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This beloved improv group is back by popular demand! Based on one audience suggestion (a title of a show that has never been written), The Improvised Shakespeare Company® creates a brand new, fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes!

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf™ in Concert!

Full of warmth and holiday cheer, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^® returns in a whimsical production from Philadelphia Ballet (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet). Marvel at the magic of swirling snowflakes, dancing candy canes, and enchanted toys.

In a live moderated conversation with John Grisham at the Kennedy Center, Ina Garten will discuss and elaborate on the themes of her memoir—from childhood to becoming an author of bestselling cookbooks and a celebrated television host.

Machel Montano—the “King of Soca”—turns 50 at the Kennedy Center with a black-tie birthday affair!

You’ve seen him on The Daily Show as a senior correspondent and frequent host. Now he shares his observational, irreverent stand-up LIVE on the Terrace Theater stage!

From the creator of Doc McStuffins and Vampirina, Finn is filled with vibrant sea creatures and catchy tunes. Hilarious and heartwarming, this world premiere musical chronicles the coming-of-age journey of a young shark following his dreams.

Sarah Silverman is a two-time Emmy Award®–winning comedian, actress, writer, and producer. Don’t miss her latest stand-up, which brings her silly and idiosyncratic perspective to the world.

Powerhouse ensembles Imani Winds and Harlem Quartet, along with orator and poet A. B. Spellman, present Jeff Scott’s Passion for Bach and Coltrane, the 2024 Grammy Award^® winner in the Classical Compendium category.

French pianist Lise de la Salle—“a musical thinker of impressive weight with charm, imagination, and dazzling technique” (The Washington Post)—performs a Schumann masterwork, considered the ultimate romantic piano concerto. Marek Janowski, who in 2019 “conducted a truly memorable, exquisite rendition of Bruckner” with the NSO (Washington Classical Review), returns to lead the composer’s Symphony No. 4.

Following a decade touring the world as one of the most successful magic shows in history, the Champions Of Magic team is back with an explosive all-new show featuring thrilling and mind-bending illusions. Combining their signature humor with groundbreaking magic, this team of illusionists presents a brand-new production unlike anything that has come before.

The year 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil. Join PCE this November for a bicentennial celebration that showcases two centuries of incredible music from South America.

A captivating blend of musical traditions, featuring a rich tapestry of American and African folk songs alongside timeless classics from the Italian tenor repertoire. Audiences will be treated to the evocative melodies of Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, and Tosti, showcasing Hallam's versatility and depth as a performer.

For the opening Sounds of US mainstage concert, support students in the early stages of their music pursuits in a program featuring world premiere works by Nick Bentz, Anthony Cheung, Adeliia Faizullina, Linda May Han Oh, and Hilary Purrington, performed by NSO musicians as well as students of the NSO Youth Fellowship.

As the New York Times declares, Emanuel Ax’s performances are “never less than spellbinding.” Experience the power and passion of this modern master live as the seven-time Grammy winner performs Mozart’s fierce and far-reaching Piano Concerto No. 20. In a fitting masterpiece finale, former NSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin conducts Sir William Walton’s dark, dramatic First Symphony.

Verdi meets Shakespeare for a bloody showdown of power and greed.

Culture icon, music innovator, and seven-time Grammy® Award–winning artist and multi-hyphenate André 3000 makes his historic Kennedy Center debut with a special presentation of New Blue Sun LIVE in Concert. Join us for an adventurous evening of mind-opening, soul-stirring, and thought-provoking music.

Just announced: New Blue Sun is nominated for three Grammys, including Album of the Year!

Go on a magical journey through the Land of Percussion to see and hear different percussion instruments with D.C.-based musician Uncle Devin. Through this interactive musical experience, kids and their families will discover the history of percussion and move to the beat of funky drums, Go-Go, and more.

Experience Whitney Houston’s astounding musical legacy like never before. This new concert tribute features original master recordings of Whitney’s vocals set to new orchestrations of her biggest hits—including “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Higher Love,” and “I Will Always Love You”—accompanied by home movies, film performances, and never-before-seen footage. Presented in collaboration with the Estate of Whitney Houston, Park Avenue Artists, and Primary Wave Music.

Praised for his innovative style and energetic live performances, Jamaican American vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Masego makes his highly anticipated Kennedy Center debut. Known for his wide-ranging and distinctive sound blending R&B, hip hop, and jazz, his music has often been described as “trap house jazz.”

Comprising seven titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents an evening of exquisite chamber music classics: Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D major, Barber’s Dover Beach for baritone and string quartet, and Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor.

Love fuels a revolution in Beethoven’s monumental, sole opera.

As the First-Prize winner and recipient of the Audience Prize in the 2024 Washington International Competition for Piano British pianist, Dominic Doutney, is presented in recital through the generous support from the Alice and Arthur Nagle Fund.

Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom returns to explore real-life mental and emotional pressures in a hilarious and educational new show.

Founded in 2001, Laboratory Dance Project is famous for its highly physical, acrobatic choreography. The Korean ensemble blends martial arts, hip hop, and contemporary dance for stunningly unique creations that have brought critical acclaim.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

All ages welcomed, recommended for 13+

After headlining RIOT! Funny Women Stand Up in 2024, Zarna Garg returns to the Kennedy Center. With her unique blend of humor, wit, and fearless social commentary, Garg has emerged as a comedic trailblazer. Celebrate Diwali with this inimitable performer!

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony is a force to be reckoned with—a veritable declaration of forbidden love shrouded in mystery. This impassioned program also features Prokofiev’s evocative Summer Night Suite and Time’s River, an NSO co-commission by Alexander Raskatov. Alexei Ogrintchouk, Principal Oboe of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, takes center stage for Raskatov’s new concerto Time’s River., described as “a hymn to nature in resonance with our time.”

Founded in 2001, Laboratory Dance Project is famous for its highly physical, acrobatic choreography. The Korean ensemble blends martial arts, hip hop, and contemporary dance for stunningly unique creations that have brought critical acclaim.

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony is a force to be reckoned with—a veritable declaration of forbidden love shrouded in mystery. This impassioned program also features Prokofiev’s evocative Summer Night Suite and Time’s River, an NSO co-commission by Alexander Raskatov. Alexei Ogrintchouk, Principal Oboe of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, takes center stage for Raskatov’s new concerto Time’s River., described as “a hymn to nature in resonance with our time.”

Isidore String Quartet, winners of the 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2022, makes its Terrace Theater debut.

You’ve never experienced the Concert Hall like this before! Spread out on the stage or into the empty hall for this immersive and transformative meditation. Singer and sound healing artist Davin Youngs brings his unique take on a “sound bath.” 

An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

Celebrate the milestone 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Maestro Sergio Alessandro Buslje and the Pan American Symphony Orchestra with Sean Mahon on piano. The same year Gershwin died, the Ukrainian composer Nikolai Kapustin was born in the Donetsk province of the Ukraine.

Join a star-studded tribute to the maestro of musical drama.

Equal parts interactive science, comedy, and personal empowerment messages, Doktor Kaboom returns to explore real-life mental and emotional pressures in a hilarious and educational new show.

Indie icon and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds performs hits and new music for his new live orchestral concert album. Widely regarded as one of the major music influences of our generation, Folds’ enormous body of genre-bending sound includes pop anthems with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. Come early for an exclusive pre-show Sleigher album release party with Ben!

Love fuels a revolution in Beethoven’s monumental, sole opera.

The prolific comedic essayist Sloane Crosley talks about her new book, and how humor can help us get through difficult times. Moderated by New Yorker writer Rachel Syme.

Pianist Danilo Pérez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade—the three remaining members of Wayne Shorter’s legendary quartet—bring a lifetime of genre-blending and electrifying experimentation to the stage. Joined by special guest saxophonist Mark Turner, Legacy of Wayne honors the Shorter’s pivotal contributions to jazz through new interpretations of the late saxophonist’s iconic compositions.

Free! Join a community sing in the National Cathedral and experience the benefits of singing together.

No singing experience required.

Superstars share the stage at an unforgettable double bill of indie-folk Americana. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Aoife O’Donovan, deemed “a vocalist of unerring instinct” by the New York Times, explores a century of women’s rights on her latest album All My Friends. Comprised of Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats, The Shins), and Josh Kaufman (The National, Hiss Golden Messenger), folk band Bonny Light Horseman performs orchestral arrangements by Bryce Dessner, including two world premieres.

Witness this bold and innovative program of authentic cultural reclamation by the lauded Ensemble Amedyez and Kalanidhi Dance Company.

In a special event by journalist and author Alex Prud’homme and Chef Kwame Onwuachi, explore the impact of food and its uses in cultural diplomacy across history and into the present. Moderated by Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman.

The vibrant self-conducted string orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi returns. Heralded for its kaleidoscopically varied repertoire, the group brings another bold thematic program, featuring percussion soloist Josh Jones.

Superstar soprano Renée Fleming dazzles audiences with music from one of her most celebrated roles: the elegant, enigmatic Countess Madeleine in Strauss’ Capriccio. Noseda conducts Capriccio’s Introduction and dreamy Moonlight Music, before Fleming takes the stage to sing the glorious, wistful Final Scene. Then, revel in Brahms’ lush First Symphony—a masterpiece the perfectionist composer toiled at for 21 years in the shadow of Beethoven’s inescapable legacy.

In partnership with Bold Fork Books, join a special panel conversation with authors, journalists, and recipe developers about food’s power to comfort our bodies and minds.

David Sedaris returns for the first time in two years! Sedaris is one of America’s preeminent humor writers, and a master of satire. In this show, he will be reading from new and unpublished work.

Join us for a conversation with Renée Fleming, Susan Magsamen, and Dr. Daniel J. Levitin about the growing role of music and the arts in healthcare and beyond. Focusing on not just the artistic merits but also the social, neurological, and physiological uses for arts, we expand the definition of what great art can do for us.

The revolutionary 1960 album We Insist!: Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite explored issues of social justice and racial inequality through the lens of jazz and poetry. In celebration of the centennial of Max Roach—drummer, bebop pioneer, and civil rights activist—this landmark work is reimagined for today’s world by Musical Director Nasheet Waits, vocalist Cassandra Wilson, poets Sonia Sanchez and Saul Williams, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, pianist David Virelles, bassist Rashaan Carter, and others.

A young girl embarks on a quest to save her father after he’s struck by the “Big Bad Sickness of the Sea.” Come along on this enchanting musical journey about facing fears, embracing emotions, and believing in yourself.

A group of six mid-pubescents compete in the title championship, spelling their way through vexing vocabulary while sharing hilarious and poignant personal stories. A riotous ride, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a fast-paced and funny D-E-L-I-G-H-T.

(Scroll down for photos!)

Gianandrea Noseda brings the drama in Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, a sumptuous musical portrait of the composer, his wife, his dreaded critics, and his works. The program begins with Beethoven’s final, heroic piano concerto in the hands of returning favorite Leif Ove Andsnes—“a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight” (The New York Times).

In a live moderated conversation with Ann Patchett at the Kennedy Center, Ina Garten will discuss and elaborate on the themes of her memoir—from childhood to becoming an author of bestselling cookbooks and a celebrated television host.

This year, Japan Society’s annual Kennedy Center presentation highlights traditional Japanese puppet theater through the National Theatre, which for the first time in nearly two decades returns to the U.S. See two quintessential masterpiece scenes from the Theatre’s repertoire.

Comedian Kanan Gill brings his world tour to D.C.! Having already asked Is This It? on his previous stand-up special, Gill now asks an equally relevant and insightful question: What Is This? The show is about nothing at all… so far.

You know the famous four-note opening. Now, be there for the full glory that is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony! Imaginative, violent, and wide-ranging, this colossal crowd-pleaser thrusts the audience into Beethoven’s state of mind—captivating the world for more than 200 years. Noseda opens the program with Strauss’ Four Last Songs featuring internationally acclaimed American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen along with Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

All ages welcomed, recommended for 13+

A mansion. A murder. A mystery.

Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

Prepare yourself for a night of glamor and romance as classical music’s newest rock star Yunchan Lim performs one of the world’s greatest masterpieces, Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Piano Concerto No. 2. Experience Lim’s electrifying NSO debut at this dynamic concert that also features Ravel’s lyrical La Valse and Carlos Simon’s celebratory Four Black American Dances.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

Sara Bareilles makes her return to the Concert Hall for a career-spanning night! Since her first mega-hit “Love Song,” Bareilles has become one of the most acclaimed singers and songwriters of her era. The two-time Grammy winner was nominated for Album of the Year for The Blessed Unrest and made her Broadway debut in 2016 with Waitress, which she starred in and for which she wrote the music and lyrics, picking up a pair of Tony nominations in the process.

With the help of the National Symphony Orchestra and all-star guests, New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Mo Willems introduces fun musical ideas, explores big emotions, and invites viewers to listen, play, and create in this world premiere concert for families.

Join visionary, multi-hyphenate, and Grammy-nominated artist Tobe Nwigwe as he performs a one-night-only concert with the NSO. Experience the release of his highly anticipated album, Hood Hymns, as well as a masterful curation of fan favorites.

A mansion. A murder. A mystery.

Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

Join us for a rousing collection of songs and stories that celebrate and challenge the American narrative—from Jessie Montgomery’s revolutionary anthem Banner to iconic music from Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid and more. The NSO proudly presents Here I Stand: Paul Robeson, a new commission by composer Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder written to honor the African American singer, actor, athlete, scholar, and fearless supporter of racial equality.

Lucas Meachem’s vigorous baritone makes him exceptionally suited to his signature roles of Escamillo (Carmen), Il Conte di Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), and the title role in Don Giovanni, the latter in which he was extolled for being “Fabio-like in size, presence, beauty and personality” (Bachtrack) in a production with LA Opera.

Hosted by actor Anthony Anderson and Dr. Tonya M. Matthews, this electrifying concert event curated by Carlos Simon features performances by Ginuwine, Kenny Lattimore, Imani-Grace Cooper, The String Queens, Afro Blue, D.C. Go-Go All Stars, and more homegrown heroes! Join the NSO for an evening featuring the music of D.C. natives Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown, Duke Ellington, and more—come early and stay late for pre- and post-shows, local pop-up vendors, drink tastings, photobooths, and more!

Grammy and Tony Award winner Heather Headley performs an evening of show-stopping hits! Fresh off her performance of the Broadway revival of Into the Woods, Headley sings favorites from her spectacular stage career including Aida, The Lion King, The Color Purple, and beyond—along with more iconic music we love. Don’t miss the voice Billboard Magazine says “absolutely astounds with its intensity… one of the great entertainers of the day.”

Ben Folds’ popular late-night series returns with iconic Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas, Grammy^®-winning singer Madison Cunningham, and acclaimed acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams! This “part-party, part-concert” also features Max Richter’s “On the Nature of Daylight” and more modern masterworks by Valerie Coleman, Jessie Montgomery, and Carlos Simon. NSO DECLASSIFIED^® concerts go beyond the classical symphony experience—come early for drink tastings, photo booths, and the Heidi Martin Quartet; stay after for Harikaraoke live band karaoke on the Millennium Stage!

The NSO presents an annual full orchestra concert at the NIH each September. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation's medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show.

Join us for the TAKE THE LEAD® Power Up Concert TOGETHER WE LEAD. A joyful celebration of music in pursuit of advancing women’s leadership which includes performances by world-renowned pianist and composer MARINA ARSENIJEVIC, Indie Pop Band BETTY, and three-time Grammy Award nominated female a'cappella group SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® who express their history as black women through song and sign language.

Special Appearance by Lynda Carter.

The performance, which will be held by more than 700 children's choir members, is a time to pray for world peace as well as the unification of the Korean Peninsula with people around the world and to thank American veterans who participated in the Korean War.

A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago. MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and celebrated actor John Gallagher Jr. is back at the Kennedy Center—this time with a band to perform his new album, Goodbye or Something.

The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra—comprised of recent Ukrainian refugees and other artists—returns in a summer tour of the great cathedrals and concert halls of Europe and the United States.

Two-time Edison Award–winning, six-time Grammy-nominated, and Doris Duke Award in the Arts awardee trumpeter, composer, producer, and sonic architect Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly known as Christian Scott) returns to the Kennedy Center for two unforgettable performances drawing from his prolific career. Join us to experience extraordinary live performances from this jazz innovator as he continues to stretch and surpass the boundaries of his music.

Jordan Klepper is perhaps best known for his work with The Daily Show and his multiple Emmy®-nominated specials focusing on the political world. On tour with his stand-up, Suffering Fools captures the pain and foolishness of our current moment, told through personal stories from Klepper’s time on the road—presidential run-ins, entertainment world failures, and the lovely insurrectionists one meets on the path to anarchy.

Based on the groundbreaking Italian film 8 ½, Nine follows famed director Guido Contini, suffering from “director’s block” on his latest film and from a strained marriage to the neglected Luisa, as he retreats into his mind, where women from his past and present bombard his senses and throw reality into question.

Directed and choreographed by Kennedy Center Honoree and three-time Tony® winner Andy Blankenbuehler!

A limited number of $35 Rush tickets will be available for every performance. See below for details.

Great Scott! Back to the Future, the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Washington, D.C., in 2024. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future.

French-born urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet crushes every preconceived notion you’ve had about the harmonica. With each performance, walls come tumbling down as Yonnet presents the harmonica in a refreshing and modern context that is boldly stylish, enchantingly cool, and absorbingly brilliant. 

Brass musicians of the NSO Summer Music Institute perform in a free chamber concert as part of an annual four-week orchestral and chamber music festival.

One night only! The renowned gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, and producer captivates the Concert Hall.

Great Scott! Back to the Future, the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Washington, D.C., in 2024. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future.

Humor writing comes alive in July! Four of the best humor writers in the business take the stage to read brand-new jokes. Asher Perlman (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Evan Waite (Family Guy), JiJi Lee (The New Yorker), and Alexandra Petri (The Washington Post) share their silly and whip-smart perspectives on culture, politics, and the absurdities of daily life. This event (hosted by comedian Emmy Blotnick) also celebrates the launch of new books by Perlman and Waite.

This is a private event. 

Musical gala with the most refined and representative traditional repertoire from Peru. A musical evocation to the Andes, the mestizo and criolla music from the coast all the way through important Peruvian composers like Daniel Alomía Robles or Chabuca Granda, to the fantastic songs of the international diva Yma Sumac, including peruvian folckloric dances.

This is a private event. 

To further foster and expand cultural exchange between the Republic of Korea and the United States, the Korean National Ballet, under the direction of Artistic Director Suejin Kang, will present a gala performance featuring a repertoire of original and authentic ballet pieces.

This extraordinary evening of uplifting music will be conducted by Larry Harrison, Jason Breland, Mark Harden, Dr. James Melton, Jasen Brown and Daniel Mojica, and will feature a unique blend of Patriotic and Gospel music.

Join us for a continuation of the work that began during our 2022 Reframing the Narrative celebration recognizing Black contributions to classical ballet. This two-performance engagement features a newly commissioned ballet and excerpts of recently premiered works by Black choreographers.

Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

A masterpiece, reborn. BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY celebrates David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album Blackstar—plus iconic Bowie classics like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” and “Heroes”—reimagined for orchestra and performed with the original Blackstar band. Conducted by Grammy–winner Jules Buckley, this electrifying theatrical experience also features Bowie’s longtime bandmate Gail Ann Dorsey, drummer Nate Wood, vocalist David Poe, and special guest John Cameron Mitchell.

Based on Khaled Hosseini’s beloved, international best-selling novel, The Kite Runner is a powerful new play adapted by Matthew Spangler that follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country, and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart. Told across two decades and two continents, this unforgettable journey of forgiveness shows us all that we can be good again.

Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Join us for a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories—100 years in the making! Your favorite characters and soundtracks come to life in this live-to-film concert like never before as the NSO takes you on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable moments from Peter Pan, Moana, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, and more.

An original, genre-defying mélange of classical and jazz by peerless genre-defying singer Teodora Brody, accompanied by a quartet of seasoned international musicians.

Enjoy a symphonic fusion of two extraordinary musical worlds in honor of Juneteenth and the 75th birthday of a gospel legend! Conducted by Grammy–winning producer Dr. Henry Panion III, this soulful celebration with special guest Richard Smallwood features performances by Smallwood’s ensemble Vision; gospel stars Dorinda Clark Cole, Maurette Brown Clark, and Pastor Marvin L. Winans; Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University; Bowie State University Choir; and more.

A blossoming initiative to recognize and elevate Asian creatives working in ballet will grace Kennedy Center stages as a weeklong festival! Curated by the Kennedy Center and Phil Chan, 10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography shines the spotlight on Asian and Asian American choreographers.

Through visual art, music, and dance, PORTRAITS represents the vibrant spectrum of sexual, gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural identities in a nine-movement oratorio.

The Pan American Symphony Orchestra will perform music by Spain's most prominent composers such as Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla, and Enrique Granados, showcasing the rhythms of Spanish folkdances while reflecting on different cultural traditions. Allegra De Vita, a mezzo-soprano from the Washington National Opera's Cafritz Young Artist Program, will join PASO to sing Manuel de Falla's El Amor Brujo and Siete Canciones Españolas, while Maria Juncal, a flamenco dancer, will perform her percussive interpretations and graceful movements on stage.

Celebrating 20 Years of Musical Excellence! Embark on a captivating musical journey as the International School of Music's distinguished students and dynamic chamber ensembles showcase their exceptional talents in a special performance at the Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center.

Angelique Kidjo, five-time Grammy Award winner and a beacon of African musical excellence, curates an extraordinary new program featuring her own influential songs and more by the current generation of African artists. From the iconic sounds of legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, and Youssou N’Dour to the contemporary brilliance of Rema and Burna Boy, African Symphony celebrates the profound global impact of African music.

This innovative production of Mendelssohn’s well-loved oratorio Elijah is like nothing seen before, promising a visual spectacle to bring the biblical prophet, as performed by GRAMMY Award-Winning Will Liverman, to life.

Be there for the thrilling launch of our new Opera in Concert series—led by NSO Music Director and world-renowned opera conductor Gianandrea Noseda! A powerhouse cast, the Choral Arts Society of Washington, the UMD Concert Choir, and the Children’s Chorus of Washington assemble to perform Verdi’s Shakespearean masterpiece—a gripping exploration of jealousy, true love, and revenge. 

The classic, lighthearted satire of the music industry! In this ebullient winner of four Tony Awards®, teen idol Conrad Birdie is drafted into the Army, but before he leaves, he’ll perform a new song on The Ed Sullivan Show and give one last kiss to a lucky fan.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, New York City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s treasured Jewels amidst the grandeur of the Opera House. Witness Balanchine’s artistry at its peak from the world-renowned company he cofounded 75 years ago.

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

Join Nona Hendryx, Abby Dobson, Toshi Reagon, Joel Thompson, Carlos Simon, Courtney Bryan, Troy Anthony and more as they take you on a sonic melodic quest to “The Gathering.” With virtual host Mahogany L. Browne as our guide —along with the American Composers Orchestra and NEWorks Voices of Inspiration— this experience is meant to be our space to collectively center the social impact issues of our time, to awaken joy as a source of liberation and to find love as our form of possibility and resistance.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

Dixie Longate is the fast-talking, gum-chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma’s Tupperware party into the 21st century. Filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation, and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom, Dixie’s Tupperware Party leaves your heart a little bigger and your food a little fresher.

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

Hamilton de Holanda is a Brazilian bandolinist and three-time Latin Grammy winner. Chris Potter is an American jazz saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Choro music and jazz merge to create a fascinating blend of Brazilian and American musical traditions!

Orquestra Criança Cidadã (Child Citizen Orchestra Quintet) is a Brazilian social project that has been changing the lives of hundreds of children and teenagers through musical education.

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Support the vision of creating a new dance world and join us for a benefit performance celebrating the extraordinary talent and artistry of CityDance Conservatory. The performance will feature acclaimed professional artists and award-winning young dancers of the CityDance Conservatory. Proceeds will support more than $150,000 in merit scholarships and financial aid awarded to the nation's most promising young talent.

Aparna Nancherla is an acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. Praised by critics and fans alike for her distinctive dry, existential, and whimsical sense of humor, Aparna has toured her stand-up comedy extensively around the U.S. and the world. Now catch her new stand-up set in the Terrace Theater!

Beloved Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the Kennedy Center with a new show that she describes as a “personal musical memoir.”

Alonzo King LINES Ballet makes its Kennedy Center debut with an elegant, soulful work created in collaboration with Grammy Award^®–winning vocalist Lisa Fischer and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, who join the company to perform live.

Classical music loves a prodigy. Fresh off his multi-album deal with Decca Records, Randall Goosby makes his NSO debut performing Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. Led by Thomas Wilkins, the program also features an inspiring, meditative new work by Anna Clyne and Elgar’s ever-popular Enigma Variations.

The one-and-only Norah Jones brings her Visions Tour to D.C.! Jones burst onto the world stage in 2002 with Come Away with Me—the seminal album that introduced a singular new voice and became a global phenomenon reaching #1 in 20 countries, selling nearly 30 million copies, and sweeping the 2003 Grammy Awards with eight wins. Visions, Jones’ seventh solo album, will be released March 8, 2024. Please note: There is an eight-ticket limit per patron for this performance.

American lyric coloratura soprano Erin Morley is one of the most in-demand artists of her generation at venues worldwide, a favorite of top-notch international conductors and audiences alike on two continents. She made her Washington Concert Opera debut last spring as the title character in Delibes' Lakmé in which she was praised by Washington Classical Review for a voice that "shimmered with radiance and delicacy." Together with pianist Gerald Martin Moore, their program includes selections by Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Rachmaninov, Alban Berg, Alexander Zemlinsky, Darius Milhaud, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Michael Head, and Ricky Ian Gordon.

Hip hop icon and founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council Member MC Lyte presents an evening with five-time Grammy®-winning soul singer, songwriter, performer, and producer PJ Morton and Grammy Award®–, Soul Train Music Award–, and NAACP Image Award–nominated soul singer and multi-hyphenate MAJOR.! These two legendary artists will host a one-night-only performance in the Concert Hall honoring mothers and mother figures.

Featuring a special set by PRAISE 104.1 FM’s DJ Soul.

Love makes a princess stronger in this glorious production by Francesca Zambello, offering a Turandot for our times.

George Lopez’s illustrious and multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, stand-up comedy, and late-night television. Lopez has broken ground for Latino comics by embracing his ethnicity, confronting racial stereotypes, and fighting for his community on and off the stage.

Strap in for the psychedelic rollercoaster of Symphonie fantastique, Berlioz’s epic fever dream of obsession, ecstasy, tantrums, and wild ambition. The NSO also performs Bryce Dessner’s Mari and Liszt’s scintillating Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by the “one in a million giant of solo piano” Benjamin Grosvenor (The Independent).

Dixie Longate is the fast-talking, gum-chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma’s Tupperware party into the 21st century. Filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation, and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom, Dixie’s Tupperware Party leaves your heart a little bigger and your food a little fresher.

From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz — an ensemble of actor-musicians chronicles the story of America’s first women soldiers.

Tue. May 7, 2024 10:30a.m. This invited dress rehearsal for schools and students is free of charge. Please contact [email protected]  for more information.

Celebrate self-love and positivity with Divinity Roxx, a Grammy^®-nominated musician, recording artist, and composer. Her upbeat and sunny music is filled with powerful messages that encourage young people to become the best versions of themselves. 

Known as the King of Rant, the Grammy Award®–winning stand-up Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world.

Mouret’s spirited opéra-ballet, Les Fêtes de Thalie, looks at love through the eyes of three women in these delightful vignettes: La Fille (The Girl), La Veuve Coquette (The Coquettish Widow) and La Femme (The Wife). Conducted by Christophe Rousset and directed by Catherine Turocy, these witty tales, in which women get the better of the men in their lives, feature a young and diverse cast of American singers and dancers.

Manfred Honeck, whose 2020 recording of Bruckner’s Ninth earned him three Grammy nominations, presents the gripping work live to D.C. audiences. NSO Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef showcases her “especially beautiful playing… brimming with character” (The Washington Post) in Beethoven’s rarely heard Romances for violin and orchestra.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

At this once-in-a-lifetime event, Cyrus Chestnut brings his epic interpretation of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts to life. Don’t miss a rare, star-studded performance of this joyful music embracing the gospel, jazz, blues, swing, and classical styles that defined The Duke’s work and spirituality.

Travel through the world of Leonard Cohen with an extraordinary ensemble of legends and luminaries including Madison Cunningham, Ben Folds, Bill Frisell, Don Henley, Gregory Porter, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Trisha Yearwood*. Backed by the raw power of the NSO, this unforgettable concert event features Leonard Cohen’s timeless music—including “Suzanne,” “Hallelujah,” “Famous Blue Raincoat,” and more conducted by seven-time Grammy-winning sensation Vince Mendoza.

At this Duke Ellington–inspired piano showcase, we spotlight three ferociously talented award-winning musicians: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, and Matthew Whitaker. Join us for an evening that will delight the jazz piano lover in your life. This performance is part of The Rosemary Kennedy Performing & Visual Arts Series.

Australia’s leading contemporary dance group comes to the Kennedy Center for the first time with the U.S. debut of Impermanence. A haunting meditation on the transitory nature of life, Impermanence merges balletic skill with striking contemporary dance.

Described as a “New Jazz Power Source” by the New York Times, cellist extraordinaire Tomeka Reid presents her groundbreaking new work inspired by Duke Ellington. Be among the first to witness this Kennedy Center co-commission as Reid seamlessly captures the essence of Ellington, all while propelling jazz into bold new territories.

Devilishly dexterous and eclectic, Chris Thile is at home in every genre—from bluegrass to Baroque to jazz to indie pop. The Grammy winner’s brand-new work for mandolin, vocals, and orchestra will feature his trademark whimsical songwriting and storytelling, instrumental virtuosity, and ever-present sense of humor. Don’t miss this brilliant exploration of American music both old and new!

A Fortas favorite since its Kennedy Center debut, Dover Quartet joins our season-wide Ellington 125 celebration with an arrangement of “In a Sentimental Mood.” Two piano quintets complete the program, featuring guest pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.

The Illusionists is the world’s biggest-selling magic show. It has played hundreds of cities, spawned two TV specials, and shattered box office records across the globe, dazzling audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This nonstop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions featuring the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth.

PASO, under the direction of Maestro Sergio Alessandro Buslje presents its signature tango show, featuring 30 musicians, Javier Sanchez on bandoneon, and three pairs of award-winning international tango dancers.

Rachel Barton Pine inspires audiences worldwide with artistic excellence, boundless energy, unforgettable interpretations, and passion for philanthropy.

Asian AF (Asian As F***) is the premier Asian American variety show in Los Angeles and New York. Asian AF spotlights the best Asian American actors, stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch performers, storytellers, and more. 

èßäAVperformances of Asian AF will be headlined by Joel Kim Booster, and will also feature Karen Chee. Additional casting to be announced. 

Born in Buenos Aires and trained at San Francisco Opera Center, mezzo soprano Daniela Mack lavishes the same effortless charisma and sable-colored instrument on music from Handel to contemporary. After returning to the Met next season for the company premiere of John Adams' El Niño led by Marin Alsop, she and pianist Keun-A Lee make their Vocal Arts DC recital debuts with selections by Gioachino Rossini, Pauline Viardot, Reynaldo Hahn, Carlos Guastavino, Alberto Ginastera, Astor Piazzola, and the world premiere of a new song cycle by Rene Orth.

As heard in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the famous ascending brass passage that opens Also sprach Zarathustra is just the tip of this orchestral iceberg. Prepare yourself for a wild ride of cosmic drama led by one of today’s leading conductors, Simone Young. Lise de la Salle—“a musical thinker with charm, imagination and a dazzling technique” (The Washington Post)—performs Mozart’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 9.

In a very special show mirroring their “Family Dinner” series, five-time Grammy winners Snarky Puppy are joined by four remarkable singers: Fuensanta, Gaby Moreno, Silvana Estrada, and Silvia Pérez Cruz. 
Please note: the NSO does not perform on this program.

Jazz pianist Ellington Carthan takes us on a journey through Duke Ellington’s extraordinary yet little-known concert pieces, including Black, Brown, and Beige, the suite from the ballet The River, and the debut of Scott Silbert’s orchestration of Caravan featuring guest conguero Felix Contreras.

Explore the world with music.

Extraordinary cellist and beloved music ambassador Yo-Yo Ma returns to the Kennedy Center for a lively Concert Hall recital with longtime musical partner, British pianist Kathryn Stott.

FREE! Celebrate the esteemed recipients of the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship: virtuoso vocalist/pianist Amina Claudine Myers, prolific saxophonist Gary Bartz, Grammy-winning trumpet player Terence Blanchard, and Artistic Director of the DC Jazz Festival Willard Jenkins. This concert event features performances by 2024 recipients, powerful tributes, special guest artists, and more.

Watch the livestream here at Kennedy-Center.org or arts.gov.

Chronicles of Nina...What now? explores the process of living on in the wake of death and examines the longing to establish an everlasting connection with our ancestors. Just as Nina Simone harnessed funk, soul, and classical techniques, the work meshes multiple street and modern-based movement styles. Chronicles of Nina...What now? is created by the collective Project ChArma, awardee of the 2023–24 Local Dance Commissioning Project.

Straight from New York City, Modi is bringing his legendary stand-up comedy to audiences across the United States.

Experience the sweeping drama of DvoÅ™ák’s “New World” Symphony, inspired by the African American and indigenous music DvoÅ™ák encountered during his time in America. It has remained one of the most popular symphonies of all time. Conductor Xian Zhang opens the concert with works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Billy Childs.

Guided by Duke Ellington’s great canon, Jason Moran takes a solo piano climb up “Mount Ellington” in this extraordinary celebration of the composer’s enduring legacy. Experience the timeless genius of Ellington’s music, brilliantly reimagined by Moran and paired with iconic images of The Duke by legendary photographer Gordon Parks.

The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati, and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive. Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theater show from five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of Kennedy Center Honoree and 17-time Grammy® Award–winning artist Sting.

Turnaround Arts, a Kennedy Center Education program, will bring together over 100 elementary and middle school students from around the country for a dynamic variety show filled with singing, dancing, original spoken word, and more!

Composed of titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from three centuries of chamber music.

Lauded for her deep musical insight, technical brilliance, and creative authority, Washington Performing Arts friend and MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient Alisa Weilerstein returns with her innovative, theatrical new project Fragments.

This daring double act of classical fun is BACK for more music and mayhem. National Symphony Orchestra musicians—bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green—introduce young audiences to some of the greatest music ever written.

Look no further for top-notch ballet that’s also uproariously funny! The world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company, famed for performing en travesti and en pointe, is back to spoof some of your favorite works during its 50th anniversary season.

This is not your typical Requiem. Anguish, loss, and fear of death are gone—replaced with a tender vision of paradise that awaits. Gabriel Fauré’s masterpiece is one of the most iconic works of the sacred choral repertoire, comforting audiences far beyond the composer’s Parisian congregation. Bernard Labadie conducts the divine score, along with symphonies by Mozart and Rigel that also premiered to great acclaim in Paris.

Celebrating over two decades of music making, Imani Winds is recognized for its dynamic playing, adventurous programming, outreach endeavors, and efforts to commission works from new voices that reflect historical events and today’s world.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

The legendary Ukrainian folk choir named after Grygoriy Veryovka, with a unique concert program, “We are Ukrainians”, which was created in gratitude to the American people! Ukrainian songs, orchestra and dances are included in the cultural treasury of the world.

The full National Symphony Orchestra, led by Daniel Bartholomew Poyser, presents a free performance featuring native Washingtonian ­­­­­­­­and mezzo-soprano Marquita Raley-Cooper.

The full National Symphony Orchestra, led by Daniel Bartholomew Poyser, presents a free performance featuring special guest Imani-Grace Cooper in celebration of Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday.

Ensemble ClassiCORE, an innovative instrumental ensemble, was founded by a new generation of Chinese artists, all of whom received their education at the esteemed Yale School of Music. Drawing inspiration from their deep ties to Eastern culture and the global perspectives honed at Yale, the ensemble is propelled by the spirit of classical music, with a primary mission to share the genre's beauty and profound cultural influences worldwide.

Expertly crafted by one of comedy’s most distinctive voices, this singular theatrical experience is an exploration of identity and our collective capacity for empathy—and it’s also “belly-laugh funny!” (The New York Times).

Catalyst Quartet makes its exciting Kennedy Center debut. Building its programs and projects around a belief in the unifying power of music, the group acts as a catalyst—redefining and reimagining the classical music experience.

Take the A-Train to a special afternoon of music paying tribute to the beloved jazz composer and bandleader! Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Symphony Orchestra performs this swinging session as part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Ellington 125 celebration.

Clarence Penn is one of the busiest jazz drummers in the world—he’s a leader of multiple bands, prolific composer, celebrated producer, and renowned educator. His band Penn Station is known for their ability to find new accents in well-known songs, moving seamlessly through styles as Clarence is devoted to the rhythms of the world. His motto: “When people hear my name, I want them to think, ‘I don’t know what band he’s playing with tonight, or what he’ll be doing, but it’s going to be good.’”

The musicians of Paragon Philharmonia, with artistic director and conductor Miriam Burns, are excited to make our Kennedy Center debut with violinist Jesús Florido.

Swing and sway to the timeless jazz brilliance of The Duke! As part of the Kennedy Center’s season-long celebration of Duke Ellington, the NSO presents a soulful, star-studded tribute to the Washington, D.C.-born icon. Join us as Bilal, Aloe Blacc, Alita Moses, Sullivan Fortner, and Grant Langford breathe new life into favorites like “Take the A Train,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and more vibrant music from jazz’s golden era.

Performing worldwide for more than 101 years under the guidance of three generations of Ellington’s family, the Duke Ellington Orchestra has produced more jazz classics than any other band. Joined by the phenomenal Lisa Fischer—singer, songwriter, and iconic backup singer for the Rolling Stones—the Grammy–winning supergroup presents a one-of-a-kind evening of music from the great Ellington songbook!

From the piano, Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon leads a small ensemble in Requiem for the Enslaved. The program invokes African American spirituals and the form of a Catholic liturgical mass to tell the story of 272 enslaved people sold in 1838 to pay the debts of Georgetown University.

Winner of five Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY—Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy—is at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious. It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy.

The exceptional artistry of the Rotterdam Philharmonic comes to Washington D.C. for the first time in more than two decades. 

The carefree Parisian nightlife of Offenbach’s La Périchole finds its match—Prohibition-Era New Orleans—in this reimagined, jazz-infused comedy.

“Shen Wei’s singular imagination and brilliant stagecraft brings us to strange and wondrous places.” “Powerfully theatrical, stylized and emotionally cool, his productions are fed by both Asian traditions and American experimentation, but they belong to neither camp.” —The Washington Post

The Washington Post says it best: “the NSO has a knack for making old favorites sound not just new, but renewed.” Whether you are a seasoned classical music aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, you’ll delight in this light program of popular classics by Bernstein, Puccini, Rossini, Florence Price, William Grant Still, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, and others—a perfect night out at the symphony!

The Abeo Quartet joins our Fortas season as part of the Kennedy Center’s Green Shoots initiative to feature up-and-coming chamber artists. Formed at Juilliard in 2018, the ensemble is the first graduate string quartet in residence at the University of Delaware. 

Tim J. Lord’s radio play transforms into a heartening world premiere musical following Artemis—a young girl who’s determined to fight to save her dying, flooded town with the help of Aunt Maggie… and a talking heron!

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

Jennifer Koh and Missy Mazzoli join forces for an elegant—yet challenging—performance. Collaborating for over a decade, the violin-piano duo presents a mesmerizing evening of Mazzoli’s works.

Founded in 1975 by Paulo and Rodrigo Pederneiras, the Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo (meaning “Body Group” in Portuguese) is renowned for its unparalleled blend of popular Brazilian culture, African rhythms, and classical technique.

After winning the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Silver Medal, Italian concert pianist Beatrice Rana quickly became one of the most sought-after pianists of her generation.

Sixteen-time Grammy Award^®–winning musician, composer, and producer David Foster joins forces with acclaimed singer and television/Broadway star Katharine McPhee to bring their show on the road.

When the power of the human voice meets the spirit of community and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the result is guaranteed to be joyous and inspiring—as thousands of Living the Dream… attendees over the years can attest.

Grammy Award–winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Linda May Han Oh leads a dynamic group of musicians in The Glass Hours, a striking and deeply moving collection of works based on the fragility of time and life. On this enveloping new album, loss and resilience permeate every melody, harmony, and rhythm she orchestrates and improvises.

Following his show-stopping, sold-out Kennedy Center concert in 2022, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, professor, and Howard University alum Eric Roberson returns to present an evening of love this Valentine’s Day. 

The international standard bearer for excellence in dramatic roles by Verdi and Puccini for over a decade, tenor Russell Thomas also excels at more intimate modes of musical expression, including recital programs at London's Wigmore Hall and an evening of curated new works at the Colburn School as a part of his Artist in Residency with Los Angeles Opera this season. In Thomas' area recital debut he joins pianist Lucas Nogara in a program including Samuel Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Jasmine Barnes' Love and Light, and selections by Henri Duparc and Richard Strauss.

An all-star lineup of leading musicians comes together to perform two iconic works: Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale Suite and Wynton Marsalis’ A Fiddler’s Tale.

