themselves in the nation.
We're easing into the weekend with Friday night beats. Catch a free music performance by Alisha Glover in the Grove.
Discuji Dates: Sat, Aug 16, 6PM Location: Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage Cost: Free
Internationally renowned DJ Discuji brings a subtle blend of deep house music and dubby rare groove. Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.
Kaimana Chee Dates: Sat, Aug 23, Multiple Times Location: National Mall Cost: Free
Join us for Dance Sanctuaries, a free movement-based classes in the REACH. Dancers are invited for three one-hour structured classes & an optional Open House Hour. Instructors and class schedules will be announced at a later date. Free Tickets available beginning August 11.
D.C. native and saxophonist Herb Scott is a star on the Washington, D.C. Jazz scene with his jazz/rap fusion style. Tickets available beginning August 13.
Dates: July 2-7 Location: National Mall Cost: Free
One of the premier events of summer in DC is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which this year has as its theme "Youth and the Future of Culture." Check out the Festival schedule online and plan to take in some of the many performances, demonstrations, lectures and activities presented this year, by participants from across the fifty states.
Independence Day Celebrations
Date: Friday, July 4 Location: Around the DMV Cost: Free
Date: Friday, July 11, 6 pm Location: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Cost: Free
Catch participants in the National Symphony's Summer Music Institute in this chamber music program which features the music of Bax, Montgomery, Ligeti, and Schubert. This is the first in a series of five concerts associated with the Summer Music Institute, which trains musicians at high school and college levels.
Date: Sunday, July 13 1:30-2:30 pm Location: National Portrait Gallery Cost: Free registration
Join artist LJ Roberts, creator of the light-box portrait, “Stormé at Stonewall,” which depicts Stormé DeLarverie, said to have thrown the first brick at Stonewall. Roberts created the portrait to highlight DeLarverie's absence from mainstream narratives about the Stonewall rebellion. Charlotte Ickes, a curator from the National Portrait Gallery, joins the artist.
Date: Friday, July 18, 5:30-7:30 pm Location: 7175 12th St NW Cost:Free tickets required
Bring your friends and learn new line dances from instructor Orlando, and do some of your old faves, like the Electric Slide and Macarena! Drinks available for purchase.
Date: Saturday, July 19, 10am-3pm Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE Cost:Free tickets available
"The Riggs Park Art Crawl is a free, family-friendly annual event that celebrates local art, culture, and small business." The event includes live music performances, vendors, and activities for children.
Date: Friday, July 25, 6-8 pm Location: The Modern at Art Place, 400 Galloway St NE Cost:Free registration
Enjoy music outdoors at this weekly concert series which this week features the Rock Creek Kings. Bring your own chair, food and drink available for purchase. Check out other events in the Friday night series that runs June 6th to September 5th.
Dates: Through July 27 Location: Kennedy Center Hall of Nations Cost: Free
Explore Catalyst, a national juried exhibition of work by artists with disabilities, ages 16-25. This year's exhibition explores how individual artists' work interacts with their disability identity.
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025; 7-10 pm Location: District & Transit Pier, 101 District Square SW Cost: Free
As part of DC’s hosting 2025 WorldPride, there will be an inaugural Boat Parade down Washington Channel! Approximately 30 decorated boats will begin their sail at 7 pm, followed by a fireworks display at 10 pm.
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025; 2 pm step off Location: 14th & T Streets, NW Cost: Free
Washington, DC, is this year’s host for WorldPride! This parade will pay homage to the history and evolution of the LGBTQ+ community and neighborhoods of our capital city. Don’t miss the free post-parade concert on Saturday with headliner Cynthia Erivo, as well as a closing concert on Sunday June 8 with headliner Doechii, on 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW. Check the main website for more WorldPride events.
