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Webinar: Introducing "Innovation! How can we create new solutions for the changing climate?"
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join the Smithsonian Science Education Center on Tuesday, May 19, at 8:30 AM EST/3:30 PM AST for a free one-hour webinar to learn about our newest guide from the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project: Innovation! How can we create new solutions for the changing climate? These guides support youth in turning their ideas into action for a sustainable future through activities that allow them to discover, understand, and act on solutions to complex global issues.
This one-hour webinar is open to all teachers, educators, community members, and leaders interested in learning how to support young people in making a positive change in their communities!
During this 60-minute webinar, we will: Introduce the Innovation! Guide, explore the structure, and the teacher planner , Highlight selected activities from the guide to showcase how students will follow an innovation process to move from identifying a problem to eventually launching an innovation , Discuss the motivation and philosophy behind the guide…
Online Location: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/045ZQRJLRGCE5ejFrvnSNw#/registration. Event Type: Educational. Talks & Lectures. Cost: Free. Contact Name: Katherine Blanchard. Contact Email: BlanchardKP@si.edu.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM.
For more info visit ssec.si.edu. Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (Farm Animals)
NZP Kids and Families
MOO! OINK! CLUCK!
Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm.
Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. Estudio de Cuentos: Colores de la Ciudad
One time events
Estudio de Cuentos is held the third Tuesday of every month. Facilitation is entirely in Spanish. We recommend that at least one person in your group (child or caregiver) speaks Spanish. This program’s English-language version, Storytime Studio: City Colors, will be held Wednesday, May 19. SOBRE ESTUDIO DE CUENTOS
Estudio de Cuentos ocurre el tercer martes de cada mes, a las 10 y 11 de la mañana, y está diseñado para niños desde recién nacidos hasta los 6 años y sus cuidadores. Los participantes son bienvenidos a nuestro estudio de arte para disfrutar de una hora especial de juego, lecturas en voz alta, y exploración artística. El programa es completamente en español, y se recomienda que por lo menos un miembro de su grupo (niño o cuidador) hable español.
Estudio de Cuentos tiene cupo limitado. La entrada es por orden de llegada. ESTA SEMANA
Nos acompañará una artista docente de Inspired Child, Melissa Strova-Valencia, para compartir un proyecto de arte y lectura especial. Exploraremos todos los colores…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Colorful Coffee Filter Sculpture.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Big Objects, Big Stories: Point of Pines Plantation Slave Cabin
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join us for a docent-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum's featured object. At each of these 15-minute talks visitors will hear incredibly big stories about a big object.
About this Program: Visitors cannot overlook the Point of Pines Plantation Slave Cabin, a circa early 1800s slave cabin from the Point of Pines Plantation on Edisto Island, S.C. The cabin is one of two remaining slave dwellings on Edisto Island. Its story provides a revealing glimpse into the most formative and troubling chapters in American history.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets at the Point of Pines Planation Slave Cabin, Level C3. Talks take place at: 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Marvelous Meteorites
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, May 19th, is all about exploring the colors, shapes, and textures of objects from space! Families can learn about and make close observations of meteorites from our collection, explore different colors of planets, and create your own play telescope. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum. Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Science on a Sphere
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Come explore our blue planet with NMNH Ocean Educators. Through NOAA’s Science on a Sphere technology, you’ll encounter a series of interactive visualizations projected on the Sant Ocean Hall’s giant globe. Watch sea turtles migrate coast to coast, track ships through global waters in real-time, explore the changing climate patterns shaping our planet, and much more!
Photo credit: Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Flights of Fancy Story Time: Tuck Me In by Nathan Pyle
Ongoing Tours & Activities
The Moon is having trouble tucking everyone in in this children's book by Nathan Pyle. The Moon tries to cover the beaches with the ocean, but when one beach is covered, another is left exposed. The Moon must find a way to get the beaches to take turns so everyone can get some sleep.
After the story, we will play some games that help us learn about taking turns.
Takes place at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center each Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am and 11:30 am.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Event Location: At the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Ask at the Welcome Center for the exact location of that day's story time. Cost: Free, Parking $15. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Highlights Tour with the Postal Museum’s Director or Deputy Director
Ongoing Tours & Activities
On this extra special tour with the Postal Museum’s Director or Deputy Director, explore the wonders of our museum like never before! Meet at the Information Desk for an exclusive 45-minute tour.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: FREE. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Sneak Peek | Marine Predators in Prehistoric Japan's Worldview
Lectures & Discussions
Prehistoric shell midden sites along the Japanese coasts provide a treasure trove of information for archaeologists. The conditions are excellent for the preservation of organic materials, such as artefacts, animals, and plants that include subsistence resources, as well as buried human remains. The data from excavations offers a peek into the fascinating life of prehistoric fishermen, including their tragedies and perils.
This presentation focuses on two of the potentially most dangerous marine species: sharks and the cone sea snail, a small but highly venomous invertebrate. Their representation in material culture indicates that both species also played an important symbolic role. Shark teeth (fossilized teeth of megalodons and other contemporaneous species) were fashioned into amulets and ritual adornments. Perhaps surprisingly, so were cone snail shells. Archaeology tells us more about their role in prehistoric life and society—even if the lack of written texts prevents us from grasping their full me…
Event Location: Zoom. Cost: Free. Register in advance (required). Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zwkjd0lGTJG3Ia9TFiffzQ. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:40 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Workshops
Register to join the sessions.
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections.
All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Event Location: Online. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Cost: Free; registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Categories: Workshops. Webcasts & Online. Related Events: Meditation and Mindfulness (Online).
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM.
Meet the Expert: Cryptocurrency
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Ellen Feingold and learn about a famous cryptocurrency heist.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Value of Money, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Virtual Tour | Religious Art Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Explore artwork from the major religious traditions and philosophies that originated in Asia such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Learn about traditions and devotional practices central to each and how they’ve been practiced in different regions. In this virtual tour, you’ll examine religious imagery, devotional sculptures, and sacred ritual objects across mediums such as paintings, ceramics, and metalwork. Seated Ganesha; India, Karnataka state, Halebidu, 12th–13th century; chloritic schist; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Sackler Collection, Gift of Arthur M. Sackler, S1987.960.
