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Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
2026 National Education Summit
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join Us for the Premier Learning Event of the Summer, On July 14–16, 2026, the Office of the Under Secretary for Education will host its annual National Education Summit! This year's theme is “Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union.” PreK-12 educators, librarians, media specialists, and policymakers nationwide will participate in sessions exploring four distinct track themes designed to bridge civics with art, culture, history, and science: Cultivating the Power of Dialogue, Designing STEAM Solutions for Civic Challenges, Leveraging the Arts as Civic Voice, Placing History in Context, Secure your spot today. Pre-registration is required, and we encourage you to invite a colleague to join the conversation.
Event Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Online Link: https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Workshops. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – Thursday, July 16, 2026.
For more info visit s.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art
All Programs
Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by works by Henri Matisse, including Open Window, Collioure.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/write-into-art-1K0707?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/write-into-art-1K0707?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Library on the Go-Go
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join Library on the Go-Go for story time in the Haupt Garden!
The book bike, a functional pop-up library, will visit the Smithsonian as part of DC Public Library’s mobile outreach program, designed to provide robust outreach and programming to communities that might not otherwise have library access. DCPL’s Outreach + Inclusion Services department embeds and expands library services beyond library walls, bringing resources, programming, and connection directly into communities. OUT works collaboratively with partners across the city to ensure equitable access, foster belonging, and meet residents where they are.
Event Location: Enid A. Haupt Garden, East Terrace (near West entrance to the Arts and Industries Building); rain location is inside the Arts and Industries Building. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Indigenous Games
One-Time Events
Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 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. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Sketching the Smithsonian: Weekly Lunchtime Daytime Series
All Programs
Travel the world with the summer edition of Sketching the Smithsonian as you take an artful break and explore the fascinating, vast collections of this extraordinary museum.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AMF1?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AMF1?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
CANCELLED - DC | Performance: Black Eagle Singers
One-Time Events
The museum welcomes the Black Eagle Singers back to Washington, DC. The group last performed at the museum as part of our Grand Opening celebration, the First Americans Festival, in 2004.
About the Black Eagle Singers: "For over three decades, the GRAMMY® Award-winning Black Eagle Singers drum and dance group (Pueblo of Jemez) has carried forward the ancestral sounds and vibrant spirit of American Indian Country, connecting audiences to traditions that have sustained our people for generations.
Blending traditional Pueblo Indian songs with contemporary powwow styles, Black Eagle Singers create a distinctive sound that has earned recognition across the USA and beyond. From traditional powwows, ceremonial gatherings, and special events for Heads of State to international stages and cultural epicenters, listeners feel the heartbeat of the world in every strike of our drum.
A culturally authentic performance experience, Black Eagle Singers unite the raw power of the Native peoples: the drum, the voice, the…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1: Potomac Atrium. Cost: FREE. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 2:30 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. Categories: Workshops. After Five.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Curator of Flies Torsten Dikow
One-Time Events
“What is the Pinned Insect Digitization Conveyor?” With more than 35 million specimens, the Smithsonian insect collection is one of the largest entomology collections in the world. It is an archive of global insect biodiversity, shedding light on the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Making such a sprawling collection, and the trove of scientific data it contains, accessible to researchers around the world is a challenge the museum facing head on. Entomologist Dr. Torsten Dikow is part of the team currently working to digitize a large swath of the collection’s pollinating insect specimens using the museum’s Pinned Insect Digitization Conveyor, a state-of-the-art system that has never before been used in North America. Torsten will discuss the How and Why of digitizing more than 325,000 bees, flies, butterflies and beetles and their associated data labels. He will also explore the importance of making all of this data accessible to science and the public given the vital role insect pollinators…
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/55383932/behind-the-sciencejuly-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Louis Comfort Tiffany: In Pursuit of Beauty
All Programs
Explore the brilliance of Louis Comfort Tiffany, a leading figure of late-19th and early-20th-century American design. Known for his stained-glass windows, signature lamps, and innovative glasswork, Tiffany transformed decorative arts into fine art through his bold experimentation with color and light. Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton, a lamp collector herself, examines his creative vision, his studios, and his relationship with his father, Charles Lewis Tiffany of Tiffany & Co. revealing how Tiffany’s luminous creations continue to captivate admirers today. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/louis-comfort-tiffany-in-pursuit-of-beauty?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/louis-comfort-tiffany-in-pursuit-of-beauty?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Wellness Wednesdays
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and wellness expert Aparna Sadananda for mindfulness programs inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. On the first Wednesday of each month, join us for an artful meditation, where we will practice slow looking and experience portraiture through breath and slow movement. On the third Wednesday of each month, join us for a wellness program that inspires the senses and includes sound baths and musical meditation. These programs are for ages 18+ and are suitable for all skill levels. No experience is necessary.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-wellness-wednesdays-tickets-1982011714392?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM.
Storytime Studio: To Infinity and Beyond
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. During each hourlong session, starting at 10 and 11 AM every Wednesday and Thursday, 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
Artworks by Robert Rauschenberg are a highlight of the Hirshhorn collection, and several of the Museum’s works are included in the National Air and Space Museum’s (NASM) new art exhibit, The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight. This week, we’ll be joined by educators from NASM to learn how Rauschenberg drew inspiration from flight and space exploration. We’ll also make our own artworks in his style. We’ll visit Rauschenberg’s Fossil for Bob Morris (1965); once displayed in the Museum’s 1974 inaugural exhibition, today it is on view in Revolutions.
Featured book: Man on…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Over the Moon.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The garden tour begins just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Indigenous Games
One-Time Events
Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: USS Maine
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Manuel Rodriguez and learn about the battleship USS Maine.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: The Price of Freedom, 3 East. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Price of Freedom. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Artist Talk with Vikesh Kapoor
One-Time Events
In Funeral (2023), Vikesh Kapoor stages a portrait of his mother and her absence. The photograph depicts a private ceremony held at his family's home in rural Pennsylvania. In an act of memorialization, he reconstructed the scene the morning after her funeral. The piece anchors See You at Home, a personal narrative about family, memory, and the myth and melancholy of the American Dream.
Now titled Ceremony, the work will frame a conversation between Kapoor and Charlotte Ickes, Curator of Time-Based Media and Special Projects, about ceremony, the objects we leave behind, and what a portrait asks of us when someone is gone.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: 2nd floor, The Outwin 2025. Cost: Free—registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artist-talk-with-vikesh-kapoor-tickets-1992079418165?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
Digital Drawing Fundamentals
All Programs
Learn to use the iPad, Apple Pencil, and Procreate for illustration and animation. Students get an introductory lecture on the basics of digital art production, demonstrations, and experience drawing in Procreate on an iPad.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/digital-drawing-fundamentals?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/digital-drawing-fundamentals?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
LIVESTREAM: Great Americans Medal Presentation to Melinda French Gates
One-Time Events
Join us virtually to witness Melinda French Gates become the eleventh recipient of the National Museum of American History’s highest honor—the Great Americans Medal—on July 15th at 6:30 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/greatam26 to receive the viewing link.
In this special semiquincentennial program, the museum will recognize Melinda French Gates’ extraordinary contributions to the nation as a philanthropist and global advocate for women and girls for more than a quarter century. The museum’s Elizabeth MacMillan Director Anthea M. Hartig, Ph.D. and Smithsonian Institution Regent Emeritus David M. Rubenstein, will present the medal to French Gates for her life’s work embodying American ideas and ideals. A conversation between French Gates and Rubenstein will follow the medal ceremony.
