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Historic Chestertown with a Cruise on the Schooner Sultana
All Programs
Regional historian Hayden Mathews explores the rich heritage of this lovely Eastern Shore town, focusing on both land and sea. The day includes a cruise on a replica of an 18th-century vessel, as well as an historic-district walking tour guided by Chris Cerino, a former Chestertown mayor and the vice president of the Sultana Education Foundation.
Event Location: Departs from Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St SW (corner of 6th & C Sts) Fringe stop: New. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/historic-chestertown?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Sunday, September 13, 2026, 7:45 AM – 6:30 PM.
The Japanese Paper Film Project
Films
Live musical accompaniment by Duo Yumeno. Introduction by Eric Faden, supervisor of The Japanese Paper Film Project.
Glimpse some of the few surviving examples of film made on paper instead of celluloid (kami firumu), a rare form of filmmaking from 1930s Japan. Companies in this field produced both animated and live-action films, often in color. Many of the films contained synchronized soundtracks on 78 rpm vinyl.
So few film prints of this type survive because of the short period of production, the varying paper quality, and the devastation of WWII. Now, almost ninety years later, the handful of surviving prints are beginning to deteriorate. The Japanese Paper Film Project is racing against time to preserve the films before they disappear entirely.
About Duo Yumeno
New York–based koto/shamisen player and singer Yoko Reikano Kimura and cellist Hikaru Tamaki create a singular fusion sound, inspired by tradition but with a contemporary sensibility. Duo Yumeno’s repertoire includes a dynamic range of…
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://bigscreensummer.eventive.org/films. Categories: Films. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Captioning. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, September 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Revolutionary Boston: Cradle of Liberty
All Programs
Few American cities are as deeply entwined with the birth of the nation as Boston. From village greens where militias first mustered to crowded wharves and meetinghouses alive with revolutionary debate, trace the dramatic opening chapters of the American Revolution. Guided by historian Fred Zilian on this 4-day tour, explore the landscapes, landmarks, and ideas that transformed a cluster of colonial towns into the epicenter of a struggle for independence.
Event Location: Detailed information for overnight tours is emailed approximately FOUR WEEKS. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/revolutionary-boston?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Sunday, September 13, 2026, 6:00 PM – Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 4:00 PM.
Masterworks of Five Centuries Series
All Programs
The 50th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the first decade of the 17th century to the early 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in an 7-concert series. This concert features music of John Dowland with the Smithsonian Consort of Viols.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of American History Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/scms-masterworks-1P0916?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Performances.
Sunday, September 13, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 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, September 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena
All Programs
In the heart of Siena, the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena preserves an extensive collection of paintings from the Sienese school, spanning the 13th to the 17th centuries. The museum traces the evolution of Sienese painting from the luminous gold-ground panels of its medieval origins, through the achievements of the Renaissance and Mannerist periods, and into the artistic developments of the 17th century. Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero examines the significance of this collection and the enduring legacy of Siena’s artistic tradition. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/pinacoteca-nazionale-di-siena?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/pinacoteca-nazionale-di-siena?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Monday, September 14, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Smithsonian Chorus: Legends of Song: Vaudeville to Broadway
All Programs
Celebrate memorable music from the stage and screen as conductor Melodia Mae Rinaldi leads the ensemble in arrangements of the hits you know and love. No audition is required, and the song list and musical arrangements are chosen to fit the specific vocal and musical abilities of the group. Rehearsals culminate in a free performance for invited guests.
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/smithsonian-chorus-legends-of-song?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Performances.
Monday, September 14, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Allied Strategy and Operation Overlord: The Great WWII Crusade
All Programs
Allied success on D-Day is well known, but the strategy behind Operation Overlord is less familiar. Military historian Kevin Weddle examines how the Allies developed their plan for invading Europe, highlighting the intense debates and uneasy compromises between American and British leaders. Despite clashing views and strained cooperation, they ultimately forged a unified strategy that enabled the massive June 6, 1944 cross-channel invasion—the largest and most complex amphibious operation in history.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/allied-strategy-and-operation-overlord?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/allied-strategy-and-operation-overlord?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, September 14, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM.
Cahokia: An Ancient City at the Heart of America
All Programs
Once the largest urban center north of Mexico, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, Illinois, stands as one of the most significant archaeological landscapes in North America. At its peak, ca. 950–1350, Cahokia was a thriving city of tens of thousands, defined by monumental earthworks, sophisticated planning, and far-reaching influence. Today it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Site interpreter Angela Cooper places Cahokia within the broader story of Indigenous North America, outlining its deep historical roots and the shared traditions of the Mississippian world.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/cahokia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/cahokia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Monday, September 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM.
Art in the A.M.
One-Time Events
Inspire early childhood creativity with SAAM during Art in the A.M. Children ages up to 5 years and their caregivers are invited to the museum before hours to learn, connect, and create in the galleries. During this program, participants will learn about a variety of sculpture materials in SAAM’s Luce Foundation Center, then create their own air-dry clay artworks.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Meet in G Street Lobby. Cost: Free | Registration required
Participants must register by noon ET on September 14. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3sl1p. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:30 AM.
Play Date at NMNH: Megalodon Day!
One-Time Events
Join us Tuesday, September 15th, for a belated celebration of Megalodon Day (June 15th)! While Megalodons, an ancient shark that lived 23 – 3.5 million years ago, are no longer swimming in our ocean, people of all ages are fascinated by its size and large teeth! Together we will learn about this ancient shark that used to roam the ocean, make our own wearable artwork inspired by Megalodon teeth, and have the chance to hold a real Megalodon tooth!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Ocean Around Us Tour
One-Time Events
Explore the Sant Ocean Hall to learn about some of the exciting animals and habitats featured and how they are connected to your everyday life no matter where you live. This is a 30-minute interactive walking tour where you can meet a North Atlantic Right Whale, find out what is the most productive marine ecosystem, touch coral, and so much more.
Registration is required for this small group tour of up to 10 people. Each visitor may bring up to 3 guests, but the total number of visitors on the tour will be capped at 10.
Photo by Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall, Under the Large Jellyfish. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Rediscovering Sammy Davis Jr.
All Programs
Sammy Davis Jr. was a prodigy in vaudeville, trailblazer in desegregating Las Vegas, and global superstar who shone in Hollywood and on Broadway. Performer and educator Aaron Reeder examines how Davis’s artistry intersected with questions of race, religion, and identity in 20th-century America and the contradictions of fame that defined his career. Reeder explores Davis’ life and legacy through rare recordings, archival images, and performance excerpts.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sammy-davis-jr?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sammy-davis-jr?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Behind the Science with Zoologist and Curator of "Bison: Standing Strong" Dr. Melissa Hawkins and Genomics Researcher Dr. Sarah Johnson
One-Time Events
“Bison Bones and Genomes”
For millennia, bison roamed the North American continent unimpeded. Numbering in the tens of millions, their presence on the Great Plains allowed the grassland ecosystems to thrive. However, over a few decades at the end of the 19th century, bison nearly went extinct with less than 1,000 animals remaining, irrevocably altering the genetic landscape of this species. Smithsonian scientists are now extracting DNA from skeletal remains collected from across the continent throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to quantify just how much genetic diversity was lost during the population crash and what it might mean for conservation efforts in the future.
This month, go behind the science with two NMNH researchers, Dr. Melissa (Missy) Hawkins, zoologist and curator of the “Bison: Standing Strong” exhibit, and Dr. Sarah Johnson, a postdoctoral research fellow at the museum, who are working together to analyze DNA from these historic specimens.
Read more about their work in this Smithsonian…
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/80750497/behind-the-scienceseptember-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Jazz: America’s Signature Musical Art
All Programs
Jazz crosses lines of race, class, geography, politics, religion, and genre. In this three-part lecture series, explore the origins and proliferation of jazz, from its beginnings in New Orleans, Chicago, New York, and Kansas City to its most recent appearances in Europe and Asia. Musicology professor Anna Harwell Celenza shares recordings of blues, Dixieland, swing, bebop, cool jazz, and fusion to reveal what makes jazz vital to America’s multifaceted identity as she demonstrates how jazz has never stopped changing.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/jazz?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/jazz?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Loyalists in the American Revolution: Standing by Britain and the Crown
All Programs
Loyalists, Americans from all social backgrounds who opposed independence and supported Britain, lost nearly everything after the Revolution. Historian Richard Bell reexamines their experiences, challenging stereotypes that cast them as wealthy, cowardly elites. Using their experiences as examples, Bell examines why these men and women chose to remain loyal to Britain, what their experience of the Revolution was like, and how their lives changed once the patriots won the war.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/loyalists-in-american-revolution?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/loyalists-in-american-revolution?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Webcasts & Online. After Five.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Celebrating the Voices of hometown DC
“By the People” Events
6–8 p.m. ET
Celebrate the final weeks of hometown DC, a touring exhibition and invitation to connect with the fabric of the city. The “cubes” will come together at MLK Library for the culminating exhibit. This event will feature a performance by Verbal Gymnastics Theater Company.
Categories: Performances. Gallery Talks & Tours. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17123003. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Event Location: Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Washington, D.C.
For more info visit www.hometown.dchistory.org. Wellness Wednesday
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and wellness expert Aparna Sadananda for mindfulness programs inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection. Explore artful meditations, sound baths and musical meditations. For a detailed schedule of wellness programs please reference the specific dates below. These programs are for ages 18+ and are suitable for all skill levels. No experience is necessary.
Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellness-wednesdays-tickets-1982011714392?aff=ebdsoporgprofile. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the tour sign outside the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. No reservation is required.
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. See gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/ for the most up-to-date information.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The tour begins inside the garden near the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Georgia O'Keeffe: The Mother of American Modernism
All Programs
Georgia O’Keeffe, a pioneering American modernist, became renowned for her bold paintings of flowers, bones, New York skyscrapers, and the New Mexico desert. Her partnership with photographer Alfred Stieglitz helped shape her artistic identity and public recognition. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar follows her path from early training to her breakthrough at Gallery 291, her Lake George period, travels to Palo Duro Canyon and Hawaii, and her final move to New Mexico, offering a critical study of her major works and legacy. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/georgia-okeeffe?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/georgia-okeeffe?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Ecology of Dinosaurs
All Programs
For more than 140 million years, dinosaurs were among the dominant land animals on Earth. Thousands of species lived and died across all climates and environments and on every landmass. The National Museum of Natural History’s curator of Dinosauria, paleontologist Matthew Carrano, explores what life was like for dinosaurs in these ecosystems as he discusses what scientists know, don’t know, and hope to learn about the ecology of dinosaurs.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ecology-of-dinosaurs?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/ecology-of-dinosaurs?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Samarra and the Abbasid Caliphate
All Programs
Once the thriving capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, Samarra in the 9th century served as the center of an Islamic empire that stretched from northern Africa to Central Asia. Its striking spiral minaret serves as an enduring reminder of the Great Mosque that once enclosed this sacred ground along the banks of the Tigris River. Historian Justin M. Jacobs focuses on Samarra’s rare preservation of Islamic art, architecture, and city plans from the heyday of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/samarra-and-abbasid-caliphate?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/samarra-and-abbasid-caliphate?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
History Film Forum presents Faith on Film: American Muslims
One-Time Events
The History Film Forum presents two episodes from the 2026 PBS documentary series “American Muslims: A History Revealed.”
The 2026 PBS documentary series “American Muslims: A History Revealed” is six short documentary films that explores the early history of Muslims in America. The series is hosted by three American Muslim journalists: Malika Bilal, Aymann Ismail and Asma Khalid who traveled the country to piece together stories spanning over 200 years. The two episodes, “A Portrait of Freedom” and “Islam at the Nation’s Founding,” will be shown in a special edited version as part of an exploration of Muslim American history in the early United States.