Date: June 7 - October 5, 2025 Location: National Gallery of Art, East Building, Gallery 214 Cost: Free
Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson have long supported the work of Black artists. This exhibition will celebrate the recent promised gifts from the Thompsons to the National Gallery, constituting the largest group of objects by Black artists to enter the collection at one time. Paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints will be organized around themes which include music, portraiture, civil rights, and landscape.
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025; 7:30 pm Location: 970 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 Cost: Free
Check out a free movie in the great outdoors! Tonight, Happy Gilmore will be screened. Limited seating is available starting at 7 pm, or you can bring a blanket or folding chairs. All ages. Dogs must be leashed. Outside food and drink not allowed, but will be for sale throughout the screening.
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025; 3-10 pm Location: Throughout Georgetown; Villa Albertine Cost: Free
Two Georgetown organizations partner with the Embassy of France to host the second annual Fête de la Musique. Over 40 musical acts will perform outside in dozens of locations throughout Georgetown (between 3-7 pm) and at Villa Albertine.
Check out this amazing annual event sponsored by the Dupont Kalorama Museum Consortium! Admission to all seven museums in the consortium is free, and will feature special programming. All museums are within easy walking distance of the Dupont Circle Metro on the Red line.
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025; 9 am-3 pm Location: North Carolina Avenue SE, East Capitol Street, and Massachusetts Avenue SE from 6th Street SE to 17th Street SE Cost: Free
For the first time ever, Open Streets comes to Capitol Hill. One mile of neighborhood streets will be closed to vehicles, leaving room for people to walk, run, bike and play. Check the website two weeks before the date to explore programming planned for all ages.
Date: Friday evenings through July 11 Location: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (on the National Mall, between National Gallery of Art and National Museum of American History) Cost: Free, registration required
Final Lap - Petting Zoo Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025; 10:30 am – 1pm Location: G Street Park Cost: Free
Need a study break? Come hang with some furry (and fluffy) friends! Join us for the Final Lap Petting Zoo, hosted in partnership with Squeals on Wheels. Whether you’re cramming for finals or just need a little serotonin boost, we’ve got the cutest crew of animals ready for cuddles, pets, and stress relief. Recharge, reconnect, and pet your way to a calmer mind. You’ve earned it!
Queer Prom: A Queer Night in Oz Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025; 7pm – 10pm Location: Grand Ballroom, USC 3rd Floor, 800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
One short day, in the Emerald City for.... MSSC's Queer Prom: A Queer Night in Oz. Dress to impress in your best emerald green or gold as we dance the night away. All are welcome to attend as we celebrate the beauty and resilience of the community.
Join us for SPACE // TIME, a Corcoran School of the Arts & Design thesis presentation showcasing two distinct works by Ana Arledge and Madison Domanski, each offering a unique approach to movement, pedagogy, and choreographic exploration.
Museum Studies: Marie C. Malaro Symposium Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025; 5pm – 8pm Location: Flagg Building, Corcoran School for the Arts and Design, George Washington University. Please use the New York Avenue Door. 500 17th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
The Marie C. Malaro Symposium honors Professor Emerita Marie Malaro, former director of the Museum Studies Program and co-author of A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections, the leading text on museum law and ethics. A champion of professional standards and critical inquiry, the symposium continues her legacy by exploring new ideas and perspectives in museum studies through student and professional dialogue.
This one has it all!!!! GW Uber Combo starts it all at 6 pm, followed by the Latin Combo. Then the vocal stylings of BLACK & GOLD, and finishing the evening, GW's Hip Hop Ensemble. You won't want to miss a beat!
First Friday Art Wellness Date: Friday, May 2, 2025; 12pm – 1pm Location: Military Community Center, 2035 F St NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
Join GW Vets and the GW Art Therapy Clinic on the first Friday of every month from 12-1 pm this spring semester for a relaxing and creative art therapy session! Open to all skill levels, these sessions are designed to foster self-expression, stress relief, and community building. Supplies will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary.
