Washington, DC—The National Gallery of Art's popular National Gallery Nights after-hours program returns to the East Building in fall 2025 with three vibrant evenings of art, music, and creative exploration. Join us on the second Thursday of September, October, and November from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for a new season of free, themed events.

This season's programs—Back to School, Strike a Pose, and Art Under the Stars—invite visitors to explore the National Gallery through the lens of self-expression, learning, and community. Enjoy after-hours access to exhibitions, hands-on activities, gallery talks, performances, and surprises throughout the night.

As with all National Gallery programs, National Gallery Nights is free. Due to the event’s popularity and to provide everyone with an equal chance to attend, entry is offered through a lottery system. The lottery will take place the week before each event, opening on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and closing that Thursday at noon. All entrants will be notified of their status on Friday. A limited number of walk-up passes will also be available at the East Building entrance on the day of the event. They will be given out first come, first served starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Light fare, gelato, and beverages—including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails—will be sold throughout the East Building, including at the Cascade Café, Terrace Café, and Espresso & Gelato Bar. 

To receive email notifications for National Gallery Nights lotteries, sign up at nga.gov/nights or on each event page. You can also find updates in our weekly newsletter.

Upcoming Programs

Back to School
Thursday, September 11, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery for registration opens Monday, September 1, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, September 4, at noon. 

The seasons are changing, and National Gallery Nights is back! Lace up your sneakers, zip up your backpack, and sharpen your pencils. Tap into your inner child on their first day of school—minus the nerves. Get creative using everyday materials in Artmaking 101. Don’t be late to music class, where Virginia-based band Butcher Brown plays a fusion of jazz and funk. Then, get to know the new kids: recent additions to the National Gallery collection.  

Strike a Pose
Thursday, October 9, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery for registration opens Monday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, October 2, at noon.

Fashion. Photography. Self-expression. You can find all three in this after-hours program celebrating our newest exhibition, Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985. Strike a pose in our photobooth wearing your favorite outfit inspired by fashion from the ’50s through the ’80s. Experiment with photography while making your own art. As a rare treat, we’ll open part of the West Building so you can explore the exhibition.  

Art Under the Stars
Thursday, November 13, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery for registration opens Monday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, November 6, at noon.

After the sun goes down, our East Building comes alive with music, art, and dance. This is your chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition after hours. The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art—the largest display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art ever shown outside Australia—inspires our evening. Immerse yourself in the sounds and vibrations of the didgeridoo. Weave your own textiles inspired by works in the exhibition. Come up to the Roof Terrace to enjoy modern masterpieces under the night sky.  

This program series is made possible by a generous grant from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Programming is subject to change.

Press Release: National Gallery Nights Returns to the East Building This Fall

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