Event Location: Zoom. Cost: Free. Register in advance (required). Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TFEiWHdAQW2fATXYv8rd4w. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Webcasts & Online. Related Exhibition: The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Exploring Portrait Mode: The Divine Selfie
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and Poetry Camera for a new kind of poetry workshop. Created by Kelin Carolyn Zhang and Ryan Mather, Poetry Camera is a camera that writes poems about what it sees. Using this unique technology as a platform for discussion, we will invite participants to explore portraits in the museum's collection through a new lens. In the second half of the workshop, participants will turn the camera inward to create poetic portraits of themselves. Explore questions about selfhood, bias and authorship in the age of AI through the Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exploring-portrait-mode-the-divine-selfie-tickets-1981959629605?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. It Takes a Village: Caring for the Memories of Mothering in the Community
One-Time Events
Every May, we pause to celebrate the mothers and mother figures who shape our lives. This year, we invite you to move beyond a single day and transform celebration into preservation. Honor the mother figures in your life in a lasting way by recording oral histories and digitizing materials that tell their stories. Join the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in safeguarding the legacies of maternal figures who raised families, mentored generations, and nurtured communities.
This event will be held offsite at Lipsey Auditorium, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222‑1096.
Event Location: Lipsey Auditorium, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222-1096. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019db06d-7356-6e3b-f5ed-790b0c2a8ad8. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
For more info visit tickets.si.edu. Thomas Houseago: James T. Demetrion Distinguished Artist Series
One time events
FREE
Advance Insider tickets General tickets
We strongly recommend claiming a ticket to ensure your seat. This in-person program is expected to be at capacity.
Questions? Email Hirshhornexperience@si.edu
Hirshhorn Insiders, email HMSGdevelopment@si.edu
Internationally acclaimed artist Thomas Houseago joins Hirshhorn curator Anne Reeve in conversation for the 2026 James T. Demetrion Distinguished Artist Series.
This special program offers audiences an intimate look into Houseago’s creative practice, influences, and vision and celebrates the Museum’s recent acquisition of his monumental sculpture Minotaur—Janus (2024), on view in Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960.
This annual program is made possible by the Friends of Jim and Barbara Demetrion Endowment Fund, established in 2001 to celebrate Jim Demetrion’s seventeen-year tenure as the Hirshhorn’s second director.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
In the mid-2000s, Thomas Houseago established his career with monumental sculptures of hulking,…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Ring Auditorium. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/61655369/thomas-houseagojames-tdemetrion-distinguished-artist-series-washington-hirshhorn-museum-and-sculpture-garden. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Along the Coast of Many Cultures: Croatia From Pula to Dubrovnik
All Programs
Standing at the geographic intersection of several cultures, Croatia has been coveted by various foreign powers for centuries, with Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans all leaving their mark. Aneta Georgievska-Shine, a scholar of Renaissance and Baroque art, examines the artistic legacy of this long and tangled history by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Dubrovnik and other significant sites. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/along-coast-of-many-cultures-croatia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/along-coast-of-many-cultures-croatia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Ernest Hemingway: Journeys in the Written Word
All Programs
From preserving his father’s family photographs and his own teenage documentaries of outdoor adventures through his youth in Paris to his physical breakdown in Africa and Cuba, Ernest Hemingway’s process served as his magnetic north throughout his eventful life. Drawing on his personal papers and private photograph collection, Hemingway biographer Hilary Justice recreates how Hemingway worked, illustrating the writer’s process: Experience sparks inspiration, and creativity meets craft in service of “one true sentence.”.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ernest-hemingway?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ernest-hemingway?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
The Hidden Social Lives of Giraffes
All Programs
Giraffes maintain complex social systems: They form lifelong friendships, establish babysitting crèches, and follow matriarchal leaders. In the past 30 years, however, giraffe populations have declined by roughly 40 percent, placing them at risk of extinction. Wildlife conservation biologist Fred Bercovitch explores the hidden social lives of giraffes.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/giraffes?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/giraffes?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Life on the Extremes: Why Ocean Acidification Hits Differently on the Coasts
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
The ocean and other water bodies absorb nearly a third of human-emitted carbon dioxide (CO2). However, once dissolved, CO2 lowers the water's pH and makes it more acidic—a phenomenon known as ocean acidification. In coastal waters like Chesapeake Bay, acidification plays out differently than in the open ocean. In this talk, Smithsonian ecologist Whitman Miller will explore the surprising role marine biota play in coastal acidification. He’ll also reveal how emerging technology and automated measurements are painting a new, more dynamic picture of coastal water bodies, where chemistry can shift drastically between day and night, between tides and between seasons—and what these shifts mean for life in coastal waters more broadly.
This event is part of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)’s free evening science talks, and it will be recorded! Closed captions will be available during the live stream and on the recording. By signing up on Zoom, you’ll be able to watch live and receive a link to…
Event Location: Online only. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/1217758489837/WN_66oQUIIXS4CNjcDTWL4DLg. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/1217758489837/WN_66oQUIIXS4CNjcDTWL4DLg. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Related Events: June 16: Seafood 101: How to Shop Smarter, Eat Better and Rethink Aquaculture. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
For more info visit smithsonian.zoom.us. Private and Public Gardens of the Philadelphia Region: A Springtime Extravaganza
All Programs
Celebrate the height of spring blooms with two full days devoted to the artistry of garden design. The highlight of this program: visits to three private gardens, offering meticulously curated collections, outdoor living spaces, and rare opportunities to engage with visionary gardeners. Led by horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey, the tour also explores stunning public gardens including Chanticleer, a vibrant garden masterpiece of bold color and inventive design; Stoneleigh, a reimagined Gilded Age estate showcasing native plants, historic trees, and stonework; and the Jenkins Arboretum’s 48-acre woodland sanctuary of seasonal blooms.
