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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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 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.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Postmarks and Paperbacks April Meeting
One-Time Events
Join staff from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum for a discussion of Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home by Stephen Starring Grant.
If you have any accessibility requirements to participate in the program, please email NPMprograms@si.edu and we will do everything we can to meet your needs.
A Zoom link will be emailed to participants prior to the program. Registration is required.
To register, please add the access code Mailman26.
Event Location: Online. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983893313305?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
For more info visit postalmuseum.si.edu. Estudio de Cuentos: ¡Feliz Día de la Tierra!
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: Who Am I? will be held Wednesday, March 18. 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
¡Celebra el Día de la Tierra durante Estudio de Cuentos! El artista Richard Long documenta sus paseos por la naturaleza en Carrara Line (Línea Carrara) (1985) en la…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Earth Sermon—Beauty, Love and Peace.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 21, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Planet Party!
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday we will celebrate Earth Day together! Families will learn about different elements of nature (Air/Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth) and how they influence what happens on and to our planet, create their own artwork inspired by these elements, and leave with an invitation to explore an exhibit, "Earth Information Center" on the second floor.
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), their caregivers, and families.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Drawn to Figures
One-Time Events
Join us for a sketching session in our galleries! Create, connect and sketch with fellow artists while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collection. Open to all skill levels, ages 18 and up. All materials will be provided. Participants are also welcome to bring their own sketchbook.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-drawn-to-figures-tickets-1977612892397?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Jazz Afternoons
One-Time Events
The National Museum of American History is home to jazz collections that include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s unpublished music and such objects as Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme manuscript and Benny Goodman’s clarinet. Each year during Jazz Appreciation Month, visitors to the museum on Tuesday afternoons can engage with museum curators and see a small number of jazz treasures brought out of storage that represent the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. During these Objects-Out-of-Storage events, musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will host pop-up jam sessions, as well as interact with and educate visitors about their instruments and artistry. .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 West. Cost: Free. Related Events: Jazz Appreciation Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Analog Nights
One-Time Events
Slow down, unwind, and take a break from doomscrolling with a screen-free night of creativity and community at the Portrait Gallery. Bring your favorite analog hobby and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the Kogod Courtyard. Need inspiration? Think needlepoint, knitting, sketching, watercolor, junk journaling, mahjong, and more. Each Analog Night will feature a spotlight activity inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. Come solo or with friends! For ages 18+.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Kogod Courtyard. Cost: Free. Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/analog-nights-tickets-1982549304338?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. ONLINE | Native Knowledge 360° "Americans" Session 3: Trail of Tears
One-Time Events
American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians as well as how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States.
This three-part professional development series focuses on the stories and images presented in the exhibition Americans, on view at the National Museum of the American Indian DC and through Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street. Educators will explore ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and learn new ways of understanding a few familiar events. Educators will be guided through Native Knowledge 360° classroom resources, delving into three stories: April 7, 2026 | Session 1: Thanksgiving , April 14, 2026 | Session 2: Battle of Little Bighorn , April 21, 2026 | Session 3: Trail of Tears, Free |…
Event Location: Online via ZOOM. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RdwZwlFgT3qYCY8LLNHv5w#/registration.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
For more info visit smithsonian.zoom.us. Storytime Studio: Happy Earth Day!
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
Celebrate Earth Day at Storytime! Artist Richard Long documented his walks through nature in Carrara Line (1985), now on view in Big Things for Big Rooms. We’ll take our own nature walk and record our experience in artwork made with natural materials.
Featured book: When You Find the Right Rock by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Felicita Sala, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience.
There are two Storytime sessions each Wednesday, with entry times at 10 and 11 AM. Participation for each adult and child is limited to one hour.
No pre-registration is required.
Entry to Storytime Studio is first-come,…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Earth Sermon—Beauty, Love and Peace.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, April 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.
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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 22, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Expert Is In: Orchid Care 101
Smithsonian Gardens
Meet an orchid expert from Smithsonian Gardens or the United States Botanic Garden and learn more about this incredible plant family! This week Smithsonian Gardens Interiors Horticulturist Melanie Pyle will share tips for growing orchids at home. Drop in at any time during the program and be sure to bring your orchid questions.
This program is offered in conjunction with the exhibition More Than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, open during museum hours through April 26, 2026.Free tickets are available for this program here.
Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time during the program, however free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor Classrooms. Cost: FREE. Event tickets or museum timed entry passes required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/7accede4-d3b3-cd15-7a2d-2a5984eccc39?tg=ee2fa8f8-68e2-1aaa-9e41-be2209801e08. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, April 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 23, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Fifty Years of African Ceremonies: Sharing and Preserving an Iconic Photography Collection
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art to commemorate 50 years of African Ceremonies, an iconic and globally-celebrated collection documenting cultural traditions across Africa. Created over five decades by photographers Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher, the collection includes photographs, journals, film, publications, and digital media showcasing the ceremonies and cultures of more than 150 cultural groups from 35 countries.
Throughout their careers, Beckwith and Fisher navigated complex dynamics of consent and reciprocity, working with elders, chiefs, and governments to gain permission to photograph ceremonial events, rites, and traditions. Today, they are committed to sharing and preserving this collection in a way that honors African perspectives and the principles of shared stewardship.
This event highlights both their enduring legacy and the role of archival collections as living resources that can connect communities, artists, scholars, and the public.
After the program in the…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Lecture Hall, Sublevel 1. Cost: FREE, limited capacity. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986436929329?aff=oddtdtcreator. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
Book Signing with Author Amy Nathan
One-Time Events
Join us in Heritage Hall for a book signing featuring author, Amy Nathan to commemorate the re-opening of the Smithsonian National Carousel. A Ride to Remember tells how a community came together to make a change. When Sharon Langley was born in the early 1960s, many amusement parks were segregated, and African American families were not allowed entry. This book reveals how in the summer of 1963, due to demonstrations and public protests, the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became desegregated and opened to all for the first time. Copies of the book will be available for sale courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Heritage Hall. Cost: Free to attend.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work Gallery Talk with Katherine Jentleson and Leslie Umberger
One-Time Events
SOLD OUT
Join us for a gallery talk to explore themes in the exhibition Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work led by Leslie Umberger, senior curator of folk and self-taught art and Katherine Jentleson, senior curator of American art and the Merrie and Dan Boone Curator of Folk and Self-Taught Art at the High Museum of Art. This talk will delve into Moses’s core themes of labor, community, and memory, and the ways in which Moses appealed to the public post-World War II by looking back at a younger, more rural America.
Image: Grandma Moses, We Are Resting, 1951, oil on high-density fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Kallir Family, in Memory of Hildegard Bachert © Grandma Moses Properties Co. NY.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Meet in G Street Lobby. Cost: SOLD OUT
Free | Registration encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR2sZPR. Related Exhibition: Grandma Moses: A Good Day's Work.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5:30 PM.
