The nation's capital is filled with exciting experiences this spring.
Make the most of springtime in the nation's capital. The city comes to life with an array of can't-miss events (including the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival), exhibits, festivals and shows over the next several months, with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities that are sure to liven up your calendar. After you’ve read through this list, make sure to check out our things to do for the week, weekend and month, as well as more than 100 free activities to enjoy in DC.
One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection – Through June 27
The Hirshhorn has been collecting the prolific work of Yayoi Kusama since 1996. The museum’s 2017 survey of her work traveled to five North American art museums, introducing Kusama’s spellbinding visions to record audiences. Now, the Hirshhorn displays five of Kusama’s works from the museum’s permanent collection, including two of the artist’s transcendent Infinity Mirror Rooms. The installation is a tribute to the life and practice of the visionary artist.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
This Is Britain: Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s – Jan. 29 – June 11, 2023
Britain experienced profound changes in the 1970s and 1980s, racked by deindustrialization, urban uprisings, the policies of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Photography became a central form of creative expression during this period. The new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art brings together the work of a generation of essential photographers including Vanley Burke, Pogus Caesar, Anna Fox, Paul Graham, Sunil Gupta, Chris Killip, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Martin Parr.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
The High Ground – Feb. 10 – April 2
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre serves as the backdrop for a riveting new play at Arena Stage. The High Ground focuses on a Black soldier who stands his ground atop Tulsa’s Standpipe Hill, witnessing the Earth-shattering destruction below. Both enemies and friends try to remove him, but the soldier stands strong, leading to a powerful story of resistance and recovery from trauma.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women (Part II) – Feb. 10 – Sept. 10
The second of the two-part installation at the National Portrait Gallery features likenesses of women who have made an impact through the arts, activism, literature and politics. The masterful work of photographer Brian Lanker showcases figures such as Althea Gibson, Odetta, Cicely Tyson and Oprah Winfrey.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Philip Guston Now – March 2 – Aug. 27
The 50-year career of an iconic American artist serves as the subject of a highly anticipated exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. More than 150 paintings and drawings will be on display, telling Guston’s fascinating story as he moved through abstract expressionism, muralism and figuration. The artist’s own personal confessions and political beliefs, as showcased in his work, are also at the center of this major exhibition.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
The Mortification of Fovea Munson – March 4-19
Mary Winn Heider brings her acclaimed book to musical life in this world premiere Kennedy Center commission. Fovea Munson works at her parents’ cadaver lab, but she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein’s famous bumbling assistant, Igor … until three disembodies heads start talking to her out loud, in desperate need of a favor. Family-friendly action ensues.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Pacific Overtures – March 7 – April 9
Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. takes on one of Stephen Sondheim’s most ambitious productions. Pacific Overtures is set in 1853, when an American expedition comes to Japan aiming to open up the “floating kingdom” to trade. From there, the narrative touches on an array of characters, all dealing with the new Western influence.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up – March 9
The Kennedy Center honors Women’s History Month with this stand-up comedy event that is quickly becoming a tradition at DC’s beloved performance venue. This year, RIOT! will showcase Janelle James (from Abbott Elementary), Ali Kolbert, Sam Jay and Atsuko Okatsuka, making for an evening filled with uproarious laughter courtesy of four of the most talented women in comedy.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
BGR!FEST – March 9-11
Curated by CEO and founder Beverly Bond, BGR!FEST takes over the Kennedy Center across three days this March. BGR!FEST is an extension of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! brand, providing a platform to showcase the talents, vision and innovation of women of color. The festival kicks off with an opening night party on March 9 followed by Who Rocks Next? on March 10 and Black Men Rock on March 11.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies - March 11 - June 11
ARTECHOUSE invites you to step into a virtual world of cherry blossoms and discover the ephemeral beauty of butterflies and the thrilling exuberance of nature. A kaleidoscope of butterflies is awoken from their winter slumber and pixels burst into full bloom, all in celebration of the coming of spring. Leveraging custom technologies, ARTECHOUSE Studio reimagines the potential of nature, both digital and organic in design, expanding on the world of PIXELBLOOM to create a one-of-a-kind family-friendly journey. Use our special ticket link for 10% off!
More Information | Tickets (10% off)
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Blue – March 11-25
Postponed from the 2020-21 season, Blue will now roar to life inside the Kennedy Center thanks to the Washington National Opera. Named the Best New Opera of 2020 by The Music Critics Association of North America, NAACP Theatre Award–winning librettist Tazewell Thompson’s creation was inspired by contemporary events and Black literature, including Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time. Music by Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori takes you through a family and community’s struggle with police violence.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Jagged Little Pill – March 14-26
A fearless and rapturous musical based on Alanis Morissette’s chart-topping music is coming to the National Theatre this spring. With a Tony-winning script by Diablo Cody and a Grammy-winning score, the electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family will bring you to your feet through powerful songs. Purchasing tickets? Use code POCKET to unlock exclusive savings on select seats at select performances.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Shout, Sister, Shout! – March 15 – May 13
Ford’s Theatre welcomes a new musical based on Gayle F. Wald’s inspiring book. Immerse yourself in the music scene of the 1930s and ‘40s as you follow the story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a musical legend who paved the way for Black rock, R&B and gospel singers and guitarists with her ambition and courage. Tharpe was also a pioneer in that she unabashedly joined protests for racial and sexual equality. Don’t miss a riveting production of this under-told story. Use code "SSSDDC" for a 20% discount. Offer excludes Dress Circle seating, and has a limit of four (4) tickets per order.
