Washington, DC—The National Gallery of Art has announced the spring 2023 season for its popular National Gallery Nights after-hours p­rogram. Each event takes place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of March, April, and May in the East Building. 

Popular activities that define National Gallery Nights—music, live performances, artmaking, and pop-up talks—are centered around a specific theme for each evening. 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. As with all National Gallery programs, the event is free.

Due to the popularity of National Gallery Nights, registration is required and opens one week in advance at noon at nga.gov/nights. A limited number of passes are available online starting at 10:00 a.m. the morning of each event. A few additional passes are available at the door—first-come, first-served—starting at 5:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in attending National Gallery Nights can sign up to receive email notifications when registration opens for each event at nga.gov/nights.

Program Descriptions
March 9
(S)heroes 
Registration opens March 2 at noon

National Gallery Nights returns with a salute to women. Dance to tunes by iconic women musicians with Les the DJ, enjoy experimental pop-up performances from darlingdance, and explore works by women artists with our friends at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Get a sneak preview of the future Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, and make your own art inspired by Called to Create: Black Artists of the American South. Plus, you can sip a variety of beverages, savor special-edition gelato flavors mango pomegranate and pink lemonade, and nibble on empanadas and other snacks. Extra points for dressing as your favorite shero!

April 13
Garden Party
Registration opens April 6 at noon

Don your best fascinator and celebrate spring! In this ode to cherry blossoms, you can experience printmaking with Soul & Ink, enjoy art on the Roof Terrace, and create wearable flower art. Learn about connections between art and nature with special pop-up talks and artist demonstrations, and dance to the sounds of DJ Ayesha and Gretchen and the Sidecar Six.

May 11
Homegrown
Registration opens May 4 at noon

Join us in celebrating the people and culture of DC. Soak in the sounds of go-go music with Rare Essence. Learn more about artwork with DC connections in pop-up talks, then create your own masterpiece with an artmaking activity inspired by the Washington Color School. Can’t wait to get started? Take a walk with this self-guided tour of DC art. 

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

Program performances and experiences are subject to change.