Spanish-Language Walk-In Tours
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join a volunteer docent for a lively tour of the National Portrait Gallery in Spanish.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: F Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-spanish-language-docent-tours-tickets-1530971289339?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. History Film Forum: "The Big Parade"
One-Time Events
The History Film Forum proudly presents King Vidor’s The Big Parade with a special new live orchestral score, composed and conducted by Andrew Earle Simpson. The Big Parade depicts the story of Jim Apperson (John Gilbert), a businessman’s son who joins the army to serve in The Great War. The film starkly represents the battlefield and veteran experience of World War I juxtaposed against a romance between Jim and Melisande (Renée Adorée), a French farm girl. Presented in restored quality by Warner Bros. The Big Parade is considered one of the greatest war movies of all time and a crucial experience for cinema lovers. ___, The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. This event is wheelchair accessible. Captioning and assistive listening devices will be provided. Additional accommodations are available upon request; please email nmahprograms@si.edu. Two weeks’ notice is preferred. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Seating will be opened first to…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater, 1 Center. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-film-forum-presents-the-big-parade-1925-tickets-1983969015733?aff=trumba. Related Exhibition: The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Humans and Robots on Other Worlds (Exploring Space Lecture)
One-Time Events
In the 1960s, five Lunar Orbiter missions successfully imaged 99 percent of the Moon’s surface. These missions paved the way for crewed landings on the Moon during the Apollo missions. Using the Lunar Orbiter and Apollo Lunar Module spacecraft as milestone touchpoints, this program will explore will how humans and robots work together to explore the Moon and planets.
Join shuttle astronaut Robert Curbeam, cybernetics engineer and robotics technologist Håvard Grip, and space historian Valerie Neal as they discuss the importance of human and robotic exploration and how they work together to increase our knowledge of our Solar System.
Håvard Grip is a principal engineer and robotics technologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the chief pilot for NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, leading the development of its Aerodynamics & Flight Control System and guiding the first powered flight on another planet. His work focuses on advancing autonomous flight and robotic systems that expand the reach of…
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Lockheed Martin IMAX. Cost: Free with registration. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
ONLINE: Humans and Robots on Other Worlds (Exploring Space Lecture)
One-Time Events
In the 1960s, five Lunar Orbiter missions successfully imaged 99 percent of the Moon’s surface. These missions paved the way for crewed landings on the Moon during the Apollo missions. Using the Lunar Orbiter and Apollo Lunar Module spacecraft as milestone touchpoints, this program will explore will how humans and robots work together to explore the Moon and planets. Join shuttle astronaut Robert Curbeam, cybernetics engineer and robotics technologist Håvard Grip, and space historian Valerie Neal as they discuss the importance of human and robotic exploration and how they work together to increase our knowledge of our Solar System.
Håvard Grip is a principal engineer and robotics technologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was the chief pilot for NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, leading the development of its Aerodynamics & Flight Control System and guiding the first powered flight on another planet. His work focuses on advancing autonomous flight and robotic systems that expand the reach of…
Event Location: YouTube. Online Link: https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=00gsr6ktjt8e7rf0xgjwr8n3knxszjkz2gjm7zve5dnbfnkskhwk. Cost: Free with registration. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
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.
Friday, April 24, 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, April 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.
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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
It's beginning to feel like spring in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign near the northwest entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Garden on Jefferson Drive, SW for a tour of this hidden gem. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Enid A. Haupt Garden tour starts at the sign at the northwest entrance to the garden on Jefferson Drive, SW, near the entrance to the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
Friday, April 24, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Ella Fitzgerald Day
One-Time Events
Ella Fitzgerald’s virtuosic scatting ability combined with her clear, yet emotional sound and impeccable range has made her one of the most innovative and beloved figures in the history of jazz. She continues to be a source of inspiration for jazz musicians of all kinds, vocalists or instrumentalists, and her music from her nearly six-decade career continues to resonate around the world.
Come and celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday at the National Museum of American History with several daytime programs including: “Ella Fitzgerald in 10 Photos” a panel talk with museum curators Krystal Klingenberg and Shannon Perich, objects out of storage from the Ella Fitzgerald collection, and a workshop on vocal jazz and scatting by Howard University Professor of Vocal Jazz Reginald Bowens, as well as a musical performance featuring Howard University’s SAAsy vocal ensemble to follow. .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Hall of Music, 3 West. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ella-fitzgerald-day-tickets-1985512382986. Accessibility: Captioning. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
DC | Closer Look: "Making a Statement"
One-Time Events
Don’t miss the last chance to see two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) on view at our DC location through Sunday, April 26. Curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O'odham descent) offers a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring the custom Gucci gowns worn by Lily Gladstone at the 96th Academy Awards. Then, get hands-on and learn more about different types of quillwork in the museum’s Teaching Collection.
Image: Photos by Norwood Photography for the National Museum of the American Indian.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: "Making a Statement" special installation. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: Making a Statement.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
NY | Curator Tour: "Native New York"—From the Bronx to Buffalo
One-Time Events
Reflect on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special curator-led tour of our ongoing exhibition Native New York. The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) tested the bonds of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Confederacy, an alliance of six nations that controlled most of the territory now known as New York State. Neighboring nations were also drawn into the conflict and all were forced to choose sides or try to remain neutral. Learn more about Indigenous history on both frontiers of the war in relation to the Mohican, Oneida, and Cayuga communities and in the war’s aftermath at Buffalo Creek.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 2: Exhibition Gallery. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Native New York. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Q?rius Open Late: Botany Specimen Preparation - April
One-Time Events
The doors are open in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center! Once a month, we’re welcoming you to explore the space from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, even after the rest of the museum is closed. All ages are welcome. As an added bonus, the NMNH botany department will be hosting a botany collections specimen mounting pop-up in February, March and April. Ages 15 and up are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Registration is free and encouraged. Space is filled by a first come first served basis.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, National Museum of Natural History (Ground floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/49016333/qrius-open-latebotany-specimen-preparation-april-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Celebrate Micronesia
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Celebrate Micronesia Festival 2026: Ocean of Peace brings together Micronesian voices and communities from across the Pacific for a day of music, dance, art, food, and storytelling. Hosted in partnership with leaders from Micronesian communities across Hawai‘i, the festival honors the rich traditions and contemporary expressions of the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guåhan (Guam), Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Kiribati, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Categories: Performance. Workshop. Foodways. Demonstration. Cost: Free; registration recommended. Get Tickets/Register: https://bishopmuseum.ticketspice.com/celebrate-micronesia-festival-2026. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program. Event Location: Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Bishop Museum
Honolulu, HI.
For more info visit www.bishopmuseum.org. 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.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Growing Community: Public Garden Spaces Field Trip
One-Time Events
Gardens don’t happen in a vacuum; they must be planned well in advance. “Structure” is created by the architect well before the first shovel of soil is added. In our first field trip of the season attendees will explore the importance of public access and engagement with green spaces in shaping a sense of belonging and stewardship. Join us for a tour of the National Mall.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Community Garden. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-community-public-garden-spaces-field-trip-tickets-1984522140143?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Open Studio: Floating Forms
One time events
This April, creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio! Each week, we’ll look at nature-inspired artworks by artists such as Alexander Calder, Giacomo Balla, Joseph Cornell, and more.
Join us this Saturday as we get inspired by artist Lesley Vance’s Untitled (2021). For Untitled, Vance was inspired by her experience of snorkeling in Kaua’i, Hawaii. Taking inspiration from her artistic practice, we’ll experiment with paint and straws to make our own aquatic compositions!