Event Location: Detailed information for overnight tours is emailed approximately FOUR WEEKS. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/public-private-gardens-philadelphia-region?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 7:15 AM – Thursday, May 21, 2026, 7:00 PM.
Wellness Wednesdays
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and wellness expert Aparna Sadananda for mindfulness programs inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. On the first Wednesday of each month, join us for an artful meditation, where we will practice slow looking and experience portraiture through breath and slow movement. On the third Wednesday of each month, join us for a wellness program that inspires the senses and includes sound baths and musical meditation. These programs are for ages 18+ and are suitable for all skill levels. No experience is necessary.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-wellness-wednesdays-tickets-1982011714392?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Storytime Studio: City Colors
One time events
ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO
Storytime Studio is a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 6 and their caregivers. Every Wednesday morning at 10 and 11 AM, visitors are welcomed into our studio to enjoy a special Storytime adventure.
Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Entry is first-come, first-served. THIS WEEK
Join us for a special Storytime outdoors on the Plaza with guests from the Anacostia Community Museum! We’ll hunt for colors in the city around us and make art inspired by artist Sam Gilliam’s vibrant installation Light Depth (1969), on view at the Museum. Gilliam lived and worked in Washington, DC, and was a founder of the Washington Color School—a group of DC artists whose work focused on color itself. Featured book: Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet
Featured book: Amor de colores by Melanie Romero, illustrated by Citlali Reyes, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO, Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience.
There are two Storytime sessions each…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Colorful Coffee Filter Sculpture.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. CANCELLED - Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Big Objects, Big Stories: The Paradox of the Liberty
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join us for a docent-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum's featured object. At each of these 15-minute talks visitors will hear incredibly big stories about a big object.
About this Program: The paradox of the American Revolution is the fight for liberty in an era of widespread slavery. Talk with a museum docent and explore the tension between slavery and freedom—who belongs and who is excluded. Consider how this paradox resonates through the nation’s history and spurs the American people to wrestle constantly with building “a more perfect Union.”.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets at the Paradox of Liberty section, Level C3. Talks take place at: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 12:30 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Enid A. Haupt Garden tour begins just inside the garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
For more info visit gardens.si.edu. Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Cradleboards and Crawlers
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Designed for early learners (ages 0-2), their caregivers, and families, this drop-in program offers young visitors the opportunity to enjoy a book by a Native author or illustrator read by a Museum Educator, engage in free play and sensory enrichment, and participate in other hands-on learning.
*Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3.
**Recommended for visitors ages 0-2 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Storytime Studio: City Colors
One time events
ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO
Storytime Studio is a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 6 and their caregivers. Every Wednesday morning at 10 and 11 AM, visitors are welcomed into our studio to enjoy a special Storytime adventure.
Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Entry is first-come, first-served. THIS WEEK
Join us for a special Storytime outdoors on the Plaza with guests from the Anacostia Community Museum! We’ll hunt for colors in the city around us and make art inspired by artist Sam Gilliam’s vibrant installation Light Depth (1969), on view at the Museum. Gilliam lived and worked in Washington, DC, and was a founder of the Washington Color School—a group of DC artists whose work focused on color itself. Featured book: Say Zoop! by Hervé Tullet
Featured book: Amor de colores by Melanie Romero, illustrated by Citlali Reyes, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO, Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience.
There are two Storytime sessions each…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Colorful Coffee Filter Sculpture.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
CANCELLED - Curator Tour | Of the Hills
Gallery Talks & Tours
This tour has been rescheduled to Friday, May 22.
In this tour exploring Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India’s Himalayan Kingdoms, curator Debra Diamond reveals the ways that virtuoso Pahari artists riffed off inherited traditions to convey awe and affection.
Please meet at gallery 23 for the tour. We recommend you register in advance. Image: Attributed to the Early Mandi Master; Wedding Ceremony, folio from a Ramayana; India, Himachal Pradesh state, Mandi, ca. 1640–50; opaque watercolor and gold on paper; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F2017.13.2.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 23 & 24. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Annual Fellows Lectures
One-Time Events
Join the 2025–2026 SAAM Fellows for a thought-providing series of talks that span a range of topics, time periods, media, and messages. This multi-afternoon program is an opportunity to hear from a new generation of scholars who are delving into the Smithsonian’s collections and archives to uncover fresh perspectives on American art. View the schedule.
Image/Credit: SAAM 2025–2026 Fellows, courtesy of subjects.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: McEvoy Auditorium, Online via YouTube. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR2rdq5. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience conveys a sense of appreciation and respect for the military service of African Americans from the American Revolution to the War on Terror. Visitors have an opportunity to engage in a conversation with a museum docent and learn about the contributions of African Americans to the military history of the United States.
Tours take place at 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: This one hour tour program meets at Level 3 in the Double Victory: The African American Military Experience exhibit. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. DC | Welcome to a Native Place
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Promoting STEAM Innovation and Invention in the Classroom | Cultivating Learning
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join Nyssa Buning of the National Museum of American History’s Spark!Lab and Carol O’Donnell and Hannah Osborn of the Smithsonian Science Education Center to explore strategies for cultivating an inventive mindset in your students. We’ll discuss the history of STEAM innovation in America and try an open-ended invention challenge that uses object-based learning techniques to encourage creative problem solving and support curiosity and perseverance, skills essential to inventors throughout history. You’ll leave with a set of facilitation tools to support students as they develop their own inventive identity and become future problem-solvers. You’ll also receive access to a newly released e-book from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Stories of Women in STEAM Innovation: Celebrating America's 250th.
