From Theatre Week in October to the National Christmas Tree and National Menorah Lightings in December, visitors will enjoy many live performances and grand holiday events.
Yearlong Anniversaries, Events, & Celebrations
Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday year | 2024
Celebrate DC-born American jazz icon Duke Ellington’s life and accomplishments through the Kennedy Center’s Ellington 125 series in spring and DC JazzFest’s 20th anniversary festival in autumn. Year-round, visitors can explore Black Broadway alongside DC’s U Street corridor, a historically influential Black neighborhood which served as a prominent symbol of Black culture and sophistication amid racial and political tension in America. Black Broadway includes DC’s Duke Ellington statue and the historic Howard Theatre where Ellington often played alongside other Black musical leaders.
Return of the Giant Pandas – Smithsonian National Zoo | TBD – End of 2024
As part of the Smithsonian National Zoo’s 52-year-old conservation partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, they’re preparing to welcome two new bears—Bao Li and Qing Bao—by the end of 2024. Washington, DC is the only city in the U.S. where visitors can see the pandas free of charge.
October
Theatre Week – Citywide | Sept. 26-Oct. 13, 2025
Visitors can celebrate DC’s thriving theater scene through a weeklong celebration of shows priced $20/40/60 at multiple venues across the city and other related events.
Boo at the Zoo – Smithsonian's National Zoo | October TBD
Visitors can experience special after-hours access with fiendishly decorated animal habitats. The family-friendly event includes 30 trick-or-treat stations throughout.
The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography – National Gallery of Art | Oct. 6 – April 6
Experience the United States in the 1970s. From the Watergate scandal to soaring inflation, the country’s upheaval led to a revolution in documentary photography.
Washington Capitals - National Hockey League Season Begins | Oct. 10, 2024
Catch a match of Washington, DC’s NHL team, the Washington Capitals, as they take to the ice at Capital One Arena downtown.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return – National Portrait Gallery | Oct. 18 – July 6
Gonzalez-Torres explores portraiture and the construction of identity through an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
November
DowntownDC Holiday Market | Nov. 22 – Dec. 23, 2024
Celebrate Downtown Holiday Market’s 20th anniversary in 2024. The DowntownDC BID has a new partnership with The Makers Show (of BKN & Snowport holiday market fame) to produce a revitalized market that will infuse the area with holiday cheer and inspire visitors.
The Wharf Ice Rink Opening – The Wharf | Nov. 27, 2024
Experience DC’s only over-water ice skating rink, located on top of Transit Pier at the Wharf. Visitors will enjoy views of the water and iconic monuments with hot beverages and seasonal specialties located at nearby shops and restaurants.
Ice Skating at The Washington Harbour – Washington Harbour | Mid November
Experience the largest ice-skating rinks in the city along the water at Washington Harbour in the historic Georgetown neighborhood.
The Print Generation – National Museum of Asian Art | Nov. 16 – April 27, 2024
The exhibit showcases the ambitious artists who reinvented the print medium, breaking away from traditional Japanese printmaking in the early decades of the twentieth century by designing, carving, and printing their works.
Samantha Box: Confluences – National Museum of Women in the Arts | Nov. 20, 2024 – March 23, 2025
Bronx-based artist Samantha Box (b. 1977, Kingston, Jamaica) provides evocative documentary and studio-based photographs in her inaugural solo exhibition in Washington, DC. The exhibition includes Box’s two major bodies of work “Invisible” and “Caribbean Dreams” that ignite conversations around nationality, race, class, gender and sexual orientation.
December
National Christmas Tree Lighting – Presidents Park | December TBD
The free annual event features a gorgeous conifer in the President’s Park on the White House Ellipse, where it's surrounded by trees decorated with handmade ornaments from 56 U.S. states and territories. The tree is accompanied by nightly musical performances throughout the holiday season.
National Menorah Lighting – White House Ellipse| Dec. 25, 2024
The world’s largest menorah is on the White House Ellipse and its lighting ceremony includes music from the United States Navy Band. As is the custom, a new candle is illuminated on each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Tickets are available Nov. 1, 2024.
& Juliet - The Kennedy Center | Dec. 17 – Jan. 5, 2024
Created by the Emmy Award®-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this comedy musical asks what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Visitors will follow her journey as she seeks a second chance at love.
January
Havana Hop – The Kennedy Center | Jan. 11-12, 2025
Watch young Yeila who dreams of being a star, but she struggles with awful stage fright find her roots and gain confidence in this participation play written and performed by Paige Hernandez with music by Nick Tha 1da.
Restaurant Week – Citywide | Mid-January 2025
Take advantage of specially priced meals from over 200+ of DC’s top restaurants, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings.
The Blackbyrds – 50th Anniversary World Tour Launch and Homecoming – The Howard Theatre | Jan. 20, 2025
Celebrate the 50th anniversary tour of the R&B group that has been part of DC’s music scene since 1973. With hits like “Walking in Rhythm” and “Rock Creek Park,” the band honors its anniversary at Howard University.