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, create, and learn.…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, April 25, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Living Earth Festival: "Always Becoming"
One-Time Events
Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the museum’s iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always Becoming (2007) by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]). Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host programs reflecting on the ever-evolving nature of the country, communities, and future we share through the unique lens of Always Becoming. The site-specific sculptures by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) on the southern exposure of our Washington, DC museum were constructed using Native building techniques. Made entirely of natural materials, including clay, straw, sand, soil, and wood, the sculptures were designed to reveal their inner structure over time. Their transitory nature reflects the relationship between…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Multiple locations, Outdoors. Cost: FREE.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Yoga to Hip-Hop
One-Time Events
We’re combining both body movement and hip-hop music in true Khepera fashion.
Participants will flow to powerful hip-hop anthems while exploring themes of freedom, unity, and the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union. This workshop session Includes opening reflection on freedom and closing group intention-setting for the next 250 years.
Attire: Please be sure to wear breathable clothing that allows for full range of movement and comfortable shoes. Participants are encouraged to embrace each workshop's color theme in their attire.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga-to-hip-hop-tickets-1985161788348?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Shout and Feel It! Swing Dance with DC Lindy Exchange
One-Time Events
Join more than 600 swing dancers with the DC Lindy Exchange for an afternoon of lindy hopping, swinging, stomping, and shouting to live music performed by Josh Lee and the Extended Family, a Philadelphia-based ensemble led by Grammy winner Josh Lee featuring musicians celebrating the music and dance of the swing era! Step back in time and step onto the dance floor for an unforgettable afternoon of music and dancing. A beginner-friendly swing dance lessons led by New Columbia Swing at noon kicks off a program that blends history and rhythm to bring the swing era to life!
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of American History 2 Center, Flag Hall. Cost: Free. Related Events: Jazz Appreciation Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Portrait Signs: A Tour in ASL
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Portrait Signs is a Deaf-led tour in American Sign Language that explores a variety of topics related to portraiture, history and biography, focusing on works from the museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collection.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-portrait-signs-a-tour-in-asl-tickets-713964475967?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Lifelong Learners: Jazz Trivia
One-Time Events
Celebrate the launch of the Lifelong Learners series as we explore and connect through music, history, storytelling, and community engagement. Kick things off with a lively round of Jazz Trivia, where participants can test their knowledge and learn more about the rich legacy of jazz and its cultural impact.
About Lifelong Learners:
Life-Long Learners is an adult-focused education series designed for curious minds seeking meaningful dialogue and cultural exploration. Through engaging workshops, lectures, artist talks, and hands-on experiences, participants explore history, art, wellness, and social justice in a welcoming, community-centered space.
The series fosters continued intellectual growth, connection, and reflection—creating a dedicated community of learners who gather to engage deeply with ideas and with one another.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifelong-learners-jazz-trivia-tickets-1984610351987?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
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.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Teen Studio: Go with the Flow
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.
Join us in Art School every weekend in April, where we will be exploring art inspired by the natural world! This Saturday, we’ll think like abstract artist Lesley Vance. Create a color palette based on your favorite memory, then use those colors in acrylic paint pouring!
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! Flower. Print. Repeat.
Andy Warhol: Flower Power
, ABOUT TEEN STUDIO
Teens ages 13–19 are invited to hang…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Teen Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Andy Warhol: Flower Power.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Outdoor Arizona
Resident Associate Program
Meet in Arizona and embark on a springtime exploration of some of the Grand Canyon State’s best-known sites (as well as hidden gems) that highlight its rich ecology, geology, stunning landscapes, and architectural masterworks. Wayne Ranney, a geologic educator, author, lecturer, and trail and river guide, leads the outdoor adventure.
Event Location: Detailed information for overnight tours is emailed approximately FOUR WEEKS. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265630?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 6:00 PM – Thursday, April 30, 2026, 4:00 PM.
The Octavia Butler Lecture Faith + AI: In Conversation with Ruha Benjamin
One-Time Events
Join the Museum for an evening with Ruha Benjamin, an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, cultural worker, and author of Imagination: A Manifesto (2024), Viral Justice (2022), Race After Technology (2019), and People’s Science (2013). Benjamin is a Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and the Founding Director of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab.
The evening will begin with a short talk by Dr. Benjamin, followed by a conversation with writer Darnell Moore and author and cultural critic Dr. Susanna Morris on technology, imagination, and faith.
A book signing will follow. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises.
Darnell Moore, Darnell Moore is a writer and speaker whose work centers on community, care, and collective liberation. He is known for exploring the role of faith in building connections and supporting social change.
Susanna Morris, Dr. Susanna Morris is a storyteller, cultural critic, and co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective.…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Oprah Winfrey Theater, Concourse. Cost: Free; Museum Passes Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019d1fed-324c-d088-8a5c-711805f0039a?tg=019d1fed-324f-c3d9-0a8f-d3d0e9318ac2.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, April 26, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Discovery Station: Orchids
Smithsonian Gardens
Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids! Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions.
Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition during the following times through April 26, 2026. Mondays: 1–4 p.m. , Tuesdays–Sundays: 10 a.m. – 4p.m.
Programs are subject to volunteer availability; last-minute cancellations may occur. Notes: Free timed-entry passes are required to enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for this program. Be sure to reserve your entry pass here: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f Advance timed-entry passes are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. Same-day timed-entry passes are available daily at the entrance. See NMAAHC staff for assistance.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: L2 in the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids Exhibition. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, April 26, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Living Earth Festival: "Always Becoming"
One-Time Events
Celebrate the transformational power of clay and the evolution of the museum’s iconic outdoor sculpture installation Always Becoming (2007) by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]). Join the museum for a weekend of stories, artist demonstrations, hands-on activities, performances, and more centered on the relationship between art and the earth. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the museum will host programs reflecting on the ever-evolving nature of the country, communities, and future we share through the unique lens of Always Becoming. The site-specific sculptures by Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha'p'o Owingeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]) on the southern exposure of our Washington, DC museum were constructed using Native building techniques. Made entirely of natural materials, including clay, straw, sand, soil, and wood, the sculptures were designed to reveal their inner structure over time. Their transitory nature reflects the relationship between…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Multiple locations, Outdoors. Cost: FREE.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
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.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Curator Tours - Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees
One-Time Events
Join the National Portrait Gallery for gallery talks and tours with our wonderful curators! Experience current and newly opened exhibitions as well as our permanent collection. This tour will focus on "Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees," featuring the 2025 Portrait of a Nation Awardees.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curator-tours-tickets-1984500920675?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Sunday, April 26, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Garden Play: Shapes
Smithsonian Gardens
Join Smithsonian Gardens for hands-on activities, story time, and a garden walk exploring this month’s topic, shapes!
Location
Find us on the East Terrace of the Enid A. Haupt Garden, near the Spencer Fullerton Baird statue by the Arts and Industries Building, southeast of the Smithsonian Castle.
About Garden Play, Garden Play is a drop-in program designed for children ages 2 and up and their caregivers. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but children of all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Please come prepared for an outdoor experience. Wildlife and insects, including bees and mosquitoes, are a part of our gardens. Participants are encouraged to bring water and sun protection and are welcome to bring their own blankets for story time.