A panel discussion will follow the screening.
This program is presented in partnership with the museum’s Center for the Understanding of Religion in American History, which explores the influence of religion on every facet of life in the United States. “Faith on Film” is in an ongoing series exploring belief on screen, from the golden age of cinema to binge-…
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater, 1 Center. Cost: Free, tickets required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-film-forum-presents-faith-on-film-american-muslims-tickets-1998387647248?aff=trumba. Categories: After Five. Films. Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: Religion in Early America. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible. Captioning.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Drop In Talk: Why Send a Drone?
One-Time Events
Whether planetary exploration, frontline combat, or pizza delivery, drones are a hot topic in aerospace. Increasing autonomy comes with significant costs and penalties but can reduce risks to life and property, while reducing costs, and increasing access to aerial movement and perspectives.
Join us as we discuss why drones have taken center stage and what they will be doing next.
These events are free, but you must have free timed entry tickets to the Museum on the day of the program.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Futures in Space Gallery 109. Cost: Free; PLUS tickets to museum required (tickets are free, but you must have them to enter the museum). Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/airandspace/events/6d1e05f3-10d1-78d0-60aa-bf3b24f4bdb8?tg=5fa3003d-17e5-edf1-0d69-4a9d37c0de63. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. “And Away We Go”: A Look Back at the Early Days of Television Comedy
All Programs
The first decade of American TV comedy—from the late 1940s to the late 1950s—produced a remarkable range of live comedy and variety shows, filmed sitcoms, and late-night talk programs. Pioneering performers and creators such as Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, and Steve Allen helped shape a new visual language of comedy that influenced television for the next 60 years. As he shares dozens of clips, media historian Brian Rose examines why this era may have produced more laughter than any other period in television history.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/early-days-of-tv-comedy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/early-days-of-tv-comedy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
The History of Flight: The Birth of Commercial Aviation
All Programs
In a fascinating four-part series, curators and historians from the National Air and Space Museum trace the history of flight, from humanity’s early aspirations for aerial transit, to 12 breathtaking seconds at Kitty Hawk, to the advances that came with global combat, and how jet engines and digital technology are opening a new future for aviation. This session focuses on commerical aviation.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-flight-1W0025C?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-flight-1W0025C?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 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. She will offer visitors a closer look at select artworks in the exhibition. 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 Ameriprise Financial. Additional support provided by John and Meryl Lavine, Greg and Cathy Tibbles, and Leslie A. Wheelock.
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, September 17, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. 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/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3shB7. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5:30 PM.
How Spain Supported the American Revolution: The Key Role of Bernardo de Gálvez
All Programs
Spain provided essential support to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War, with Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, playing a critical role. A historian illuminates Spain’s contributions to American independence, and a National Portrait Gallery curator highlights a painting of de Gálvez.
Event Location: Embassy of Spain 2375 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/how-spain-supported-american-revolution?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:15 PM.
Clues in the Collection: Roxie Laybourne, Forensic Ornithology, and the Smithsonian Science of Solving Mysteries
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Join author Chris Sweeney for an engaging conversation about his book, The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne.
Part biography, part science, and part mystery, this conversation will take audiences behind the scenes of forensic ornithology and Smithsonian collections.
Sweeney will discuss the research behind the book, the cases that shaped Laybourne’s career, and the legacy of a scientist who proved that even the smallest piece of evidence can change how we understand the world.
Event Location: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. N.W. Washington, DC; for directions visit: https://www.studiotheatre.org/visit/directions-and-parking. Cost: Free. Due to space limitations, registration is required. It includes admission and two drinks. Get Tickets/Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/e4hfe3f. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Classical English Rhetoric: The Art of Choosing the Right Words
All Programs
What makes the best speeches and writings stand the test of time? What can be learned from them about how to write better ourselves? Ward Farnsworth, professor at the University of Texas School of Law and author of a series of books on English rhetoric and style, shows how small choices regarding the selection of words, the arrangement of sentences, and the creation of a cadence can put force into writing and speech.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/classical-english-rhetoric?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/classical-english-rhetoric?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Visions of a Brighter Tomorrow: World’s Fairs of the 1930s
All Programs
The World’s Fairs of the 1930s offered visions of a world in flux—attempting to chart a future at a moment when nothing felt stable. As the Great Depression reshaped daily life and global tensions mounted, fairs in Chicago, Paris, and New York became spectacular stages where nations expressed optimism, power, and unease through architecture, technology, and performance. In a 3-part series, art historian Jennie Hirsh examines this trio of landmark fairs, revealing how they transformed crisis into dazzling displays that captured both the aspirations and anxieties of their era. This session focuses on the World's Fair of Chicago 1933–1934.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/worlds-fairs-1930s?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/worlds-fairs-1930s?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
A Night at the Museum: Celebrating 59 years of ACM
One-Time Events
A Night at the Museum will be a night of history, heritage and community. On Thursday, September 17th, this after- hours celebration will be filled with live music by Marcus Mitchell and band, food, beverages and unique experiences designed to honor our shared stories while creating new memories together.
Guests can visit the Perfume Bar by Scentelier Lab and explore the connection between fragrance, memory and community. Discover how scents woven into our lives can become part of the stories that shape us. Explore We Make History after-hours and discover how history is made, told and preserved. Enjoy light appetizers along with beer, wine and spirit free mocktails throughout the event, available while supplies last.
This event is more than an anniversary. It is an opportunity to celebrate with the community and recognize stories that shape us.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
7PM - 10PM
Must be 21+ to attend.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Anacostia Community Museum. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-at-the-museum-celebrating-59-year-of-acm-tickets-1997396844731?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Celebrations. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: A Sustainability Infrastructure Tour
All Programs
Rather than treating waste as an end point, cities and counties increasingly view it as a stream of materials that can be redirected, reused, and transformed. The communities around Washington, D.C. are no exception. Urban studies lecturer Bill Keene leads an exploration of three local facilities working to recover, reuse, and regenerate and the infrastructure that makes these efforts possible. Together, these sites illustrate a powerful local ecosystem of environmental stewardship.
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/reduce-reuse-recycle?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
New Deal Projects, Part 1
All Programs
Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the New Deal ignited an unprecedented use of government resources to address crucial public services as a way to kick-start the American economy. But President Franklin Roosevelt said that in a hundred years, his New Deal would be remembered more for its arts than its job relief. Discover landmarks, art—including dramatic bas reliefs and monumental sculptures—and other projects from the New Deal period with author David Taylor during a walking tour in Washington, D.C.
Event Location: Tour meets at the Henry F. Daly Building 300 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/new-deal-projects-part-1-1CWB10?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the tour sign outside the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. No reservation is required.
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. See gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/ for the most up-to-date information.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The tour begins inside the garden near the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
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, September 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. 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, near the Arts and Industries Building. Cost: Free. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Much Here Is Beautiful Open House
One-Time Events
Join us to celebrate the opening of Much Here Is Beautiful: Photography Surveys of the U.S. Bicentennial for a look back at the nation in the years surrounding 1976. This collection of striking images captures communities across the nation during a series of regional photographic projects funded by the National Endowment for the Arts in celebration of the bicentennial. Photographers Terry Evans, Eric Baden, Sage Sohier, Wendy Ewald, Ted Wathen, Gary Monroe, Tom Arndt, Lewis Koch, Penny Wolin, Anthony Hernandez, Mark Klett, and Janet Delaney will be in the galleries to converse with attendees along with exhibition organizers John P. Jacob, the McEvoy Family Senior Curator for Photography, and Krystle Stricklin, assistant curator of photography.
Image credit: Ted Wathen, Former Company Houses, Jenkins, Letcher County, Kentucky, 1975, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1614, © 1975, Ted Wathen.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Osher and Eisenstein Family Galleries. Cost: Free | Registration encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3skvO. Categories: Celebrations. Related Exhibition: Much Here Is Beautiful: Photography Surveys of the U.S. Bicentennial.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
The Spirit of Artemisia
All Programs
Artemisia Gentileschi was a pioneering 17th-century Baroque artist, celebrated for her dramatic and emotionally charged paintings that often depict powerful women at the center of action. Overcoming significant personal adversity, she carved out a remarkable place for herself in the male-dominated art world. As she declared, “I’ll show you what a woman can do…you will find the spirit of Caesar in this soul of a woman.” Art historian Elaine Ruffolo explores Gentileschi’s compelling life story, artistic innovations, and enduring legacy in the history of art. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/spirit-of-artemisia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/spirit-of-artemisia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Hometown Treasures: Capital Region (Day One)
One-Time Events
A Free Two-Day Program in Potomac, Maryland
Hometown Treasures: Capital Region brings the National Museum of African American History and Culture into the community for two days of family history, cultural discovery, and hands-on preservation experiences.
The program takes place Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at the Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center in Potomac, Maryland. Attend either day—or join us for both.
Please note: This event takes place in Potomac, Maryland, not at the museum in Washington, D.C. Bring Your Family’s History to Light
Discover how to care for the photographs, documents, textiles, heirlooms, and keepsakes that hold your family’s stories. Both days feature Professional Reviews and a free Community Expo.
Professional Reviews
Meet one-on-one with a preservation specialist for a professional review of your family treasures and heirlooms. You’ll learn more about the historical significance of your items and receive practical guidance on…
Event Location: Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center 7700 Scotland Drive Potomac, MD 20854. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019ff225-e2ee-833d-392f-d1776e19e114. Categories: Workshops.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Lifelong Learners: Doll Making with Sherri Lumpkin
One-Time Events
Join artist Sherri Lumpkin for a hands-on doll-making workshop that brings together creativity, storytelling, and personal reflection. Participants will create their own dolls while exploring themes of self-expression, self-esteem, healing, and the stories that shape our lives.
Designed for adults of all experience levels, this welcoming two-hour workshop offers an opportunity to create, reflect, connect, and share through the art of doll making. No previous artmaking experience is required.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifelong-learners-doll-making-with-sherri-lumpkin-tickets-1998488113746?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 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.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. NY | Return of the Buffalo: Native Pride Dancers
One-Time Events
Want to see a herd of life-size buffalo puppets roam lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn? Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi invites New York City to enjoy the live music, ceremonies, poetry, and performances the buffalo will encounter at locations of historic significance along the way. This free public art spectacle is inspired by the buffalo’s return from near extinction to repopulation.
Join the Native Pride Dancers on the cobblestones outside the entrance of our New York museum to welcome the herd! Performances will honor the relationship between many Native cultures and the buffalo since time immemorial. Performances begin at 4:20 PM, 5 PM, and 6:20 PM.
Return of the Buffalo: Tatanka Owe Akupi, presented by St. Ann’s Warehouse & The Walk Productions, is a free public art event created by Amir Nizar Zuabi in partnership with Elders from Lenape and Lakota Tribes.
Rain location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion
Image courtesy of Native Pride Dancers.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Outdoors, Cobblestones outside entrance, Rain location: Level 1, Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: After Five. Celebrations. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 4:20 PM – 6:45 PM.
Amazing Australia
All Programs
Spend a Friday evening expanding your knowledge of the world of wine as you sip along with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a summer series of delectable adventures. He takes you on an exploration of wines from Australia. This immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/amazing-australia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/amazing-australia?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Culinary Arts.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
NY | Pacific Island Film Festival: "Mārama"
One-Time Events
The Pacific Island Film Festival of New York City provides a platform for Pacific Island cinema and promotes networking and talent development in New York City, giving the communities in and around New York City the opportunity to experience and immerse themselves in storytelling from Pacific Islanders.
