Spring has sprung in the nation’s capital with Washington Nationals baseball, National Cherry Blossom Festival events, new plays, museum exhibits, concerts and celebrations.
Make plans for unforgettable experiences in the nation's capital this April. After you’ve read through this list, make sure to check out our things to do for the week and weekend as well as our accessibility guides to monuments and museums on the National Mall.
The Jungle – Through 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
Unseen – March 30 – April 23
Award-winning dramatist Mona Mansour’s Unseen follows Mia, an American conflict photographer who awakes one morning in her ex-girlfriend’s Istanbul apartment with no clue of how she got there. However, Mia’s camera might contain some interesting details. The play shifts across cultures and time as Mia pieces together her past and the toll of her profession. Mosaic Theater Company puts on this new production inside the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
Tickets
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC – Opens March 30
The National Women's History Museum and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library present a new exhibition that will showcase the history of Black women activists in DC. The hard work of these women influenced national policy changes from the turn of the 20th century through the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. You'll be able to experience the stories of more than 20 Black feminist organizers and theorists on the first floor of the library.
Free Admission | More Information
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
NoMa in Bloom - April 1
Celebrate the return of spring in DC's NoMa neighborhood thanks to the NoMa Business Improvement District. Restaurants and bars all over NoMa will offer special cherry-themed food and drink specials throughout the festival (March 20 through April 16). You can also mark the calendar for the NoMa in Bloom Festival, which will take place at Alethia Tanner Park on April 1.
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Free Admission
Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC 20002
Bloomaroo
Bloomaroo® – April 2
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
Searching for Shakespeare – April 1-30
The Folger Shakespeare Library and the DC Public Library collaborate on a free citywide celebration of the 400th anniversary of the printing of the First Folio, considered a memory capsule for Shakespeare. The festival features a world-premiere play, a citywide scavenger hunt, a new exhibition, Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture, family programming, workshops and much more, across all eight wards of DC.
More Information
Our Verse in Time to Come – April 3-23
Commissioned by the Folger Shakespeare Library as part of Searching for Shakespeare, Our Verse in Time to Come uses song, verse and memory to tell a sweeping tale of an aging emcee and his twin sons. Inspired by the Bard himself, the story follows SOS, who gets out of prison after 25 years only to be diagnosed with dementia. His twins, Vi and Will, reunite to see their father and in the process, go on an incredible journey of discovery that brings them closer to their heritage, their community and SOS. The free-to-attend play will be staged at venues all over DC.
More Information & Tickets
Titus Andronicus – April 4
They’re named after Shakespeare’s most violent play. Their lead singer sports a beard that would make Walt Whitman blush. They sing songs about blue-collar life; they name tunes after Albert Camus and release punk rock operas about the Civil War and manic depression. It’s safe to say that Titus Andronicus presents a spellbinding, roof-rattling way to spend an evening at Black Cat.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Bikini Kill – April 4 & 6
Punk rock royalty pays a visit to The Fillmore Silver Spring. Led by their iconic lead singer, Kathleen Hanna, Bikini Kill are one of the most important rock bands to ever grace a stage. As leaders of the Riot-Grrrl movement, the feminist punk group is known for their sheer audacity, boldness and volume, cranking out punk perfection and taking down the patriarchy, 2-3 minutes at a time.
April 4 Tickets | April 6 Tickets
The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Sleaford Mods & Sheer Mag – April 5
Broadcasting feverishly from the cultural maelstrom of post-Brexit Britain, Sleaford Mods are very in tune with the moment and extremely angry about it. Their searing post-punk political screeds are ideal for an awesome DC venue like the 9:30 Club. The opener, Sheer Mag, blends Thin Lizzy-esque licks with funky grooves and a diva front singer who can wail with the best of them. Quite a night in store for you!
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
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
DC Beer Festival – April 8
The annual DC Beer Festival takes place at Nationals Park, making for one of the District’s best outdoor parties of the year. Across two sessions, more than 80 breweries will be showcasing their seasonal suds, as local food trucks divvy out their tastiest eats. The event also features live music and access to a dueling piano bar. Use code “Nats2023” for $5 off your ticket.