Activities may be subject to cancellation or modification due to weather conditions. (A little rain won’t keep us away, but we will cancel in the case of a heavy downpour or thunderstorm!) Please check the…
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: East Terrace of the Enid A. Haupt Garden. Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Transportation Week: Trains
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Explore how railroads transformed American life with spotlight tours, hands-on docent carts, and a special Meet the Expert conversation in America on the Move. Discover how trains connect communities and power a growing nation.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert (America on the Move) .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 3:00 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.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. The Age of World's Fairs: St. Louis, California, and Paris on the Global Stage
Resident Associate Program
World’s fairs have long served as global showcases for innovation, culture, and progress. In a 3-part series, art historian Jennie Hirsh delves into the pivotal exhibitions held in St. Louis in 1904, San Francisco and San Diego in 1915, and Paris in 1925, examining how these landmark events showcased each era’s groundbreaking achievements in technology, culture, science, art, and architecture. This session focuses on the Paris 1925 World's Fair.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265754?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265754?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Monday, April 27, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265063?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265063?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Transportation Week: Automobiles
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
From early cars to lowriders, explore how the automobile reshaped American life through spotlight tours, hands-on docent carts, and curator conversations in America on the Move and the Low Rider exhibition.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture) .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West; Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture, 3 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move, Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Playful Pets
One-Time Events
This Tuesday is all about some of our favorite animals...our pets! Together, families will make observations of animals in our collection that are sometimes pets, learn about ways we take care of our pets, and create their own take-home artwork highlighting their pet or favorite animal! Feel free to bring a photo of your pet for your artwork if you would like or to show and share. We love to hear all about animals special to you.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (0-5) and their caregivers and families.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265064?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265064?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Jazz Afternoons
One-Time Events
The National Museum of American History is home to jazz collections that include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s unpublished music and such objects as Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme manuscript and Benny Goodman’s clarinet. Each year during Jazz Appreciation Month, visitors to the museum on Tuesday afternoons can engage with museum curators and see a small number of jazz treasures brought out of storage that represent the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. During these Objects-Out-of-Storage events, musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will host pop-up jam sessions, as well as interact with and educate visitors about their instruments and artistry. .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 West. Cost: Free. Related Events: Jazz Appreciation Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Storytime Studio: All About Amphibians
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
Hop on over to prepare for Amphibian Week with a guest educator from the National Museum of Natural History. We’ll learn how these cold-blooded vertebrates typically live between water and land and admire their aquatic habitats with a visit to artist Lesley Vance’s painting Untitled (2021). Then we’ll create our own artworks using water.
Want more of our cold-blooded friends? Head over to the National Museum of Natural History on Saturday, May 2, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM for the Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration and find more ways to celebrate throughout the first week of May.
Featured book: One Tiny Treefrog: A Countdown to…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Catch the Sun.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, April 29, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 29, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265065?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265065?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Transportation Week: Bicycles
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Celebrate the bicycle as a tool for freedom, recreation, and expression with tours, performances, and conversations throughout the day.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move) , 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Wheelwoman performance (1 West) , 1:00–3:00 p.m.: Educator Spotlight on lowrider bicycles (Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move) , Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West; Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture, 3 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move, Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Story Time with DC Public Library
One-Time Events
Join us for Story Time in collaboration with the DC Public Library! Children and their grown-ups can enjoy story time as an interactive way to exercise with language and literacy skills. Story Time is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome!
For questions about this event, please email us at: HistoryTeachers@si.edu.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265066?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265066?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, April 30, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265067?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265067?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Transportation Week: Route 66
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with spotlight tours and expert talks focused on the museum’s actual section of historic Route 66 on view in America on the Move.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (America on the Move) , Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265068?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265068?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Portrait Gallery Reading Rhythms
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and Reading Rhythms for a reading party designed to make it easy for people to gather and read socially. We invite folks to bring any book they want while we facilitate silent reading periods, one-on-one breakouts, and group discussions about the art that everyone is engaging with. This adult program unites a community of readers to learn together and experience art with curated music.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Great Hall. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/portrait-gallery-reading-rhythms-tickets-1976590104210?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Wine & Design
One-Time Events
Join the National Postal Museum for a happy hour combined with crafting fun! Light snacks, crafting materials, and drinks are included in the price of the ticket.
Attendees must be 21+ to attend and show a valid ID at the door. Please note space is limited and registration is required.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Historic Lobby. Cost: $25. Get Tickets/Register: https://npmprograms.ticketspice.com/wine-design-april. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
An Evening With Elizabeth Hargrave: Sanibel Board Game Night
One-Time Events
From the maker of the viral board game Wingspan comes Sanibel, a cozy meditative game inspired by summer days on the beach hunting for shells. Join us for an after-hours event at the National Museum of Natural History celebrating our upcoming exhibit From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage opening June 2026. We’ll feature a conversation with NMNH experts and game designer Elizabeth Hargrave, access to Sant Ocean Hall, and a chance to play the new game. NMNH paleobiologist Stewart Edie will moderate a discussion between Hargrave and NMNH research zoologist Chris Meyer about place-based affinity for nature, the art and science of collecting, and the biodiversity of marine ecosystems along America’s coastlines. After the conversation, stick around to enjoy exclusive after-hours access to Sant Ocean Hall and play Sanibel – beginners and enthusiasts welcome. Hargrave will give a quick explanation of the game and local game shop Labyrinth Games will help with set up and instruction. Copies of…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/48083031/an-evening-with-elizabeth-hargravesanibel-board-game-night-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Oscar Peterson Donation Ceremony
One-Time Events
Objects representing jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson (1925–2007) will be presented to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
With his technical virtuosity, Peterson redefined the possibilities of the jazz piano. Anointed “the Maharaja of the Keyboard” by Duke Ellington himself, Peterson not only expanded the instrument’s expressive range, but also recalibrated the very language of contemporary jazz. An eight-time grammy award winner, Peterson’s contributions to the jazz world are immense.
The musical excellence that Peterson brought to every performance will be honored with a tribute performance by the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet, who toured internationally in 2025 to celebrate Peterson’s life and career. The performance will feature works from Peterson’s near seven-decade career, with musicians Ulf Wakenius on guitar, Mark McLean on drums, Brandi Disterheft on bass, and Robert “Robi” Botos on piano.
Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Seating will be o…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of American History Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free. Related Events: Jazz Appreciation Month.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
CANCELLED - Traversées – Constantinople and Ablaye Cissoko
Performances
This event is cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future season.
Join ensemble Constantinople and griot Ablaye Cissoko for an evening of musical storytelling that blends traditions from Iran, Senegal, and beyond. The kora and setar, traditional string instruments from two different cultures, meet with vocals, double bass, and percussion. In this collaboration, these traditions merge as though they had always existed side by side. Constantinople and Cissoko’s music has been heard over one hundred times in various festivals and halls around the world.
About Constantinople
Constantinople aims to anchor music in the heart of our community and encourage cross-cultural exchange among artists from around the world. Since its founding, the ensemble has promoted the creation of works that incorporate diverse musical traditions, drawing a range from medieval manuscripts to contemporary aesthetics, from Mediterranean Europe to Eastern traditions and New World Baroque.
