Free things to do in Washington, DC

7 PM – 8:45 PM·African American History and Culture Museum, The Oprah Winfrey Theater · Washington

Historically Speaking: What a Dream Can Do (African American History and Culture Museum, Oprah Winfrey Theater) — Editors discuss objects of African American creativity, resistance, joy; signed books.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free guided tour at Asian Art Museum examines Whistler’s Peacock Room, a 150‑year‑old London dining room turned iconic artwork, featuring Asian‑inspired design and Chinese porcelain.

12 PM – 1 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free hour-long guided tour of Japanese art at the Asian Art Museum, showcasing paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork and the Master of I‑nen Seal piece.

1 PM – 2 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.

11 AM – 2 PM·Postal Museum, Moving the Mail Atrium · Washington

At the Postal Museum’s Moving the Mail Atrium, a volunteer challenges participants to sort mail, decide deliveries versus the Dead Letter Office, and earn a prize.

1 PM – 1:30 PM·American Indian Museum DC, Potomac Atrium · Washington

Dennis Zotigh performs tribal songs from Alaska to Florida in the Potomac Atrium, followed by a Q&A about museum and Indigenous culture; presentations may cancel without notice.

10:15 AM – 3:15 PM·American History Museum, Multiple floors · Washington

Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.

2 PM – 3 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet in the S1 Lobby · Washington

Guided tour of Islamic art masterpieces, from a Syrian‑Egyptian silver‑inlaid basin to an Andalusian bronze lion and jeweled Persian king portrait, at Asian Art Museum.

10 AM·Ronald Reagan Building & ITC Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20004

Fall Festival on Woodrow Wilson Plaza (Ronald Reagan Building) — pumpkin decorating, hay bale maze, face painting, balloon twisting, stilt walkers, live DJ music, complimentary cider, all ages, free.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free guided tour at Asian Art Museum examines Whistler’s Peacock Room, a 150‑year‑old London dining room turned iconic artwork, featuring Asian‑inspired design and Chinese porcelain.

7:30 PM – 9 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meyer Auditorium · Washington

Limited‑seat concert at Asian Art Museum’s Meyer Auditorium presents Marlboro Music’s chamber program—Haydn, Dean, Saariaho, and Mozart works performed by clarinetist Jonathan Leibovitz and ensemble, $6 reservation fee.

1 PM – 2 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM·Postal Museum, Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby · Washington

Volunteer‑led 45‑minute highlights tour begins at the historic lobby information desk.

Korean War Veterans Memorial (meet the ranger inside the memorial) · Washington

A ranger guides a tour inside the Korean War Veterans Memorial, explaining the significance of its elements.

1 PM – 1:30 PM·American Indian Museum DC, Potomac Atrium · Washington

Dennis Zotigh performs tribal songs from Alaska to Florida in the Potomac Atrium, followed by a Q&A about museum and Indigenous culture; presentations may cancel without notice.

10:15 AM – 3:15 PM·American History Museum, Multiple floors · Washington

Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.