Program Details:
This is a Zoom webinar with automatic captioning. You’ll be able to participate using the chat and Q&A, and your camera and mic will be disabled. We’ll record and post the webinar on the …
Event Location: Online. Cost: Free. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Related Events: In this special 2025-2026 Cultivating Learning series, "Celebrating America at 250," Smithsonian educators share teaching techniques and resources that help tell the story of America's 250th. The series celebrates well-known people, events, and accomplishments of our nation and also provides opportunities to discuss lesser-told histories that together form our national narrative. Join us to explore strategies for using digital museum resources to support student learning at this milestone moment in American… Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Casa Buonarroti
All Programs
Casa Buonarroti in Florence offers an intimate perspective on Michelangelo’s life and legacy, distinct from his monumental public works. The house museum is a carefully constructed site of family memory, shaped by Michelangelo’s descendants in the 17th century. Through Casa Buonarroti’s architecture, decorative programs, and collection of early works, Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero reveals how examples of artistic genius were curated within a domestic setting. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/casa-buonarroti?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/casa-buonarroti?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Rachel Carson: Wonder and Wisdom in the Living World
All Programs
Rachel Carson rose to prominence through poetic nonfiction celebrating the natural world, especially the oceans, drawing on her marine zoology background and years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Her articles in major magazines and bestselling books earned her the title “Biographer of the Sea.” Her final work, Silent Spring, reshaped public understanding of environmental harm and came to define her legacy. Environmental educator Rebecca Henson examines Carson’s writing process, the book’s cultural impact, and the ecological vision that guided her career.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/rachel-carson?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/rachel-carson?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Chasing Storms with the Hurricane Hunters (Amelia Earhart Lecture in Aviation History)
One-Time Events
Get excited about hurricane hunting with servicemembers of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, this year's panelists for the annual Amelia Earhart Lecture in Aviation History on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Visit the Museum's galleries from 7-8 pm then hear from our guests about their roles as members of the 53rd's "Hurricane Hunters" squadron from 8-9 pm.
Your registration includes: A ticket to this talk from 8-9 pm. , Concessions available for purchase prior to 8 pm. , Access to select Museum galleries from 7-8 pm. Check the event website for a list of open galleries as we get closer to the program. , Opportunities to learn about Principles of Flight and plane spotting from Museum staff at Discovery Stations from 7-8 pm.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. Cost: Free with registration. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
ONLINE: Chasing Storms with the Hurricane Hunters (Amelia Earhart Lecture in Aviation History)
One-Time Events
Get excited about hurricane hunting with servicemembers of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, this year's panelists for the annual Amelia Earhart Lecture in Aviation History on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 on the Museum's YouTube channel.
Hear from the panelists and ask questions in real time through our live broadcast via YouTube.
For more information about this event, you can always check out our event page.
ASL interpretation will be available to view via YouTube.
Event Location: National Air and Space Museum, Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. Online Link: https://youtube.com/live/j8RtgM4DDDg?feature=share. Cost: Free with registration. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
For more info visit youtube.com. Music from the Old North State
“By the People” Events
6–7:30 p.m. ET
Join NC Humanities and the Earl Scruggs Center for a fun-filled event celebrating the rich, soulful tunes of the western North Carolina. Experience authentic music that brings the state’s vibrant culture to life. This event will incorporate music demonstrations and a conversation with artist Laura Boosinger and music heritage expert Jordan Laney.
Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Cost: Free, but registration encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/by-the-people-music-from-the-old-north-state-shelby-tickets-1986548046684. Event Location: Shelby, North Carolina.
Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Earl Scruggs Center
Shelby, NC.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (Farm Animals)
NZP Kids and Families
MOO! OINK! CLUCK!
Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm.
Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Explore the complex story of slavery and freedom. Visitors will view priceless objects, connect to the past, and hear about the actions of ordinary men and women, demanding freedom and transforming our nation.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets in the Slavery & Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:45 AM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
16th Street and Adams Morgan
All Programs
Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, for a walk through some of Northwest Washington, D.C.’s most vibrant communities and hear stories of movers and shakers, protests, disasters, and social scandals. Explore the oasis of Meridian Hill Park, visit the site of a former castle, learn about the “Empress of 16th Street,” and see what used to be the largest fire station in the city.
Event Location: Tour meets outside Meridian Hill Park at the corner of the 16th St and W St. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/16th-street-and-adams-morgan?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Flights of Fancy Story Time: Tuck Me In by Nathan Pyle
Ongoing Activities
The Moon is having trouble tucking everyone in in this children's book by Nathan Pyle. The Moon tries to cover the beaches with the ocean, but when one beach is covered, another is left exposed. The Moon must find a way to get the beaches to take turns so everyone can get some sleep.
After the story, we will play some games that help us learn about taking turns.
Takes place each at the National Air and Space Museum in DC each Thursday at 11 am.
No event reservations, but remember to get your free timed-entry pass to the Museum.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: At the National Air and Space Museum in DC. Ask at the Welcome Center for that day's exact location. Cost: This is a free drop-in story time. You will need free timed-entry passes to enter the Museum. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Flights of Fancy Story Time: Tuck Me In by Nathan Pyle
Ongoing Tours & Activities
The Moon is having trouble tucking everyone in in this children's book by Nathan Pyle. The Moon tries to cover the beaches with the ocean, but when one beach is covered, another is left exposed. The Moon must find a way to get the beaches to take turns so everyone can get some sleep.
After the story, we will play some games that help us learn about taking turns.
Takes place at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center each Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am and 11:30 am.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Event Location: At the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Ask at the Welcome Center for the exact location of that day's story time. Cost: Free, Parking $15. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. How Do Paleoanthropologists Identify Our Evolutionary Relatives?
One-Time Events
While some of us today enjoy exploring our own family genealogy, paleoanthropologists study fossils of our evolutionary family members and try to identify our relatives in the deep past. How do they determine these evolutionary relationships, which now-extinct ancient species are more closely related to us, and which fossils belong to which species? Dr. Bernard Wood, University Professor of Human Origins at the George Washington University, will explain how paleoanthropologists attempt to answer these questions. Moderator: Dr. Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants.
Image caption: Bronze sculpture of a Paranthropus boisei created by paleoartist John Gurche in the Smithsonian’s Hall of Human Origins. Image credit: Smithsonian Institution.