About Ablaye Cissoko
Kimintang Mahamadou…
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
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.
Friday, May 1, 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, May 1, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 1, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265069?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265069?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Transportation Week: Trucks
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Explore how trucks transformed American life with spotlight tours and hands-on docent carts in America on the Move.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move)
Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab) .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Resident Associate Program
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265070?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Mother Earth and Me
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 7 to 11. Learn about the systems which built and shape our Mother Earth from her molten beginnings to her many ecosystems of today!
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265070?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Artful Movement | SEL Webinar for Students K–3
Kids and Family
Get ready to observe, chat, and move with art! In these webinars, students (grades K–3) will look carefully at a work of art through facilitated exploration. Then, they will breathe, stretch, and flow through a guided mindful movement. This month’s theme is “Sunny Day.”
These sessions are perfect for families, homeschool groups, virtual schools, and teachers who may want to review a recording with their students after the live session. Everyone who registers gets a link to the recording. Each session includes American Sign Language interpretation. Sessions take place on Fridays from 1 to 1:30 p.m. We present these webinars in partnership with Create Calm. Okamoto Shuki 岡本秋暉 (1807–1862); Auspicious Symbols: Crane, Rising Sun and Peach; Japan, ca. 1850; ink and color with gilt on silk; ivory jiku; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1998.297.
Event Location: Zoom. Cost: Free. Register in advance (required). Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dkTr4Q9_ScCHGPIRYC_7iw. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Friday, May 1, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
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.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Growing Community: Healthy Eating in Any Garden
One-Time Events
Discover how beautiful spaces can also nourish your body! Join us for an inspiring workshop where we explore how vegetables and herbs can transform any garden into a vibrant, edible landscape. Learn how to blend ornamental design with food production to create a space that’s as stunning as it is sustainable. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you’ll leave with practical ideas for growing fresh, healthy food right where you are.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Community Garden. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-community-healthy-eating-in-any-garden-tickets-1984610890598?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Open Studio: What’s Your Story?
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.
This Saturday, we’ll draw inspiration from Sound Scene, the Washington, DC, region’s premier interactive sound and multisensory arts festival. We’ll take a look at artist Laurie Anderson and her otherworldly installation Four Talks (2021). Then we’ll explore ways to tell stories by using mixed media, such as paper, paint, and images, to create our own visual narratives!
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…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Hidden Noise Maker.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Sound Scene 2026: Distant Mirror
One time events
FREE, Sound Scene is the Washington, DC, region’s premier interactive sound and multisensory arts festival. It’s a free all-ages celebration of sonic and sensory arts featuring artists from both DC and around the world. ASL will be provided for events on May 2 and May 3. Find full festival program here. General registration is recommended. Free workshop registration below; space is limited. Tactile Sound Sculpture Workshop—Dan Ortiz Leizman, Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM, Immersive Sound Walk: Inaudible Cities: Here, Now, There, and Then—Jacek Tadeusz Smolicki, Sunday, May 3, at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM, Highlights include:
ONGOING PROJECTS, Face Value: Not Our Parents’ Mirror—Kameshia M. Hunter, Face Value: Not Our Parents’ Mirror is an immersive sound installation exploring the beauty rules that many Black and Brown women were taught to carry—and what it means to decide for yourself what you keep. Through touch, voice, and reflection, visitors move through…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Hirshhorn Museum. Cost: Free.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The World and Me: Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration with USGS and Friends!
One-Time Events
Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture.
Come celebrate Amphibian Week with a special kickoff event at The World & Me inside Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center! Join us Saturday, May 2nd, as we learn about amphibians with our friends from the US Geological Survey and more! Families with learners of all ages will be invited to explore different stations, see live amphibians, and explore play, art, and related museum collections.
This is a drop-in event. Families can drop in anytime from 10:00am - 12:30pm and stay for as long as your family would like. No registration is required. Cost: Free.
Location: Meet at the entrace of Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Q?rius is located next to the Constitution Avenue entrance.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice.…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor. Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Transportation Week: Ships
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Dive into the history of ships and seafaring through spotlight tours and curator conversations in America on the Move. Explore how waterways carried people, goods, and ideas across the nation and around the world.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (On The Water) , 2:00–3:00 p.m.: Meet the Expert with museum curators (On The Water) , Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: On the Water, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: On the Water. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited.
**This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
Crochet Kingpin’s Wearable Art
One-Time Events
Join DC-Native artist, Dwayne Lawson-Brown aka “Crochet Kingpin” as he leads us in a workshop on the art of crocheting wearable art. The workshop is suited for ages 8 and up. Participants will learn the basics of crocheting and have an opportunity to practice chains, single crochet, and double crochet. Feel free to bring your crochet works in progress. Experienced crocheters will receive a pattern for lace blossoms to explore and work on.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crochet-kingpins-wearable-art-tickets-1984621032934?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
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.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited.
**This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM.
Third Act
Films
In Person: Tadashi Nakamura, director
Watch the Trailer
Generations of artists call Robert A. Nakamura “The Godfather of Asian American film,” but his son calls him Dad. As Parkinson's disease clouds Robert's memory, Tad Nakamura sets out to retrieve his father's story—and in the process discovers his own.
As the filmmaking son of a filmmaking legend, Tad uses the lessons his dad taught him to decipher his legacy. Robert was a child survivor of the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. He was a successful photographer who gave it up to tell his own story and was an activist at the dawn of a social movement. And he is a father whose struggles have won his son freedoms that eluded Japanese Americans of his generation.
The two have made films together, with Robert always by Tad’s side. Third Act is most likely the last. Description adapted from Generation Films.
This event is copresented with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
Directed by: Tadashi Nakamura. Country: United States. Released:…
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985847677862?aff=oddtdtcreator. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Teen Studio: Rhythmic Painting
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.
This Saturday, we’ll celebrate Sound Scene, an interactive sound and multisensory arts festival with installations throughout the Hirshhorn Museum. First we’ll look closely at The Attraction of Pink (1945) by artist Janet Sobel, whose Abstract Expressionist paintings flowed to the music she listened to while working. Then we’ll head back to Art School and let our paintbrushes be guided by music.
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.
…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Teen Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art School Everywhere: Play with Sound.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Sound Scene 2026: Distant Mirror
One time events
FREE, Sound Scene is the Washington, DC, region’s premier interactive sound and multisensory arts festival. It’s a free all-ages celebration of sonic and sensory arts featuring artists from both DC and around the world. ASL will be provided for events on May 2 and May 3. Find full festival program here. General registration is recommended. Free workshop registration below; space is limited. Tactile Sound Sculpture Workshop—Dan Ortiz Leizman, Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM, Immersive Sound Walk: Inaudible Cities: Here, Now, There, and Then—Jacek Tadeusz Smolicki, Sunday, May 3, at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM, Highlights include:
ONGOING PROJECTS, Face Value: Not Our Parents’ Mirror—Kameshia M. Hunter, Face Value: Not Our Parents’ Mirror is an immersive sound installation exploring the beauty rules that many Black and Brown women were taught to carry—and what it means to decide for yourself what you keep. Through touch, voice, and reflection, visitors move through…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Hirshhorn Museum. Cost: Free.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, May 3, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 3, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Transportation Week: The John Bull train
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for Transportation Week, Monday, April 27, to Sunday, May 3, as we celebrate, reflect, and consider the future of transportation.