Since its inception in 2016, the National Museum of American History’s Great Americans Medal recognizes trailblazers who have made a lasting impact in their fields and whose philanthropic endeavors set them apart.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Online Streaming Program. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://bit.ly/greatam26. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. ASL-interpreted program.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
For more info visit bit.ly. The New Space Age: Ambition, Illusion, and the Future of Humanity
All Programs
Philosopher Ben Bramble argues that we are often told humanity’s destiny lies beyond Earth—complete with Martian cities, asteroid mining, lunar industries, and even “backup planets.” Drawing on his book Lunacy: Ten False Promises of the New Space Age, he contends that many of these visions rest on misunderstandings about risk, progress, and what truly makes a human future genuinely good. If we care about humanity’s long-term flourishing, he suggests we should look less to Mars—and more carefully at our own planet.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/new-space-age?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/new-space-age?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
The War of 1812: A Closer Look
All Programs
The War of 1812 is among the most misunderstood wars in American history. Historian Richard Bell argues its causes, course, and consequences have long been obscured by the American Revolution and the Civil War. More than the conflict that inspired the national anthem says Bell, it was a defining moment in a young republic, establishing American credibility abroad, securing independence, shaping national identity, entrenching states’ rights, and unleashing imperial ambitions—all at extraordinary human cost.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/war-of-1812?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/war-of-1812?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Webcasts & Online. After Five.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
The Wright Women: An Architect’s Personal World
All Programs
Frank Lloyd Wright’s life can be traced through the women who shaped him and the homes he created for them. From his mother and sister to the wives and partners who influenced his personal and artistic evolution, their impact is reflected in works like the Winslow House, his Oak Park residences, and Taliesin. These buildings become intimate expressions of his relationships and milestones in modern American architecture, illuminated through Timothy Totten’s empathetic storytelling.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/wright-women?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/wright-women?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Storytime Studio: To Infinity and Beyond
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. During each hourlong session, starting at 10 and 11 AM every Wednesday and Thursday, 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
Artworks by Robert Rauschenberg are a highlight of the Hirshhorn collection, and several of the Museum’s works are included in the National Air and Space Museum’s (NASM) new art exhibit, The Ascent of Rauschenberg: Reinventing the Art of Flight. This week, we’ll be joined by educators from NASM to learn how Rauschenberg drew inspiration from flight and space exploration. We’ll also make our own artworks in his style. We’ll visit Rauschenberg’s Fossil for Bob Morris (1965); once displayed in the Museum’s 1974 inaugural exhibition, today it is on view in Revolutions.
Featured book: Man on…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Over the Moon.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Indigenous Games
One-Time Events
Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
District Treasures: Celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities
One-Time Events
Register to attend a one-on-one session with preservation specialists and receive a professional review of your family treasures and heirlooms. As our guests, you will gain insight into the historical significance of your items and learn best practices to assist in preserving your personal collections for generations to come.
This special session is inspired by the exhibition At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Visitors are especially encouraged to bring items related to HBCU history, traditions, student life, scholarship, athletics, and community legacy.
Note: Visitors are welcome to bring any cherished family objects, photographs, documents, textiles, quilts, books or collectibles for review with a special request for items related to HBCU history.
Invite your family, classmates, and friends to join you during this special review session.
All attendees will receive a Treasures Starter Kit and sample archival supplies to begin preserving…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor Classrooms. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/79e661c2-d451-a0e7-087f-19e3ef1c337e. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Workshops. Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S Army Strings - Jazz Trio, performances at 12 Noon & 1:30 PM
One-Time Events
Celebrate America’s 250th with The U.S. Army Strings! Honoring the legacy of our country’s music, join us for an All-American program that inspires and unites.
The U.S. Army Strings Jazz Trio is a unique combination of violin, guitar, and double bass. Formed in 2023, the trio has performed for events at the U.S. Department of State, The Blair House, and the French Embassy, wowing audiences with its versatility and infectious musical energy. Its instrumentation creates a distinctive sound that allows listeners to experience jazz in a fresh, new way. Come enjoy a thrilling mix of jazz standards and American Songbook favorites.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Embracing La Dolce Vita: Italy's Miraculous Postwar Transformation
All Programs
After the devastation of World War II, Italy transformed into one of Europe’s great economic success stories of the 1950s and 1960s by embracing Western consumerism. Through globally popular films, advertising, and design, the country projected an image of modernity, elegance, and pleasure that captivated international audiences. Lecturer Adam Tanner examines how the myth of la dolce vita forged during these boom years continues to shape how Italy is imagined, both at home and abroad.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/embracing-la-dolce-vita?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/embracing-la-dolce-vita?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
DC | Closer Look: Water's Edge
One-Time Events
Join Rebecca Trautmann, curator of Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe, for an in-gallery conversation with Kelly McHugh, Head of Conservation at the National Museum of the American Indian. Together, they will offer visitors a closer look at selected artworks in the exhibition.
Kelly McHugh is the Head of Conservation at the National Museum of the American Indian, where she has worked since 1996. She specializes in collaborative conservation practices that support the care of Native American and Indigenous collections and advance shared stewardship through access, cultural protocols, and artistic practice. She was a core team contributor to the SAR Guidelines for Collaboration, serves as a Co-lead for Smithsonian’s Collections Stewardship Strategic Priority and is the Board Vice President for VoCA (Voices of Contemporary Art). Leading support provided by Bank of America. Major support provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Generous support provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art and…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3, exhibition gallery. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - U.S Army Strings - Jazz Trio, performances at 12 Noon & 1:30 PM
One-Time Events
Celebrate America’s 250th with The U.S. Army Strings! Honoring the legacy of our country’s music, join us for an All-American program that inspires and unites.
The U.S. Army Strings Jazz Trio is a unique combination of violin, guitar, and double bass. Formed in 2023, the trio has performed for events at the U.S. Department of State, The Blair House, and the French Embassy, wowing audiences with its versatility and infectious musical energy. Its instrumentation creates a distinctive sound that allows listeners to experience jazz in a fresh, new way. Come enjoy a thrilling mix of jazz standards and American Songbook favorites.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Related Exhibition: 3 East - The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: Firefighters in the 1800s
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Tim Winkle and learn about firefighters in the 1800s.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Eye-Popping Art: Tours for People with Colorblindness
One-Time Events
Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led tour of highlights from the museum’s collection using museum-provided, colorblind correcting glasses that bring the vibrancy of these works to life.
Image credit: Photo by Mary Tait.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Meet in the F Street Lobby. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3MH0T. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 5:30 PM.
Bluegrass Forever Party
One-Time Events
Bluegrass Forever
Join us at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum on July 16, 2026 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM for a free evening event that hits all the right notes between stamp art and music!
Get your creative juices flowing with printmaking, dance and sing along to the King Street Bluegrass band, then explore the exhibits and enjoy hands-on activities that will make your philatelic heart sing.
Feeling thirsty? A cash bar will be available. Whether you’re a stamp enthusiast or just curious about the art behind postage, this event is perfect for everyone.