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/99966992/how-do-paleoanthropologists-identify-our-evolutionary-relatives-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Peacock Room Shutters Open
National Museum of Asian Art
Third Thursday of every month.
Free, no registration required.
See the Peacock Room in a whole new light! Please join us for a beloved NMAA tradition: our third Thursday opening of the Peacock Room shutters. Experience this unique masterwork of art and design in a whole new way as natural light reveals details of James McNeill Whistler's painted interior and accents the gleaming surfaces of Charles Lang Freer's collection of Asian ceramics.
The shutters are open from noon to 5:30 p.m. every third Thursday of each month.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Freer gallery 12 (Peacock Room). Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Northern Europe's Classical Music Masterpieces
All Programs
Composers from the countries situated around the Baltic, North, and Norwegian seas have long held a cherished place in concert halls. Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Arvo Pärt are among those who shaped the understanding of their varied cultures. Their music explores mysterious folklores, vast frozen land and seascapes, spiritual beliefs, and turbulent histories. In a 4-session series, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin uses live piano demonstrations and film clips to explore both well- and lesser-known masterpieces from the North.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/north-europes-classical-music-masterpieces?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/north-europes-classical-music-masterpieces?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Sketching the Smithsonian: Weekly Lunchtime Daytime Series
All Programs
Pull out your sketchbook and pencil to take an artful break as you explore the Smithsonian while drawing objects from vast and fascinating collections.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AKJ6?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AKJ6?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Annual Fellows Lectures
One-Time Events
Join the 2025–2026 SAAM Fellows for a thought-providing series of talks that span a range of topics, time periods, media, and messages. This multi-afternoon program is an opportunity to hear from a new generation of scholars who are delving into the Smithsonian’s collections and archives to uncover fresh perspectives on American art. View the schedule.
Image/Credit: SAAM 2025–2026 Fellows, courtesy of subjects.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: McEvoy Auditorium, Online via YouTube. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR2reB3. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
DC | Closer Look: "Water's Edge"
One-Time Events
Join Rebecca Trautmann, curator of Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe, for an in-gallery conversation with interdisciplinary artist and carver, Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich (Koyukan Dené/Iñupiaq), the museum’s 2025-2026 Native Arts Fellow. Together, they’ll offer visitors a closer look at artworks in the exhibition and discuss the connections between Ivalu and Lowe’s art practices. Erin Ggaadimits Ivalu Gingrich (she/her) is a Koyukon Dené and Iñupiaq carver, interdisciplinary artist and educator working and subsisting in South-Central Alaska on Denaʼina homelands. Honoring her arctic and subarctic ancestral homelands, Gingrich's work represents what has tied her and her ancestors to the North. Gingrich received her BFA in Native Art from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, her MFA in Studio Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts and is currently a Term Instructor of Art for the University of Alaska Anchorage. Awarded with the Native Arts Fellowship at the National Museum of the American Indian…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3, exhibition gallery. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Coral Reef Tank Talk
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Swim by the Sant Ocean Hall to meet some of the coral reef species that call the Smithsonian NMNH home! Hosted by an Ocean Educator, this interactive cart experience will walk you through the world of saltwater fish, coral colonies, and invertebrates galore!
Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Masters and Mediums: Wildlife Artists
All Programs
Learn about the history of master wildlife artists such as John Audubon, Albrecht Dürer, Carel Fabritius, Maria Sibylla Merian, Károly Lotz, and Diego Velazquez. Work in a variety of mediums to capture the wildlife of your choice. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/masters-and-mediums-wildlife-artists?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/masters-and-mediums-wildlife-artists?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. NY | Hands On: Celebrate Hawaiian Culture
One-Time Events
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join museum educators in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for hands-on activities related to Hawaiian culture. Stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom to learn about the process used by Native Hawaiians to create kapa, cloth made from paper mulberry tree bark, or wauke. Chat with educators, learn about the tools used to create kapa, and as a keepsake, stamp a bookmark with kapa designs to take home.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Expert: Firefighters in the 1800s
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Tim Winkle and learn about firefighters in the 1800s.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Value of Money, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Take 5: Jazz at SAAM with Clara Campbell
One-Time Events
Celebrate a uniquely American art form with Take 5: Jazz at SAAM, a series of free, live performances. Clara Campbell, a jazz vocalist based in Washington, DC, is known for her rich tone and expressive style, bringing fresh life to jazz standards while staying rooted in the tradition. Campbell and her quintet will perform selections from the Great American Songbook, featuring original arrangements by Campbell.
Borrow a board game to play during the concert and stop by the Courtyard Café to purchase refreshments.
Image credit: Kaitlyn Numbers.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Kogod Courtyard. Cost: Free | Registration encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3Hec1. Categories: After Five. Performances.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Watercolor Journeys: Quick-Sketch Your Travels
All Programs
Spend the day learning to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. Discover how to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/watercolor-journeys-quick-sketch-your-travels?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/watercolor-journeys-quick-sketch-your-travels?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
The Ganges: River and Goddess
All Programs
Since ancient times, the Ganges has been embodied as the goddess Ganga, and her reach stretches well beyond the riverbanks. Art historian Robert DeCaroli traces the Ganges from its origins in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, exploring historic and sacred locations along the way. He also examines the art and architecture used to enhance and replicate access to Ganga’s sacred waters. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ganges?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ganges?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
The American Revolution, Part 1
All Programs
The American War of Independence freed the 13 British colonies in North America from Crown rule and set the stage for the United States’ bold experiment in self-government. Drawing on primary sources, historian Christopher Hamner traces the war from its roots in the crises of the 1770s through the opening campaigns of the conflict, culminating in the American victories at Trenton and Princeton and an examination of British strategy in a springtime series. This session focuses on American Revolution events around Christmas 1776.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-revolution-part1-1D0142C?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-revolution-part1-1D0142C?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Northwest Folklife Festival
“Of the People” Festivals
For over fifty years, Northwest Folklife Festival has served the Pacific Northwest as a beacon of its regional arts and culture in Seattle during Memorial Day weekend. Now in its fifty-fifth year, the annual festival celebrates Ubuntu, I am because we are, emphasizing our belonging to each other and to our shared humanity. As one of the largest and most cherished cultural celebrations in the Pacific Northwest, the festival attracts more than 200,000 attendees each year. This family-friendly, free event provides a creative outlet for local artists and communities and invites visitors to connect in-depth with these communities and cultural practices.
Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Culinary Arts. Demonstrations. Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices. ASL-interpreted program. Event Location: Seattle, Washington.
Friday, May 22, 2026 – Monday, May 25, 2026.
Seattle Center
Seattle, WA.
For more info visit nwfolklife.org. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Story Time
One-Time Events
Stamp your calendar for Story Time! Join us every week for a fresh story, a stroll through the Museum, hands-on postal play, and more. Together, we’ll explore mail and all the ways it connects us to people, places, and big ideas.
Stop by anytime—whether you stay for one activity or the whole session, this program will get everyone’s “stamp of approval”.
Meet in the Museum Lobby.
If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g. ASL interpretation, etc.), please contact NPMprograms@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free ; no registration required. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
16th Street and Adams Morgan
All Programs
Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, for a walk through some of Northwest Washington, D.C.’s most vibrant communities and hear stories of movers and shakers, protests, disasters, and social scandals. Explore the oasis of Meridian Hill Park, visit the site of a former castle, learn about the “Empress of 16th Street,” and see what used to be the largest fire station in the city.
Event Location: Tour meets outside Meridian Hill Park at the corner of the 16th St and W St. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/16th-street-and-adams-morgan-1CWB07?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Enid A. Haupt Garden tour begins just inside the garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
For more info visit gardens.si.edu. Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Cooking Up History: Giuliano Hazan and a Legacy of Cooking Italian
One-Time Events
Join us for a Cooking Up History demonstration with award-winning author and Italian cooking teacher Giuliano Hazan, whose mother, Marcella, is considered the godmother of Italian cooking in America. During this cooking demonstration, Hazan will prepare Zabaglione, an Italian custard dessert made by whipping egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine over heat. The recipe has deep roots in the Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna regions—where his parents, Victor and Marcella, lived before moving to New York in 1955. Marcella’s own copper Zabaglione pot, donated to the museum last spring, is a featured object in the museum’s upcoming In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness exhibition, which highlights 250 objects for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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“Cocinando Historia: Giuliano Hazan y un legado de cocina italiana” Viernes 22 de mayo, de mediodía a 1 p.m. Plaza Wallace H. Coulter; primer piso, oeste, Acompáñanos en una demostración de Cocinando Historia con el galardonado…
Venue: American History Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Plaza; First Floor, West. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cooking-up-history-giuliano-hazan-and-a-legacy-of-cooking-italian-tickets-1988494412316?aff=trumba. Categories: Culinary Arts. Demonstrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Curator Tour | Of the Hills
Gallery Talks & Tours
In this tour exploring Of the Hills: Pahari Paintings from India’s Himalayan Kingdoms, curator Debra Diamond reveals the ways that virtuoso Pahari artists riffed off inherited traditions to convey awe and affection.
Please meet at gallery 23 for the tour. We recommend you register in advance. Image: Attributed to the Early Mandi Master; Wedding Ceremony, folio from a Ramayana; India, Himachal Pradesh state, Mandi, ca. 1640–50; opaque watercolor and gold on paper; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F2017.13.2.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 23 & 24. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988324765899?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Raphael: The Prince of Painters
All Programs
Raphael, one of the High Renaissance’s great masters alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo, rose from Perugino’s apprentice in Urbino to the favored artist of popes and princes. In just two decades, he synthesized influences into serene compositions and ideal beauty, leaving a legacy of harmony and grace before his death at 37. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo explores his extraordinary ascent—from early apprenticeships under Perugino to encounters with Michelangelo and Leonardo in Florence, and finally to his crowning achievements in Rome. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/raphael?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/raphael?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Workshops
Register to join the sessions.
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections.
All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Event Location: Online. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Cost: Free; registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Categories: Workshops. Webcasts & Online. Related Events: Meditation and Mindfulness (Online).
Friday, May 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM.
Annual Fellows Lectures
One-Time Events
Join the 2025–2026 SAAM Fellows for a thought-providing series of talks that span a range of topics, time periods, media, and messages. This multi-afternoon program is an opportunity to hear from a new generation of scholars who are delving into the Smithsonian’s collections and archives to uncover fresh perspectives on American art. View the schedule.
Image/Credit: SAAM 2025–2026 Fellows, courtesy of subjects.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: McEvoy Auditorium, Online via YouTube. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR2reML. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. NY | Hands On: Celebrate Hawaiian Culture
One-Time Events
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join museum educators in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for hands-on activities related to Hawaiian culture. Stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom to learn about the process used by Native Hawaiians to create kapa, cloth made from paper mulberry tree bark, or wauke. Chat with educators, learn about the tools used to create kapa, and as a keepsake, stamp a bookmark with kapa designs to take home.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
IlluminAsia | Bruce Lee Night with Jeff Chang and DJ 2-Tone of Shaolin Jazz
Lectures & Discussions
Register in advance to get the best experience. On the evening of the event, join the standby line for remaining seats. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis for patrons without tickets.
A story about Bruce Lee is a story about Asian America. Celebrate this global icon with an evening of literature, film, and music to kick off our IlluminAsia BookCon for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
First, Jeff Chang discusses his new book, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, with Theo Gonzalves, curator at the National Museum of American History. Purchase a copy and get it signed before the talk.
Then, catch a film screening of The Big Boss accompanied live by DJ 2-Tone Jones in another of Shaolin Jazz’s popular Can I Kick It? events. This time he spins with the film that proved to be Bruce Lee’s big breakthrough, launching him to instant superstardom and setting a new standard for kung fu heroics.
5 p.m.: Book sales start
6 p.m.: Book…
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Event Location: West Building. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminasia-bruce-lee-night-with-jeff-chang-and-dj-2-tone-of-shaolin-jazz-tickets-1987695823716?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Shopping/Book Signing. Films. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 5:00 PM – 9:15 PM.
