Start spring right in the nation’s capital with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, new plays, museum exhibits, concerts and celebrations in honor of Women’s History Month.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Irish Heritage Month
You’re in luck as there are plenty of ways to honor the Irish holiday with festive events, traditional foods and green beer. The party starts the weekend of March 11 as the annual St. Patrick’s Parade returns as a First Amendment March and many bars are turning green for the Luck of the Irish Bar Crawl through Penn Quarter and the Shamrock Crawl through Dupont Circle. Visit Barkhaus for a St. Paw-trick’s Day party, Throw Social for drink specials, DJs and games and Fairmont for festive fare on March 17. Enjoy a day-long Irish festival with Ireland at The Wharf on Saturday, March 18. Howl at the Moon, WunderGarten and the Kiss Me, I'm Irish Bar Crawl will keep the party going throughout the holiday weekend. Plus, celebrate Irish Heritage Month at the Dupont Circle Hotel with themed menus and whiskey flights at Doyle and The Pembroke all month long.
Clyde’s – March 1 – April 9
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Lynn Nottage’s comedy focuses on Clyde, a sandwich shop owner who hires former convicts and uses her power to her advantage. The audience will be swept up in staff turmoil and the intensity of restaurant life as the line cooks compete to create the perfect sandwich.
Tickets
Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
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
National Gallery Nights 2023: (S)heroes – March 9
Dance to songs by iconic women musicians with Les the DJ, enjoy experimental pop-up performances from darlingdance and explore works by women artists with experts from the National Museum of Women in the Arts when National Gallery Nights returns at the museum’s East Building. Get a sneak preview of the future Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and create your own art inspired by Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South. You can also enjoy a variety of beverages, savor special gelato flavors like mango pomegranate and pink lemonade, and nibble on empanadas. You can also feel free to dress up as your favorite (s)hero!
6-9 p.m. | More Information
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
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
Elvis Costello & the Imposters – March 9
One of rock music’s legends takes his still-searing live show to the Warner Theatre. Elvis Costello burst into popular consciousness with one of the best albums of the 1970s, My Aim is True, beginning a string of classic releases and a career that has lasted more than 40 years, with expectations subverted throughout. He and his current band, The Imposters, will play a blistering concert complete with some of the greatest songs from Costello’s outstanding oeuvre.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
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
Betty Who – March 10
Australian electropop star Betty Who brings her North American tour to the nation’s capital for one night only at The Anthem. Who rose to stardom by self-releasing music in her early 20s and quickly became a staple of club music all over the world. On the heels of last year’s album, Big!, and the success of lead single “Blow Out My Candle”, Who now embarks on her biggest tour yet.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Creativity is Magic: Maya Lin Festival – March 11
Join the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Gardens, the National Postal Museum and National Mall and Memorial Park rangers for a day filled with art and ideas in honor of Women’s History Month. Tour the exhibition, One Life: Maya Lin, and participate in art workshops and Lin’s ongoing multi-site memorial, What Is Missing? Participants of all ages can also create art inspired by Lin’s designs, which deftly combine color and environmentalism.
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Free Admission | Register
National Portrait Gallery, 800 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
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
Prince & Prince – March 11, 18 & 25
The new play at the GALA Hispanic Theatre, based on the famous children’s book King and King, will lavish audiences with the magic of fairy tales across three Saturdays in March. When a Queen gathers all the unmarried princesses in the land to meet her son, he must discover which will be his true love … and it may not be who you think. Prince & Prince makes for a perfect family outing.
Tickets
GALA Hispanic Theatre, 3333 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
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
Inhaler – March 14
After the March 13 show sold out, Inhaler was quickly booked for a second night at DC’s illustrious 9:30 Club. The Irish group topped the charts in their home country with the release of their debut album in 2021 and their latest LP, dropped just last month, is earning raves across the globe. Inhaler play a vigorous mix of punk, power pop and alternative, making them ideal for one of the city’s most beloved rock music venues.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC
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
An Evening with Regina Spektor – March 15
When there’s a day named after you in New York City, you have done something spectacularly right. On the back of three independent releases in the early 2000s, Regina Spektor sprung to mainstream recognition once she signed with Sire Records in 2004. The singer/songwriter, who lived in the Soviet Union before emigrating to the Bronx at the age of nine, will bring her incredible, world-famous talent to the Warner Theatre.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street 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.