Session 1: 12-3 p.m. | Session 2: 5-8 p.m. | Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
National Cherry Blossom Festival
National Cherry Blossom Festival Petalpalooza– April 8
Get ready for eight straight hours of free tunes, all-ages activities, a beer garden, interactive art installations and games, all capped off by fireworks along the banks of the Anacostia River. Get ready for a one-day neighborhood takeover with live music across multiple stages, interactive art installations, free family-friendly activities, a beverage garden, local cuisine, and more. Petalpalooza will take place at The Yards Park in Capitol Riverfront and is free for all ages to attend.
1-9 p.m. | More Info
Jazz & Blossoms – April 8
Jazz & Blossoms will take over Franklin Park on Saturday, April 8. The free outdoor event will celebrate the beauty and nature of the city with a musical backdrop, observing the National Cherry Blossom Festival and featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter and producer Bilal. Additional performances include Daylight DC featuring DJ Divine & Big Tone All Day, Imani-Grace & Her Big Black Band, Ayo, and DJ John Murph. Jazz & Blossoms will also include a spring-inspired mocktail bar, swag giveaways, mural walls, food trucks, haiku-writing, face-painting and much more.
2-8 p.m. | Free Admission
Franklin Park, 1332 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Celebrate Easter – April 8-9
Enjoy curated menus and lavish buffets for the spring holiday at Cure Bistro & Bar, Opaline Bar & Brasserie, the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and District Winery. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance for brunch at Kingbird and Santé. You can also experience Easter Egg Hunts at the Fairmont and Estuary as well as more fun, games and bottomless mimosas at Throw Social. Partake in a themed treasure hunt, complete with Easter candy, at the O Street Museum.
Going through Hell: The Divine Dante – April 9 – July 16
In the more than 700 years since it was written, Dante's Divine Comedy has remained one of the most influential works of Western literature. The new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art will explore the influence of the seminal manuscript across roughly 20 works, all from the National Gallery’s collection. Beginning with the 16th century painted Allegorical Portrait of Dante, these range from rare early printed editions of the Divine Comedy to sculptures by Auguste Rodin created initially for his monumental project The Gates of Hell, to works on paper from the 15th to 20th century, from William Blake to Robert Rauschenberg.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
The 2023 Boiler Room Series – April 10 – May 15
Keegan Theatre’s Boiler Room Series invites you to experience theater development in action. Take in a series of events and presentations featuring new plays in different stages of their production life cycle, including staged readings, workshops, interviews with playwrights, working sessions with directors and more. Each event is Pay What You Can, but online reservations are strongly recommended.
More Information & Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
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
National Gallery Nights: Garden Party – April 13
Don your best fascinator and celebrate cherry blossoms during National Gallery Nights. Experience printmaking with Soul & Ink, enjoy art on the Roof Terrace and create wearable flower art. You can also learn about connections between art and nature with special pop-up talks, artist demos and dance to the sounds of DJ Ayesha and Gretchen and the Sidecar Six.
6-9 p.m. | More Information
National Gallery of Art East Building, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC – April 15
Witness DC's grandest petal procession with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Catch everything from giant helium balloons to elaborate floats to live musical performances. Enjoy prime performance viewing in the grandstand (tickets are $25-$30), or stand along the parade route – which runs for 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue NW – for free.
More Info
Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival – April 15-16
The Sakura Matsuri, produced by the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, returns for two exciting days again this year. The event will present over 80 cultural groups, art vendors, food booths and dozens of hours of programming. You can also enjoy a Ginza Marketplace, popular Japan Now! Pavilion, a cosplay contest, sake tasting and more. This goes down on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd to 7th Streets NW.
More Info
Black Like Me – Through April 15
An incredible collection of Black artists is featured in this exhibit at DC’s intimate Zenith Gallery, including Wesley Clark, Julee Dickerson Thompson, Buzz Duncan, Francine Haskins, Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Hubert Jackson and many more. The Gallery will host a reception that will give you a chance to meet artists on Feb. 15 from 4-8 p.m.
