Washington, DC—We are thrilled to announce the spring 2024 season of our popular National Gallery Nights after-hours program. Events take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of March, April, and May in the East Building.

This season we celebrate “Color Theory” on March 14, “Flowers After Hours” on April 11, and “Art Prom” on May 9. Music, live performances, artmaking, and pop-up talks center around each theme. Our April and May programs feature activities on our 4th Street Plaza, which are open to all without registration. See below for more program details, and don’t miss our tips for making the most of National Gallery Nights. As with all National Gallery programs, National Gallery Nights are free.

Due to the popularity of National Gallery Nights, and to give everyone an equal chance of attending, we once again offer registration through a lottery system. The lottery takes place the week before each event. It opens on Monday and closes on Thursday at noon. We notify all lottery entrants whether or not they were selected to register on the Friday before each program. Additional passes are available at the East Building entrance—first come, first served—starting at 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon of each event.

Light fare, gelato, and beverages, including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, are available for purchase throughout the East Building and in the Terrace Café and Espresso & Gelato Bar.

To receive email notifications for National Gallery Nights lotteries, sign up at each event page at nga.gov/nights. National Gallery Nights updates are also shared via the National Gallery’s weekly newsletter. Sign up at nga.gov/subscribe.

Program Descriptions

March 14
Color Theory

Lottery for registration opens Monday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, March 7, at noon. We’ll notify everyone on Friday, March 8, whether or not they are selected to register.

The East Building turns into an after-hours celebration in multicolor for the first National Gallery Nights of the season. Enjoy performances–inspired by all the colors of the rainbow–by Hot Club of Baltimore, DJ Lady Lavender, and DJ Underdog. Marvel at the vibrant hues in our exhibition Mark Rothko: Paintings on Paper. Create your own masterpiece with artmaking activities inspired by Rothko and the Washington Color School. Join color-themed pop-up talks and a scavenger hunt, plus learn about color theory with local artists and museum experts. Extra points for dressing up as your favorite color—or all of them!

April 11
Flowers After Hours

Activities on the 4th Street Plaza are open to all, but registration is required to enter the East Building. Lottery for registration opens Monday, April 1, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, April 4, at noon. We’ll notify everyone on Friday, April 5, whether or not they are selected to register.

Don your best fascinator and celebrate spring and all things floral! At this ode to cherry blossoms, you can experience dance performances by Emerge 125 and artist demonstrations on the 4th Street Plaza, enjoy art on the Roof Terrace, and create wearable flower art with local artist Emily Paluska. Hear from emerging artists in special pop-up talks, peek behind the scenes with National Gallery staff, and dance to the sounds of DJ Rustam. Plus, get your photo taken at our live flower wall and team up with friends to complete a blossom scavenger hunt.

May 9
Art Prom

Activities on the 4th Street Plaza are open to all, but registration is required to enter the East Building. Lottery for registration opens Monday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, May 2, at noon. We’ll notify everyone on Friday, May 3, whether or not they are selected to register.

We cordially invite you to prom—art prom, that is. Dress up in your finest formal (or weird and wacky) attire and join us to explore the East Building after hours. Find your new favorite works of art in the galleries, dance like nobody’s watching to DJ Heat, and join the National Gallery’s prom court with a DIY crown activity. Plus, meet local artists and designers, see fabulous styles in our exhibition Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction, and commemorate the evening with a prom photo to take home.

Program performances and experiences are subject to change.