L’Impératrice: Night Tapes – The Anthem | Jan. 16, 2025
A French band known for its unique blend of disco, funk and pop.
Inauguration of the president of the United States – U.S. Capitol Building | Jan. 20, 2025
The president-elect and vice-president-elect will be sworn in and officially take office at this historic event that includes the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural address and the pass in review. Tickets are available for U.S. citizens from your members of Congress in the weeks leading up to the event. Find your senators and your member of the House of Representatives.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Broadway National Theatre | Jan. 24-26, 2025
Enjoy Tina Turner’s most beloved hits as attendees explore the inspiring journey of the Black woman musician who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.
National Ballet of China: Chinese New Year – The Kennedy Center| Jan. 29 – Feb. 2, 2025
Set to Tchaikovsky’s treasured Nutcracker score, the National Ballet of China returns with its fusion of traditions as it tells the story of a family’s Chinese New Year celebration.
February
Honor Black History Month | February 2025
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial – The memorial honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as he advocated for racial equality and other oppressed groups from around the world. Its proximity allows you to visit the nearby Lincoln Memorial where he gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
- Lincoln Memorial – Honoring Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and the president to officially abolish slavery in the country, this iconic monument features a 79-foot seated Lincoln. The spot is also the location of iconic moments like MLK Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and where Forest gump was reunited with his beloved Jenny.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest Smithsonian Museum location on DC’s National Mall and is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.
- Anacostia Community Museum – A museum illuminating the social, economic and environmental issues confronting one of Washington, DC’s historically Black communities that white families fled in the 1950s to avoid integration.
Shucked: A Musical Comedy – Broadway at The National | Feb. 25 – March 2, 2025
Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy® Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”) and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this "corny” American musical is sure to bring laughs.
March
National Cherry Blossom Festival – Citywide | March 20 - April 13, 2025
More than 1.5 million visitors descend upon the nation's capital each year to admire the 3,000-plus cherry trees. The annual festival held in March and April is full of events that honor both American and Japanese cultures and represents a close bond forged between the two countries that began with Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s gift of the trees in 1912. This year’s lineup includes the return of the Pink Tie Party, Opening Ceremony, Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza at Capitol Riverfront and the National Cherry Blossom Parade.
Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist – National Gallery of Art | March 9 – July 6, 2025
Elizabeth Catlett addresses her witnessed injustices in America and Mexico through bold prints and dynamic sculptures. The exhibit features over 150 of her creations, including some rarely seen.
Ongoing
WorldPride DC 2025 | May 23-June 8, 2025
The year 2025 marks 50 years of Pride in Washington, DC, and the city celebrates with the world through a vibrant and innovative slate of events and cultural programs. From music to film, from the National Mall to Embassy Row, visitors will experience the world through Washington, DC’s multi-faceted and multi-cultural community. Additionally, visitors will find unforgettable experiences throughout the week that promote the city’s principles of inclusion, affordability and celebration.
America250 | 2026
A year-long, citywide celebration of the country’s birthday in its capital, museums and theaters are planning exhibits and shows, and restaurants and festivals are incorporating the theme into their menus and celebrations.
National World War I Memorial’s A Soldier's Journey sculpture wall | 2024
The memorial commemorates the 100th anniversary of the war’s end and honors its 4.7 million servicemen and women. Located across from The Willard InterContinental Hotel, the memorial’s 58.5-foot (about 17.8 meters) bronze sculpture wall will be the highest free-standing bronze sculpture in the Western hemisphere.
Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Revitalization | 2026
The campus is currently undergoing transformative improvements in celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2024. The museum building’s envelope is being repaired and the revitalization of the Sculpture Garden is underway. The projects will enable the Hirshhorn campus to support the museum’s mission and its expanded programming and collections, as well as enhance visitor experience and address critical infrastructure needs. Japanese architect/poet/photographer, Hiroshi Sugimoto, is leading the design group.
11th Street Bridge Park | 2026
The city’s first elevated public park over the Anacostia River, visitors can expect an amphitheater, picnic gardens, interactive art and waterfalls among other attractions and events.
Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air – National Air and Space Museum | 2026
Jay I. Kislak's World War II in the Air examines how the revolution in warfare that took place during the war redefined the promise and peril of military aviation and explores the dramatic changes to flight and culture that continue to reverberate through society today.
RTX Living in the Space Age – National Air and Space Museum | 2026
The RTX Living in the Space Age Hall provides insight into space technologies and infrastructure that are largely invisible to the public but have a profound impact on our daily lives. The exhibition covers topics from the beginning of the Space Age in the mid-20th century to the present and beyond.
Museum of Ice Cream | Ongoing
The museum is currently looking for property in DC to establish its fifth location.
photo credit- Roshan Patel