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | More Info
Zenith Gallery, 111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
DC Defenders vs. Arlington Renegades – April 16
The XFL has returned to DC in epic style. The Defenders play raucous home games at Audi Field and feature quite possibly the best team the young football league has to offer. Don’t miss the final home game of the season against the Arlington Renegades. Prepare for up-tempo, exciting and hard-hitting XFL action. You can purchase up to 25% off tickets with a special discount exclusive to washington.org.
12 p.m. | Tickets (up to 25% off)
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
National Cherry Blossom Festival – Through 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.
Rorschach Theatre: Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea – March 24 – April 16
Visit the Atlas Performing Arts Center for a vivid adaptation and reimagination of The Little Mermaid in the form of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. Our narrator, Dolan (who looks a lot like The Little Mermaid’s original author, Hans Christian Andersen), tries to tell the simple story, but he can’t without being constantly interrupted by its characters. Each one reminds Dolan of his own turbulent and drama-filled relationships. Rorschach Theatre puts on this daring deep dive into a classic story.
Tickets
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Xiu Xiu – April 18
Formed and led by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, Xiu Xiu has put together one of the most wildly varied and fascinating catalogues on experimental rock music. Over the last 20 years, Stewart’s songs have cascaded through pop, post-punk, techno, dance, electronic, free jazz and nearly every other genre you can think of. The group’s live shows only turn up the loudness and intensity.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
Lil’ Wayne – April 18
One of the brightest stars in hip-hop visits The Fillmore Silver Spring for one night only. After bursting onto the scene as a teenager with Cash Money Records, Lil’ Wayne has built a legendary rap career with an innovative flow, clever lyrics, catchy hooks and an unmistakable voice. Now with more than 120 million records sold to his name, Wayne is an institution, so expect plenty of devoted fans at the highly anticipated show.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – April 19
Led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ruban Nielson, Unknown Mortal Orchestra make psychedelic music for the 21st century. Nielson’s songs are distinct in style, using his unmistakable falsetto, funky synths and a heavy 1960s influence to create pop gems like “Multi-Love,” “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)” and “American Guilt”. Nielson will take the project’s enthralling live show to the 9:30 Club for two nights; the first night sold out already.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
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
Built to Spill – April 20
The rare indie band to make great use of the guitar solo and offer a catalogue filled with singalong anthems, Built to Spill are an institution. In a career spanning three decades, the group has amassed critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following. Throw on your comfiest jacket and jeans, idle up to one of 9:30 Club’s two bars, order a beer and savor some of the best songs in indie rock history.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
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
RiverRun at the Kennedy Center – Through 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 – Through 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
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
Anyang: China’s Ancient City of Kings – Through April 28
The first major exhibition in the United States dedicated to Anyang, the capital of China’s Shang dynasty (occupied ca. 1250 BCE–ca. 1050 BCE), comes to the National Museum of Asian Art. The source of China’s earliest surviving written records and the birthplace of Chinese archaeology, Anyang’s vitality will be showcased through an array of artifacts, including jade ornaments, ceremonial weapons, ritual bronze vessels, bells, chariot fittings and much more.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
20th Annual Georgetown French Market – April 28-30
For the 20th time, Georgetown's Book Hill neighborhood will turn into its own version of Paris for a weekend in late April. The Georgetown French Market features more than 30 locally owned merchants, restaurants, galleries and salons participating in an open-air shopping frenzy from Friday through Sunday. Spectacles also include a caricature artist, live music and stilt walkers.
