Washington is at its best when a single weekend offers everything from a WNBA home opener and a satirical musical about the Obama presidency to a thought-provoking bison exhibition on the National Mall. If that sounds like an eclectic mix, it’s by design. DC250 programming, Passport DC embassy tours, an immersive rock concert from Godsmack, and the recurring free Millennium Stage performances at the Trump Kennedy Center round out a full slate of options.
Not everything happening in Washington is able to make this list, but these 31 events are a strong place to start. The full calendar is at the Washington Times D.C. Events Calendar.
Theater & Performing Arts
1776 at Ford’s Theatre — In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, Ford’s Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical dramatizing the debates leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Get Tickets →
Through May 16, 2026 | Ford’s Theatre | From $60
44: The Obama Musical — After sold-out runs in LA, Chicago, and New York, this satirical musical tells Barack Obama presidency through Joe Biden hazy recollection — 24 original numbers blending R&B, gospel, and sharp political comedy. Get Tickets →
Through May 10, 2026 | Klein Theatre | Tickets Required
The Motion — A new play by Obie Award-winner Christopher Chen, running in Arena Stage’s signature in-the-round Fichandler space during prime spring season. Get Tickets →
Through June 14, 2026 | Arena Stage, Fichandler Stage | Tickets Required
Music & Concerts
Trump Kennedy Center: Free Millennium Stage — The Trump Kennedy Center Millennium Stage offers free performances Wednesday through Saturday at 6 PM in the Grand Foyer — music, dance, and theater from local and national artists. Performance Schedule →
Wed–Sat at 6 PM | Trump Kennedy Center Grand Foyer | Free (Check listings)
Godsmack — Hard rock headliners Godsmack perform at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA. More Info →
Sun, May 10, 2026 | Jiffy Lube Live | Tickets Vary
Sports
Mystics vs. New York Liberty — WNBA home opener — Washington Mystics host the New York Liberty. More Info →
Sun, May 10, 2026 | CareFirst Arena | Tickets Vary
The first 1,997 fans in attendance will receive a Washington Mystics hat, courtesy of Capital One.
Washington Mystics guard Lucy Olsen (33) …
more >
Festivals & Free Events
Artomatic — Artomatic is DC’s celebrated open, unjuried, multi-week arts festival where hundreds of artists take over a large building for weeks at a time. Artomatic Info →
Spring/Summer 2026 (dates TBD) | 2100 M Street NW, Washington DC | Free
Passport DC — Embassy Open Houses — Washington month-long international cultural festival opens dozens of foreign embassies to the public. Passport DC Info →
All of May 2026 | Citywide — Dupont Circle hub | Free
Museums & Exhibitions
Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen — A major solo exhibition by celebrated American artist Adam Pendleton at the Hirshhorn Museum, exploring themes of Blackness, abstraction, and language through paintings, videos, and installations. Museum Info →
Through Jan 3, 2027 | Hirshhorn Museum | Free
Capilla de Maíz & State Fairs: Growing American Craft — Two concurrent shows at the Renwick Gallery: a site-specific installation by Justin Favela featuring gold-fringed walls and piñata corncobs celebrating maize in North American visual culture, alongside “State Fairs: Growing American Craft,” organized with Craft in America. Gallery Info →
Through Sep 7, 2026 | Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum | Free
National Museum of African American History: Power of Place — The newest Smithsonian museum presents Power of Place — a landmark exhibition exploring how African American communities have shaped and been shaped by the places they call home. Reserve Passes →
Ongoing | National Museum of African American History and Culture | Free (timed passes required)
Holocaust Museum: Americans and the Holocaust — A powerful permanent exhibition examining the American response to Nazism and the refugee crisis of the 1930s and 1940s. More Info →
Ongoing | United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | Free (timed passes recommended)
International Spy Museum — The world most visited spy museum explores the real world of espionage through immersive exhibitions, artifact-packed galleries, and hands-on experiences across 140,000 square feet. Get Tickets →
Daily | International Spy Museum | From $24.95