The Coolest Wines from the Hottest Regions
All Programs
Spend a fascinating Friday evening expanding your knowledge of the world of wine as you sip along with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable adventures. He explores wines that are literally and figuratively cool and hot in an immersive program that includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/coolest-wines-hottest-regions?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/coolest-wines-hottest-regions?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Culinary Arts.
Friday, May 22, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Echoes of Erin: Traditional Music of Ireland (Concert of Colors Neighborhood Program)
“Of the People” Festivals
Doors at 6:30 pm ET; concert at 7:30 pm
Through collaborations with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and community-based organizations across Metro Detroit, the Concert of Colors will host a series of free neighborhood events celebrating the cultural traditions that have helped shape our nation. Together, these programs remind us that the journey toward a more perfect union begins with listening, sharing, and creating solutions together.
Featured artists: Cathy Jordan, Kevin Burke, Eamon O’Leary, Sean Gavin, and Nic Gareiss. Presented in partnership with the Detroit Irish Music Association (DIMA).
Categories: Performances. Cost: Free. Event Location: Detroit, Michigan.
Saturday, May 23, 2026.
The Gaelic League – Irish American Club of Detroit
Detroit, MI.
For more info visit www.concertofcolors.com. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Bird Walk
One-Time Events
As we have since 2022, the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum will host a spring bird walk at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. We are teaming up with DC Bird Alliance, so gather your family and friends and join us for some fun as we celebrate nature in the Nation’s Capital — no experience or equipment required.
Image credit: Robert Costello.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Visitor Center (outside), 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20019. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Click here to register. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/84836042/kenilworth-park-and-aquatic-gardens-bird-walk-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Birds of DC, 1st Floor.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM.
Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (Birding)
NZP Kids and Families
Calling all budding birders! , Celebrate Black Birders Week with creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about birds of all types and practice our birding skills. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand
One-Time Events
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.*
You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt.
*Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Plaza. Cost: Free to Attend. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freshfarm-acm-farm-stand-tickets-1985418954539?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Open Studio: Color Flow State
One time events
Get inspired by all things Washington, DC, every Saturday in May at Open Studio! Each week, we’ll look at artworks created or inspired by our neighborhood of artists, including Sam Gilliam, Alma Thomas, architect Gordon Bunshaft, and more.
Join us this Saturday as we take inspiration from Washington Color School member Sam Gilliam. We’ll take a look at Gilliam’s huge artwork Light Depth (1969). Then using materials like markers, water, and coffee filters, we’ll create our own colorful installations.
Meet in Art School on the Museum’s Lower Level. ABOUT OPEN STUDIO
Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in to explore modern and contemporary art through interactive hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.
Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on art-making. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—and allow them to craft,…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Colorful Coffee Filter Sculpture.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Cultural Expressions Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This tour introduces visitors to the broad concept of African American and African diaspora culture and five ways through which that culture is expressed. Guests converse with a docent while exploring objects pertaining to Style: Image and Identity, Foodways: Culture and Cuisine, Artistry: Craftsmanship and Creativity, Movement: Social Dance and Gesture and Language: The Power of the Word that are featured in the Cultural Expressions exhibition.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets in the Cultural Expressions exhibition, located on L4. One-hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Cultural Expressions.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Explore the complex story of slavery and freedom. Visitors will view priceless objects, connect to the past, and hear about the actions of ordinary men and women, demanding freedom and transforming our nation.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets in the Slavery & Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:45 AM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
16th Street and Adams Morgan
All Programs
Join Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, for a walk through some of Northwest Washington, D.C.’s most vibrant communities and hear stories of movers and shakers, protests, disasters, and social scandals. Explore the oasis of Meridian Hill Park, visit the site of a former castle, learn about the “Empress of 16th Street,” and see what used to be the largest fire station in the city.
Event Location: Tour meets outside Meridian Hill Park at the corner of the 16th St and W St. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/16th-street-and-adams-morgan-1CWC07?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day 2026
One-Time Events
Honor Indigenous service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Hear from Native veterans, make prayer ties to remember loved ones, and pay your respects during a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial. This year, we honor the legacies of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne, 1933-2025) and Harvey Phillip Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, 1941-2025) and their invaluable contributions to the museum and their fellow veterans. SCHEDULE, Level 1, Potomac Atrium, 10:30 AM | Opening Prayer, National Anthem, Posting of the Colors, Welcome Remarks, Join us for an honor song and prayer to remember fallen Native service members, followed by a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by Miss Lumbee, Taylor Davis, and the posting of the colors by the Buddy Bond Color Guard and the Lumbee Warriors. Michelle Delaney, Acting Associate Director for Museum Research and Scholarship, will offer welcome remarks. 10:30…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1: Potomac Atrium and Rasmuson Theater, Level 4: Patrons Lounge, Outdoors: National Native American Veterans Memorial. Cost: FREE. Categories: Celebrations. Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
For more info visit www.americanindian.si.edu. Coffee & Collections: Caring for Quilts
One-Time Events
One of the most enduring American artistic traditions, quilting reflects generations of knowledge, technical expertise and creative expression. Quilts blend beauty and utility. They are valued for the care, memory and cultural meaning stitched into them. Yet preserving these large, pieced works can present unique challenges. Join us as we explore African American quilts in the museum’s collection and learn techniques to store and preserve them over the long term. Guests are invited to bring a quilt for consultation with museum staff.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-and-collections-caring-for-quilts-tickets-1984633267528?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
IlluminAsia | Children's Book Fair
Kids and Family
Register in advance to make sure you get the best experience. Activities have a limited capacity, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bring the kids for book readings, hands-on crafts, and giveaways from an all-star lineup of authors and illustrators. Plus, you can purchase books from the museum store and get them signed! This event is part of our IlluminAsia Book Con, celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Featured Authors and Illustrators:
Inspired by her first teacher at the refugee camp, Hanh Bui pursued a master’s degree in early childhood education and taught second grade before becoming a children’s book author. Hanh’s stories are inspired by her Vietnamese heritage and refugee experiences. She serves as cochair of the Equity and Inclusion Team for the Mid-Atlantic region of SCBWI and as a member of Diverse Verse and Reading Is Fundamental of Northern Virginia’s Authors in Schools Program. She is the author of The Yellow Áo Dài, Ánh's New Word,…
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 27. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminasia-childrens-book-fair-tickets-1987537309596?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families. Shopping/Book Signing. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
DC | Story Time
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Families are invited to an interactive story time featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity.