Registration is recommended but not required. If the event reaches capacity, preference will be given to those who registered in advance.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Historic lobby, first floor. Cost: Event is free. Registration is recommended, but not required. If the event reaches capacity, preference will be given to those who registered in advance. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bluegrass-forever-tickets-1990417531417?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: After Five. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Design on the Water: Washington, DC, Architecture Cruise
All Programs
Spend a summer evening sailing on the Potomac, taking in Washington, D.C.’s architectural icons from a new perspective. Cast off from Georgetown with your architecture guide from DC Design Tours and professional crew from Capitol River Cruises. After soaking in sunset views of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Georgetown waterfront, sail past Theodore Roosevelt Island, under Arlington Memorial Bridge, and along the National Mall and Tidal Basin while learning about landmarks ranging from the Watergate Hotel to the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
Event Location: Tour begins at Washington Harbour in Georgetown at west (upriver) end. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/design-on-water?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
The Atlantic Empire: A History of French Colonialism
All Programs
Between 1400 and 1800, the people of Europe, Africa, and the Americas grew more connected by overseas trade and colonization. According to historians Christopher Hodson and Brett Rushforth, accounts of this transformative era have overlooked the reach of the pre-Napoleonic French Empire. Hodson and Rushforth, authors of Beyond the Ocean: France and the Atlantic World from the Crusades to the Age of Revolutions, examine the significant role that France played in the history of the Atlantic world and the ways it shaped France in return.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/atlantic-empire?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/atlantic-empire?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
CANCELLED: CIA’s Eyes in the Sky—From Spy Planes and Space to Everyday Technology
One-Time Events
During the Cold War, visionary CIA officers and their partners pushed the boundaries of science and engineering to create breakthrough capabilities. CIA’s pursuit of aerial and space-based solutions to urgent national security challenges continues to spark innovations that reshaped the modern world.
In partnership with CIA, this program will look at CIA stories found in the National Air and Space Museum collection, including aerial innovations like the U-2 aircraft, the CORONA Satellite Program, the Insectothopter, and the lineage of the A-12 Oxcart to the SR-71 Blackbird. These stories of bold risk-taking and relentless problem solving led to innovations that delivered lasting, positive impacts far beyond intelligence, including the development of Keyhole reconnaissance and its resulting legacy Google Earth. Join us to learn how these innovations born in secrecy have shaped technology, industry, and daily life.
Visit the Museum's galleries from 7-8 pm then hear from Dr. Brent Geary and Col. Buz Carpenter…
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Lockheed Martin IMAX. Cost: Free with registration. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
CANCELLED: ONLINE: CIA’s Eyes in the Sky—From Spy Planes and Space to Everyday Technology
One-Time Events
During the Cold War, visionary CIA officers and their partners pushed the boundaries of science and engineering to create breakthrough capabilities. CIA’s pursuit of aerial and space-based solutions to urgent national security challenges continues to spark innovations that reshaped the modern world.
In partnership with CIA, this program will look at CIA stories found in the National Air and Space Museum collection, including aerial innovations like the U-2 aircraft, the CORONA Satellite Program, the Insectothopter, and the lineage of the A-12 Oxcart to the SR-71 Blackbird. These stories of bold risk-taking and relentless problem solving led to innovations that delivered lasting, positive impacts far beyond intelligence, including the development of Keyhole reconnaissance and its resulting legacy Google Earth. Join us to learn how these innovations born in secrecy have shaped technology, industry, and daily life.
Panelists include: Dr. Brent Geary, CIA historian (full bio will appear in dropdown), …
Event Location: YouTube. Online Link: https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=00gsr6ktjt8e7rf0xgjwr8n3knxszjkz2gjm7zve5dnbfnkskhwk. Cost: Free with registration. Categories: After Five. Webcasts & Online. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026.
Open Studio: Become an Architect
One time events
Get inspired by the Hirshhorn classics every Friday and Saturday in July at Open Studio! Each week, we’ll take inspiration from groundbreaking artists of our time, such as Alexander Calder, Olafur Eliasson, Juan Muñoz, and more.
Join us this Friday as we draw inspiration from the Hirshhorn’s architect, Gordon Bunshaft. First, we’ll take a close look at the Museum’s architecture. Then we’ll experiment with materials like cardboard, brads, 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 young artists to seasoned creators—and allow them to craft, create, and…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Bun(dt)shaft Cake-Off: Bake a Mini Hirshhorn!
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The garden tour begins just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Big Moments, Little Stories
One-Time Events
Discover the power of storytelling and community through our early learners storytime experience inspired by We Make History! Through engaging stories, interactive gallery moments, and hands-on activities, children and caregivers will explore how everyday people, neighborhoods, and changemakers shape history in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Together, young learners will build curiosity and creativity.
Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years
Time and Schedule: 10: 30 a.m.
Duration: About 1 hour.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Sunburst Lounge. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-moments-little-stories-tickets-1990727334045?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
Naptown Jazz Kids Performance
One-Time Events
Join us for an exciting daytime performance as the Naptown Jazz Kids take the stage to showcase the dynamic energy, creativity, and passion of young jazz musicians.
Youth jazz bands are vital to the preservation of this uniquely American art form, ensuring a new generation embraces jazz as a living and ever-evolving musical tradition. Come celebrate the future of jazz and the power of music education at the National Museum of American History!
Naptown Jazz Kids is a non-profit that offers education programs, community engagement, and musical training in the greater Annapolis area.
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The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. This event is wheelchair accessible. Additional accommodations are available upon request; please email nmahprograms@si.edu.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: https://www.naptownjazzkids.org/ . Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 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.
Image courtesy of C&G Partners.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 2: Exhibition Gallery. Cost: FREE. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Native New York. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
NY | Indigenous Games
One-Time Events
Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Art Break
Kids and Family
Take time to relax, create, and connect with a hands-on art activity. Make art inspired by objects from our collections while discovering the techniques, histories, and cultures behind them. Drop by any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.!
All ages and skill levels welcome. Image credits: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photos by Cory Grace.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 27. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Nature Journaling
Smithsonian Gardens
Drop by the Enid A. Haupt Garden between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and join Smithsonian Gardens for nature journaling!
Nature journaling is an opportunity for visitors to slow down, reflect, and connect to the gardens. This program is designed to foster appreciation and connection to the natural world through observation, reflection, and creativity.
Smithsonian Gardens will provide journals, prompts, and art materials to get you started. All ages are welcome!
Find us on the East Terrace of the Haupt Garden, close to the Arts and Industries Building.
Recommended metro station: L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Silver, Orange, Green, and Yellow lines) or Smithsonian (Blue, Silver and Orange lines).
And be sure to check out the new Growing Tomorrow exhibition and discover how gardens connect people and plants!
Activities may be subject to cancellation or modification due to weather conditions. Please check the Smithsonian Gardens online calendar for the latest information: https://gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/, …
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: East Terrace of the Enid A. Haupt Garden. Cost: Free. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Art of the Etruscans
All Programs
Art historian Laura Morelli illuminates the vibrant world of the Etruscans, an ancient Italian people often shrouded in mystery despite their rich and distinctive cultural legacy. Drawing on masterworks of painting, sculpture, and metalwork uncovered in central Italian tombs, she reveals how the Etruscans envisioned the afterlife and adorned their burial spaces with remarkable luxury items. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/art-of-etruscans?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/art-of-etruscans?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
DC | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
NY | Animation Celebration!
One-Time Events
Enjoy a collection of animated short films by Indigenous filmmakers, featuring colorful folktales, humorous encounters, and lighthearted lessons.
The animated films feature well known Indigenous filmmakers like pop-artist Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw), and the acclaimed and award-winning stop-motion animated series "Wapos Bay" featuring the late Gordon Tootoosis (Cree/Stoney).
FEATURED FILMS, The Owl and the Lemming (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk (Inuit), Canada, 2016, 3 min.)The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat and learns the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided. NANGULVÍ (Directors: Wayra Ana Velásquez & Segundo Fuérez, Ecuador, 2022, 5 min.)A fantastical partnership forms between an Andean bear and an Afro-Ecuadorian musician as they and their magical allies fight to protect Ecuador's biodiverse Intag Valley from a ruthless mining corporation. Wapos Bay:…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Films. Accessibility: Captioning.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 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. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Native New York. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Lifelong Learner: Pots & Paint
One-Time Events
Get Free, Be Free with Lifelong Learners as we explore wellness, creativity, and community through terracotta pot painting and herb harvesting. Connect with others, get your hands dirty, and take home a personalized planter inspired by the healing power of plants.