Tickets
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital – March 16-26
The longest-running and largest environmental film festival in the U.S. enlightens viewers on the state of our environment and what we can do to maintain its health. Dozens of films can be enjoyed across the hybrid program that also includes informative discussions and social events to inspire dialogue. Many of the events are free and all are open to the public. Check the website for a full schedule.
Donate
St. Patrick's Day at The Fairmont – March 17
Executive Chef Jordi Gallardo and Executive Sous Chef Jason Rowley of Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown will be serving a special menu of Emerald Isle favorites in the Loggia and Lobby Bar. The menu includes Cast Iron Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage and DC Brau, Pilsner Jameson and Tullamore Dew Whiskey. Guests with the most creative St. Patrick’s Day attire may win a complimentary green beer. Reservations are not required.
2-10 p.m. | More Information
Fairmont, Washington, D.C. Georgetown, 2401 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
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
The 16th Annual Blacks In Wax – Legends and Likeness: The Power of Black History – March 18
Each year, the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center hosts Blacks in Wax, which features students in period costumes positioned behind rope, stanchion and tap lights as “wax statues” of iconic Black figures from the past and present. At the touch of a light, each figure comes to life and shares a first-person monologue that depicts their contributions and place in history. The theme of the 2023 event (free to attend) is Legends and Likeness, and the showcase will highlight Black icons who have reached the peak of their professions in activism, science, sports and entertainment.
6 p.m. | More Information
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
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.
Pour, Tear, Carve – 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, 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
14th Annual DC Record Fair - March 19
Eaton DC hosts a biannual fair that will feature more than 40 vinyl vendors from up and down the East Coast, offering diverse inventories spanning all music genres. The free event will also offer a curated DJ lineup from Eaton Radio and DC Record Fair organizers; confirmed local talent includes Les the DJ, Valentina and RWeOnTheAir?! with additional names to be announced at a later date.
Free | Register Here
Eaton DC, 1201 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Into the Woods – Through March 19
Following a sold-out engagement at New York City Center and a well-received step-up to Broadway, the Tony Award-winning Into the Woods is coming to the illustrious Kennedy Center. Directed by Lear deBessonet (Hercules) and featuring members of the Broadway cast, the theatrical event will bring you a riveting musical masterpiece like never before.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Spring Wine Fling – March 20-31
Presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns from Monday, March 20, through Sunday, March 31. Enjoy specialty two-course dinners with perfectly paired wines at restaurants throughout the region. New this year, all participating restaurants will offer a $55 prix fixe dinner menu consisting of an appetizer, entrée, and two wine pairings.
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
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
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
Push the Button – March 25 – April 7
The Keegan Theatre hosts a playful and poignant parody of modern morality in the form of a hip-hop musical. The disruptive Villain is accused of the worst crime of all by our Hero, which is … Pushing the Button. However, the Journalist starts asking the right questions and eventually, the town questions whether convicting the Villain is the right move. Brimming with hilarity, insight and satire, Push the Button promises to be a creative highlight of the spring theater season.
Tickets
Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Ay-Ō’s Happy Rainbow Hell – March 25 – 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
The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayas – Opens March 25
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
INTERSECTIONS Festival
The Atlas Performing Arts Center presents work that impacts society, culture and the world through the annual INTERSECTIONS Festival. Engage with excellent art that inspires a connected community from artists that hail from all over the DMV area. You can see stunning performances in dance, music, theater, art, ballet and much, much more. The festival begins Saturday and runs through March 26.
More Information
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South – Through March 26, 2023
The National Gallery of Art invites visitors to enjoy more than 40 paintings, assemblages, sculptures and drawings from essential Black artists, including Thornton Dial, Lonnie Holley, Mary T. Smith, Purvis Young, James “Son Ford” Thomas and many more. Incredible quilts made from scraps of fabric and old clothing crafted by the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama are also on display as part of an in-depth look at the significance of cultural and spiritual traditions on some of the finest contemporary art.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
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
DC Defenders Home Games – March 27
The District welcomes the XFL’s Defenders back after a three-year hiatus. The 5-0 team rounds out their March schedule with a game against the Houston Roughnecks at Audi Field. Prepare for up-tempo, exciting and hard-hitting XFL action. The Defenders have already built a solid fan base, so expect a rowdy atmosphere as well. You can also purchase tickets for up to 25% off with a special discount exclusive to washington.org.