Join us for a free screening of Mārama (New Zealand, 2025, 89 min.), directed by Taratoa Stappard (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa me Ngāti Tūwharetoa), presented in English and Māori with English subtitles.
A young Māori woman, Mary, receives a mysterious letter promising information about her genealogy. She makes the journey to Yorkshire, England from New Zealand, only to learn the sender has passed. A wealthy whaler, Sir Nathaniel Cole forces Mary to become governess to his granddaughter, Anne, in his home filled with Māori belongings. Living among her ancestors’ stolen artifacts, she begins to uncover Sir Cole’s horrific crimes. Embracing her powers as a Matakite (a seer), Mary becomes Mārama and must save…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Lower Level: Auditorium. Cost: FREE. Categories: After Five. Films. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Captioning.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Documentary Screening: James McNeill Whistler
Films
US Premiere!
Watch the Trailer
Join producer Phil Grabsky and our curator Diana Greenwold for a discussion after the screening.
Get ready for our upcoming Whistler exhibition with the US premiere of this documentary on painter James McNeill Whistler, the latest Exhibition On Screen production.
In an era of great change and great beauty emerged the character of James McNeill Whistler. Considered by some to be one of the great innovators of nineteenth-century art, he was a contemporary of the Impressionists, much admired by Van Gogh and Manet. Boldly experimental and famously witty, Whistler disrupted the strict conventions of Victorian society in pursuit of a new cult of beauty, creating “art for art’s sake” and earning himself a place in the history of great art. He found a parallel between painting and music, and entitled many of his paintings “arrangements,“ “harmonies,“ and “nocturnes,“ emphasizing the importance of tonal harmony in his work. His most famous painting, Arrangement in Grey and Black No.…
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-james-macneill-whistler-tickets-1997988167393?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true. Categories: Films. After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, September 18, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 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, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
International Dot Day
One time events
Registration is recommended
Join NY Times #1 best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds—creator of The Dot—for a special celebration of International Dot Day at the Hirshhorn, the biggest dot on the National Mall. Special read-aloud sessions and book signings with Reynolds will be held in the Ring Auditorium, and “dot light” tours featuring dotty artworks will start in the Lobby. Inspired by The Dot’s Vashti, who learns that creativity requires courage, we will express ourselves with dot-making in Art School.
Copies of Reynolds books, including The Dot Deluxe Gift Edition, will be available for purchase in the Museum Shop. Hirshhorn members are invited to enjoy priority seating in the Ring Auditorium. Not a member? Join today to receive year-round benefits.
Come make your mark with us! EVENT SCHEDULERead-alouds of The Dot and book signing/meet and greet with Peter H. Reynolds | Ring Auditorium | Readings start at 11 AM and 1 PM, Dot Light tours of artworks around the Museum | On the half hour from…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Various locations throughout the Hirshhorn. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Storytime Studio, Art Project: Repeat to Infinity.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. The Plantagenet Dynasty: Power, Identity, and the Making of Medieval Britain
All Programs
Few royal houses shaped the political and cultural landscape of medieval Britain more profoundly than the Plantagenets. Ruling from the 12th to the 15th centuries, they forged an empire stretching from Scotland to the Pyrenees, developed Parliament, clashed with the Church, fought crusades, and waged the Hundred Years’ War, all while also inspiring some of the most enduring legends in British history. In a full-day seminar, historian Cheryl White traces how perceptions of the Plantagenets have evolved over time and explores why the dynasty continues to fascinate today.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/plantagenet-dynasty?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/plantagenet-dynasty?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Freedmen’s Bureau Project Transcribe-a-Thon
One-Time Events
Join Us in Celebrating 10 Years of the Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription Project!
NMAAHC's Freedmen's Bureau Project invites you to help commemorate a decade of expanding access to the records of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Transcribe records that document the lives of formerly enslaved men, women, and children and support scholars, genealogists, and communities researching the Reconstruction era. Join us in person or virtually.
Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to transcription, join us as we celebrate 10 years of the project and contribute to making these important records more accessible for future generations.
Come celebrate, learn, and transcribe with us!
Register to attend in-person: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019fb9dc0a247e518da598255e41f3d4
Register to attend virtually: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/vST6TtdKSbynHZT98CK_SA#/registration.
Event Location: University of the District of Columbia Law School, 4340 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019fb9dc0a247e518da598255e41f3d4. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Celebrate with Stamps
One-Time Events
Celebrate the art, culture, and creativity of stamps at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum during our Family Festival and USPS’s First Day of Issue Celebration for the new 2026 Christmas Cookies Forever® Stamps. Enjoy hands‑on artmaking, explore stories and traditions, and join us for a joyful unveiling of this year’s holiday stamps... complete with music, hands-on activities, and fun for all ages!
Timed Activities: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Letters to Santa Story Time with guest author Cathy Breisacher, 12:00 p.m. U.S. Postal Service stamp unveiling of the 2026 holiday stamps, 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Artist demo and conversation with guest artist Heather Moulder and U.S. Postal Service Stamp Art Director Antonio Alcalá 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
ABCs of Lowriding Story Time with Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Letters to Santa book signing with guest author Cathy Breisacher
(Books will be available for purchase in the museum gift shop while supplies last.), Ongoing…
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Throughout the Museum. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Chuseok Family Festival
Kids and Family
Celebrate Chuseok, Korea’s beloved harvest festival, with the museum! Learn about both past and current traditions of one of the biggest holidays in Korea. Enjoy delicious food, a curated art and vendor market, family activities, and dynamic performances, including a special performance by Insun Park & Generals!
This year’s festival highlights the fascinating world of Korea’s traditional masks (Tal 탈). Learn about the unique stories and characters represented by a variety of masks and explore a collection of mask displays. Decorate your own colorful hanji (traditional Korean paper) mask, try on different masks, and capture memories in the photo booth. Enjoy special mask-themed giveaways while experiencing one of Korea’s most distinctive cultural traditions. Plus, experience a groundbreaking fusion of rock, Korean traditional music, and mask dance rhythms with Insun Park & Generals, masters of the Gangnyeong Mask Dance!
Register in advance to make sure you get the best experience. Some activities have a…
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Asian Art, Plaza. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1993540289671?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Family Fun | Chuseok
Kids and Family
Bring the kids to celebrate Chuseok, the Korean harvest festival! Enjoy a scavenger hunt in the Peacock Room and the Korean Art gallery. Story time in the courtyard will feature folk and fairy tales from Korea. Have fun with pattern puzzles in the Peacock Room and objects from our Hands-On collection!
No reservation required.
The National Museum of Asian Art is grateful for the partnership of our docents. They generously contribute their energy and creativity to our museum-wide festivals and make Family Fun activities happen. Image credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photo by Sonya Pencheva.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Courtyard, Gallery 12, Gallery 14. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Hometown Treasures: Capital Region (Day Two)
One-Time Events
A Free Two-Day Program in Potomac, Maryland
Hometown Treasures: Capital Region brings the National Museum of African American History and Culture into the community for two days of family history, cultural discovery, and hands-on preservation experiences.
The program takes place Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at the Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center in Potomac, Maryland. Attend either day—or join us for both.
Please note: This event takes place in Potomac, Maryland, not at the museum in Washington, D.C. Bring Your Family’s History to Light
Discover how to care for the photographs, documents, textiles, heirlooms, and keepsakes that hold your family’s stories. Both days feature Professional Reviews and a free Community Expo.
Professional Reviews
Meet one-on-one with a preservation specialist for a professional review of your family treasures and heirlooms. You’ll learn more about the historical significance of your items and receive practical guidance on…
Event Location: Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center 7700 Scotland Drive Potomac, MD 20854. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019ff225-e2ee-833d-392f-d1776e19e114. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
NY | Hands On: Native New York Traditions featuring Danielle Soames
One-Time Events
Experience the tradition and creativity of cornhusk doll making with Danielle Soames (Mohawk), a returning Native educator at the National Museum of the American Indian and an accomplished actress, playwright, and director in New York City's theater community. Through this hands-on workshop, Danielle will share the cultural significance of cornhusk dolls to her community and guide participants in creating their own.
All are welcome! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Visitors 15 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
The Shape of Us: A Community Collage Art Workshop
One-Time Events
What does your community look like—and how does it shape who you are? Join us for a vibrant, hands-on collage workshop led by artist Zsudayka Nzinga, where creativity becomes a pathway to storytelling, identity, and connection. Inspired by the work of Romare Bearden, Nzinga will help participants create collages of their favorite DC communities. Using a collage technique called Chigiri-e, a Japanese art form, participants will tear and assemble brightly colored cultural landscapes of memory, culture, and space. Designed with families in mind, this welcoming workshop invites participants of all ages to explore self-expression in a supportive and inspiring environment. Together, we celebrate the beauty of our differences and the shared threads that connect us all. All materials are provided—just bring your imagination, your story, and your unique perspective.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-shape-of-us-a-community-collage-art-workshop-tickets-1990188927657?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Portrait Signs: A Tour in ASL
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Portrait Signs is a Deaf-led tour in American Sign Language that explores a variety of topics related to portraiture, history and biography, focusing on works from the museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collection.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-portrait-signs-a-tour-in-asl-tickets-713964475967?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited. **This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver. 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 Ameriprise Financial. Additional support provided by John and Meryl Lavine, Greg and Cathy Tibbles, and Leslie A. Wheelock.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Spanish Language Docent Tour
One-Time Events
Join the National Portrait Gallery for free Spanish language tours. Experience iconic art and learn from expert guides about the faces and stories that shaped the nation. Perfect for fluent speakers and language learners alike.
The Portrait Gallery strives to provide programs that are accessible to all visitors. If you have any questions about the accessibility of this program, or require sign language interpretation or any other accommodations, please contact us.
Event Location: F Street Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration required. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 3:30 PM – 4:30 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, September 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Essence Over Detail: Expression and Sketching in Watercolor
All Programs
Discover how to capture your subject with expressive, sketch-like painting that emphasizes the most essential elements over excessive detail. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/essence-over-detail-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/essence-over-detail-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Exploring Color in Watercolor
All Programs
Enhance your knowledge and understanding of color theory in watercolor. Learn practical skills such as identifying and mixing colors correctly to create your own cohesive palette.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/exploring-color-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/exploring-color-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Dive into the Deep Sea
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday will be all about taking a closer look at what life is like in the deep sea at the bottom of the ocean! Even though it is very dark (except for the bioluminescent animals), the deepest parts of the ocean are still full of life. Together we will learn about some of the unique animals that have adapted to live in the deep sea, make artwork inspired by the deep sea, and have the chance to see specimens that once lived at the bottom of the ocean!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Ocean Hall is on the 1st floor. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Figure Sculpture - In Person
All Programs
Learn clay techniques and gain an understanding of the human body, gestures, and expressions as you sculpt a full-figure piece by working from life.
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/figure-sculpture?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Poetry and Art Club
All Programs
Bring your own poem—or a poem you admire—to this monthly gathering and create art that responds to it. Each session includes group tutorials, short and engaging exercises, and moments of inspiration and research.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/poetry-and-art-club?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/poetry-and-art-club?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Beginning Drawing - In Person
All Programs
This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.
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/beginning-drawing-1E0ANX?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Introduction to Photography - In Person
All Programs
Whether you want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light, and composition.