This program is part of our Lifelong Learners series, designed for adults seeking connection, creativity, and lifelong discovery.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifelong-learners-pots-and-paint-tickets-1992581361491?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Demonstrations. Workshops.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
From These Lands Friday – Documenting Diversity: Birds!
One-Time Events
Did you know that the National Museum of Natural History has over 600,000 bird specimens that are used to support scientific research? Join Christina Gehard, Brian Schimdt, and Christopher Milensky from the Department of Vertebrate Zoology’s Division of Birds to learn more about the history, care, and uses of the Museum’s bird collection and watch a demonstration of how new bird specimens are prepped to become study skins.
About the Series:
From These Lands Fridays
Join the National Museum of Natural History for From These Lands Fridays, a drop-in program featuring NMNH scientists, experts, and collaborators highlighting content from and connections to the Museum’s newest exhibit From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage.
Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center.
Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis!
Upcoming Dates:
7/24 Volcanoes!
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
"My Mind to Me A Kingdom Is: The Legacy of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister" Film Screening and Discussion
One-Time Events
Come join the National Museum of African American History and Culture for a film screening to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Jane McAllister. The documentary highlights the life and contributions of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister, a pioneering educator who became the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Education in the United States. Her work helped reshape teacher training throughout the South. The screening will be followed by a discussion between the filmmaker, David Rae Morris, and NMAAHC curators, Tulani Salahu-Din and Jeanelle Hope.
Created in support of the exhibition, At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs, this event will have special resonance for educators and is open to the general public. Educators will be able to request documentation for continuing education hours.
After the event, guests are invited to join curator Jeanelle Hope in the At the Vanguard exhibition for highlights.
About Dr. Jane McAllister
Dr. Jane McAllister was an educator and researcher and the first African…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Oprah Winfrey Theater. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/92b42d28-27ee-3bf9-8be1-464dabaebd3d?tg=a9bd371c-d886-5757-170c-b6474265fca5. Categories: Films. Related Exhibition: At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Asia After Dark | Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean
Performances
Register in advance to get the best experience.
Join us after hours to experience the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia, enriched by spotlight talks and followed by a dance performance, a short film screening, and an artist conversation. This event celebrates our exhibition Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean!
Get exclusive insights on this monumental masterpiece of Cambodian artistry through spotlight talks by curator Emma Natalya Stein, filmmaker praCh Ly, and professor Vasudha Narayanan. Then enjoy the dance performance choreographed by Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and inspired by the bronze Vishnu. Watch a special screening of the short film by Cambodian American director praCh Ly about the present-day community of the bronze’s original temple. And finish off the night with a conversation with the filmmaker, the choreographer, and the curator.
Schedule In-Gallery Spotlight Talks
Gallery 22
5:30–7 p.m. Dance Performance ផ្គុំ/PKUM
Meyer Auditorium
7:30 p.m. Screening of Awkun
Meyer Auditorium
8 p.m. …
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium, Gallery 22. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991206044882?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: After Five. Performances. Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Events: Curator Tour | Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Late Hours at the Castle
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
In conjunction with Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, the Smithsonian Castle will be open until 8:30 p.m.
On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, in the hours before the Castle façade is transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, enjoy a rare chance to experience the historic building after hours. The special exhibition, American Aspirations, co-curated by Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, will be on view until 8:30 p.m.
Extended Café and Shop Hours: Castle Café Summer Shack 250: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Castle Store: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Note: This summer, pedestrian and vehicle access along and across the National Mall may be limited—please allow extra time for travel.
Rideshare drop-off location: Independence Ave. SW and L’Enfant Plaza SW
Recommended Metro station: Smithsonian (Blue, Silver, and Orange lines), follow signs to the Independence Ave. exit.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: 1st floor. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Related Events: Art After Dark at the Arts and Industries Building
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Art After Dark
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
In conjunction with Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, the Arts and Industries Building will be open until 11:00 p.m. Browse the SAMASAMA Market while listening to music by Les the DJ.
The SAMASAMA Market brings together a thoughtfully curated lineup of local artists, makers, and small businesses for a vibrant market experience centered on creativity, culture, and community. Explore handcrafted goods, original artwork, home décor, vintage treasures, and more while meeting the people behind the work.
Visitors will also enjoy the Voices and Votes traveling exhibition, food and drink for sale (6–10:30 p.m.), and a photobooth provided by Photos Enforced.
Note: This summer, pedestrian and vehicle access along and across the National Mall may be limited—please allow extra time for travel.
Rideshare drop-off location: Independence Ave. SW and L’Enfant Plaza SW
Recommended Metro station: Smithsonian (Blue, Silver, and…
Venue: Arts and Industries Building. Event Location: Throughout first floor. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Shopping/Book Signing. Related Events: Late night hours at the Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian presents Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol. On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, the Castle façade will be transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, showcasing dynamic visuals inspired by the Smithsonian's vast extraordinary collections.
Created by Refik Anadol Studio, the installation uses artificial intelligence to reimagine nearly two centuries of Smithsonian collections and research. Drawing from millions of digitized items, ranging from specimens and manuscripts to photographs, artworks, and scientific records, the project turns collection data into a continuously evolving visual experience projected across the Castle’s red sandstone façade and towers.
Every image in the presentation comes from Smithsonian collections, brought together through a custom visualization system. The experience unfolds in thematic chapters inspired by the Smithsonian’s…
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Viewing Area: On the National Mall facing the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Films.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian presents Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol. On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, the Castle façade will be transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, showcasing dynamic visuals inspired by the Smithsonian's vast extraordinary collections.
Created by Refik Anadol Studio, the installation uses artificial intelligence to reimagine nearly two centuries of Smithsonian collections and research. Drawing from millions of digitized items, ranging from specimens and manuscripts to photographs, artworks, and scientific records, the project turns collection data into a continuously evolving visual experience projected across the Castle’s red sandstone façade and towers.
Every image in the presentation comes from Smithsonian collections, brought together through a custom visualization system. The experience unfolds in thematic chapters inspired by the Smithsonian’s…
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Viewing Area: On the National Mall facing the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Films.
Friday, July 17, 2026, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Heritage and Homes of the Shenandoah Valley
All Programs
Set amid the rolling landscape of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, three distinguished historic houses—Glen Burnie, Belle Grove, and Long Branch—offer a window into the region’s architectural and cultural heritage. Led by regional historian Hayden Mathews, explore how these estates and their landscapes shaped life in the valley from the mid-18th through the early 19th centuries.
Event Location: Departs from the Holiday Inn Capitol at 550 C St SW (corner of 6th & C Sts). Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/heritage-and-homes-of-shenandoah-valley?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 8:15 AM – 7:15 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. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Open Studio: Become an Architect
One time events
Get inspired by the Hirshhorn classics every Friday and Saturday in July at Open Studio! Each week, we’ll take inspiration from groundbreaking artists of our time, such as Alexander Calder, Olafur Eliasson, Juan Muñoz, and more.
Join us this Friday as we draw inspiration from the Hirshhorn’s architect, Gordon Bunshaft. First, we’ll take a close look at the Museum’s architecture. Then we’ll experiment with materials like cardboard, brads, 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 young artists to seasoned creators—and allow them to craft, create, and…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Bun(dt)shaft Cake-Off: Bake a Mini Hirshhorn!
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
An Introduction to Watercolor: Loose and Beautiful - In Person
All Programs
Discover the versatility and fluidity of painting in watercolor, an exciting and unpredictable medium. Learn techniques such as graded washes, wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry brush, splattering, lifting, and glazing.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr SW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-watercolor-loose-and-beautiful?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:15 AM – 4:15 PM.