Tickets
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Harlem Globetrotters – March 18
Your favorite Globetrotter stars will show off their amazing basketball skills, roof-raising athleticism and make the entire family laugh the whole time as their new world tour visits Capital One Arena in downtown DC. Watch as the men and women of the legendary Globetrotters go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the team that never loses.
1 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Pour, Tear, Crave – March 18 – May 14
The Phillips Collection’s latest exhibit asks the following: “What types of materials and techniques do artists use, and how do these decisions shape the subject, composition, and style of a work and its meaning?” You can find out when you explore Pour, Tear, Crave, which will present 65 works from the permanent collection, including pieces by Georges Braque, Joan Mitchell, Leo Villareal, Sanford Biggers, Simone Leigh and many others.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
National Cherry Blossom Festival – March 18 – April 16
DC celebrates the blooming of cherry trees with a month-long festival that commemorates the 1912 gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city. Peak bloom usually takes place in early April. Check out popular festival events in the lead-up to the celebration, in addition to our guide to the celebration, how to get the most popular blossom spots and the best places to snap photos.
Update: the National Park Service forecasted peak bloom for this year's blossoms between March 22-25. The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but the blossoms can last for up to two weeks under ideal conditions.
RiverRun at the Kennedy Center – March 22 – April 22
Spanning World Water Day (March 22) to Earth Day (April 22), hundreds of extraordinary talents from around the world—musicians, actors, dancers, authors, filmmakers, chefs and visual artists—will converge at the Kennedy Center for RiverRun. Expect world-class performances from artists inspired by our world’s waterways, immersive exhibitions and interactive workshops. RiverRun will carve an artistic path through the stages, grand halls and terraces of the Kennedy Center as well as the studios and green spaces of the REACH—which links the Center to its own river, the Potomac.
More Information
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches – March 24 – April 23
One of the great American plays comes to Arena Stage. Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning drama, which has also been adapted into an acclaimed HBO miniseries, will be staged in the round by Hungarian director and filmmaker János Szász. The story concerns two couples struggling to stay together and the trials and tribulations each character faces. Harper and Joe deal with the former’s fears and the latter’s closeted homosexuality; Louis and Prior have to face Prior’s devastating AIDS diagnosis.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures – Opens March 24
The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s latest exhibit will explore the concept of Afrofuturism, including its origins, ideas and creations. The voices of authors, artists, musicians and scholars will all be reflected in the interactive exhibit that examines Afrofuturism’s growing global influence and dynamic impact on pop culture. Expect multimedia displays and hundreds of images and videos in the 4,300-square-foot experience.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission | Timed Passes
National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Sounds of the DMV: Hip Hop Showcase – March 25
The DMV’s vibrant hip-hop scene takes center stage at the Kennedy Center’s Studio K on March 25. Two evening performances will highlight dynamic and diverse artists from all over DC and the surrounding area.
7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. | Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – March 27
As part of their first North American tour since September of 2016, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band will visit Capital One Arena for one of the most anticipated shows of the season. Springsteen continues to churn out chart-topping albums, including 2020’s Letter to You, and his E Street Band remains one of the most energetic outfits in the world. Get your tickets ASAP.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Jungle – March 28 – April 16
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Shakespeare Theatre Company co-present an immersive experience at Sidney Harman Hall. The Jungle focuses on a camp of stateless citizens from Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan and a host of other countries situated outside of Calais, France. As the group dreams of crossing the English Channel to begin a new life, stories of loss, fear and hope are shared in an unforgettable tale of what people are capable of when they come together.
Tickets
Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Bloomaroo
Bloomaroo® – April 1
Visit The Wharf for Bloomaroo®, a free spring extravaganza featuring a full day of cherry-blossom themed art, music, fireworks and family-friendly fun along the waterfront. Enjoy beer gardens on District Pier, s’mores and live music, including headliner The Royals. You can also check out more than 80 shops and restaurants along The Wharf.