LADY'JORDAN MATTHEWS-MASON - A Corcoran Theatre & Dance Capstone Date: Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3, 2025; 7pm – 8:30pm Location: Flagg Building, Corcoran School for the Arts and Design, George Washington University. Please use the New York Avenue Door. 500 17th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
Spotlight on Lady'Jordan Matthews-Mason in the Hemicycle Gallery, featuring selections from Anna Deavere Smith's Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, as the NEXT Festival continues
The NEXT Festival continues with Max Cohen's senior capstone Groan Didion, making fun of a stuck character with the chorus “You’re a theme park kid on a leash!”- all outside on GW's Square 80!
Flower Mart Date: Friday & Saturday, May 2 & 3, 2025; 10am – 5pm Location: Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 Cost: Free
All Hallows Guild has hosted Flower Mart since 1939, and this will be our 86th festival! Flower Mart covers the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. Flower Mart is our largest annual fundraiser for the Cathedral's gardens and grounds.
Wrap up the spring season with a groovy prom! Bring your best '70s-inspired outfit and boogie to the sounds of DJ Farrah Flosscett. Plus, explore art from the decade in our galleries.
Mary Lou Williams became one of the most influential pianists and composers in jazz history, whose work encompassed all eras and styles of jazz. Poet Fabu Phillis Carter and pianist Jane Reynolds share her story, from child prodigy to the “first lady of jazz.”
Fiesta Asia! Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd & 6th Streets NW Cost: Free
Embrace Asian Heritage Month with a day jam-packed with culture, from the performing arts to culinary delights.
A Tale of Two Houses Date: Through May 19, 2025; Tues-Sat 10 am-5pm Location: The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the museum at GW, this exhibition explores the histories of two D.C. residences central to its story. In Foggy Bottom, the Woodhull House was home to notable figures in university and national history before its renovation as a museum space. In the Kalorama neighborhood, founder George Hewitt Myers recruited architect John Russell Pope to design his residence, which, together with the adjoining building, housed The Textile Museum for nearly 90 years.
This concert takes the audience on an emotional ride through love, ambition, heartbreak, and resilience. Each song represents a different facet of the human experience—whether it’s the excitement of new love, the pain of loss, or the triumph of self-discovery.
The Kennedy Center is proud to be a managing partner of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and presents The Duke Ellington Instrumental Music Department Honors Senior Recitals!
A Tale of Two Houses Date: March 28 – April 9, 2025 Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Location: The George Washington Museum and the Textile Museum 701 21st St. NW, Washington, DC 20052 Cost: Free
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the museum at GW, this exhibition explores the histories of two D.C. residences central to its story. In Foggy Bottom, the Woodhull House was home to notable figures in university and national history before its renovation as a museum space. In the Kalorama neighborhood, founder George Hewitt Myers recruited architect John Russell Pope to design his residence, which, together with the adjoining building, housed The Textile Museum for nearly 90 years.
This exhibition is organized by the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies with support from the Albert and Shirley Small Family Foundation.
Washington Performing Arts Men and Women of the Gospel Choir (MWOTG) celebrates the heritage of gospel music and its related genres with vibrant, dynamic performances in venues across the nation’s capital for over 30 years.
Revolution in '70s Documentary Photography Date: Daily, Now - April 6, 2025 Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Location: National Gallery of Art, 4th & Constitution Ave., NW West Building, Ground Floor - Gallery G29 Cost: Free
Visit the National Gallery of Art to see how documentary photography transformed during the 1970s. The 1970s was a decade of uncertainty in the United States. Americans witnessed soaring inflation, energy crises, and the Watergate scandal, as well as protests about pressing issues such as the Vietnam War, women’s rights, gay liberation, and the environment.
Featuring some 100 works by more than 80 artists, The ʼ70s Lens examines how photographers reinvented documentary practice during this radical shift in American life.
Rockville International Night Date: April 11, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm Location: The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, MD 20850 Cost: Free
Rockville is a city of diversity. Our residents come from around the world. International Night is a free event that showcases the many cultures represented in our community through dance, poetry, song, and other forms of artistic expression. It encourages attendees to engage with and learn about the unique customs and beauty within our diverse world.