Mosaic Jewelry - In Person
All Programs
Learn the techniques needed to create fine mosaic jewelry as you make silver-plated mosaic pendants using mosaic gold, smalti, semiprecious stones, stained glass, and millefiori.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr SW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/mosaic-jewelry?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:15 AM – 5:00 PM.
NMAAHC Kids Story Time: Lift Every Voice!
One-Time Events
Story Time: Lift Every Voice! Designed for children ages 8 and younger, but all families are welcome
Come sing with us! Join us for a story time featuring Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations by Kelly Starling Lyons read by a NMAAHC Kids educator. During this story children will discover the unifying power of music and learn this special anthem. Then, create your own instrument with recycled materials!
Program Schedule:
10:30 am - 12:45 pm: Ongoing Create & Explore Time
10:45 am & 11:45 am: Read Alouds
11:30 am & 12:30 pm: Children’s Gallery Tours
Questions? Email us at NMAAHCEarlyChildhood@si.edu.
Event Location: 2nd Floor Classroom. Cost: FREE! Registration required. . Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019e0298-7f91-143d-2569-e43f3e6a8182?tg=019e0298-7f96-2a0d-bf6c-d73586c23a29. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM.
NY | Indigenous Games
One-Time Events
Games are an integral part of Native community life. In this fun and active program, Museum Educators will teach visitors about and how to play several games from different regions of the Americas. All are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1, imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Art & Me | Family Workshop: Outdoor Sculpture
Kids and Family
What happens to art that lives outside? In this hands-on workshop, children ages 3–8 and their caregivers explore outdoor sculptures at the museum and learn how conservators care for artworks exposed to sun, rain, and more. Then, kids make their own outdoor art and take it home to observe how it stands up to the elements. Image credit: Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: ImaginAsia Studio. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1918232217199?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Graffiti Art with Artist Luis Del Valle
One-Time Events
xStep into the vibrant world of graffiti and hip-hop culture in this exciting, hands-on workshop! Participants will explore the history, styles, and cultural impact of graffiti, from bold lettering to expressive street art techniques. Guided step-by-step, you’ll learn how to create your own graffiti-inspired painting on canvas using fine art techniques, including bold, clean lines, splatter and layering methods. You’ll also discover how color choices can attract attention and be
used to create mood and emotion in your work.
This workshop is all about creativity, self-expression, and positive messaging, as we channel themes of love, hope, and art into every piece. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced artist, you’ll be supported throughout the process and leave with a finished painting you’ll truly be proud of. Come ready to learn, create, and be inspired! This workshop is suggested for ages 8 and up.
At the age of 13, award-winning artist Luis Peralta Del Valle began painting graffiti murals across…
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/graffiti-art-workshop-with-artist-luis-del-valle-tickets-1989860972735?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Workshops.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Origem featuring the Lucini Brothers, performances at 12 Noon & 2 PM
One-Time Events
Come experience a dynamic and educational exploration of the lasting influence of Brazilian music—especially Samba, Bossa Nova, and Baião—on jazz. Learn how these rich Brazilian traditions have shaped and been woven into the fabric of jazz music. The event will feature an interactive lecture/workshop, followed by a captivating concert by Origem, a Brazilian-Jazz ensemble led by the Lucini Brothers.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Art & Me | Family Workshop: Outdoor Sculpture
Kids and Family
What happens to art that lives outside? In this hands-on workshop, children ages 3–8 and their caregivers explore outdoor sculptures at the museum and learn how conservators care for artworks exposed to sun, rain, and more. Then, kids make their own outdoor art and take it home to observe how it stands up to the elements. Image credit: Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: ImaginAsia Studio. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1918232217199?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Origem featuring the Lucini Brothers, performances at 12 Noon & 2 PM
One-Time Events
Come experience a dynamic and educational exploration of the lasting influence of Brazilian music—especially Samba, Bossa Nova, and Baião—on jazz. Learn how these rich Brazilian traditions have shaped and been woven into the fabric of jazz music. The event will feature an interactive lecture/workshop, followed by a captivating concert by Origem, a Brazilian-Jazz ensemble led by the Lucini Brothers.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Stars, Stripes, and Stadiums: America’s 250th & FIFA 2026
One-Time Events
Celebrate the World Cup and America’s 250th at the National Museum of African Art!
Enjoy a moderated panel discussion, a Sounds of Africa concert, drop-in artmaking, a slideshow featuring soccer photography, DC Public Library’s Library on the Go-Go, and drinks for purchase!
3pm-4pm, Panel Discussion featuring FIFA photojournalist Kwabena Ofori (Lecture Hall, S2); ASL interpretation and captioning services provided, 3pm-7pm, Drop-in artmaking creating mini tifo--signs or banners created by fans (Pavilion), 3pm-5pm, DC Public Library’s Library on the Go-Go, a book bike that's a pop-up library (Pavilion), 7pm-10pm, Sounds of Africa Concert featuring Sugarlane (Sylvia Williams Gallery, S1),
Image Credit: Victor Ekpuk, Drawing, 1994, Ink, marker, and pencil on paper, 17.3 x 18 cm (6 13/16 x 7 1/16 in.), National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Gift of the artist
By attending this event, you grant the Smithsonian Institution permission to photograph, film, videotape you and/or record your voice…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Throughout the Museum. Cost: FREE. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988935210756?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Lectures & Discussions. Workshops. Performances. After Five. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program. Captioning.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Late Hours at the Castle
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
In conjunction with Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, the Smithsonian Castle will be open until 8:30 p.m.
On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, in the hours before the Castle façade is transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, enjoy a rare chance to experience the historic building after hours. The special exhibition, American Aspirations, co-curated by Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, will be on view until 8:30 p.m.
Extended Café and Shop Hours: Castle Café Summer Shack 250: 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The Castle Store: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Note: This summer, pedestrian and vehicle access along and across the National Mall may be limited—please allow extra time for travel.
Rideshare drop-off location: Independence Ave. SW and L’Enfant Plaza SW
Recommended Metro station: Smithsonian (Blue, Silver, and Orange lines), follow signs to the Independence Ave. exit.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: 1st floor. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Related Events: Art After Dark at the Arts and Industries Building
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Art After Dark
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
In conjunction with Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol, the Arts and Industries Building will be open until 11:00 p.m. Browse the SAMASAMA Market while listening to music by Les the DJ.
The SAMASAMA Market brings together a thoughtfully curated lineup of local artists, makers, and small businesses for a vibrant market experience centered on creativity, culture, and community. Explore handcrafted goods, original artwork, home décor, vintage treasures, and more while meeting the people behind the work.
Visitors will also enjoy the Voices and Votes traveling exhibition, food and drink for sale (6–10:30 p.m.), and a photobooth provided by Photos Enforced.
Note: This summer, pedestrian and vehicle access along and across the National Mall may be limited—please allow extra time for travel.
Rideshare drop-off location: Independence Ave. SW and L’Enfant Plaza SW
Recommended Metro station: Smithsonian (Blue, Silver, and…
Venue: Arts and Industries Building. Event Location: Throughout first floor. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Shopping/Book Signing. Related Events: Late night hours at the Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
History Film Forum: Glory
One-Time Events
The History Film Forum proudly presents the 1989 Academy Award-winning film Glory.
Following the Battle of Antietam, Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) is offered command of the United States' first all-African American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. With junior officer Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), Shaw puts together a strong and proud unit, including a soldier who escaped slavery, Trip (Denzel Washington), and a soldier who dug graves, John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman). At first limited to menial manual tasks, the regiment fights to be placed in the heat of battle, culminating in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, fought on July 18, 1863.
Glory won three Academy Awards, including Denzel Washington’s Best Supporting Actor win. In 2025 the movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."