Close out the week with programs highlighting the historic John Bull locomotive and the engineering of American bridges. Discover how innovation in transportation continues to connect people and places.
Activities: 10:30 a.m.–noon: Docent-led spotlight tours and hands-on carts (America on the Move) , Transportation-themed activities (Spark!Lab).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: America on the Move, 1 East; Spark!Lab, 1 West. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: America on the Move, John Bull Locomotive. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Beyond the Studio: Punch Needle Embroidery with Tyler Sanville
One-Time Events
SOLD OUT
Local fiber artist Tyler Sanville of Tyler Makes Things returns to lead participants through a combination punch needle and embroidery class. Participants will create one-of-a-kind abstract fiber pieces, inspired by Tyler’s latest practice, which brings a modern twist to this traditional craft. Please note that space is limited for this program, and registration is required. Tickets available March 19. Participants must register by 7 p.m. ET on April 19.
Image courtesy of the artist.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: MacMillan Education Center. Cost: SOLD OUT. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR2t4TF.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
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.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Stephanie Chou Performs with The Tong Man and The Curse of Quon Gwon
Films
Experience two early Asian American–focused silent films with a live score by composer, saxophonist, and singer Stephanie Chou and her band.
The Tong Man
Sessue Hayakawa, the first Asian American actor to achieve fame in Hollywood, stars in this crime drama as a hit man for a Chinatown gang. His bosses order him to kill an opium smuggler impinging on their turf. The only problem is the smuggler is the father of the woman he loves. Hayakawa was known for his energetic, macho acting style, and his performance here doesn’t disappoint.
Director: William Worthington. Country: United States. Released: 1919. Length: 58 min. Format: DCP. Silent with English intertitles.
The Curse of Quon Gwon
This romance is not only one of the earliest known Asian American films but also one of the few silent films made by a woman. In the film, a Chinese American family are put under a curse for becoming too “Westernized.” Director Marion Wong plays the film’s villainess, and the cast and crew feature Wong’s family and friends. …
Venue: Asian Art Museum, West Building. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985848724994?aff=oddtdtcreator. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
The Splendors of Newport: Colonial Roots to Gilded Grandeur
Resident Associate Program
Newport, Rhode Island, is one of America’s earliest colonial seaports and a cradle of both freedom and fortune. Founded in 1639, Newport flourished as a center of trade, religious tolerance, and revolutionary thought before transforming into the summer playground of America’s elite during the Gilded Age. Participants in a 5-day tour led by historian Fred Zilian discover Newport’s layered history, from its cobblestone colonial streets and harbor-front wharves to its grand seaside mansions.
Event Location: Detailed information for overnight tours is emailed approximately FOUR WEEKS. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265631?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 6:00 PM – Thursday, May 7, 2026, 3:30 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 4, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 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.
Monday, May 4, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Amphibian Week Celebration!
One-Time Events
Help us continue the Amphibian Week celebration with this week's Play Date at NMNH.
Tuesday, May 5th is all about amphibians! Families will learn make observations of different specimens, create their own amphibian-inspired artwork, and build different amphibian homes through play.
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), their caregivers, and families.
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 available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than two-weeks advanced notice. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 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.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Storytime Studio: Calling Future Architects
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
We’ll turn our focus inside-out and uncover the significance of the Hirshhorn’s iconic building, designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft. With help from guests from the National Building Museum, we’ll learn about the Hirshhorn’s “Brutalist donut” design and experiment with materials to build our own architectural marvels.
Interested in learning more about architecture? Head to the MLK Library this Saturday, May 9, from 11 AM to 2 PM for Build Day. Take a tour of the Enchanted City, a showcase designed by DCPS elementary students, and design your own building at an Art School pop-up.
Featured book: Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Bun(dt)shaft Cake-Off: Bake a Mini Hirshhorn!
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, May 6, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign near the northwest entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Garden on Jefferson Drive, SW for a tour of this hidden gem. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Enid A. Haupt Garden tour starts at the sign at the northwest entrance to the garden on Jefferson Drive, SW, near the entrance to the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 6, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265072?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265072?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265073?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265073?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
What is Africa to Me? Gallery Talk
One-Time Events
Join Dalila Scruggs, the Augusta Savage Curator of African American Art at SAAM, for a special evening gallery discussion. Scruggs will invite participants to look closely and share their own interpretations of modern and contemporary works on display by African American artists.
Tickets available April 6.
Image credit: Aaron Douglas, Inspiration, 1967, oil on canvas panel, 30 × 25 in. (76.2 × 63.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Steven L. Jones in memory of his father Dr. William M. Jones Sr. Chicago educator and a storyteller for the soul, and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2024.36.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Meet in the G Street Lobby. Cost: Free | Registration encouraged
Tickets available April 6. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR35zFd.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, May 7, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Opening Day and Celebration of "Bison: Standing Strong"
One-Time Events
The museum is opening a new exhibit that follows the rise, fall, and resilience of bison and the American grasslands. Join us on this special day to explore the exhibit, hear stories from different experts, and participate in hands-on explorations centered on this remarkable species and its connection to Indigenous knowledge, museum collections, and more.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265074?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265074?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265075?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265075?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S. Air Force Max Impact
One-Time Events
Join us for a performance by Max Impact, one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring six active-duty musicians, Max Impact regularly presents high-intensity performances throughout the nation and abroad, including events at the White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and other high-level military and civilian functions. This performance will include pop hits such as “Change the World,” by Eric Clapton; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears; and “Freedom,” by Jon Batiste.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Flag Hall. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S. Air Force Max Impact
One-Time Events
Join us for a performance by Max Impact, one of six musical ensembles that form the U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring six active-duty musicians, Max Impact regularly presents high-intensity performances throughout the nation and abroad, including events at the White House, State Department, Department of Defense, and other high-level military and civilian functions. This performance will include pop hits such as “Change the World,” by Eric Clapton; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears; and “Freedom,” by Jon Batiste.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Flag Hall. Cost: Free. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
First Thursdays: Come Look with Us
One-Time Events
Wind down after work with the National Portrait Gallery’s educators as they share their favorite portraits with you. Participants will enjoy close looking and engaging in conversations about artworks in the galleries.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-first-thursdays-come-look-with-us-tickets-1233093649299?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Waterman Documentary on Duke Kahanamoku: Screening + Conversation
One-Time Events
Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha (2021, 88 min) tells the powerful life story of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku—Olympic champion and the father of modern surfing—whose influence helped shape global surf culture.
A Native Hawaiian born during the final years of the Hawaiian monarchy, Duke rose to international fame through his achievements as a swimmer, surfer, and lifesaver. Known for his humility and generosity, he inspired generations and helped bring surfing to the world stage.
Rooted in a long tradition of Native Hawaiian watermen, Duke carried forward a legacy of deep connection to the ocean—one that continues to resonate through contemporary surf culture and beyond.