Vietnamese American Heritage Night Date: April 18, 2025 (On Sale Fri. Apr. 4, 2025, 10:00 am) Time: 6:00 pm Location: Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream) Skylight Pavilion Cost: Free (Ticket limit 4)
This special gathering will bring together Vietnamese American youth, artists, cultural leaders, and community members from across the country to celebrate our heritage and explore the evolving nature of our identity.
Sponsor: Anacostia Community Museum Venue: Anacostia Community Museum
Step away from the screens and reconnect with nature at our Earth Day Celebration: A Day Unplugged! Join us for a fun-filled, educational day celebrating the beauty of our planet with hands-on activities for all ages.
Jazz Film Festival Date: April 19, 2025 Time: 11:30 am - 5:00 pm EDT Location: National Museum of American History 1300 Constitution Ave NW Coulter Plaza, 1 West Washington, DC 20013 Cost: Free
Attend the daytime Jazz Film Festival featuring films that explore jazz and shed light on the vibrant history of this musical style!
Creation Care Fair Date: April 27, 2025 Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Grace Capital City 2201 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 Cost: Free
Attend the Creation Care Fair for a fun and educational day focused on sustainable living and protecting the planet.
Cost: Free (Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.)
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play an assortment of chamber music.
Cost: Free (Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.)
Ranky Tanky has achieved many firsts for South Carolina’s West African–rooted Gullah community since their formation, earning yet another milestone at the 2019 Grammy Awards by taking home the Best Regional Roots Album prize for their sophomore release, Good Time.
Date: Sometime mid-March – mid-April. Use the link to check the peak bloom forecast!
Location: DC Tidal Basin
Cost: Free
From Himmelfarb Library, it’s a 1.5-mile, 34-minute walk to the Tidal Basin, where you can find cherry blossoms and many social media-worthy photo ops. Go early in the morning for quiet and fewer people, but regardless, don’t miss this beautiful time of the year in DC!
Location: The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, 701 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
Cost: Free
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the museum at GW, this exhibition explores the histories of two D.C. residences central to its story. In Foggy Bottom, the Woodhull House was home to notable figures in university and national history before its renovation as a museum space. In the Kalorama neighborhood, founder George Hewitt Myers recruited architect John Russell Pope to design his residence, which, together with the adjoining building, housed The Textile Museum for nearly 90 years.
Location: African American History and Culture Museum, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
Cost: Free
Celebrates the legacy of renowned educator and reformer Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955) and other Black women social change agents: art activations inspired by flowers associated with Mary McLeod Bethune and Sybrina Fulton and writings of poets and playwrights (Explore More! Gallery on L2); cabaret performance by Roz White and Duke Ellington School of the Arts students presentation of Spoken Word pieces inspired by great women (Heritage Hall); and, Sweet Potato Pie available for purchase, inspired by the pies that Mrs. Bethune made and sold to raise funds for her school for Black girls, now Bethune-Cookman University in Florida (Sweet Home Cafe).
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Cost: $15 Registration Fee - Participants must register by 7 p.m. ET on March 13.
Local maker Miri Artyukhina of Capital Stitch Co comes to SAAM to lead an embroidery workshop inspired by DC’s favorite flowers, cherry blossoms. Participants will learn embroidery basics and all skills required to create a festive spring artwork.
Cost: Free (Online advance reservations for a given performance date will open on a rolling basis, opening every Wednesday two weeks out from the date.)
Join us for an unforgettable evening as ALMO & Júlio Resende bring their unique fusion of jazz, improvisation, and Portuguese soul to life.
Location: DC Wharf, 760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Cost: Free
Visit The Wharf for Bloomaroo®, a free spring extravaganza featuring an evening of cherry blossom-themed art, music, fireworks, and family-friendly fun along the waterfront. Enjoy fireworks and three stages, each with its own lineup of live music.