On the 163rd anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, we…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater, 1 Center. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-film-forum-presents-glory-1989-tickets-1991121048656?aff=trumba. Categories: After Five. Films. Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: As part of our new museum-wide exhibition, In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness, see the flag of the 84th Infantry Regiment, United States Colored Troops, in The Price of Freedom, the museum’s exhibition marking the history of Americans at war. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible. Captioning.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Smithsonian Sleepover at the Natural History Museum
All Programs
In-person Family Program: Go on an interactive exploration of the Natural History Museum and participate in hands-on crafts projects and games. Then roll out your sleeping bag and dream away in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums! Geared for children ages 8 to 14 years old, accompanied by an adult.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History 10th St & Constitution Ave NW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/nh-sleepover-1P0911?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – Sunday, July 19, 2026, 9:00 AM.
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian presents Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol. On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, the Castle façade will be transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, showcasing dynamic visuals inspired by the Smithsonian's vast extraordinary collections.
Created by Refik Anadol Studio, the installation uses artificial intelligence to reimagine nearly two centuries of Smithsonian collections and research. Drawing from millions of digitized items, ranging from specimens and manuscripts to photographs, artworks, and scientific records, the project turns collection data into a continuously evolving visual experience projected across the Castle’s red sandstone façade and towers.
Every image in the presentation comes from Smithsonian collections, brought together through a custom visualization system. The experience unfolds in thematic chapters inspired by the Smithsonian’s…
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Viewing Area: On the National Mall facing the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Films.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Smithsonian Dreams: Castle Illuminations
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian presents Smithsonian Dreams, an immersive public experience featuring a custom AI data sculpture by Turkish American artist Refik Anadol. On the evenings of Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, the Castle façade will be transformed by an awe-inspiring nighttime illumination program, showcasing dynamic visuals inspired by the Smithsonian's vast extraordinary collections.
Created by Refik Anadol Studio, the installation uses artificial intelligence to reimagine nearly two centuries of Smithsonian collections and research. Drawing from millions of digitized items, ranging from specimens and manuscripts to photographs, artworks, and scientific records, the project turns collection data into a continuously evolving visual experience projected across the Castle’s red sandstone façade and towers.
Every image in the presentation comes from Smithsonian collections, brought together through a custom visualization system. The experience unfolds in thematic chapters inspired by the Smithsonian’s…
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: Viewing Area: On the National Mall facing the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free. Categories: After Five. Films.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
CANCELLED - Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Painting Vacation Memories - In Person
All Programs
Capture the magic of your travels in a whole new way. Learn how to easily transform your favorite vacation photos of places into beautiful, expressive paintings in watercolor and ink.
Venue: S. Dillon Ripley Center. Event Location: S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr SW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/painting-vacation-memories?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 10:15 AM – 4:15 PM.
NY | Hands On: Clay Pinch Pots
One-Time Events
Get hands-on with clay and create a miniature pinch pot! This engaging activity introduces a time-honored art form practiced by Indigenous communities across the Western Hemisphere. Passed down through generations, pottery-making reflects creativity, skill, and deep cultural knowledge.
All are welcome!
*Children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026.
Big Art
All Programs
Campers think big as they create collaborative artworks and large–scale sculptures. Visits to museums around the National Mall, gardens, and art installations on D.C.'s streets provide inspiration. They exercise colossal creativity, paint a full–room mural, and produce individual works for a gargantuan exhibit at the end of the week.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/big-art?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Future Detectives
All Programs
Calling all aspiring detectives! Step into the shoes of a real-life investigator for a forensics-themed week. Campers with a passion for solving mysteries and cracking codes discover the art of forensic science, from collecting evidence and analyzing fingerprints to deciphering clues and piecing together puzzles. Instructors and visits to the museums guide campers through exciting investigative scenarios as they develop the skills needed to become top-notch sleuths.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/future-detectives?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Girl Power!
All Programs
It’s time to celebrate women in history. From anthropologist Jane Goodall to computer programmer Ada Lovelace to civil–rights activist Audrey Faye Hendrick—and many others—campers delve into the extraordinary accomplishments of women who made their mark on our world. Visits to the American History and African American History and Culture museums help tell their stories. Throughout the week, campers explore these women’s achievements and create their own journals, observe animals, dig for dinos, construct airplanes, design posters inspired by civil rights activists, and other activities. Families are invited to a Girl Power celebration on Friday.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/girl-power-?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Home Sweet Habitats
All Programs
Campers explore the lives and conservation of animals around the world as they explore habitats such as grasslands, rainforests, desert, and the poles and the animals that live there. The week includes hands–on activities, craft projects, science experiments, and a visit to the National Zoo. Campers create a natural habitat of their own for guests to view at the end of the week.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/home-sweet-habitats?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Innovative Inventions
All Programs
From the wheel to electricity—or the cutting–board bird feeder to the Dogbrella—there are countless amazing inventions, many of which have changed the world. Campers explore Smithsonian museums to discover the works of artists, inventors, and scientists who have created the many things we use every day and make our lives easier. Trips to the American History Museum and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's National Inventors Hall of Fame inspire campers as they create and market their own inventions. The week concludes with the campers’ own Invention Expo!
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/innovative-inventions?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Kinetic Colors
All Programs
Campers are introduced to a wide variety of art forms that evoke movement. From Calder to Hokusai and butterflies, campers gather their own movement inspiration from visits to the Natural History Museum and the African Art Museum. They also investigate concepts of motion by painting with marbles, making spin art, and experimenting with balance as they make mobiles. The week ends with what’s sure to be a very moving exhibition.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/kinetic-colors?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Master of the Elements
All Programs
Water … earth … fire … air. Campers must balance the four elements in their quest to become bending masters. Through investigations of Asian arts and culture as well as science experiments and games, they enter the world of the Avatar. Campers learn what style of bending best suits them, practice their skills, and create a festival for families to enjoy. Field trips to the Asian Art and Natural History museums and the National Gallery of Art enrich campers' explorations as they track down the four elements on the National Mall.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/master-of-elements?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Mission to Mars
All Programs
The idea of living on Mars has been a staple of science fiction since the 19th century, and NASA hopes to have a manned mission to the planet by 2030. Astronauts–in–training blast off to the Red Planet as they learn about current and past NASA projects, hear from experts, and visit the Air and Space Museum and the Udvar–Hazy Center. Campers complete an astronaut–training obstacle course, design a Mars Rover, and experience a taste of what it’s like to live on the planet.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/mission-to-mars?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Shark Tank
All Programs
Americans have spread innovations in culture and science across the globe for centuries. Campers visit the U.S. Patent Office and the American History Museum to explore the entrepreneurs and creations that changed America and the world. Camper–inventors then develop their own big–idea innovations, polish their elevator speeches, and build prototypes to be presented before the judges at the end of the week.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/shark-tank?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Smithsonian Safari
All Programs
A journey to explore the hidden treasures at the Smithsonian beckons young campers. After creating personal travel journals to record their sightings and adventures, they embark on a safari to a different museum each day to discover the vast collections of the Smithsonian. They use their findings in art and science to create mobiles, puppets, giant turtles, and clay fossils.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/smithsonian-safari?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Soldiers and Dioramas: Operation Desert Storm 1991
All Programs
Operation Desert Storm began in 1991 after President Saddam Hussein of Iraq ordered the invasion and occupation of neighboring Kuwait in early August 1990. It began with a massive U.S.–led air offensive. After 42 days of relentless attacks, U.S. President George H.W. Bush declared a ceasefire on February 28. Campers create dioramas and fight battles with miniature soldiers, as well as engage in group–strategy games using large geographical maps. Fictional and nonfiction accounts, graphic novels, reference books, and related films and documentaries give campers a grounding in the period’s history.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/soldiers-and-dioramas-operation-desert-storm-1991?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
This Land is Our Land
All Programs
From sprawling grasslands, deserts, and the Arctic tundra, various biomes of the United States have captured our curiosity and imaginations for centuries. Throughout the week, campers look to the national parks as touchstones into American flora and fauna. Without leaving the National Mall, campers discover the minerals and processes responsible for the Arches and Grand Canyon of the Southwest, the animals of the Great Plains, and the native flora of Hawaii. With additional trips to the American History and American Indian museums, campers learn about the connections between our land and history.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/this-land-is-our-land?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Underwater Worlds
All Programs
Campers dive in and discover the wonders of the watery world as they visit Sant Ocean Hall at the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum. Along the way, they learn about fish, sharks, and sting rays; lobsters, oysters, and crabs; octopus, eels, and jellyfish; and sea mammals such as otters, whales, and dolphins. They discover the lore of famous ships, pirates, and sea captains who explored the world’s great oceans, and mythical characters such as Poseidon, mermaids, and the amazing hippocamp. Campers also build ocean dioramas, coral reef exhibits, and underwater volcanoes.
Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/underwater-worlds?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Garden Play: Soil!
Smithsonian Gardens
Early learners and their caregivers are invited to join Smithsonian Gardens in the Pollinator Garden at the National Museum of Natural History on Monday, July 20 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. This month’s program theme is soil! Discover what soil is made of through a story time, play, and a craft.
Find us in the Pollinator Garden outside of the National Museum of Natural History, on the Constitution Avenue lawn.
Garden Play is designed for children ages two and up and their caregivers and families. 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 including hands on soil and mud play. Wildlife and insects, including bees and mosquitoes, are a part of our gardens. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sun protection, and are welcome to bring their own blankets for story time. We will have water and wipes available but consider bringing an apron or change of clo…
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: Pollinator Garden at the National Museum of Natural History. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
NY | Hands On: Clay Pinch Pots
One-Time Events
Get hands-on with clay and create a miniature pinch pot! This engaging activity introduces a time-honored art form practiced by Indigenous communities across the Western Hemisphere. Passed down through generations, pottery-making reflects creativity, skill, and deep cultural knowledge.
All are welcome!
*Children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Mary Livingston Ripley Garden and Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Find moments of peace and inspiration during this tour of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden and Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden. Explore the new Growing Tomorrow exhibits in each garden with one of our knowledgeable volunteers.
The tour meets outside the entrance to the Arts and Industries Building on Jefferson Drive, SW. Look for the tour sign. No registration required.
This program received support from Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250th. Signature support for Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 has been provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Additional generous contributions have been made by Target.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: Tour begins outside the entrance to the Arts and Industries Building at 900 Jefferson Drive, SW. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
The Battle of the Meuse–Argonne
All Programs
From September to November 1918, a hard-fought World War I battle that pitted green, poorly equipped American doughboys against combat-hardened German troops saw the U.S. military come of age in the brutal clash known as the Battle of the Meuse–Argonne. The U.S. Army pushed the Germans back and helped end World War I—succeeding where Allies had stalled for years. Military historian Mitchell Yockelson highlights key figures, including fighter ace Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, Cpl. Alvin York, Gen. John J. Pershing, Lt. Gen. Hunter Liggett, Capt. Harry S. Truman, Lt. Col. George S. Patton, and Col. Douglas MacArthur, the war’s most decorated soldier.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/battle-of-meuse-argonne?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/battle-of-meuse-argonne?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, July 20, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Estudio de Cuentos: Bailando con Duncan
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. The program’s English-language version, Storytime Studio, takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 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
Descubre a una de las “madres de la danza moderna” Isadora Duncan (1877–1927), cuyas actuaciones y coreografías rompieron con la rigidez del ballet tradicional. Nos…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Dancing Soft Sculptures.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art
All Programs
Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by Joan Miró's The Farm.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/write-into-art-1K0708?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/write-into-art-1K0708?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Library on the Go-Go
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join Library on the Go-Go for story time in the Haupt Garden!
The book bike, a functional pop-up library, will visit the Smithsonian as part of DC Public Library’s mobile outreach program, designed to provide robust outreach and programming to communities that might not otherwise have library access. DCPL’s Outreach + Inclusion Services department embeds and expands library services beyond library walls, bringing resources, programming, and connection directly into communities. OUT works collaboratively with partners across the city to ensure equitable access, foster belonging, and meet residents where they are.
Event Location: Enid A. Haupt Garden, East Terrace (near West entrance to the Arts and Industries Building); rain location is inside the Arts and Industries Building. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. NY | Hands On: Clay Pinch Pots
One-Time Events
Get hands-on with clay and create a miniature pinch pot! This engaging activity introduces a time-honored art form practiced by Indigenous communities across the Western Hemisphere. Passed down through generations, pottery-making reflects creativity, skill, and deep cultural knowledge.
All are welcome!
*Children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Sketching the Smithsonian: Weekly Lunchtime Daytime Series
All Programs
Travel the world with the summer edition of Sketching the Smithsonian as you take an artful break and explore the fascinating, vast collections of this extraordinary museum.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AMF2?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-si-1E0AMF2?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
ONLINE |American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance (NK360° Educator Professional Development)
One-Time Events
Join the staff of Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, education initiative, Native Knowledge 360° and featured speakers for an in-depth look at the newest classroom-ready resource for middle school teachers and students: American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance. This standards-aligned resource explores how the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) persevered during and after the American Revolution.
No access to your school-affiliated email address during summer recess? No problem! Please consider signing up for this opportunity using your personal email.
This professional development opportunity is free to attend, registration is required.
Event Location: Online only. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l5CnAVeTQsWfnNx6DibDBA#/registration. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrPtbstYTYid_lTyvpLTfQ#/registration. Categories: Webcasts & Online.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: Cryptocurrency
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Ellen Feingold and learn about a famous cryptocurrency heist.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Value of Money, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. ONLINE | In Conversation: Lauren Good Day and Cissy Serrao, Moderated by Lehuauakea
One-Time Events
Hear from the designers of the first two block patterns in the museum’s Quilt Along. Artist and fashion designer Lauren Good Day (Arikara, Hidatsa, Blackfeet, Plains Cree) and quilter, cultural practitioner, and keeper of tradition Cissy Serrao (Native Hawaiian) will discuss the inspiration behind their block patterns. The conversation will be moderated by Lehuauakea, Native Hawaiian (Kanaka ʻŌiwi) interdisciplinary artist and barkcloth-maker.
This event will take place online via Zoom, register now to save your spot.
Lauren's block pattern design responded to the theme of Pre-Contact to the American Revolution (any time prior and up to 1776). Download Lauren's pattern to learn more.
Cissy's block pattern design responded to the theme of Post-American Revolution (1776–1901), download the pattern. Download Cissy's pattern to learn more. About our speakers:
Lauren Good Day, "Good Day Woman," is an award-winning artist and fashion designer. Good Day is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes…
Event Location: Online Only. Cost: FREE, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y-fTl-uiSr2eA-zFCRz5qA?_#/registration. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
The Grand Bargain: The Louisiana Purchase and the Making of America
All Programs
The Louisiana Purchase is often remembered as a simple bargain—four cents an acre and a nation that doubled in size overnight. But the true story is far more complex, global, and consequential. Historian Alexander Mikaberidze examines how the 1803 purchase from France led to the birth of the U.S.–Indian treaty system, redefined the United States, and reshaped the modern world.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/grand-bargain?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/grand-bargain?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
The World of Fungi: An Introduction
All Programs
With more than 170,000 described species—and countless more yet to be discovered—the kingdom Fungi is one of the most astonishing branches of the tree of life. Today mycology, the study of fungi, is enjoying a surge of popular attention, captivating foragers and food lovers, scientists and artists, and naturalists of all ages and experience levels. Though fungi can seem mysterious and even bewildering, mycologist David Hibbett illuminates their remarkable variety and explains what fungi are, how they live and grow, and the ways they shape the ecosystems around us.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/world-of-fungi?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/world-of-fungi?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM.
