Washington, DC is a timeless city, a classic destination filled with rich history and vibrant culture. But the events and attractions slated for 2025 make it timelier than ever to visit, promising to enchant even the most experienced visitors. The upcoming year will feature a variety of world-class events, celebrations, and unique exhibitions that are sure to not only bring Canadians to DC, but have them looking to extend their stay.

Events and Anniversaries

  • Giant Pandas Arrive at Smithsonian’s National Zoo (January 24): Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, have arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, DC. They will debut on January 24, 2025, marking a new chapter in the zoo’s 52-year panda conservation program and the return of pandas to the city.
  • Opening of the Go-Go Museum (January 18): The new Go-Go Museum & Cafe, located in DC’s historic Anacostia neighborhood, celebrates the city’s unique go-go music culture through interactive exhibits, live performances, and artifacts, serving as a vibrant cultural hub and a testament to the genre’s enduring impact on the community.
  • WorldPride and the 50th Anniversary of Capital Pride (June): LGBTQ+ travelers know that DC is an incredibly welcoming destination, but 2025 is a special year in that it will mark 50 years of Pride in Washington, DC, and the city will also host WorldPride DC 2025! This vibrant event will feature music, film, cultural and activism programs across iconic locations such as the National Mall and Embassy Row, showcasing DC’s diverse, inclusive spirit. As the ninth WorldPride—and only the second time celebrated in the U.S.—it promises unforgettable experiences.
  • 20th Anniversary of Washington Nationals (March-September): The former Montreal team is known for winning the 2019 World Series and for having a track record of drafting extremely talented players, such as Juan Soto, the Washington Nationals will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025, introducing a 3-year cycle for City Edition Jerseys.
  • World Cup Club Tournament: Audi Field has been chosen by FIFA as one of 12 U.S. venues for the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. From June 15 to July 13, 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of these matches and then explore all the city’s attractions just a step outside the stadium.
  • 50th Marine Corps Marathon: Known as “the best marathon for beginners,” Marine Corps Marathon is the largest marathon without prize money, earning the nickname “The People’s Marathon.” Travelers will be able to join in its 50th anniversary celebration on October 26, 2025.
  • 100th Anniversary of the Mayflower Hotel: As one of the most historic hotels in DC, this iconic establishment has welcomed locals and visitors into its elegantly gilded hallways and beautifully appointed spaces, offering a timeless blend of luxury and history.

Hotels

  • The James DC (2025): A new lifestyle hotel from Royal Sonesta, The James will be converted from the current Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle. Expect high-end experiences for visitors and locals alike with destination-worthy dining and beverages.
  • Tribute Portfolio Georgetown (2025): This five-story former office building will be combined with adjacent townhouses to create a 106-key property expected to be flagged under Marriott’s Tribute portfolio.
  • CitizenM Georgetown (2025): A stylish 228-room hotel near Key Bridge, CitizenM Georgetown will offer modern design with the charm of a 100-year-old building along the Georgetown waterfront.
  • Moxy Hotel Southwest (2025): Located between Nationals Park and Audi Field, this vibrant 163-key hotel will feature rooftop views, residential spaces and a farmers’ market.

Exhibitions

  • The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art (October 2025 – 2027): The largest international exhibition of Indigenous Australian art debuts in Washington at the National Gallery of Art on October 18, 2025. Curated by the National Gallery of Victoria, it showcases over 200 works by 130+ artists, many never seen outside Australia. The exhibition explores key moments in Indigenous art from the 19th century to today, touring North America through 2027[GF5] .
  • Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return (Opened October 18-July 6, 2025_: The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art offer an exhibition focused on the artist’s deep engagement with portraiture and the construction of identity.
  • Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault (Opened November 2-January 19, 2025: The Phillips Collection offers new takes on artists who have come to define the museum, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Paul Klee, Saam Gilliam and Arthur Dove.
  • The Print Generation (Opened November 16-April 27, 2025): The National Museum of Asian Art presents a selection of prints, crafted using a new approach as part of the sōsaku hanga (creative print) movement, that tore down the notion of the early-20th century Japanese artist.
  • In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World (December 13-June 8, 2025): This temporary exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture will shift how we think about, talk about and represent the history of slavery, race and globalization.
  • The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art (October 2025 – 2027): The largest international exhibition of Indigenous Australian art debuts in Washington at the National Gallery of Art on October 18, 2025. Curated by the National Gallery of Victoria, it showcases over 200 works by 130+ artists, many never seen outside Australia. The exhibition explores key moments in Indigenous art from the 19th century to today, touring North America through 2027.

Lastly, let’s not forget the late 2024 openings, which will continue to feel new and vibrant throughout 2025.

  • Folger Shakespeare Library (Summer 2024): The Folger’s $80.5 million renovation added a 12,000-square-foot public pavilion and improves accessibility with new entry plazas and walkable gardens. The Folger debuted a permanent exhibition showcasing its world’s largest collection of 82 First Folios in a 20-foot vault. The revamped Great Hall will serve as a public space and a new Education Lab will host interactive workshops.
  • Arlo Washington DC (Fall 2024): Arlo’s seventh property and first in DC features 445 rooms in a 12-story building that preserves the city’s oldest conventional apartment building, The Harrison, which has stood since 1882. Highlights include a rooftop lounge, pool, restaurant, bar, cafe and meeting spaces.
  • National World War I Memorial (Fall 2024): The centerpiece of this new memorial is “A Soldier’s Journey,” a massive bronze sculpture by Sabin Howard. At 60 feet long and 10 feet high, it tells the story of an American answering the call to war and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the war’s end. It will be the tallest bronze sculpture in the Western Hemisphere, located in Pershing Park.
  • The People’s House (Fall 2024): Presented by the White House Historical Association, this interactive replica of the White House offers visitors an immersive experience of the executive mansion inside 32,000 square feet.
  • Salamander Washington DC (Fall 2024): The largest Black-owned luxury hotel company in the United States, Salamander Collection is wrapping up major renovations to the former Mandarin Oriental, unveiling a brighter, more residential design with expanded gathering spaces, a two-story spa and refreshed guest suites by Washington’s Thomas Pheasant. Chef Kwame Onwuachi will also debut Dōgon, inspired by West African heritage.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.