More Information
Wisconsin Avenue NW, O Street to Reservoir Road, Washington, DC
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
Drive-By Truckers – April 30
Hailing from the American South, Drive-By Truckers have been the definitive Southern rock band since the late 1990s, churning out a steady stream of hard-rocking, gut-busting, soul-searching records. The live shows are loud and torrential, with songs capable of going in any direction. The group performs at the legendary 9:30 Club on April 29 and 30 – the first night has already sold out.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Intersections: Linling Lu – Through April 30
In Soundwaves, Linling Lu engages with the Phillips Music performance of Philip Glass’s Etude no. 16 played on piano by Timo Andres. The exciting new entry into The Phillips Collection’s ongoing Intersections series will see Lu visualizing sound into spatial configurations. She takes the repetitive notes and chords from Glass’s music and translates them into physical space: the seven notes played on the piano by the left hand are represented by seven paintings on the left side of the gallery, and the five notes played by the right hand are represented by five paintings on the right side of the gallery. In witnessing this incredible installation, you’ll feel waves of nostalgia, calm, joy and solitude.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Shout, Sister, Shout! – Through 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
Wild Seeds of the Soufside – Through May 13
In a new free exhibit at [email protected], photographer Dee Dwyer takes you on a visual journey into the heart of Southeast DC, also known as “Soufside”. Inspired by the book Wild Seed by Octavia Butler, Dwyer connects the local Soufside community with the book’s main characters, Anyanwu and Doro. Dwyer’s photographs are evocative, sensuous and work to demystify an area that has been misconceived. As “Chocolate City” experiences more gentrification, Black natives are being displaced; as gentrification moves into the Southeast, Dwyer’s photographs seek to preserve the soul of the community she calls home.
Hours & Info | Free Admission
[email protected], 1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020
Pour, Tear, Carve – Through 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, Carve, 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
A Splendid Land: Paintings from Royal Udaipur – Through May 14
Immersive paintings transport you to the Indian court of Udaipur circa 1700 via this stunning exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. Paintings on a range of materials – including paper and cloth – bring your imagination to far-off lands to see palaces, lakes and mountains. See how artists of the time period depicted emotions, celebrated the natural world and built communities in the rapidly changing environment of South Asia.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness – Through May 14
The National Children’s Museum welcomes kids to explore the complex emotions of love and forgiveness through words, movement, artmaking, performance and play at XOXO, found in the museum’s Visiting Exhibit Hall. Hands-on activities help develop an understanding and appreciation of the power of love, kindness and forgiveness.
Hours & Tickets
National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies - Through 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
This Is Britain: Photographs from the 1970s and 1980s – Through June 11
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
One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection – Through June 14
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. One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection is a tribute to the life and practice of the visionary artist. The popular exhibit has been extended through the spring of 2023 and beginning Nov. 9, next-day online ticket distribution will be available. Visit Hirshhorn's website for more information.
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Free admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
Looking Up: Studies for Ceilings, 1550-1800 – Through July 9
The National Gallery of Art presents dozens of examples of the evolution of ceiling decoration, including the baroque and neoclassical periods. Some works are vibrant early drawings and others are large-scale models that give a sense of the experience of the intended final composition. Studies of single motifs and individual figures reveal how these grand projects enticed viewers.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Philip Guston Now – Through 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
Ay-Ō’s Happy Rainbow Hell – Through Sept. 10
Don’t miss a chance to experience the work of one of the most visionary artists of the 20th century. Ay-Ō’s Happy Rainbow Hell is the first-ever exhibition dedicated to the artist’s work at a museum in the United States. The exhibit will feature more than 80 artworks from the collections of the National Museum of Asian Art and other U.S. institutions, as well as digital interactives that will allow visitors to engage with the artist’s spirit of exploration and positivity.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | More Information
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women (Part II) – Through 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
Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces – Through Nov. 30
All the way back to the American Revolution, Native Americans have served in the U.S. armed forces, often in extraordinary numbers. The National Museum of the American explores the phenomenon of the Indigenous commitment to the U.S. military, from being drafted to the pursuit of employment or education to tribal traditions and treaty commitments.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of the American Indian, 4th Street & Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures – Ongoing
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
The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayas – Ongoing
The National Museum of the Asian Art’s additional exhibit opening in March will focus on art from the museum’s collection that addresses religious and practical knowledge across time, space and cultures. You’ll be able to see stone sculptures, gilt bronzes and painted manuscripts from India, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. The Art of Knowing illuminates the importance of visuals in translating the teachings of Buddhism and Hinduism across hundreds of years.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | More Information
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
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