America’s Presidents — The National Portrait Gallery’s signature exhibition of presidential portraits, tracing American leadership from George Washington to the present. Gallery Hours →
Ongoing | National Portrait Gallery | Free
Mary Cassatt: An American in Paris — Roughly 40 paintings, drawings, and prints examining how Mary Cassatt created her radically modern impressionist works. Gallery Info →
Through Aug 30, 2026 | National Gallery of Art | Free
The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today — The Smithsonian’s triennial juried portraiture competition showcasing 35 contemporary American portrait artists working across painting, photography, sculpture, and new media. Learn More →
Through Aug 30, 2026 | National Portrait Gallery | Free
Nick Cave: Mammoth — Internationally renowned artist Nick Cave explores the entanglement of land and race in American consciousness. Museum Info →
Through Jan 3, 2027 | Smithsonian American Art Museum | Free
Star Power: Hollywood Photographs by George Hurrell (A Sequel) — Following the success of the first installment, the National Portrait Gallery presents a sequel exhibition of George Hurrell’s iconic Hollywood glamour photographs from the Golden Age of cinema. Gallery Info →
Through Jan 10, 2027 | National Portrait Gallery | Free
A Better Life for Their Children — Chronicles the extraordinary partnership between Sears Roebuck founder Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Museum Info →
Through Jan 2027 | National Building Museum | Admission Required
Into the Waters: Senju and Bingyi — Two contemporary painters — Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju and Chinese artist Bingyi — explore water through dramatically different lenses in this Smithsonian Asian Art Museum exhibition. Learn More →
Through Sep 27, 2026 | Smithsonian Asian Art Museum | Free
America’s State Flowers — See each state’s flower on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden Learn More →
Apr 10 – Oct 12, 2026 | U.S. Botanic Garden | Free
Dear America — A landmark exhibition at the National Gallery of Art featuring works by American artists responding to the nation’s history, ideals, and ongoing story. Gallery Info →
Apr 11 – Sep 20, 2026 | National Gallery of Art | Free
¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa — A new exhibition at the National Museum of the American Latino tracing the origins and cultural journey of salsa music and dance across Latin America, New York, and beyond. Museum Info →
Ongoing | National Museum of the American Latino (in NMAH building) | Free
Bison: Standing Strong — A major Smithsonian exhibition on the American bison with an immersive prairie soundscape and three larger-than-life bronze bison sculptures outside. Museum Info →
Opens May 7, 2026 | National Museum of Natural History | Free
Special Events
DC250 Programming — DC serves as the epicenter for America’s semiquincentennial celebration with special programming, exhibitions, and events. DC250 Info →
Throughout 2026 | Various Locations | Varies
Tidal Basin & Cherry Trees — Nearly 4,000 cherry trees surround the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson, FDR, and MLK Memorials. NPS Cherry Blossom Info →
Daily | Tidal Basin | Free
Meridian Hill Park Drum Circle — Every Sunday afternoon, Meridian Hill Park hosts one of DC most enduring community traditions — a spontaneous drum circle drawing dozens of drummers and hundreds of participants. Park Info →
Sundays 3–8 PM (weather permitting) | Meridian Hill Park (Malcolm X Park) | Free
DC Farmers Markets — DC vibrant farmers market scene runs year-round. Market Locations →
Weekly | Various DC Neighborhoods | Free Entry
Eastern Market — Historic public market with local farmers, artisans, and crafters. Market Info →
Tuesday–Sunday | Eastern Market, Capitol Hill | Free Entry
Georgetown Waterfront — Stroll the C&O Canal towpath, explore boutique shopping, and dine at waterfront restaurants with Potomac River views. Georgetown Info →
Daily | Georgetown | Free
Drive-In at Union Market — DC’s beloved outdoor drive-in returns for its 13th year — one screening per month, $20 per car (up to 170 cars), free to watch on foot from Neal Place. Event Info →
Monthly, May 9 – Oct 3, 2026 | Union Market | $20/car or free on foot
Event dates, times, and prices are subject to change. Please verify details directly with venues before attending.
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times’ AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times’ original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