Volunteer Opportunity at the National Museum of African Art
One-Time Events
Interested in Volunteering at the National Museum of African Art?
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The Museum’s collection of over 13,000 artworks from the tenth century to the present includes a variety of media from across the continent, spanning 54 countries, as well as a world-renowned photographic archive and library. The Museum has a continuing program of collection acquisitions, scholarly research, and public programs that seek to be relevant, innovative, and exciting for our global audiences.
Apply to be a Smithsonian Visitor Information Specialist as part of the Information Desk Program!
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences at the Museum. Volunteers provide a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about exhibitions, public…
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Visitor Information Desk, Pavilion, Garden Level. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://vol.si.edu/pages/app/2SMDL8TNS1OA2VHQ?osched=AOS9I9VRTP5HP8JA. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Workshops. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Storytime Studio: Talk It Out
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. During each hourlong session, starting at 10 and 11 AM every Wednesday and Thursday, 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
Spanish sculptor Juan Muñoz’s (1953–2001) first retrospective in the United States premiered at the Hirshhorn in 2001, and his sculpture Last Conversation Piece (1994–1995) recently returned to the Museum Plaza. In the work, several figures appear to be engaged in a conflict. Join us to learn about conflict resolution and to make your own air-dry sculptures to take home.
Featured book: Draw the Line by Kathryn Otoshi, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO, Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience.
There are two Storytime sessions each program day, with entry times at 10 and 11 AM. Participation for each…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Alien Build with Huma Bhabha.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! Virtual Reality Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Step back to 1776 in stunning virtual reality! Experience Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution! where you'll discover how thousands of Patriots worked together to thwart a British invasion.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 East. Cost: $10 per person. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Gunboat Philadelphia. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Sensory Programs.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, July 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. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The garden tour begins just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. DC | First Allies: Polly Cooper and the Oneida Indian Nation
One-Time Events
The museum welcomes elders, leaders, and members of the Oneida Indian Nation to share with visitors the legacy of Polly Cooper, an Oneida ancestor and icon.
Polly Cooper was a hero to the American soldiers stationed at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the Revolutionary War. She and other Oneidas travelled more than two hundred miles through the bitter cold during the winter of 1777–78 to deliver corn to General George Washington’s starving troops.
While the rest of the Oneida relief party returned home, Cooper stayed, saying it was the Oneida’s duty to help their allies. Cooper refused payment for her contributions, but oral tradition tells that she joined some of the soldiers’ wives, including Martha Washington, for window shopping in Philadelphia and admired a black shawl and bonnet in a shop window. The wives later had the shawl and bonnet purchased, and a few weeks later, a soldier delivered them both to Cooper. The bonnet was lost over time, but the black shawl remains a treasured possession for Coope…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1: Potomac Atrium, Rasmuson Theater, Level 3: imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Level 4: North Gallery. Cost: FREE. Categories: Celebrations. Culinary Arts. Demonstrations. Films. Performances. Kids & Families. Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
NY | Hands On: Clay Pinch Pots
One-Time Events
Get hands-on with clay and create a miniature pinch pot! This engaging activity introduces a time-honored art form practiced by Indigenous communities across the Western Hemisphere. Passed down through generations, pottery-making reflects creativity, skill, and deep cultural knowledge.
All are welcome!
*Children under 15 should be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: Using the Past to Look Forward
All Programs
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is a world leader in large-scale and long-term science that connects people and ecosystems. William “Monty” Graham, the new director of SERC, discusses the center’s work, beginning with a look at how Americans used the land and its resources 250 years ago. With a combination of knowledge from the past and innovative technology, Graham says, Smithsonian scientists can peer into the future for a glimpse at what it holds for the United States’ environment.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/serc-using-past-to-look-forward?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/serc-using-past-to-look-forward?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
The Meaning of Home: A Treasures Zine Project
One-Time Events
Join us on July 22nd, 2026, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm for a zine making workshop centered around the theme of home!
A zine is a do-it-yourself means of free expression with deep roots in African American independent publishing. Bring friends and family or come solo to this welcoming community workshop. Together, you will create a representation of home with a collage of documents, drawings, images, words, and more.
Come prepared to answer the question of what home means to you. Think about where you grew up, the special people you know, and treasured objects that tell your story.
Museum staff will be available to help you create a dynamic community zine to celebrate the meaning of home. Bring up to 3 printed personal photos to incorporate into your artwork. All other materials are provided.
Participants are welcome to stay for the full workshop or drop in anytime between 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
No experience is necessary -- just bring your imagination! All ages are welcome.
You will leave this workshop with a…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor Classrooms. Cost: Free. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
ONLINE |American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance (NK360° Educator Professional Development)
One-Time Events
Join the staff of Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, education initiative, Native Knowledge 360° and featured speakers for an in-depth look at the newest classroom-ready resource for middle school teachers and students: American Revolution: Haudenosaunee Perseverance. This standards-aligned resource explores how the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) persevered during and after the American Revolution.
No access to your school-affiliated email address during summer recess? No problem! Please consider signing up for this opportunity using your personal email.
This professional development opportunity is free to attend, registration is required.
Event Location: Online only. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l5CnAVeTQsWfnNx6DibDBA#/registration. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrPtbstYTYid_lTyvpLTfQ#/registration. Categories: Webcasts & Online.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Guided Tour: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
American Latino Museum
Step into the rhythm of salsa on a guided tour of the Smithsonian exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa
Experience the rhythm, history, and energy of salsa music through a guided tour of "¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa," a bilingual multimedia exhibition presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and on view in the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History.
This vibrant exhibition traces salsa’s journey from its Afro-Cuban roots to its rise as a defining sound in American music. Featuring nearly 300 artifacts—including instruments, performance attire, album covers, and rare memorabilia—the exhibition highlights legendary artists like Celia Cruz and Tito Puente alongside the musicians, dancers, and communities who shaped this global tradition.
During this 45-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the music, stories, and cultural movements that brought salsa from Caribbean rhythms to dance floors across the United States.…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Molina Family Latino Gallery Entrance, 1st Floor East. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1984186244470?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Meet the Expert: USS Maine
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Manuel Rodriguez and learn about the battleship USS Maine.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: The Price of Freedom, 3 East. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Price of Freedom. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Herculaneum and Pompeii
All Programs
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in the year 79, it inadvertently preserved the most extensive and intact ruins anywhere in the ancient world. Drawing on the material remains of Herculaneum and Pompeii, historian Justin M. Jacobs paints a lively portrait of daily urban life in the Roman Empire. He explores the fascinating history of the earliest digs at these sites during the 18th century, when they were regarded as a private quarry of Roman antiquities for a Bourbon king.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/herculaneum-and-pompeii?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/herculaneum-and-pompeii?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
Secret Fighters Against American Extremism: Resisting Prejudice After World War II
All Programs
Historian and author Steven J. Ross argues that antisemitism and racism intensified rather than subsided after World War II, with violent attacks spreading across U.S. cities and extremist groups more than doubling between 1940 and 1946. He highlights how Arnold Forster, George Mintzer, and James Sheldon—along with many others—infiltrated and disrupted these networks at personal risk. Their hidden efforts challenge the myth of the “Good War” and expose a largely forgotten fight against rising extremism.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/secret-fighters?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/secret-fighters?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.