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-photography?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Landscape Elements in Watercolor
All Programs
Gain confidence in your ability to paint important natural elements in watercolor. Demonstrations and exercises introduce techniques for creating flowing landscapes.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/landscape-elements-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/landscape-elements-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Intermediate Drawing - In Person
All Programs
Participants refine and expand their drawing skills through studio practice in traditional media. Sessions focus on classic subject areas such as landscape, portrait, and figure.
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/intermediate-drawing?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Beginning Oil Painting
All Programs
In this four-week class, students are introduced to materials and techniques for oil painting while laying a strong foundation for further artistic growth.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/beginning-oil-painting?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/beginning-oil-painting?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Dissecting Design with Abstract Collage - In Person
All Programs
Learn to understand design and composition in nonobjective art using mixed-media materials and techniques. Examine works by various artists to discern the elements of composition, how they have been used, and how they are expressed in different styles. In turn, apply what you learn to your practice.
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/dissecting-design-with-abstract-collage?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Introduction to Photography - In Person
All Programs
Whether you want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light, and composition.
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-photography-1E0ANH?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Katherine Parr: More Than the “Survivor”
All Programs
Dismissed for many years as simply the “survivor” among the predominately unfortunate six wives of Henry VIII, Katherine Parr was reimagined as a matronly nursemaid who kept the ailing king comfortable in his final years, fading loyally into the background. Tudor and Shakespeare scholar Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger draws on the latest scholarship to provide a fuller portrait of this complex woman who caught the eye of an infamous king and kept his favor in a volatile and dangerous court.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/katherine-parr?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/katherine-parr?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Nuestras Voces: Bringing the Smithsonian to Your Classroom
American Latino Museum
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library for an educator workshop on using primary resources, museum objects, and children’s books in the classroom.
This free workshop will include:An introduction to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library. An overview of five children’s books published by the National Museum of the American Latino and how they correspond to state standards and curriculum in Social Studies, English and Language Arts. Opportunities to participate in sample activities that can be replicated in the classroom as plug-and-play stand-alone activities. An orientation to using the Smithsonian Learning Lab. A question-and-answer session. A resource kit with copies of all the books outlined as well as reproducible handouts for the classroom. The books featured are:“Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas and Latinos who have Shaped the United States” “Nuestras Voces: Paloma's Song for Puerto…
Event Location: Saint Paul Public Library - Hamline Midway 1558 West Minnehaha Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104. Cost: FREE; Registration is highly recommended. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nuestras-voces-bringing-the-smithsonian-to-your-classroom-tickets-1999048516927?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Sketching Turner: Expressing Atmosphere and Skies in Watercolor
All Programs
This course is an introduction to J.M.W. Turner’s vast achievements in watercolor, with particular attention to his manner of expressing light and atmosphere. In-class exercises revolve around making studies of his masterworks with an emphasis on creating cohesive sketches, not replicas. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-turner-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sketching-turner-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the tour sign outside the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. No reservation is required.
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. See gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/ for the most up-to-date information.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The tour begins inside the garden near the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Story Time with DC Public Library
One-Time Events
Join us for Story Time in collaboration with the DC Public Library! Children and their grown-ups can enjoy story time as an interactive way to exercise language and literacy skills. Story Time is designed for learners ages 5 and under, but all are welcome!
For questions about this event, please email us at: HistoryTeachers@si.edu.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM.
Art Journaling for Self-Expression - In Person
All Programs
After being guided through mindfulness activities that teach you to make choices in art making, delve into emphasizing process over product and play over perfection. Expect a class grounded in both creative theory and therapeutic principles that deepen your relationship with yourself as an artist and as a person.
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/art-journaling-for-self-expression?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM.
Build Your Log Cabin (Quilt)
All Programs
The log cabin quilt, with blocks of simple strips built around a center, is a traditional style yet remains a modern favorite. Learn this technique as an excellent framework for exploring color, value contrast, and design options.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/build-your-log-cabin-quilt?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/build-your-log-cabin-quilt?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Color Theory for Embroidery Artists
All Programs
Find your sense of color confidence while learning to apply color to embroidery art as would a painter using pigments and a palette.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/color-theory-for-embroidery-artists?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/color-theory-for-embroidery-artists?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
The Power of Giving Symposium: 250 Years of American Philanthropy
One-Time Events
Join us as the museum’s Power of Giving symposium explores the history and impact of American philanthropy as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. The event will bring together Smithsonian curators, historians, and philanthropy thought leaders examining how Americans’ gifts of time, expertise and resources have shaped the nation. Since the country’s earliest days, philanthropy has helped drive change. In this in-person and livestreamed event, participants will reflect upon 250 years of American philanthropy and look to the future. Thematic conversations include: "Women, Philanthropy, and American Social Reform," "Stewarding the Philanthropic Legacy of Madam C.J. Walker & A’Lelia Walker," "Sustaining What Defines Us: American Cultural Philanthropy," and "Philanthropy and the American Civic Future.".
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Warner Bros. Theater, 1 Center & online livestream. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: http://bit.ly/POG26. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. After Five. Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 1:30 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit bit.ly. Drop In Talk: Lightning Rounds on Planetary Research
One-Time Events
Join us for a series of four short talks by our scientists at the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, who will share stories about their favorite research topics. You will learn about exploring Mars, seeing asteroids up close for the first time, and why planetary science helps us understand Earth.
These events are free, but you must have free timed entry tickets to the Museum on the day of the program.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Futures in Space Gallery 109. Cost: Free; PLUS tickets to museum required (tickets are free, but you must have them to enter the museum). Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/airandspace/events/6d1e05f3-10d1-78d0-60aa-bf3b24f4bdb8?tg=5fa3003d-17e5-edf1-0d69-4a9d37c0de63. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Observation and Perception: Unlocking the Skill of Drawing - In Person
All Programs
This course is based on contemporary research about visual perception and its application to the practice of drawing. Through a series of exercises, study major elements that are the foundation of visual language including the concepts of line, shape, light and shadow, and composition.
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/observation-and-perception-drawing?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Beginning Acrylic Painting - In Person
All Programs
Step into the vibrant world of acrylic painting in this introductory course. You work on guided projects, from abstract to landscape to still life, exploring basic composition principles to create visually engaging pieces.
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/beginning-acrylic-painting?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM.
Hands-On Learning with the Smithsonian Toolkit and a High School Design Lab | Cultivating Learning
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
Join Anne Taylor Brittingham, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, and Liz Lloyd, high school art teacher at San Marin High School in Novato, CA, for a practical, hands-on guide to incorporating objects into any classroom. Discover the Smithsonian’s object-based learning toolkit, developed in partnership with classroom teachers, that makes incorporating museum objects into the classroom easy and fun. Then, hear how a high school art teacher is using object-based learning to help redefine the secondary art studio as a “Design Lab” for a specialized 4-year Art & Science pathway. Project examples will be shared!
Program Details:
This is a Zoom webinar with automatic captioning. You’ll be able to participate using the chat and Q&A, and your camera and mic will be disabled. We’ll record and post the webinar on the Smithsonian Learning Lab’s Events page approximately 72 hours after the session ends.
For general questions, or if we can provide additional accessibility services to support your…
Event Location: Online. Cost: Free. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Related Events: For the 2026-2027 Cultivating Learning series, Smithsonian educators share teaching techniques and resources to help students engage closely with objects to spark curiosity and discussion. Teaching with objects encourages close looking, asking questions, and listening to multiple perspectives. These techniques can be applied to a range of content, including actual material objects and artworks, but also music, primary source documents, oral histories, data sets, and more. Join us to explore strategies for u… Accessibility: Captioning.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Beginning Oil Painting - In Person
All Programs
In this course, gain the technical background and experience you need to get started as a painter. Working from museum masterpieces, still-life arrangements, or your favorite photos, explore basic painting techniques, including color-mixing, scumbling, 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/beginning-oil-painting-1E0AQS?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 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-1E0AQG?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-1E0AQG?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Introduction to Book Making - In Person
All Programs
This class introduces you to the fundamentals of bookbinding. Learn about the essential tools and materials needed to create your own handmade books, as well as a range of core techniques, including folding, sewing, and gluing.
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-book-making?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Architectural Details
All Programs
Good architectural photography doesn't have to capture the whole building. This class covers how to zoom in to emphasize details, textures, and subjects that catch your eye.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/architectural-details?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/architectural-details?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
History by a Hair: Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and Solving a 200-Year-Old Mystery
All Programs
In 2011, staff at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History discovered a hair, light red in color and possibly human, between the pages of an unpublished manuscript by Thomas Jefferson. That hair sparked an unprecedented scientific quest: Could advances in modern genomics recover Jefferson’s DNA and finally resolve the enduring question of the paternity of the children of Sally Hemings, one of hundreds of African Americans enslaved at Monticello? Richard Kurin, Smithsonian distinguished scholar, reveals the decade-and-a-half-long genomic investigation that settles the historical record.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-by-hair?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-by-hair?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Invasive Species, Humans, and Where We All Belong
All Programs
In the early 20th century, U.S. government scientists and their European colleagues went to great lengths to bring home new seeds and cultivars from abroad. But in many cases these "plant explorers," though much vaunted in their day, wound up triggering what are now considered ecological disasters. How did Western attitudes toward imported plants and animals change so completely within a century? Journalist Amy Crawford explores how confronting anxieties about nature and the role of humans in a changing world can place unwanted plants and animals in a new light.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/invasive-species?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/invasive-species?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Nuestras Voces: Bringing the Smithsonian to Your Classroom
American Latino Museum
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library for an educator workshop on using primary resources, museum objects, and children’s books in the classroom.
This free workshop will include:An introduction to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library. An overview of five children’s books published by the National Museum of the American Latino and how they correspond to state standards and curriculum in Social Studies, English and Language Arts. Opportunities to participate in sample activities that can be replicated in the classroom as plug-and-play stand-alone activities. An orientation to using the Smithsonian Learning Lab. A question-and-answer session. A resource kit with copies of all the books outlined as well as reproducible handouts for the classroom. The books featured are:“Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas and Latinos who have Shaped the United States” “Nuestras Voces: Paloma's Song for Puerto…
Event Location: Saint Paul Public Library - Arlington Hills 1200 Payne Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55130. Cost: FREE; Registration is highly recommended. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nuestras-voces-bringing-the-smithsonian-to-your-classroom-tickets-1999040775773?aff=oddtdtcreator#location. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Prairie Dogs
All Programs
Drawing on more than four decades of groundbreaking fieldwork, John Hoogland offers a fascinating window into the lives of prairie dogs—highly social, diurnal rodents that inhabit the grasslands of western North America and function as a keystone species. The author of Prairie Dogs: Ecology and Social Behavior, Hoogland shares surprising discoveries that reshape the understanding of social animals and reveals the prairie dog as a model for studying behavior, ecology, and the value of long-term research.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/prairie-dogs?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/prairie-dogs?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Breaking the Line: Contours Inspired by Delacroix and Rembrandt
All Programs
Contour lines are often where beginners start with drawing, but how can you bring greater depth, volume, and light to your work by varying them? Move beyond rigid, wire-like outlines to discover how broken and varied lines can let the paper participate and add dimension. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/breaking-line-contours-delacroix-rembrandt?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/breaking-line-contours-delacroix-rembrandt?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Continued Watercolor
All Programs
If you have some watercolor experience, go beyond the basics of paint application and learn how to construct strong, vibrant, personality-filled painting while still receiving guidance on foundational components.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/continued-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/continued-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Arthropods: The First Land Animals
One-Time Events
Did you know that the first land animals found in the fossil record were arthropods? Come explore specimens from our collection of modern day arthropods and learn how they resemble ancient land arthropods.