Tickets (up to 25% off)
Audi Field, 100 Potomac Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
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
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
The High Ground – Through 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
Selling Kabul – Through April 2
Signature Theatre hosts the DC-area premiere of a play from an exciting new voice in Sylvia Khoury. Selling Kabul is set in 2013, when a sister shelters her translator brother from the Taliban as he awaits the arrival of an American visa. On the day before his son’s birth, the situation worsens, leading to a gut-wrenching and pulse-pounding story with ties to recent headlines.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
King Lear – Through April 8
One of the most beloved masterworks of the stage touches down at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre. Patrick Page gives a stunning turn as the title character in this tale of a king who discovers sad truths about the human condition, leading him to madness. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to catch one of the Bard’s finest performances in all its grandeur.
Tickets
Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World – Through Dec. 31
The U.S. Botanic Garden invites you to learn about the importance of agriculture in a special exhibit. Learn about the wild relatives of plants we eat, interactively explore the science of agriculture through microscopes, educate yourself to the practices of farming through the centuries and hear from several local chefs about their own food cultures. You can also see how plants impact recipes, observe home gardening techniques and test your knowledge of popular foods through world maps made from grains and legumes.
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Kinship – Through Jan. 7, 2024
The National Portrait Gallery uses more than 40 artworks by eight contemporary artists, including Jessica Todd Harper, Thomas Holton, Njideka Anukyili Crosby and Sedrick Huckaby, to showcase the importance of “kinship” and the relationships that bond us. Through multiple mediums, the pieces explore intergenerational dynamics, gender roles, responses to life and death and so much more.
11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
A Window Suddenly Opens: Contemporary Photography in China – Through Jan. 7, 2024
The Hirshhorn’s first survey of photography by leading multigenerational Chinese artists from the 1990s through the 2000s will feature 186 artworks, 141 of which are a landmark promised gift to the museum from Chinese art collector Larry Warsh. The exhibition’s title (drawn from a 1997 publication) celebrates the shift of photography from a realistic art to a conceptual one. Featured artists include Cang Xin, Cao Fei, Chen Shaoxiong, Cui Xiuwen, Gu Dexin, Hai Bo and Hong Hao.
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Free admission
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue & 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20560
All American: The Power of Sports – Through Jan. 7, 2024
The National Archives' new 3,000-square-foot exhibit showcases more than 75 items including original records, artifacts and photographs that showcase how American sports unite, teach and inspire us. Highlights include original sports equipment and jerseys used by icons, early 20th-century tobacco baseball cards, rare trophies, photos, letters and much more. The exhibit is located in the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery and is free to visit.
10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20408
Rinpa Screens – Through Jan. 28, 2024
Explore a selection of screens painted in the Rinpa style, a movement known for stylized forms in bright colors from the 17th to the 19th century. A separate display of ceramics showcases the aesthetic exchange facilitated by trade between Japan and China and interrogates what makes a work of art “Japanese”.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
A Collector’s Eye: Freer in Egypt – Ongoing
From 1906-1909, Charles Lang Freer acquired a wide range of Egyptian artworks, including the renowned Washington Codex—one of the oldest Bibles in the world—a digital copy of which will be on view in the Freer Gallery of Art as part of this special exhibit. Visitors can also expect to see New Kingdom Egyptian glass vessels, a Byzantine jewelry set, amulets and hundreds of beads, many of which will be on display for the first time.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Entertainment Nation – Ongoing
Through the National Museum of American History’s extraordinary collection of theater, music, sports, movie and television objects, Entertainment Nation features an ever-changing selection of artifacts and interactive experiences. The exhibition explores how culture and entertainment have helped spur important national conversations about race, class, gender, identity and much more. You can view objects tied to luminaries such as Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Roberto Clemente, Frank Sinatra, Kristi Yamaguchi, Prince and Bette Davis.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
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