A panel conversation and audience Q&A will follow the screening, featuring: Isaac Halasima (Director, Waterman) , Billy Pratt (Associate Producer, Waterman; Board Member, Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation) , Moderator: Jessica F. Skinner (Director or Advancement, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waterman-documentary-on-duke-kahanamoku-screening-conversation-tickets-1986842424175?aff=oddtdtcreator. Related Events: Discover More Films in Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen A Tale of Three Chinatowns , Family Film Program: Bao, The Queen's Flowers, Lilo & Stitch , Nurse Unseen , A Nice Indian Boy. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit apa.si.edu. ONLINE: Return to Venus (Exploring Space Lecture)
One-Time Events
America’s first planetary probe, Mariner 2, marked our first visit to Venus in 1962. As it flew by Venus, the probe measured the planet’s atmosphere, giving us insights into its composition and temperature extremes. What are our future plans for “Earth’s Twin,” Venus? Join Dr. Sara Seager, professor at MIT, and Dr. Bruce Campbell, a planetary scientist in the Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, as they discuss our future plans to send a private mission to our inner neighbor and what new questions we bring with us on this trip.
This lecture series is made possible by the generous support of L3Harris and United Launch Alliance.
Event Location: YouTube. Online Link: https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=00gsr6ktjt8e7rf0xgjwr8n3knxszjkz2gjm7zve5dnbfnkskhwk. Cost: Free with registration. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Return to Venus (Exploring Space Lecture)
One-Time Events
America’s first planetary probe, Mariner 2, marked our first visit to Venus in 1962. As it flew by Venus, the probe measured the planet’s atmosphere, giving us insights into its composition and temperature extremes. What are our future plans for “Earth’s Twin,” Venus? Join Dr. Sara Seager, professor at MIT, and Dr. Bruce Campbell, a planetary scientist in the Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, as they discuss our future plans to send a private mission to our inner neighbor and what new questions we bring with us on this trip.
Visit the Museum's galleries from 7-8 pm then hear from Dr. Sara Seager and Dr. Bruce Campbell from 8-9 pm.
Your registration includes: A ticket to this Exploring Space 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 Venus from Museum staff at Discovery Stations from 7-8 pm. , 9 pm…
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Lockheed Martin IMAX. Cost: Free with registration. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
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.
Friday, May 8, 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, May 8, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign near the northwest entrance to the Enid A. Haupt Garden on Jefferson Drive, SW for a tour of this hidden gem. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Enid A. Haupt Garden tour starts at the sign at the northwest entrance to the garden on Jefferson Drive, SW, near the entrance to the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 8, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265076?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265076?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Once Upon a Moon
Resident Associate Program
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265077?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=276223.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Once Upon a Moon
Discovery Theater Automatic Upload
Ages 4 to 7. Blast off with this Discovery Theater Original production as we learn about our earths closest neighbor, from her phases to the cockpit of the Apollo Missions.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/265077?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2025FY-Trumba-DT-ev&utm_content=DT-Trumba-event&promo=276224.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
A Tale of Three Chinatowns Documentary: Screening + Conversation
One-Time Events
A Tale of Three Chinatowns (2021, 90 min) explores the survival of urban ethnic neighborhoods through the stories of three Chinatowns in Washington, D.C. Chicago, and Boston. Featuring the voices of residents, community activists, developers, and government officials, the documentary examines the forces reshaping these communities and the challenges they face. Chicago’s Chinatown reflects a story of growth and expansion, while Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown has dwindled to a small residential population. Boston’s Chinatown sits between these extremes, as competing interests continue to shape its future. Through these intersecting perspectives, the film offers a timely look at urban development and gentrification as experienced by those on the frontlines. A panel conversation and audience Q&A will follow the screening, featuring: Penny Lee (Executive Producer, Producer, Editor, A Tale of Three Chinatowns) , Lisa Mao (Executive Producer, Director, Writer, A Tale of Three Chinatowns) , Andrew Leong…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-tale-of-three-chinatowns-documentary-screening-conversation-tickets-1986854457166?aff=oddtdtcreator. Related Events: Discover More Films in Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Waterman , Family Film Program: Bao, The Queen's Flowers, Lilo & Stitch , Nurse Unseen , A Nice Indian Boy. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit apa.si.edu. Masque at the Museum
One-Time Events
Do you like making art? Hanging with your friends? The Portrait Gallery's Teen Museum Council invites teens in grades 9 through 12 to celebrate the end of the school year with a party in the Kogod Courtyard. Dress in masquerade-themed formal attire, cosplay or anything in between. Featuring art activities in partnership with the Museum of the Contemporary American Teenager, BeyondPhotos DC and more.
All participants are required to show their ID to verify their age. This project received federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Kogod Courtyard. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/masque-at-the-museum-tickets-1985366582894?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile.
Friday, May 8, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. 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.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Open Studio: The Brutalist Donut
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, and more.
Join us this Saturday as we draw inspiration from one of DC’s most recognizable buildings, the “Brutalist donut”: a.k.a. the Gordon Bunshaft–designed Hirshhorn Museum! First, we’ll take a closer look at the Museum’s architecture. Then we’ll experiment with materials like cardboard, popsicle sticks, and wire to build our own Brutalist-inspired artworks!
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…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Bun(dt)shaft Cake-Off: Bake a Mini Hirshhorn!
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. World Migratory Bird Day
Special Zoo Events
It’s a migration celebration! Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a special World Migratory Bird Day experience.
This one-day-only event takes place in and around the Bird House and features: Bird-themed games and activities for kids , Bird Friendly® coffee tastings , Keeper demos in the aviaries , Guided birdwatching walks , Interactive learning stations hosted by Zoo staff and partner conservation organizations, This event has something for everyone, so bring the whole flock!
For more information on the Smithsonian’s bird conservation initiatives, visit the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center web page.
Know Before You Go, Directions to the Bird House
From the Zoo's main entrance on Connecticut Avenue, head downhill along the main pathway. Turn right to enter Asia Trail. Continue along the pathway to reach the outdoor giant panda overlook. Cross the bridge over the Elephant Trails habitat to reach the Bird House plaza, then…
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House (inside and outside). Cost: FREE (passes required for entry). Get Tickets/Register: https://live-national-zoo.pantheonsite.io/passes/2026-05-09.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited.
**This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
Family Film Program: Lilo & Stitch + Bao + The Queen's Flowers
One-Time Events
Bao (2018, 8 min) tells the story of a Chinese American woman who gets a second chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings comes to life.
The Queen's Flowers (2024, 11 min) is a magical take on a true story: Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, creates a special gift for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaiʻi's last monarch.
Lilo & Stitch (2002, 85 min) follows Lilo Pelekaia, a young Native Hawaiian girl who befriends a mischievous alien—Stitch (Experiment 626)—and learns the meaning of "ohana" (family).