*Due to limited capacity in our spaces, tickets may be needed to enter the Activity Center and therefore the Story room (limited to 25 persons max). Please see staff at the entrance desk of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center on Level 3. **Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver.
***Schedule subject to change without prior notice.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 3. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.
NY | Hands On: Celebrate Hawaiian Culture
One-Time Events
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join museum educators in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for hands-on activities related to Hawaiian culture. Stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom to learn about the process used by Native Hawaiians to create kapa, cloth made from paper mulberry tree bark, or wauke. Chat with educators, learn about the tools used to create kapa, and as a keepsake, stamp a bookmark with kapa designs to take home.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
IlluminAsia | BookCon Fair and Disco
Lectures & Discussions
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors and stories with the book fair of your dreams! All day long, browse books curated by the Asian American Book Club. Enjoy live discussions, signings, and workshops with authors in all kinds of genres, from cookbooks and comics to Asian American history.
Then stick around for an afterhours disco dance party with DJ MAIYA! Come dressed as your favorite literary character (masks not allowed). Snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Bring the kids early for our children's book fair in the morning.
Children's Book Fair
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
East Building, Gallery 27
Book Fair
12:30–5:30 p.m.
West Building, South Corridor
KYRU Matcha Pop-Up
12–5 p.m.
West Building Courtyard
Author Panel Discussions and Signings
12:30–5:30 p.m.
West Building, Meyer Auditorium and South CorridorThe Future of Asian America
1 p.m.Neil Ruiz, head of new research initiatives at Pew Research Center, Helen Zia, activist, journalist, and award-winning nonfiction author, …
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Freer Gallery of Art, Freer Plaza, Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminasia-bookcon-fair-and-disco-tickets-1987653866220?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Kids & Families. Shopping/Book Signing. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Art Studio
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Calling all artists! Join the Portrait Gallery for a free, drop-in art program, where creativity knows no bounds. Every weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to explore a different artistic medium while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collections and exhibitions. On select weekends, learn from a featured guest artist, who will lead specialized workshops and share their expertise. To stay informed about upcoming guest artist workshops, please check the Portrait Gallery’s Eventbrite page.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-art-studio-tickets-1112707681629?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
NY | Hands On: Celebrate Hawaiian Culture
One-Time Events
In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join museum educators in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for hands-on activities related to Hawaiian culture. Stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom to learn about the process used by Native Hawaiians to create kapa, cloth made from paper mulberry tree bark, or wauke. Chat with educators, learn about the tools used to create kapa, and as a keepsake, stamp a bookmark with kapa designs to take home.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Memorial Day Celebration
One-Time Events
Please join us for an informative panel discussion focused on the stories of Black military veterans as we celebrate Memorial Day and Black history! Panelists will share their expertise on the experiences of Civil War and World War I from the perspectives of Black veterans, as well as providing insights about how these veterans connected commemoration of their military service to the fight for civil rights and exercising their right to vote. In addition, presenters will explore the role of the Black press in communicating such narratives and the importance of Black press archives to conducting historical research.
This event will be held offsite at the Mason O. Damon Auditorium, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Event Location: Mason O. Damon Auditorium, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019d8d2e-e6d9-afb3-4b9d-e1a5ec4a52f1?tg=019d8d2e-e6e0-2f45-a445-d1644cf35ebf. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit tickets.si.edu. Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Teen Studio: Don’t be Blue
One time events
Teens: Ready to level up your art? Join us for Teen Studio, a free art-making program exclusively for teens ages 13–19. Push your artistic boundaries using materials and techniques inspired by artists whose work is now on view at the Hirshhorn.
Every weekend in May, Teen Studio is exploring the boundary-breaking artists in the Hirshhorn collection who used color to bring their ideas to life. This Saturday, we will look closely at Alma Thomas’s Blue and Brown Still Life (1958). Then we’ll head back to Art School to practice abstract still-life painting inspired by Thomas.
Drop in to Teen Studio every Saturday between 2:30 and 4 PM. Register for the entire school year here (one-time registration covers all sessions). Join one session or join them all! Meet in Art School on the Museum’s Lower Level.
Looking for more? Explore Art School Everywhere, wherever you are, to learn about artists in the Hirshhorn collection and get creative any time. Do this at home! Art School Everywhere: Play with Sound, , ABOUT…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Teen Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art School Everywhere: Play with Sound.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
American Bison Cart Chat
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join educators in the "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans.
Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372 .
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Bison: Standing Strong exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Art Studio
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Calling all artists! Join the Portrait Gallery for a free, drop-in art program, where creativity knows no bounds. Every weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to explore a different artistic medium while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collections and exhibitions. On select weekends, learn from a featured guest artist, who will lead specialized workshops and share their expertise. To stay informed about upcoming guest artist workshops, please check the Portrait Gallery’s Eventbrite page.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-art-studio-tickets-1112707681629?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, East Building. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 24, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Portrait Gallery Kids
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Children and families are invited to learn, play and create at the Portrait Gallery! Join educators every Monday as we explore a variety of topics and artistic materials. Participants will get a closer look at art with hands-on activities, music and story times. Portrait Gallery Kids is a fun way to engage with art and each other.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-portrait-gallery-kids-tickets-654254040447?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents on the north side of the Castle, across Jefferson Drive, SW, by the statue.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Meet in front of the Castle at the statue. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 25, 2026, 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu.