12 After-Hours Museum Parties in and around Washington D.C.

Nobody does an after-hours museum party like D.C. Explore the work of talented artists, learn about different cultures, connect with new friends, and get ready to dance, make art, listen to live music, and so much more at these different institutions that host extended hours for evening celebrations.&nbsp;&nbsp; by Yelena Nicolle Salvador Events are organized chronologically by day of the week.&nbsp; 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/wordplay-wednesday-late-nights-at-planet-word-museum-washington-1017557">Wordplay Wednesdays</a> When: First Wednesday of the Month Where: Downtown Cost: $5+ Info: Explore the Planet Word museum for an after-hours party where you can enjoy three floors of lexical fun. Play word-based puzzles and games, munch on food, purchase an alcoholic bev, and get ready for themed nights.&nbsp; 2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/nmwa-nights-2025-washington-1011235">NMWA Nights</a> When: Third Wednesday of the Month, starting 9/17 Where: Gallery Place Cost: $25 Info: The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts an adults-only party where you can dance to live music, take an after-hours gallery tour, and make some art. Two drink tickets are included with admission, and you can dress to impress based on fun themes. Come honor women in the arts at this celebration.&nbsp; 3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/vintage-game-nights-at-the-woodrow-wilson-house-washington-1021861">Vintage Game Nights at the Woodrow Wilson House</a> When: Select First Wednesdays of the Month Where: Kalorama Cost: $20+ Info: Head to President Woodrow Wilson’s house for a unique after-hours experience. Play 1920s-era board games, croquet in the garden, and sip on locally-brewed beer. Purchase the add-on to take a Prohibitions tour too.&nbsp; 4) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/live-at-the-library-washington-1010821">Live! at the Library</a> When: Every Thursday Where: Capitol Hill Cost: Free Info: The beautiful Library of Congress hosts an after-hours gathering every Thursday. Happy hour snacks and drinks are available for purchase, and you can enjoy special performances like speaker talks, music, films, and more. Explore the stunning Main Reading Room, stroll through the various exhibits on display, and learn about resources that the library offers.&nbsp; 5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/third-thursdays-at-the-phillips-collection-washington-1003126">Thursdays After 5 at The Phillips Collection</a> When: Every Third Thursday of the Month Where: Dupont Circle Cost: Free Info: Grab a wine, beer, or aperitif, coupled with a bite to eat from the on-site cafe, and get ready for extended hours at the Phillips Collection. Stroll through current exhibits and visit the Third Thursdays partners next door: <a href="https://athillyer.org/third-thursdays/">IA&amp;A at Hillyer,</a> <a href="https://www.studiogallerydc.com/">Studio Gallery</a>, <a href="https://www.washingtonstudioschool.org/">Washington Studio School</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtondc.korean-culture.org/en">Korean Cultural Center</a>, and <a href="https://adawdc.org/en/page/13/culture">ADA Art Gallery</a>. 6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/tudor-nights-washington-1021858">Tudor Nights</a> When: Select Thursdays Where: Georgetown Cost: $35+ Info: Tudor Place hosts after-hours events where you can see rarely displayed objects that are part of the historical house’s special collection and archive. Enjoy themed nights, sip on cocktails, and munch on light hors d’oeuvres.&nbsp; 7) <a href="https://joyraft.com/search?find_loc=Washington%2C+DC&amp;q=anacostia+community+museum+after+dark+">Anacostia After Dark</a> When: Select Thursdays Where: Anacostia Cost: Free Info: Join the Anacostia Community Museum for an evening of community connection, art-making, storytelling, and more. Themes are centered around different exhibits, so learn about what’s on display, purchase a fun snack on-site, and explore the museum after-hours. 8) <a href="https://joyraft.com/search?find_loc=Washington%2C+DC&amp;q=asia+after+dark">Asia After Dark</a> When: Select Fridays Where: National Mall Cost: Free Info: The National Museum of Asian Art hosts after-hours parties that celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage. Enjoy outdoor and indoor festivities that feature live music, spoken word, comedy, art activations, food, drinks, and art-making.&nbsp; 9) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/national-gallery-nights-2025-washington-1014051">National Gallery Nights</a> When: Select days Where: National Mall Cost: Free Info: Don’t miss your chance to enter the lottery system to get a free ticket to one of the unforgettable after-hours parties at the National Gallery of Art. Enjoy art making, dancing, pop-up talks, live music, and access to different exhibits. Previous themes include ‘70s Disco Prom and Revolutionary Women.&nbsp; 10) <a href="https://joyraft.com/search?find_loc=Washington%2C+DC&amp;q=late+night+at+the+national+building+museum">Late Nights at the National Building Museum</a> When: Select days Where: Judiciary Square Cost: $15+ Info: Explore the galleries and exhibits of the National Building Museum before you enjoy after-hours programming. Get ready for storytelling competitions, live music, parties inspired by exhibitions on view, and more.&nbsp; 11) <a href="https://joyraft.com/search?find_loc=Washington%2C+DC&amp;q=late+nights+at+the+hillwood">Late Nights at the Hillwood Estate</a> When: Select days Where: Cleveland Park Cost: $10+ Info: Take a tour of this historic mansion’s grounds including the gardens, greenhouse, interiors, and special exhibits on view. Then, enjoy after-hours programming like trivia and movie nights, jazz concerts, dance performances, and picnicking.&nbsp; 12) <a href="https://joyraft.com/search?find_loc=Washington%2C+DC&amp;q=late+nights+at+the+national+museum+of+natural+history">Late Nights at the National Museum of Natural History</a> When: Select days Where: National Mall Cost: Free Info: The National Museum of Natural History hosts adult experiences after-hours. Catch a movie, make some art, play games, learn about different NMNH exhibits, and channel your inner kid at heart.&nbsp; -- Photo by Ed Schipul CC 2.0: https://flic.kr/p/7SL1ph

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12 After-Hours Museum Parties in and around Washington D.C.

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