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-film-program-lilo-stitch-bao-the-queens-flowers-tickets-1986945691049?aff=oddtdtcreator. Related Events: Discover More Films in Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Waterman , A Tale of Three Chinatowns , Nurse Unseen , A Nice Indian Boy. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Captioning. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit apa.si.edu. Music from the Hearts of America - University of Maryland Baltimore Campus—Jubilee Singers
One-Time Events
Formed in 2001, the Jubilee Singers specialize in sacred music with an emphasis on African American composers. Join us for a performance in three sections, each focusing on a different part of African American history. The journey of the Atlantic Slave trade, enduring the middle passage, the selling of slaves, an underground railroad experience, memories of the Civil Rights movement, and the bravery and resilience of the enslaved Africans will be told in story telling style by Prof. Janice Jackson, interweaved between musical selections from the African American folk tradition.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Coulter Plaza, 1st Floor West. Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Roots & Wings: Honoring Mother Figures, Caregivers, and Memory
One-Time Events
Roots & Wings is an intergenerational, family-friendly gathering that honors mother figures and caregivers—whether through birth, guidance, protection, mentorship, or unconditional love. Recognizing that Mother’s Day can hold many emotions, this program welcomes all experiences celebrating those who nurtured us, remembering those we miss, and acknowledging the many forms of caregiving. Through art, storytelling, and shared traditions. This public program invites participants to explore how caregiving, creativity, and cultural traditions are passed down across generations. Through hands-on artmaking, oral history, and community reflection, families will celebrate the legacies that shape who we are and who we become. This program is designed for all ages and for multigeneration participation.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roots-and-wings-honoring-mother-figures-caregivers-and-memory-tickets-1987160619907?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Portrait Signs: A Tour in ASL
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Portrait Signs is a Deaf-led tour in American Sign Language that explores a variety of topics related to portraiture, history and biography, focusing on works from the museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collection.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-portrait-signs-a-tour-in-asl-tickets-713964475967?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Lifelong Learners: Legacy Letters
One-Time Events
Explore creativity and connect through storytelling and community engagement as we honor the mother figures and caregivers who have shaped our lives. Through the creation of legacy letters, participants are invited to reflect on the people who have nurtured, guided, and inspired them.
About Lifelong Learners:
Life-Long Learners is an adult-focused education series designed for curious minds seeking meaningful dialogue and cultural exploration. Through engaging workshops, lectures, artist talks, and hands-on experiences, participants explore history, art, wellness, and social justice in a welcoming, community-centered space.
The series fosters continued intellectual growth, connection, and reflection—creating a dedicated community of learners who gather to engage deeply with ideas and with one another.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifelong-learners-legacy-letters-tickets-1984625347840?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
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.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited.
**This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - University of Maryland Baltimore Campus—Jubilee Singers
One-Time Events
Formed in 2001, the Jubilee Singers specialize in sacred music with an emphasis on African American composers. Join us for a performance in three sections, each focusing on a different part of African American history. The journey of the Atlantic Slave trade, enduring the middle passage, the selling of slaves, an underground railroad experience, memories of the Civil Rights movement, and the bravery and resilience of the enslaved Africans will be told in story telling style by Prof. Janice Jackson, interweaved between musical selections from the African American folk tradition.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Coulter Plaza, 1st Floor West. Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Nurse Unseen Documentary: Screening + Conversation
One-Time Events
Nurse Unseen (2023, 93 min) explores the little-known history and humanity of Filipino and Filipino American nurses who have long been the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system.
Through personal stories and historical context, the film traces the colonial ties between the Philippines and the United States that shaped this workforce—and examines why Filipino nurses were disproportionately impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic while facing a rise in anti-Asian hate.
Blending intimate storytelling with urgent social history, the documentary brings visibility to an essential yet often overlooked community on the frontlines of care. A panel conversation and audience Q&A will follow the screening, featuring: Michele Josue (Director, Nurse Unseen) , Carlo Velayo (Producer, Nurse Unseen) , Nicole Guerzon (Pediatric Nurse) , Moderator: Hannah Dormido (Visual Journalist, Cartographer, Artist), Guided tours of How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories will be offered before and after the screening. …
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nurse-unseen-documentary-screening-conversation-tickets-1986946815412?aff=oddtdtcreator. Related Events: Discover More Films in Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Waterman , A Tale of Three Chinatowns , Family Film Program: Bao, The Queen's Flowers, Lilo & Stitch , A Nice Indian Boy. Related Exhibition: How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
For more info visit apa.si.edu. Teen Studio: Paint the Town
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 boundary-breaking artists in the Hirshhorn collection who used color to bring their ideas to life. This Saturday, we’ll take a closer look at Black Wall (1964) by Louise Nevelson. Then we’ll head back to Art School to create a sculpture from found objects. Practice mixing paint to create your perfect color for your sculpture.
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…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Related Events: Teen Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art School Everywhere: Play with Sound.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. A Nice Indian Boy Screening + Conversation
One-Time Events
A Nice Indian Boy (2024, 96 min) is a romantic comedy about love, family, and identity. When Naveen Gavaskar (Karan Soni) brings fiancé Jay Kurundkar (Jonathan Groff) home to meet his traditional Indian family, they must navigate accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend while planning the Indian wedding of their dreams. As tensions rise and relationships are tested, their hard-won love helps each of the Gavaskars confront the reality of their own relationships, culminating in a sweetly-woven reconciliation as they come together to plan Naveen and Jay's wedding. Blending humor and heartfelt emotion, the film explores the complexities of love, belonging, and reconciliation across cultures and generations. Recommended for ages 16+; contains mature themes and language. A panel conversation and audience Q&A will follow the screening, featuring: Roshan Sethi (Director, A Nice Indian Boy) , Karan Soni ("Naveen Gavaskar," A Nice Indian Boy) , Sunita Mani ("Arundhathi Gavaskar," A Nice Indian Boy)…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-nice-indian-boy-screening-conversation-tickets-1986948728133?aff=oddtdtcreator. Related Events: Discover More Films in Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen Waterman , A Tale of Three Chinatowns , Family Film Program: Bao, The Queen's Flowers, Lilo & Stitch , Nurse Unseen. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit apa.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. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, May 10, 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. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 10, 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, May 10, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 11, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 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.
Monday, May 11, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Behind the Science with Research Geologist and Curator Elizabeth Cottrell
One-Time Events
"Expedition to Arctic Volcanoes"
Join NMNH Research Geologist and Curator Liz Cottrell for an in‑depth exploration of the volcanoes on Alaska’s Aleutian Archipelago. Through images, stories, and scientific insights drawn from her field research, Cottrell investigates the Earth’s rocky surface and the internal dynamics that make it unique. Experience a Smithsonian rock‑collecting expedition through the eyes of a curator.
Registration is encouraged. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
Image credit: Liz Cottrell, Smithsonian
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About the Series: Behind the Science
A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/49070005/behind-the-sciencemay-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, May 11, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. 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. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Animal Spotlight - Bison!
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, May 12th, is a special animal spotlight on bison! Families can celebrate our national mammal by making observations of bison specimens from our education collection, learn about ways they help their ecosystem, and explore how bison have been portrayed in art.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access services such as…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Drawn to Figures
One-Time Events
Join us for a sketching session in our galleries! Create, connect and sketch with fellow artists while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collection. Open to all skill levels, ages 18 and up. All materials will be provided. Participants are also welcome to bring their own sketchbook.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-drawn-to-figures-tickets-1977612892397?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com.