2-9 p.m. | Free Admission
The Wharf, 760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
My Fair Lady – April 6-9
Lerner and Loewe’s timeless classic receives a lovingly rendered new production from Lincoln Center Theater. Director Bartlett Sher helms this rousing revival that will remind you of how inspiring musical theater can be. Enjoy performances of unforgettable songs like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “On the Street Where You Live” as you experience the iconic story of Eliza Doolittle.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Les Misérables – April 11-29
Back in 1986, the Kennedy Center hosted the pre-Broadway run of what has become one of the most popular musicals of all time. And in the spring of 2023, Les Mis comes home. Seen by more than 130 million people worldwide, this brilliant new interpretation of the classic production tells an epic story of love, passion, redemption and survival set in 19th-century France.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Disney’s Aladdin – April 19-30
The hit Broadway musical, adapted from the classic Disney film, comes to the historic National Theatre in DC. One lamp and three wishes launch an outstanding production filled with beloved songs, gut-busting comedy, gorgeous set design and magical carpet rides. Bring the entire family to this majestic show.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Filmfest DC – April 20-30
The largest and longest-running annual international film festival in Washington, DC, Filmfest DC returns with another varied lineup featuring quite the genre exercise: comedies, dramas, thrillers, shorts and documentaries will all be on display.
More Info & Tickets
M83 – April 22
Since emerging from obscurity with his emotional, synth-laden take on dream pop in the mid-2000s, M83 (the moniker of producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Gonzalez) has become a worldwide sensation. Whether you have danced to “Midnight City” or not, M83’s influence can be felt throughout pop music. The highly anticipated Fantasy, M83’s ninth studio album, drops on March 17, so mark your calendar for Gonzalez’s full-band show at The Anthem on April 22.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Passing Strange – April 25 – June 18
A Tony Award-winning travelogue filled with uplifting music and meditations on acceptance, identity and love, Passing Strange can’t be missed at Signature Theatre this April. The story concerns a young man who discovers his musical calling and sets off for Europe, leaving behind his mother and suburban comfort in the process. In his rebellion filled with sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, he yearns for something in life that he thinks can only be found in art. Expect to hear blues, punk, gospel, jazz and rock that will make your heart sing.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
1898: U.S. Imperial Visions and Revisions – April 28 – Feb. 25, 2024
On the 125th anniversary of the Spanish-American-Cuban-Philippine War, the National Portrait Gallery will open the first exhibition to examine this pivotal period through the lens of portraiture and visual culture. In 1898, the U.S. became an empire, conquering overseas territories and dramatically altering (or destroying) cultures in the process. Portraits of U.S. expansionists sit beside portraits of gallant rebels who fought U.S. imperialism, allowing for multifaceted viewpoints. More than 90 artworks from collections in Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, Spain and the United States constitute the fascinating exhibit that revisits the consequences of the Spanish-American War (1898), the Congressional Joint Resolution to annex Hawai‘i (July 1898) and the Philippine-American War (1899–1913).
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Project GLOW – April 29-30
Festival goers can enjoy a transformation of one of the city’s most prominent recreational hubs, with two thoughtfully curated stages of music, exquisite food and beverage offerings and a collection of globally-recognized artists at the RFK Festival Grounds. True to the historic nature of the city, Project GLOW is the culmination of the past 20 years of Club Glow, representing its impact on the DC music scene while championing the superstar acts that will take to the festival stages. Artists include Baby Weight, Bassrush Experience, Benny Benassi, Tiësto, Zeds Dead, Coco & Breezy, and many more.
Tickets
RFK Festival Grounds, 2400 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20003
Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals Baseball – March 30 – Oct. 1
The Washington Nationals, who have four National League East titles, five postseason appearances and a World Series championship since coming to DC in 2005, are one of the city's main attractions throughout the spring and summer. Head to Nationals Park to experience MLB action with an exciting schedule, plenty of home runs and, of course, Racing Presidents.
More Info & Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Passport DC – May 1-31
A month of programming across the city focuses on highlighting DC’s international culture. the Around the World Embassy Tour (May 6) and the European Union Open House (May 13) are annual highlights. Most events and tours can be enjoyed entirely free of charge.
More Info
Sweeney Todd – May 16 – July 9
The demon barber of Fleet Street comes to Campbell Avenue in Arlington, Va. in one of Stephen Sondheim’s legendary masterpieces. Adapted by Tim Burton into an Oscar-nominated film in 2007, Sweeney Todd is a violent musical, a bloody combination of style, humor, period-accurate style and loads of fun.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Blink-182 – May 23
Multi-platinum trio blink-182 have announced their biggest tour yet, a global outing with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker reuniting for the first time in nearly 10 years. Produced by Live Nation, the worldwide trek stops in DC right before summer starts, making for a great opportunity to sing along to “What’s My Age, Again?,” “Adam’s Song,” “All the Small Things” and the rest of the group’s incredible catalogue.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Flaming Lips – May 25
The forebears of modern psychedelic rock will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their classic album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, during this show at The Anthem. Wayne Coyne and The Flaming Lips’ live shows are always bombastic, colorful, festive and mind-bending, so expect an epic night as the group plays one of its greatest LPs in its entirety.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
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