Don’t miss the electrifying new musical about “the greatest R&B group of all time.” With their signature dance moves and harmonies, The Temptations rose to the top of the charts, and their moving story still resonates five decades later. The show features such iconic hits as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and many more.

Join Opera Lafayette for an evening of works by Jean-Baptiste Moreau and George Frederic Handel celebrating Queen Esther’s compelling tale of heroism.

Three-time Grammy winner and Musical America’s 2023 “Artist of the Year” Hilary Hahn performs Korngold’s glamorous, glittering Violin Concerto—an extraordinary fusion of Viennese romance and Old Hollywood. Then, brace yourself for the immortal “Eroica” Symphony, Beethoven’s vast ode to heroism, revolution, and freedom.

Bass-baritone Joseph Parrish, winner of the 2022 Susan Wadsworth Young Concert Artists International Auditions, brings his rich, warm voice and impeccable technique to the Kennedy Center.

Named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, stand-up comedian Matteo Lane performs to sold-out crowds all over the world. He has shared the stage with the likes of Chelsea Handler, Aziz Ansari, Hasan Minhaj, and Bob the Drag Queen.

An Evening with Seth MacFarlane and Liz Gillies unfolds with grandeur, blending the talents of two celebrated actors, vocalists, and longtime friends/collaborators. Join us for a night of lush, orchestral jazz duets and comedy with the National Symphony Orchestra!

The town of Dustbin is known for two things: rules and dust. But one day, Raina spies a cloud in the sky—and adventure ensues with Calamity Jane, Johnny Appleseed… and a thunderstorm! Coming to the Center from ZACH Theatre in Austin, TX, this charming new folktale takes the stage, packed with spirited tunes.

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

Before there was RENT… there was tick, tick… BOOM!, Jonathan Larson’s explosive musical about life, death, and the necessity of art. The semi-autobiographical story follows Jon, a composer struggling to break into New York City’s theater scene. This intimate production boasts unforgettable songs including “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and the Sondheim-inspired “Sunday.”

Directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Neil Patrick Harris!

Set today in the Shear Madness hairstyling salon, this record-breaking comedy is Washington’s hilarious whodunit. After more than 17,800 performances, the show has stayed in great shape. Performances are ongoing.

As beloved on Broadway and opera stages as she is in her roles in film and on television, record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald joins the NSO for an unforgettable evening of vocal beauty! Don’t miss the chance to hear her stunning renditions of Broadway classics and contemporary favorites in a staggering performance of stratospheric talent.

Before there was RENT… there was tick, tick… BOOM!, Jonathan Larson’s explosive musical about life, death, and the necessity of art. The semi-autobiographical story follows Jon, a composer struggling to break into New York City’s theater scene. This intimate production boasts unforgettable songs including “30/90,” “Johnny Can’t Decide,” and the Sondheim-inspired “Sunday.”

Directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Neil Patrick Harris!

This titan of string ensembles is back to astound Kennedy Center audiences once again. Entering its 49th season, Takács Quartet infuses deep richness and fresh insight into each performance.

Following his concerts last season, The Washington Classical Review reported that an “aura of classical music celebrity hung about the Kennedy Center Concert Hall… when a capacity crowd turned out to hear the return of Seong-Jin Cho.” Now, he reunites with Noseda for a performance of Beethoven’s moving Piano Concerto No. 4.

Powerhouse mezzo Raehann Bryce-Davis has been making waves in the last few seasons through her high-octane portrayals of such heroines as Azucena in Verdi's Il trovatore (Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Festival) and Baba the Turk in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (the role of her 2022 Metropolitan Opera debut). Together with pianist Jeanne-Minette Cilliers, the pair make their area recital debut featuring selections by Richard Wagner, Amy Beach, Melissa Dunphy, Maria Thompson Corley, and Peter Ashbourne.

With her critically acclaimed show To Steve with Love, Liz Callaway pays homage to the writer who changed the course of her life. Honoring the life and songs of the most influential composer/lyricist of the modern musical, the Emmy winner, Tony Award nominee, and newly-minted Grammy nominee celebrates the master with a carefully curated evening of the words and music of Stephen Joshua Sondheim.

Take an “unhurried journey” around the globe through song! Elena Moon Park and Friends performs folk and children’s music from East and Southeast Asia, reimagined to celebrate various musical traditions, languages, styles, and stories.

Be there for the world premiere of three one-act operas staged in a concert performance, accompanied by a small chamber orchestra comprised of WNO Orchestra musicians.

Grammy-winning violinist Gil Shaham, proclaimed “the outstanding American violinist of his generation” by Time Magazine, brings flawless technique and spirited warmth to every note of DvoÅ™ák’s Violin Concerto—from its powerhouse opening and lyrical slow movement to the lively finale infused with Slavic cheer. Noseda closes the program with Schubert’s final Symphony No. 9, “The Great.”

The Embassy of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute are delighted to present virtuoso violinist Alexandru Tomescu and acclaimed pianist Sînziana Mircea in this extraordinary concert.

Composed of titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from two centuries of chamber music.

Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson’s simple yet powerful book comes to life in an evening-length dance piece from choreographer and Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor for Dance Education Hope Boykin. Don’t miss this special return engagement of the April 2022 Kennedy Center world premiere!

Comedian and actor Vir Das has hit the global comedy mega-leagues thanks to his boundless comedic talent, wildly successful world tours, and four incredible Netflix specials. The New York Times says “no artist embodies the globalization of stand-up like Vir Das.”

Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award–winning writer, a New York Times bestselling author, and the host of Late Night with Seth Meyers. Following his debut stand-up special Lobby Baby, Meyers brings brand new stand-up to the Eisenhower Theater!

NSO Music Director Gianandrea Noseda conducts the NSO in Wagner: The Ring without Words (compiled by Lorin Maazel). All the drama of Wagner’s four operas is here, told through the pure power of the orchestra.

PCE’s seasonal favorite returns with a stirring program for chorale and orchestra that celebrates the universal expression of the human spirit through music.

From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony® Award–nominated Best Musical, is now on tour across North America. The critics rave, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News). Featuring the songs you love from the Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez.