Cultural Events in Washington DC

THE 10 BEST Washington DC Cultural Events

Cultural Events in Washington DC

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13 results sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travelers are saying

  • Maltipoo16
    New York1,903 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Something that needs to be on your bucket list. It’s truly spectacular and absolutely breathtaking! It was so much more than what I was expecting! It was very busy and was honestly pretty hard to park and walk through the crowds, but it was worth it for a once in a lifetime experience!
    Written May 31, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sightsee440234
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    great light displays. Area was a little small for the amount of travel I had to do to get here from SIlver Spring. Nice time and great value for a free public event
    Written January 7, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Louis S
    Washington DC, DC29 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This event is top no0tch every year. We expect no less from the Library of Congress. However, success breeds popularity and even though it is in the convention center it is too crowded to be able to see the speakers you want and move around the building. It is a 5 star event but when you get blocked from doing what you would like to do, well, then it is less than 5 star. There should be overflow rooms for people to see the most popular speakers. This year the RBG talk was very full and there were likely many hundreds of people shut out from this very popular speaker. if there was a ball room where we could see a screen, it wouldn't be as nice as live but better than missing it. The volunteer staff was wonderful and extremely helpful. I will go back next year and hope for the best.
    Written September 8, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lauren P
    Gainesville, VA3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you're a parent bringing kids to the Easter Egg Roll - here's what to know.

    Overall, this was an awesome, special experience; I'm so grateful I got tickets to attend. I had no idea what to expect and lots of questions. Here’s what I wish I’d known in advance:
    - Wear RAIN BOOTS! Wear shoes to get MUDDY in, if there is any chance of rain. Do not wear heels or cute shoes—you stand for hours. We stood for hours in muddy muck, from the tens of thousands of people standing on the lawn… there was no avoiding the sloppy mud swamp that the White House lawn turned into.
    - Metal water bottles or containers are not allowed – bring plastic cups for the kids. They offered bottled water (free) at several locations, easy to find.
    - Bring your own snacks/food for the kids. There is a ton of waiting in line (trust me, throw snacks at your kids, you’ll need the distraction). And once you get inside the event, there is only 1 chance for food – and they offer you 2 small bites per person, and it’s fancy, nice, tiny food.
    - BATHROOMS – I was nervous about taking my littles to stand in long lines. But bathrooms were pretty easy to find; we passed at least 4 different spots with rows of porta potties. Once while waiting in line, before you go through security. And then at different stages of the event.
    - When you enter the event—you start South of the White House, where there are bathrooms and lawn games. You then move through a walkway that takes you through the food line (once you get food - you can’t go back and reenter) closer and closer to the White House. There are bathrooms again.
    The coolest stuff is immediately by the White House—the Easter Egg roll and celebrity book reading is in front of the White House, by the stage. There are bathrooms near the end.
    There was SO much to do. We spent 2.5 hours inside the actual event – there were tons of craft and science activity tents, dozens of cartoon characters and easter bunnies in costume, huge dinosaur displays, a music/storytelling stage, an Easter egg hunt, celebrity book reading, and of course the main event – the Easter Egg Roll.
    - Like any big event, it’s load, it’s stimulating, and kind of tiring after a while. Lots of kids were breaking down crying, especially in the cold rain. But when the sun came out, and we got past the food, to the main event near in the front White House lawn – there was more space to spread out, sit down under the tents, and rest.
    There were volunteers EVERYWHERE to direct traffic. Despite the cold rain, the event was very well organized and such a special thing to see.
    Written April 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • donalan
    Springfield, VA3 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    TLDR: Not a bad seat in the house, beautiful sound was not great though...

    This is a beautiful theater with fantastic sight lines throughout the lower level (didnt get to the balcony). I attended a show where I was able to move seats (not close to sold out). After a back stage visit to a friend in the band at intermission, I moved from row K center to a rear side seat and both were really great! Visually its also quite a beautiful venue. I found the sound muddy though. It may have been the sound engineer but Ive seen the act (Steve Morse) many many times over 30 years and dont ever recall them sounding this dull on the high end.
    Written May 23, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • J L
    Phoenix, AZ1,159 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is my first Christmas event in all of DC. It was a great experience. It wasn’t too cold and was just right. It is cool to know it’s the world’s largest light maze.

    Although it is the world’s largest maze, I envisioned an actual maze you can legitimately worry about getting lost. I’m not sure if anyone has done other mazes such as the world’s largest maze in general, which is at the Dole Plantation on Oahu, Hawaii you can get spaced out. It was still cool. Especially, having you engaged with scratching out the animals you’re searching for in the game.

    There were some really nice little shops to include handmade ornaments. That hurt the pockets a little from the amount purchased. But worth it. Each a work of art.

    The house drink I had as part of the VIP experience was great. I thought about getting the lightbulb drink. But nearly $23 for a drink is a bit much. Especially, since I don’t need or want another souvenir cup.

    The decorations were all cool and what you’d expect. This is a one time experience. I was considering coming back with friends days or weeks later. However, it’s a one and done kind of thing. Although, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to revisit. It’s like saying you couldn’t see yourself going to another Smithsonian Museum. You’ll always find yourself noticing something new.

    It was mentioned that every single year the storyline changes and no year is the same. So it is recommended to visit yearly.
    Written December 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shawn C
    67 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    So many people! I don’t think it was possible to prepare for the crowds everywhere. In the metro, in the parking lots at the Pentagon , in line for the port a potty’s. The race itself was beautiful. The course wound past the Potomac River on the Virginia side past Arlington cemetery, across the Key Bridge into Georgetown, then down into DC Near the Washington monument and memorials then back into VA. The whole thing took most of the day because of the lines but worth doing once in a lifetime.
    Written October 13, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert D
    Brooklyn, New York4,655 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nationals Park was turned into a huge light show for Christmas called "Enchant". The main attraction was a huge light maze. They also had an ice skating rink, a Christmas market, and overpriced food concession stands. Children could visit with Santa Claus. There was also entertainment on the main stage. I enjoyed my visit, but it was not worth the money I spent on a ticket.
    Written January 8, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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