Presented by: Dr. Tanner Frank is interested in how ecosystems work, today and in the Earth’s past. He is especially interested in food webs during the early stages of animal and plant life on land. His PhD research focused on early freshwater and terrestrial arthropods. His current research at the museum investigates the evolution of herbivorous insects by examining feeding damage on plant fossils.
Photo credits: Dr. Ben Kligman.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Adaptability in the Genus Homo and the Emergence of Homo sapiens
One-Time Events
How did early humans come to endure environmental changes in Africa and beyond? And how did the human capacity to persist through variation in their surroundings evolve?
Dr. Rick Potts, director of the Smithsonian Human Origins Program, will describe the results of his decades of fieldwork in the Olorgesailie region of southern Kenya – and what the evidence tells us about the emergence of human adaptability.
Moderator: Dr. Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants. Image caption: An Olorgesailie region excavation site where the Smithsonian team discovered key artifacts, pigments, and fossil animal bones which showed that a significant change in the kinds of animals in this region occurred around the same time as the transitions in human behavior, Image credit: Smithsonian Human…
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/41586103/adaptability-in-the-genus-homo-and-the-emergence-of-homo-sapiens-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. A Day in History: The Battle of Salamis
All Programs
Few days in ancient history can be reconstructed in nearly hour-by-hour detail, but the Battle of Salamis in September 480 B.C.E. is one of them. Professor emeritus of classics Robert Garland recounts this consequential clash between the Greeks and the Persian Empire, often called “the battle that saved Western civilization.” The Greek victory against a much larger Persian navy was a lasting reminder of how strategy can overcome overwhelming power and how hubris invites defeat.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/battle-of-salamis?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/battle-of-salamis?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Exploring Abstraction
All Programs
Explore the basis of abstraction by studying color, line, and shape as they relate to composition. Learn to create exciting, innovative works of art, using a series of drawing and painting exercises designed to examine nontraditional ways of handling traditional materials and subject matter.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/exploring-abstraction?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/exploring-abstraction?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
The History of Flight: History of Flight in the Digital Age
All Programs
In a fascinating four-part series, curators and historians from the National Air and Space Museum trace the history of flight, from humanity’s early aspirations for aerial transit, to 12 breathtaking seconds at Kitty Hawk, to the advances that came with global combat, and how jet engines and digital technology are opening a new future for aviation. This session focuses on flight in the digital age.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-flight-1W0025D?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-flight-1W0025D?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Masters and Mediums: Silverpoint
All Programs
Learn a little art history alongside silverpoint, a traditional artform that is experiencing a modern revival. Silverpoint uses a silver stylus on prepared paper to produce a delicate drawing. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/masters-and-mediums-silverpoint?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/masters-and-mediums-silverpoint?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Introduction to Bookbinding: The Sewn Book
All Programs
Explore the art and structure of the handmade book in this introductory online workshop focused on sewn binding techniques. Participants are introduced to the history of bookbinding, basic terminology, tools, and materials while learning foundational techniques for creating books.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-bookbinding-sewn-book?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-bookbinding-sewn-book?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Portrait Gallery Reading Rhythms
One-Time Events
Join the Portrait Gallery and Reading Rhythms for a reading party designed to make it easy for people to gather and read socially. We invite folks to bring any book they want while we facilitate silent reading periods, one-on-one breakouts, and group discussions about the art that everyone is engaging with. This adult program unites a community of readers to learn together and experience art with curated music.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Great Hall. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/portrait-gallery-reading-rhythms-tickets-1985367092418?aff=erelexpmlt. Categories: After Five.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Spanish Language Docent Tour
One-Time Events
Join the National Portrait Gallery for free Spanish language tours. Experience iconic art and learn from expert guides about the faces and stories that shaped the nation. Perfect for fluent speakers and language learners alike.
The Portrait Gallery strives to provide programs that are accessible to all visitors. If you have any questions about the accessibility of this program, or require sign language interpretation or any other accommodations, please contact us.
Event Location: F Street Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration required. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
Ethiopian Devotions Book Launch
One-Time Events
Ethiopian Devotions: Paintings, Illuminated Manuscripts, and Processional Crosses from the Fourteenth to the Twentieth Centuries.
Edited by Marilyn E. Heldman and published posthumously, the book features essays by notable scholars as the late Gatachew Haile, Kay Kaufman Shelemay, Denis Nosnitsin, Marie-Laure Derat and LeVerle Berry discussing various aspects of Ethiopian Orthodox Church art, liturgical music, hagiographic traditions and architecture.
Join us for a book launch program with the authors in the spirit of celebrating Heldman's work and legacy.
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Sylvia Williams Gallery. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ethiopian-devotions-book-launch-tickets-1998498470724?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Shopping/Book Signing. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
So Young, So Bad: The Juvenile Delinquency Movies of the 1950s
All Programs
The titles electrified any cinema marquee: Dragstrip Riot, High School Confidential! Hot Rod Girl, Riot in a Juvenile Prison, Teenage Rebel, High School Hellcats. It was the 1950s, and Hollywood movies could not get enough of America’s flaming, disoriented post-World War II youth. Film historian Max Alvarez takes on the role of school disciplinarian to the likes of John Cassavetes, Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, Sal Mineo, Mamie Van Doren, Russ Tamblyn—even Jerry Lewis—in this totally “boss” multimedia lecture examining the 1950s “teen-ager” film cycle.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/so-young-so-bad?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/so-young-so-bad?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
The Hudson River School
All Programs
The Hudson River School painters—Thomas Cole, Frederic E. Church, Asher B. Durand, and others—celebrated America’s wilderness as a source of beauty, spirituality, and national identity. As these artists created idealized visions of an unspoiled Eden, industrialization and Manifest Destiny were already transforming the land. Art historian Bonita Billman explores their influences, techniques, and legacy they passed to a second generation of American landscapists. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/hudson-river-school?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/hudson-river-school?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Nuestras Voces: Bringing the Smithsonian to Your Classroom
American Latino Museum
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library for an educator workshop on using primary resources, museum objects, and children’s books in the classroom.
This free workshop will include:An introduction to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and the St. Paul Public Library. An overview of five children’s books published by the National Museum of the American Latino and how they correspond to state standards and curriculum in Social Studies, English and Language Arts. Opportunities to participate in sample activities that can be replicated in the classroom as plug-and-play stand-alone activities. An orientation to using the Smithsonian Learning Lab. A question-and-answer session. A resource kit with copies of all the books outlined as well as reproducible handouts for the classroom. The books featured are:“Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas and Latinos who have Shaped the United States” “Nuestras Voces: Paloma's Song for Puerto…
Event Location: Saint Paul Public Library - Arlington Hills 1200 Payne Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55130. Cost: FREE; Registration is highly recommended. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nuestras-voces-bringing-the-smithsonian-to-your-classroom-tickets-1999040775773?aff=oddtdtcreator#location. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
The American Revolution, Part 2
All Programs
The American War of Independence freed the 13 British colonies in North America from Crown rule and set the stage for the United States’ bold experiment in self-government. Drawing on primary sources, historian Christopher Hamner continues exploring the pivotal turning points and strategic choices that shaped the course and the conclusion of the war in a fall series. This session focuses on the Battle of Saratoga.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-revolution-part2-1D0172B?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-revolution-part2-1D0172B?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Drawing Techniques: Perspective
All Programs
One of the most exciting, and sometimes challenging, things about learning how to draw is recreating what you see in three-dimensional space on two-dimensional paper. Using lines that recede to the horizon, explore basic linear perspective and create objects that visually jump off the page.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/drawing-techniques-perspective?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/drawing-techniques-perspective?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 7:15 PM – 8:45 PM.
Farm Aid Family Reunion
“Of the People” Festivals
6–11 p.m. ET
Two legendary festivals are joining hands for an evening of music, dance, and fellowship on the Virginia Beach boardwalk! We’ll build community, share music and farming stories, and dance with the crashing waves behind us. Farm Aid Family Reunion: “We the Farmers” Takeover is presented in partnership with the 52nd Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend and in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Artists and farmers gathering on this stage steward a living tradition of music and storytelling, rooted in land, community and the never-yielding, inspirational pursuit of a more just, nourished, and loving world. Their stories, songs and talent represent the ongoing legacy of voices that uplift and encourage our march towards justice, from our fields to our plates.
Categories: Performances. Cost: Free, with RSVP encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://airtable.com/appYthGasoxlzAB7r/pagHqnffryPSUkUKF/form. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Event Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Friday, September 25, 2026.
Neptune’s Park
Virginia Beach, VA.
For more info visit www.farmaid.org. A Day at SERC
All Programs
The 2,650-acre campus of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland, encompasses forests, farmland, wetlands, and shoreline. Spend the day with SERC’s expert staff as you explore this environmental research hub and learn about its cutting-edge ecological studies. The day includes a walk along a waterfront trail and visits to the Woodlawn History Center and Global Change Research Wetland.
Event Location: Departs from Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St SW (corner of 6th & C Sts) Fringe stop: New. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/day-at-serc?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
New Deal Projects, Part 1
All Programs
Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the New Deal ignited an unprecedented use of government resources to address crucial public services as a way to kick-start the American economy. But President Franklin Roosevelt said that in a hundred years, his New Deal would be remembered more for its arts than its job relief. Discover landmarks, art—including dramatic bas reliefs and monumental sculptures—and other projects from the New Deal period with author David Taylor during a walking tour in Washington, D.C.
Event Location: Tour meets at the Henry F. Daly Building 300 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/new-deal-projects-part-1-1CWC10?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM.
Smithsonian Craft2Wear
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show and sale celebrates the work of excellent American artists in wearable craft and design with fine artisan-made clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the programs and museums of the Smithsonian.
Venue: American Latino Museum. Event Location: 900 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC (former Arts and Industries Building). Cost: General Admission $20 (single day)
Multi-Day Ticket $45.00. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianinstitution.ticketspice.com/2026-craft2wear-show. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
For more info visit smithsoniancraftshow.org. Old Town's African American History
All Programs
Founded in 1749, Alexandria, Virginia, was a major American port that was home to both the country’s largest slave-trading firm and a large free Black community. Local guide John Chapman leads a walking tour of the city’s OId Town neighborhood that takes in sites connected to this history, including a former office of slave traffickers, the site of a slave jail, and Shiloh Baptist Church, one of Alexandria’s original African American churches.
Event Location: Tour meets at 1315 Duke St, Alexandria, VA. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/old-towns-african-american-history?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the tour sign outside the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. No reservation is required.
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. See gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/ for the most up-to-date information.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The tour begins inside the garden near the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
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, September 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum
One-Time Events
Friday, September 25–Sunday, September 27, 2026
Join us to celebrate 10 years of the National Museum of African American History and Culture with a weekend full of music, dance, art, family activities, food, and community. Visitors of all ages are welcome to gather, create, move, and make memories together during special daytime programs for the Museum’s 10th Anniversary.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum is part of the larger celebration, The Reunion. Throughout the weekend, you can experience the joy, creativity, and connections that make the Museum a place for everyone to come together, reflect, and celebrate.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, Special 10th Anniversary Menu Experience, Sweet Home Café
Celebrate the Museum’s milestone through food and flavor with a special 10th Anniversary menu experience at Sweet Home Café.
10th Anniversary Merchandise, Museum Store
Commemorate the Museum’s first decade with special 10th Anniversary merchandise available in the Museum Store throughout…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: NMAAHC - Multiple Locations. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a02edf-8a33-9484-ab91-9c3a7f22976e?tg=01a02edf-8a36-287a-906d-83528b935350. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Shopping/Book Signing. Workshops. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. 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, near the Arts and Industries Building. Cost: Free. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
The Meaning of Home: A Treasures Zine Project
One-Time Events
For Ages: 8 and Up
What does home mean to you? Is it a place, a person, a favorite object, a family tradition, or a memory you carry with you?
Drop in for a hands-on zine-making experience that invites you to explore what home and belonging mean to you. Using photographs, drawings, words, collage, and other creative materials, create a one-of-a-kind zine inspired by the people, places, objects, traditions, and memories you treasure.
Bring up to 3 printed personal photos to incorporate into your artwork. All other materials are provided.
Reflect on the stories that shape who you are, share ideas with others, and leave with a personal keepsake that captures what “home” means to you. No previous art or zine-making experience is needed.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Second Floor Classroom. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a0341d-cfaf-a25d-585e-f3adce31ecd4. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops. Celebrations.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Art Bites Gallery Talk
One-Time Events
Join SAAM’s research fellows for this lunchtime series of gallery talks, each focused on one compelling artwork. Discover the stories behind these objects and the insights they offer into the United States’ ever-evolving cultural landscape. Michelle Yee, SAAM Postdoctoral Fellow in Asian American Art, discusses Glenn Kaino’s Bridge.
Image credit: Glenn Kaino, Bridge, 2013-2014, fiberglass, steel, wire and gold paint, dimensions variable, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Smithsonian Secretary and the Smithsonian National Board and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2022.34A-C, © 2013-2014, Glenn Kaino.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: In-person | Smithsonian American Art Museum. Cost: Free | Registration encouraged
Meet in the G Street Lobby. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3hYW9. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 12:15 PM – 12:45 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.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Understanding America: Conversations with Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
One-Time Events
Join Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III for the final edition of Understanding America, moderated by award-winning journalist Laura Coates, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
As the museum marks a decade of transforming how millions of visitors engage with the American story, and as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, this timely conversation will reflect on the role museums play in helping us examine the past, consider multiple perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the people, ideas, and experiences that continue to shape America.
Laura Coates will moderate the conversation between Secretary Bunch and his special guests as they explore the museum’s extraordinary first decade, the enduring importance of African American history to the nation’s story, and the opportunities presented by America’s 250th birthday. The conversation will reflect on our past and our shared future.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Heritage Hall. Cost: Free, Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://nmaahc.si.edu/events/understanding-america-conversations-lonnie-g-bunch-iii-secretary-smithsonian-institution/waitlist. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing. Lectures & Discussions. After Five. Celebrations. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Farm Aid
“Of the People” Festivals
Each year, Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $90 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
Categories: Performances. Culinary Arts. Demonstrations. Cost: TBA. Event Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Virginia Beach, VA.
For more info visit www.farmaid.org. Mid-Autumn Festival
“Of the People” Festivals
The Mid-Autumn Festival dates back thousands of years as a seasonal celebration in several Asian cultures, focused on families and communities gathering to celebrate abundance under the Harvest Moon. In the Chinatown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Asian Americans United hosts an annual street festival with programming that includes lion dances, Korean drumming, folktale-based games, arts activities, and much more.
Categories: Performances. Culinary Arts. Kids & Families. Workshops. Cost: Free. Event Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Chinatown
Philadelphia, PA.
For more info visit www.aaunited.org. We Tell These Truths: Music Is a Universal Language (Concert of Colors Neighborhood Program)
“Of the People” Festivals
2–4:30 pm ET
Through collaborations with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and community-based organizations across Metro Detroit, the Concert of Colors will host a series of free neighborhood events celebrating the cultural traditions that have helped shape our nation. Together, these programs remind us that the journey toward a more perfect union begins with listening, sharing, and creating solutions together.
Featured artists: Madame XD (Xiao Dong Wei), Taiwan Acrobats Troupe, Great Lakes Taiko Ensemble. Presented in partnership with the Pan-Asian Cultural Celebration International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit.
Categories: Performances. Cost: Free. Event Location: Detroit, Michigan.
Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Detroit Shipping Company
Detroit, MI.
For more info visit www.concertofcolors.com. DC | 2026 Native Knowledge 360° Teach-In: Cultural Sovereignty on the 250th
One-Time Events
The annual Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) Teach-In brings together hundreds of teachers from across the country to enlighten and inform teaching about American Indians. Through interactive workshops, teachers will engage with classroom-ready lessons for K–12 students that center Native voices and histories. Participants will learn how to bring the museum’s exhibitions and the resource-rich NK360° education initiative into their teaching practices.
The tenth annual Teach-In, hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in partnership with Teaching for Change, will highlight the connections between Indigenous history and current cultural sovereignty efforts. The Teach-In is an opportunity for educators to convene in person with the museum’s educators and scholars and discuss how to engage students with compelling questions and explorations of new ideas. What does teaching about Indigenous people look like on the 250th anniversary of the United States? How can teachers inspire and empower…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Level 3, Level 4. Cost: $20, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.teachingforchange.org/2026-nk360-teach-in. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit www.teachingforchange.org. DC | Worldwide Day of Play
One-Time Events
Bring your family to enjoy Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play all about birds. Join educators from multiple Smithsonian museums including the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian's National Zoo, National Air and Space Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, and more! Staff will offer family-friendly activities and experiences that encourage the importance of play for all ages.
Adults must accompany children at all times. No registration required. Some activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
NY | 2026 Native Knowledge 360° Mini Teach-In: Cultural Sovereignty on the 250th
One-Time Events
The annual Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) Teach-In will bring together an intimate group of teachers from the New York City metropolitan area to enlighten and inform teaching about American Indians. Educators will learn ways to integrate Native perspectives and histories using NK360’s classroom ready resources. A small resource fair, tours, education carts and school visit information will be available. Bring your lunch and stay to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month featuring a musical performance by Pasatono Trio at 1 PM.
This New York City Teach-In is a MINI version of our flagship annual Native Knowledge 360° Teach-In. This is a more intimate, limited-capacity gathering designed to bring the same rich content and hands-on approach to educators in the NYC metro area who might not otherwise be able to attend the main event in D.C. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
This tenth annual Teach-In, hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in partnership with Teaching…
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: Diker Pavilion. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.teachingforchange.org/2026-nk360-teach-in. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit www.teachingforchange.org. FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand
One-Time Events
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.*
You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt.
*Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Plaza. Cost: Free to Attend. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freshfarm-acm-farm-stand-tickets-1985418954539?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Growing Community: Stemming the Gap
One-Time Events
Join us for a conversation with an organization that has worked with communities to address issues of food security. We will tie in the late summer garden work to our overall theme of food insecurity. We will plant the first seedlings for the fall gardens. We will harvest the last of the summer vegetables. We will clean up and remove any plants that are past their peak. We will address the care of soil. We will start create a garden calendar for folks that are new to the garden.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-community-stemming-the-gap-tickets-1998488621264?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Workshops. Kids & Families.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Smithsonian Craft2Wear
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show and sale celebrates the work of excellent American artists in wearable craft and design with fine artisan-made clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the programs and museums of the Smithsonian.
Venue: American Latino Museum. Event Location: 900 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC (former Arts and Industries Building). Cost: General Admission $20 (single day)
Multi-Day Ticket $45.00. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianinstitution.ticketspice.com/2026-craft2wear-show. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
For more info visit smithsoniancraftshow.org. Iconic American Architecture Across Time
All Programs
Discover key works of American architecture through four themes: residences, commercial buildings, spaces for enrichment and reflection, and public buildings and memorials. Art historian Matthew Palczynski highlights defining styles—from Monticello’s Neoclassicism to Fallingwater’s Modernism—and shows how they express social values. He identifies architects who shaped the national canon and explains how to recognize their signature approaches. Together, these insights reveal how architecture forms spaces for living, working, learning, and renewal.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/iconic-american-architecture?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/iconic-american-architecture?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Lectures & Discussions.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM.
Old Town's African American History
All Programs
Founded in 1749, Alexandria, Virginia, was a major American port that was home to both the country’s largest slave-trading firm and a large free Black community. Local guide John Chapman leads a walking tour of the city’s OId Town neighborhood that takes in sites connected to this history, including a former office of slave traffickers, the site of a slave jail, and Shiloh Baptist Church, one of Alexandria’s original African American churches.
Event Location: Tour meets at 1315 Duke St, Alexandria, VA. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/old-towns-african-american-history-1CWB11?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Revenge, Ambition, and Betrayal: The Makings of a Shakespearean Tragedy
All Programs
Shakespeare’s tragedies, filled with ambition, love, betrayal, and devastating choices, have captivated audiences for centuries. In a full-day seminar, Shakespeare scholar and historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger considers what makes these plays so compelling: the way he takes us into the mind of his characters, the complexity of their experiences, and the language that has become part of our discourse. From Antony and Cleopatra to Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar to King Lear, she explores the tragedies by considering their place in Shakespeare’s time and the ways they continue to resonate with audiences today.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/makings-of-shakespearean-tragedy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/makings-of-shakespearean-tragedy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Observation and Perception: Unlocking the Skill of Drawing - In Person
All Programs
This course is based on contemporary research about visual perception and its application to the practice of drawing. Through a series of exercises, study major elements that are the foundation of visual language including the concepts of line, shape, light and shadow, and composition.
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/observation-and-perception-drawing-1E0AQU?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:15 AM – 1:15 PM.
Educator Workshop: Youth Civic Voice through Stamp Design
One-Time Events
How can tiny postage stamps shape national narratives and amplify civic expression?
In this hands‑on session from the National Postal Museum, participants will explore how stamps serve as primary sources that reflect and influence democratic values, U.S. identity, and civic engagement. Centering objects from the museum collection, we’ll examine stamp history, elements of design, and how stamps can elevate youth civic engagement. Participants will then create a stamp‑inspired print using simple, classroom‑ready printmaking techniques.
This session blends visual arts, history, and civic learning through close‑looking strategies and hands-on learning that support the expression of civic voice through stamp design.
This session is in collaboration with WISIT Institute, DC Project Zero.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Byrne Loft, mezzanine level. Cost: Free, registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScB67HtTTI1TFnJoXMxZ95YqRK12nUzq__THK2Wb-K1IvZGTA/viewform. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit wisinstitute.org. NMAAHC Kids Museum Birthday Party!
One-Time Events
NMAAHC Kids Museum Birthday Party! , Designed for families with children ages 3-8
Happy 10th Birthday NMAAHC! Drop-by birthday party themed activity stations on the 4th floor to celebrate with NMAAHC Kids on September 26th. Come discover what makes our building’s architecture so special! Create a birthday cake collage. Decorate a community balloon art wall! Then, learn the story behind Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday song and sing along with us.
Registration is required for this activity.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Fourth Floor Overlook. Cost: FREE. Registration required. . Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019e02d0-62fd-6617-2069-93250fddf10a?tg=019e02d0-62ff-2814-cd8f-9d518234ca66. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum
One-Time Events
Friday, September 25–Sunday, September 27, 2026
Join us to celebrate 10 years of the National Museum of African American History and Culture with a weekend full of music, dance, art, family activities, food, and community. Visitors of all ages are welcome to gather, create, move, and make memories together during special daytime programs for the Museum’s 10th Anniversary.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum is part of the larger celebration, The Reunion. Throughout the weekend, you can experience the joy, creativity, and connections that make the Museum a place for everyone to come together, reflect, and celebrate.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, Special 10th Anniversary Menu Experience, Sweet Home Café
Celebrate the Museum’s milestone through food and flavor with a special 10th Anniversary menu experience at Sweet Home Café.
10th Anniversary Merchandise, Museum Store
Commemorate the Museum’s first decade with special 10th Anniversary merchandise available in the Museum Store throughout…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: NMAAHC - Multiple Locations. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a02edf-8a33-9484-ab91-9c3a7f22976e?tg=01a02edf-8a36-287a-906d-83528b935350. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Shopping/Book Signing. Workshops. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
Pollinator Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Discover how the gardens around the National Museum of Natural History create habitats that support birds, insects, and even people! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers outside the Constitution Avenue entrance to the National Museum of Natural History.
Tours 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/, 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: Pollinator Garden at the National Museum of Natural History. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Yoga Session: Purple Reign – Power & Transformation
One-Time Events
A powerful culminating Trap Yoga celebration in royal purple tones. This energetic session synthesizes elements from all previous workshops into an empowerment experience. Features 'Crown Yourself' ceremony, optional group photo in purple attire, and closing gratitude circle reflecting on the transformative series journey. Attire: Please be sure to wear breathable clothing that allows for full range of movement and comfortable shoes. Participants are encouraged to embrace each workshop's color theme in their attire.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Community Day
One-Time Events
Celebrate Community Day at the National Museum of African Art with a full day of programming!
Each September, the museum opens its doors to visitors of all ages to inspire them to learn more about the peoples and cultures of Africa and its diaspora through exhibitions, art-making, live performances, tours, and more!
Join us for a Pan African Fabric & Fashon showcase. Designers from nine nations each interpret a shared textile framework that incorporates symbolic references representing the five regions of the African continent—North, East, South, West and Central Africa and highlight the significance of African textile tradition. A Sounds of Africa concert will close the day with Live Arts performances!
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Throughout building. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998255541115?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Workshops. Performances.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. DC | Look, Learn, Create: "Water's Edge" for Families
One-Time Events
Join a museum educator for a family-friendly interactive tour of the Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe exhibition! Visitors will engage with three of his artworks and can participate in guided discussions, and experience items from the museum's Teaching Collection. After finding inspiration from Truman Lowe’s artworks, families can continue into the imagiNATIONS Activity Center and create their own water-inspired artwork to take home. Recommended for children ages 4-10 and their families. All ages welcome. *Visitors 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. First come, first served, capacity and supplies are limited.
**This program can accommodate approximately 30 young visitors and their adult caregiver.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 3: Exhibition Gallery, imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Cost: FREE. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM.
NY | Pasatono Trio
One-Time Events
Celebrate the revitalization of traditional Oaxacan folk music with the Pasatono Trio! Founded in 1998, Pasatono Trio has focused its efforts on researching, performing, composing, and promoting the musical culture of the Mixtec community. After a long journey of many years of exploration throughout the states of Guerrero, Puebla, Oaxaca, and the transnational community, Pasatono Trio has been nourished by “living treasures”: luthiers, bass players, banjo players, violinists, and composers, among others, who possess a great knowledge of their musical culture, being considered cultural ambassadors of the new Oaxacan music. The trio are not only ethnomusicologists but seasoned performers. Performances begin at 1 PM, and 3 PM.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Performances. Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Mixed Media Madness - In Person
All Programs
Rev up your collage and mixed-media experience to create an enhanced repertoire of materials and techniques in this two-day intensive class. Transform everyday objects and experiment with materials to create unique textures and effects.
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/mixed-media-madness?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Community Day at La Doña — Twin Cities
American Latino Museum
Join the National Museum of the American Latino for a FREE, family-friendly afternoon celebrating community storytelling and the preservation of family histories. Community Day features a pop-up preview of the exhibition, “¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa,” music, hands-on activities, story times, and soccer drills, and a Reflections audio and video booth where you can record your Twin Cities history memories.
Learn how the National Museum of the American Latino is building a museum that honors the dreams, challenges, and triumphs of U.S. Latinos—elevating our stories within the nation’s narrative.
Schedule Coming Soon!
***This event will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
Event Location: La Doña, 241 Fremont Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405. Cost: FREE; Registration is highly recommended. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998931334431?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Celebrations.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. DC | Ancient Canoes of Wisconsin: Ancestry and Archaeology (Panel Discussion)
One-Time Events
Join the museum for a lively discussion with Bill “Nąąwącekǧize” Quackenbush, former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation, and Dr. Amy Rosebrough, Wisconsin’s State Archaeologist, about the archaeological dugout canoes found in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. Dugout canoes are hollowed out logs, and the world's oldest type of boat found to date. For an understanding of their historical scale, some of the canoes found in Lake Mendota are as old as Egypt's Great Pyramids.
Canoes were a favorite subject of artist Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944-2019), who appreciated their enduring design, well-suited to the waters they travel. Since 2021, sixteen dugout canoes ranging from 700 to 5,200 years old have been found in Lake Mendota (Tee Waksikhominak) in Lowe’s home of Madison, Wisconsin. Lowe’s work is featured in the exhibition Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Bill “Nąąwącekǧize” Quackenbush is a Ho‑Chunk Deer Clan tribal member and the Nation’s recently retired Tribal Historic Preservation…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1: Rasmuson Theater. Cost: FREE. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: Water's Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Accessibility: Captioning. Wheelchair accessible. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Beginning Oil Painting - In Person
All Programs
In this course, gain the technical background and experience you need to get started as a painter. Working from museum masterpieces, still-life arrangements, or your favorite photos, explore basic painting techniques, including color-mixing, scumbling, 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/beginning-oil-painting-1E0AQV?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
NY | Pasatono Trio
One-Time Events
Celebrate the revitalization of traditional Oaxacan folk music with the Pasatono Trio! Founded in 1998, Pasatono Trio has focused its efforts on researching, performing, composing, and promoting the musical culture of the Mixtec community. After a long journey of many years of exploration throughout the states of Guerrero, Puebla, Oaxaca, and the transnational community, Pasatono Trio has been nourished by “living treasures”: luthiers, bass players, banjo players, violinists, and composers, among others, who possess a great knowledge of their musical culture, being considered cultural ambassadors of the new Oaxacan music. The trio are not only ethnomusicologists but seasoned performers. Performances begin at 1 PM, and 3 PM.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: Diker Pavilion. Cost: FREE. Categories: Performances. Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Celebrate Community Day’s Live Arts Performances!
One-Time Events
On Saturday September 26, Community Day continues African Art’s Live Arts Series” The Earth Still Shakes!” Through musical performances by Inka Kendzia and Sió the series will reflect the spiritual shudders that abound in ritual performance, activism, and actions, and the ways that artists talk through their bodies to express their connections to objects, the natural world, and the cosmos. These live performances will animate and breathe life into the National Museum of African Art’s collections.
Beverages snack, and fun await! Museum store and galleries are open until 7pm! Saturday, September 26, 4:00PM Performances, Mezzanine (S1) and Sylvia Williams Gallery (S1), 7:00PM Event Concludes.
Venue: African Art Museum. Event Location: Mezzanine (S1) and Sylvia Williams Gallery (S1). Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999280830784?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
St. Louis: Gateway to the West
All Programs
Step into history with a 4-day journey that explores St. Louis’s pivotal role in westward expansion, global ambition, and social change—from the Mississippi River and the legacy of the 1904 World’s Fair to the communities that continue to define it. Begin at Cahokia Mounds, once the largest pre-Columbian city in North America. Then, through local stories and visits to notable sites including Gateway Arch National Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, discover how St. Louis became both gateway to the West and mirror of the evolving American experience. Tami Goldman of the Missouri Historical Society is the guide.
Event Location: Detailed information for overnight tours is emailed approximately FOUR WEEKS. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/st-louis?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 6:00 PM – Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 4:00 PM.
Smithsonian Craft2Wear
Smithsonian Sponsored Events
The Smithsonian Craft2Wear show and sale celebrates the work of excellent American artists in wearable craft and design with fine artisan-made clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the programs and museums of the Smithsonian.
Venue: American Latino Museum. Event Location: 900 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC (former Arts and Industries Building). Cost: General Admission $20 (single day)
Multi-Day Ticket $45.00. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianinstitution.ticketspice.com/2026-craft2wear-show. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit smithsoniancraftshow.org. Old Town's African American History
All Programs
Founded in 1749, Alexandria, Virginia, was a major American port that was home to both the country’s largest slave-trading firm and a large free Black community. Local guide John Chapman leads a walking tour of the city’s OId Town neighborhood that takes in sites connected to this history, including a former office of slave traffickers, the site of a slave jail, and Shiloh Baptist Church, one of Alexandria’s original African American churches.
Event Location: Tour meets at 1315 Duke St, Alexandria, VA. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/old-towns-african-american-history-1CWC11?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Intermediate Oil Painting- In Person
All Programs
Expand on your technical background and grow your practice as an oil painter. This class provides students with the opportunity to work on personal projects, set up a still-life arrangement, and explore figure painting from a live model. Unfurl your style with support and feedback from the instructor.
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/intermediate-oil-painting-1E0AQW?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:15 AM – 1:15 PM.
Beginning Drawing
All Programs
This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/beginning-drawing-1E0APN?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/beginning-drawing-1E0APN?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum
One-Time Events
Friday, September 25–Sunday, September 27, 2026
Join us to celebrate 10 years of the National Museum of African American History and Culture with a weekend full of music, dance, art, family activities, food, and community. Visitors of all ages are welcome to gather, create, move, and make memories together during special daytime programs for the Museum’s 10th Anniversary.
Welcome Home: 10th Anniversary Community Weekend at the Museum is part of the larger celebration, The Reunion. Throughout the weekend, you can experience the joy, creativity, and connections that make the Museum a place for everyone to come together, reflect, and celebrate.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, Special 10th Anniversary Menu Experience, Sweet Home Café
Celebrate the Museum’s milestone through food and flavor with a special 10th Anniversary menu experience at Sweet Home Café.
10th Anniversary Merchandise, Museum Store
Commemorate the Museum’s first decade with special 10th Anniversary merchandise available in the Museum Store throughout…
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: NMAAHC - Multiple Locations. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a02edf-8a33-9484-ab91-9c3a7f22976e?tg=01a02edf-8a36-287a-906d-83528b935350. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families. Demonstrations. Shopping/Book Signing. Workshops. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Paint, Scoop, and Preserve: Make Sweet Memories
One-Time Events
For: Ages 7 and Up
Create something sweet while discovering the links between food, memories, and family traditions. This guided painting activity invites visitors to make art inspired by their stories and special family memories, all while enjoying frozen treats.
Creating memories is as easy as 1, 2 ,3!
Choose a canvas curated by Charlecia Joy of Stapledon Arts celebrating family heirlooms, traditions, and storytelling. (Multiple designs will be available), Dive into a guided painted journey designed to help you create treasured family memories. Enjoy a scoop (or two) of ice cream from Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats while you create a masterpiece. Perfect for all skill levels – 7 years old and up. No experience necessary.
All supplies will be provided.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Second Floor Classrom. Cost: Free; Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a01af6-c153-6944-e4f2-5d7b546b9a27. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Culinary Arts. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Beyond the Studio Workshop: Moss Art with Daphne Lee of Potahto
One-Time Events
SOLD OUT
Create a hanging wall art piece with local artist and entrepreneur Daphne Lee of Potahto. Attendees will choose from several types of preserved moss and other materials to construct their own artwork. Perfect for those with or without a green thumb, this craft requires zero watering. Watch your artwork thrive long after the workshop. Please note that space is limited for this program and registration is required. Participants must register by 7 p.m. ET on September 13.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: MacMillan Education Center. Cost: SOLD OUT. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3sQOn. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Introduction to Pointed-Pen Calligraphy
All Programs
This elegant script, commonly known as copperplate, is unmatched in its usefulness for social stationery. Beginning with basic tools and mechanics, students discover how to develop their skills and to recognize the small details that make this style of writing so appealing.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-pointed-pen-calligraphy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-pointed-pen-calligraphy?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM.
Hispanic Heritage Month 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/hispanic-heritage-guided-tour-puro-ritmo-the-musical-journey-of-salsa-tickets-1997060151673?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
For more info visit latino.si.edu. Public Curator Tour: In Celebration of Our Hispanic Heritage
One-Time Events
In commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Taína Caragol, Senior Curator of Painting and Sculpture, will explore portraits that showcase the contributions of the Latino community to U.S. history and culture.
Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curator-tour-in-celebration-of-our-hispanic-heritage-tickets-1995776030833?aff=ebdsoporgprofile. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
The Seoul Guardians
Films
Joie Chen, an Emmy-winning anchor and correspondent formerly of CNN, Al Jazeera, and CBS News will join directors Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan, and Cho Chul-young for an onstage conversation after the screening.
Watch the Trailer
On the night of December 3, 2024, then-president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Korea. He banned all political activities and public assemblies and sent troops to the National Assembly building to seize control.
The Seoul Guardians plunges you into the political chaos of that night, with codirecting by three journalists who were there. Lawmakers rush to pass a bill ending martial law as ordinary citizens band together to hold off the soldiers sent to take the building. The winner of multiple film festival awards, this stirring documentary resonates with audiences around the world with its message that democracy is fragile and must be defended.
Directors: Kim Jong-woo, Kim Shin-wan, and Cho Chul-young. Country: Korea. Released: 2026. Length: 70 min. Format: DCP. Language:…
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-seoul-guardians-tickets-1994888016759?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Films. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Captioning. Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Paint, Scoop, and Preserve: Make Sweet Memories
One-Time Events
For: Ages 7 and Up
Create something sweet while discovering the links between food, memories, and family traditions. This guided painting activity invites visitors to make art inspired by their stories and special family memories, all while enjoying frozen treats.
Creating memories is as easy as 1, 2 ,3!
Choose a canvas curated by Charlecia Joy of Stapledon Arts celebrating family heirlooms, traditions, and storytelling. (Multiple designs will be available), Dive into a guided painted journey designed to help you create treasured family memories. Enjoy a scoop (or two) of ice cream from Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats while you create a masterpiece. Perfect for all skill levels – 7 years old and up. No experience necessary.
All supplies will be provided.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Second Floor Classrom. Cost: Free; Registration Encouraged. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a01af6-c153-6944-e4f2-5d7b546b9a27. Categories: Kids & Families. Celebrations. Culinary Arts. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Shuck, Taste, & Discover: The Legacy of Black Watermen
One-Time Events
Join Gardner Douglas, founder of S.S. Shucking, for an interactive oyster shucking and tasting workshop exploring the historic maritime legacy of African American watermen. Participants will engage in a live shucking demonstration and a guided tasting to experience the unique flavor profiles of regional oysters.
With hands-on guidance, Gardner will introduce safe shucking techniques and oyster anatomy, while museum staff share insights into how emancipated African Americans utilized the 19th-century Chesapeake oyster boom to build community autonomy and financial independence.
Your ticket includes a fresh selection of oysters to shuck and enjoy, along with a professional oyster knife and protective gloves to take home!
In this workshop you will:Learn how to safely shuck oysters like a pro. Master proper knife technique and hand placement. Discover the difference between wild and farmed oysters. Learn about the legacy of African American watermen. For inquiries, please contact NMAAHCEngage@si.edu.
Event Location: Galeria at La Cosecha, 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002. Cost: $15. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/01a01ada-bd33-b468-ecde-fa9da81b7e40?tg=01a01ada-bd36-f7b6-cdff-ff515bfc2663. Categories: Demonstrations. Culinary Arts. Lectures & Discussions. Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Figure Drawing - In Person
All Programs
In this intermediate-level class, students revisit fundamentals of human anatomy and experiment with techniques and approaches.
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/figure-drawing?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
Masterworks of Five Centuries Series
All Programs
The 50th season of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society features musical masterpieces from the first decade of the 17th century to the early 21st, played on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments in an 7-concert series. This concert features music of Georg Philipp Telemann with the Smithsonian Academy Orchestra.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of American History Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/scms-masterworks-1P0917?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Performances.
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Garden Play: Food!
Smithsonian Gardens
Join Smithsonian Gardens in the Food Garden (located in the former Victory Garden space) at the National Museum of American History on Monday, September 28 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM. This month’s program theme is food! Explore where our food comes from with a story time, hands-on activities, and garden exploration. And be sure to check out the nearby Growing Tomorrow garden exhibition about food for the future.
Location: Find us in the Food Garden on the east side of the National Museum of American History, near 12th Street, NW.
About Garden Play
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. Wildlife and insects, including bees and mosquitoes, are a part of our gardens. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sun protection, their own snacks, and are welcome to bring…
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The Food Garden at the National Museum of American History (Located in the former Victory Garden on the east side of the museum). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Growing Tomorrow. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
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, September 28, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Artful Mind, Tranquil Mind
All Programs
Artists throughout the world have developed practices to center themselves and prepare for making art. During this tranquil midday break, students explore techniques such as mark making with lines, swirls, and puddles and using paper to experiment with folding and tearing.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/artful-mind-tranquil-mind?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/artful-mind-tranquil-mind?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Figures and Fashion in Watercolor and Ink
All Programs
This class is for students wanting to master the standing figure and explore dynamic ways to dress it up. Experiment with rendering various fabrics such as satin, velvet, and sheers. Students are invited to try mixed-media options in addition to ink and watercolor.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/figures-and-fashion-in-watercolor-and-ink?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/figures-and-fashion-in-watercolor-and-ink?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Introduction to Watercolor
All Programs
Beginning students explore watercolor techniques and learn new approaches to painting through demonstration, discussion, and experimentation.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-watercolor-1E0APL?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/introduction-to-watercolor-1E0APL?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Color Theory and Practice
All Programs
Explore the basics of color theory, including temperature, value, and harmony-creating color schemes. In hands-on projects, learn to use a color wheel with tinting and toning, color charts, and color harmony studies.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/color-theory-and-practice?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/color-theory-and-practice?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Notre-Dame in Color
All Programs
The Gothic sculptures on Notre-Dame’s portals were once vividly polychromed, with prophets in azurite, red ochre, and malachite, and angels and saints brightened with rosy flesh tones. The 2019 fire, though destructive, opened an unprecedented window for researchers to study these surviving pigments. Learn how historian Jennifer M. Feltman, a leading American specialist and member of the restoration team, is investigating this lost color scheme and helping guide an international project to reconstruct the portals’ original appearance. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/notre-dame-in-color?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/notre-dame-in-color?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
Drop In Talk: Flak-Bait: A Story of Survival from World War II
One-Time Events
The Martin B-26B Marauder Flak-Bait survived over 200 missions during World War II, the most flown by any American aircraft. After many years of storage and partial display, the National Air and Space Museum is now preserving the artifact to reveal the amazing stories of the people that built, maintained, flew, and fought in Flak-Bait. These events are free, but you must have free timed entry tickets to the Museum on the day of the program.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: Futures in Space Gallery 109. Cost: Free; PLUS tickets to museum required (tickets are free, but you must have them to enter the museum). Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/airandspace/events/6d1e05f3-10d1-78d0-60aa-bf3b24f4bdb8?tg=5fa3003d-17e5-edf1-0d69-4a9d37c0de63. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing. Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Beginning Tapestry Weaving - In Person
All Programs
Dip your toe into the world of weaving and create a miniature woven tapestry on a small frame loom after you learn techniques to manipulate the yarn to make stripes and shapes and mix colors.
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/beginning-tapestry-weaving?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Playful Perspective in Watercolor
All Programs
Learn the rules. Lose the ruler. Perspective drawing has never been this expressive and joyful. Designed for students of all levels.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/playful-perspective-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/playful-perspective-in-watercolor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Research Conversations: The Post Office and the Rise of Photography with Natalie Pellolio
One-Time Events
Since the early decades of photography, practitioners have relied on a growing international postal system to send photographs, materials, and information about technological developments to recipients near and far. The official announcement of the invention of photography in 1839 occurred just six years before the landmark Postal Act of 1845, in which the United States Congress reduced postage rates to allow the mail to be, for the first time, an affordable form of communication for most Americans. Central to the history of photography though rarely discussed within it, the mail facilitated the production of photographs and proved a key agent in the evolution of the photograph from a singular and costly object to a reproducible and disseminable image.
Natalie Pellolio is a Visiting Professor in the History of Art and Visual Culture department at California College of the Arts. She received her B.A. in Art History at Reed College in 2009 and her Ph.D. in Art & Art History at Stanford University in 2018. Sh…
Event Location: ZOOM. Cost: Free, but registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4GIZeq1vS8if75oqnc5SOg. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Paris: A Virtual Adventure
All Programs
The storyline of Paris can be followed along the banks of its iconic River Seine. On both the Right Bank and the Left, evidence of the city's 2,000-year history, the figures who shaped it across the centuries, and the artistic and architectural movements that originated here can be seen. In a 2-part series, journey with freelance travel writer Barbara Noe Kennedy as you discover intriguing sites, historical aspects, and art in this virtual exploration using maps, photos, and videos. This session focuses on the Right Bank of Paris.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/paris-virtual?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/paris-virtual?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 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 tour sign outside the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle in the Enid A. Haupt Garden. No reservation is required.
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. See gardens.si.edu/plan-your-visit/events/ for the most up-to-date information.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The tour begins inside the garden near the South entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Apples of Uncommon Character
All Programs
From the explosively crisp Pixie Crunch to the dark and moody Kingston Black, the lychee-scented King of the Pippins, and America’s oldest apple, the Roxbury Russet, the apple may be the most diverse food plant in the world. Rowan Jacobsen, author of Apples of Uncommon Character, explores some of the most exotic, colorful, delicious, mysterious, and downright strange apples you’ll ever meet. Profiling some of the best and brightest, the oddballs and old veterans, Jacobsen tells the tale of the apple in America and reveals a world every bit as magical as it was over a century ago.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/apples-of-uncommon-character?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/apples-of-uncommon-character?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
Bach's Mass in B Minor: A Cathedral of Spirituality and Sound
All Programs
Bach’s Mass in B Minor evolved through the composer’s last years as his ultimate musical and religious testament. Set by a fervent Lutheran to the text of the Roman Catholic Mass, the work is universal in its spiritual appeal and its musical scope and is considered among the greatest creations of the human mind and spirit. Singer and Bach expert Thierry van Bastelaer explores the history, structure, and meaning of the Mass, illustrated by musical and video examples offered by some of today’s most historically informed and thrilling artists.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/bachs-mass-in-b-minor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/bachs-mass-in-b-minor?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
James Wilson: The Lost Founding Father
All Programs
Drawing on his new book, The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight, New York Times journalist Jesse Wegman, examines the legacy of a brilliant yet overlooked architect of American democracy. Wilson’s arguments for independence influenced Jefferson, and he drafted the Constitution’s first version, adding “We the people” to affirm popular sovereignty. Though later a Supreme Court justice, financial collapse obscured Wilson’s impact, which Wegman sees as central to the nation’s founding ideas.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/james-wilson?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/james-wilson?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Webcasts & Online.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Portrait Painting in Oil and Acrylic
All Programs
Learn how to paint expressive portraits as you improve your observational skills, ability to see angles and shapes, and understanding of color and value. The class emphasizes how to define a subject’s unique features by determining shapes of light and shadow.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/portrait-painting?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/portrait-painting?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.