Free Events at the Kennedy Center

Experience world class art and performances with no cost for admission. See events for details on availability and reservations.

Social Impact

DC Theatre Community Care Workshop Series: Facilitated by Billie Krishawn

Dec. 9 - 12, 2024

These theatre workshops are free creative offering to the community around how to elevate your creative process. Workshops will be led by experts in their fields, including playwriting, choreography, and devising a solo show.

Sound Health Network

Dance for Parkinson’s Disease

Oct. 21 - Dec. 16, 2024

Launched as a partnership between Mark Morris Dance Group and the Brooklyn Parkinson Group, this program offers over 400 acclaimed dance classes each week for people with Parkinson’s Disease, in more than 250 communities and 24 countries.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Washington Musical Pathways Initiative

Wed. Dec. 11, 2024

The Washington Musical Pathways Initiative (WMPI) is a talent development program for dedicated student musicians in grades 8–12 from communities that have been historically excluded from classical music and want to pursue music study in college.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

An Irish Christmas with John Doyle and Mick McAuley

Thu. Dec. 12, 2024

John Doyle and Mick McAuley have been playing music together on the international stage for over 20 years. As multi-instrumentalist members of Irish American supergroup Solas, they combined to create part of the group’s unmistakable early sound which garnered critical worldwide acclaim.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

A Night of Klezmer—A Hannukah Celebration

Fri. Dec. 13, 2024

Join Klezmer clarinetist Michael Winograd and his band of Brooklyn Klezmorim for an evening of Jewish celebration music, new and old!

Social Impact

Miss Chief Rocka

Sat. Dec. 14, 2024

Learn about this time honoured tradition with Indigenous/Powwow Dance Artists in these fun and informative introductory Powwow Dance Classes featuring a special collaboration class with a guest zumba instructor. While Dance Sanctuaries is open to the public, we ask all participants who are non-Indigenous to show up with a curious mind and heart and participate respectfully (for appreciation and educational purposes only).

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Gerdan: Believe in Christmas Miracle

Sat. Dec. 14, 2024

Founded by Ukrainian professional duo Solomia Gorokhivska and Andrei Pidkivka, musicians of Gerdan bring the fire and the edge of melodic ideas and rhythms that capture the listener. The program Believe in Christmas Miracle offers a rich sampling of Christmas and seasonal music from Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

The REACH

Moonshot Studio

Open Sat. and Sun. 11am - 4:30pm

Moonshot Studio at the REACH celebrates creativity and the artist in everyone through hands-on art-making. The recommended age is 5 years old and above. Stop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on (most) Saturdays & Sundays to explore our projects.

Millennium Stage Films

Extraordinary Cinema: Frozen

Sun. Dec. 15, 2024

Join us for a FREE film screening in the Justice Forum at the REACH. After the kingdom of Arendelle is cast into eternal winter by the powerful snow queen Elsa, her sprightly sister Anna teams up with a rough-hewn mountaineer named Kristoff and his trusty reindeer Sven to break the icy spell.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Washington Performing Arts: Children’s Gospel Choir

Wed. Dec. 18, 2024

Come sing, dance, and have a gospel-music good time as Washington Performing Art’s Children of the Gospel (COTG) choir leads us in the season’s celebration of good cheer, peace, and love.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Country Christmas Sing-Along Spectacular

Thu. Dec. 19, 2024

For years, the Country Christmas Sing-Along Spectacular has consistently delivered a dazzling display of yuletide cheer. This is a sing-along you don’t want to miss.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Zanes Holiday Show with Special Guests

Fri. Dec. 20, 2024

This unique holiday show is a musical celebration inspired by the Christmas sing-alongs that Grammy Award® winner Dan Zanes and jazz vocalist/music therapist Claudia Zanes experienced every year while growing up in New Hampshire. The 21st century version of these legendary parties includes Christmas classics and also numbers from a variety of traditions, languages, and locations.

Social Impact

DC Banghra Crew

Sat. Dec. 21, 2024

Join us for Dance Sanctuaries, a series of free movement-based classes in the REACH. Dancers are invited for three one-hour structured classes & an optional Open House Hour. This week, learn beginner through advanced Bhangra styles and choreography with DC Bhangra Crew!

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Beltway Brass Quintet

Sat. Dec. 21, 2024

The Beltway Brass Quintet is a project group conceived in 2003 by Zachary Smith of the nationally acclaimed Dixie Power Trio. The repertoire for the quintet is unusual in its emphasis on 20th century jazz harmonies and stylings.

Millennium Stage Films

Extraordinary Cinema: Scrooged

Sun. Dec. 22, 2024

Join us for a FREE film screening in the Justice Forum at the REACH. Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a cold and cynical TV network president who is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve. The ghosts give him a chance to change his ways and right his wrongs.

Millennium Stage

Messiah Sing Along

Mon. Dec. 23, 2024

Be part of Washington’s most popular free holiday event, the Kennedy Center’s Messiah Sing-Along. Back by popular demand, the evening concert features conductor Nancia D’Alimonte as she leads members of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists, a chorus of 150, and a very enthusiastic audience in Handel’s masterpiece. A family and community tradition since 1971!

Digital Program cover showing a bird's eye view of the Kennedy Center campus

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

All-Star Christmas Eve Jazz Jam

Tue. Dec. 24, 2024

Join in our annual All-Star Christmas Eve Jazz Jam, with host and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, pianist Robert Redd, bassist James King, vocalist Sharon Clark, and saxophonist Jacob Chung.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Encore Creativity

Thu. Dec. 26, 2024

Encore Creativity singers from across the nation join together for a grand celebration of older adults in the arts with the joy of singing!

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Legacy of the Dibinga Sisters and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center

Dec. 27, 2024

Join us for a Kwanzaa celebration! For more than 30 years, the Dibinga Sisters have been a pillar of support for Boston’s youth. This year marks a significant milestone as their nonprofit, OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, celebrates three decades. Come celebrate the second principle of Kwanzaa (Kujichagulia - Self-Determination) through African inspired dances and music celebrating 30 years.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Peace and Carol Ringers

Sat. Dec. 28, 2024

Join us as we celebrate over five decades of handbells at St. Matthew’s UMC in Annandale, VA. Under the direction of Tamara Freeman, the Peace and Carol Ringers will perform Songs of the Season.

Millennium Stage Films

Extraordinary Cinema: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Sun. Dec. 29, 2024

Join us for a FREE film screening in the Justice Forum at the REACH. As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas. However, things go awry quickly.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Jill Sobule

Thu. Jan. 2, 2025

Jill Sobule’s work is at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and derisively tragic. Having released a dozen albums, her hits include “I Kissed A Girl” and the alt-rock anthem “Supermodel” featured in the film Clueless.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Trio Sefardi

Fri. Jan. 3, 2025

Trio Sefardi, a Northern Virginia–based ensemble, performs traditional songs of the Sephardim, the descendants of Jews exiled from Spain in 1492. The Washington Post said the ensemble “gave lovely and luminous performances.”

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Niccolo Seligmann with Lucas Ashby

Sat. Jan. 4, 2025

Join medieval fiddle expert Niccolo Seligmann and percussionist Lucas Ashby on a musical tour of the Middle Ages. From Spanish miracle songs to whirlwind Italian dances and more, this concert illuminates how bright the Dark Ages really were.

Millennium Stage Films

Extraordinary Cinema: Mountains

Sun. Jan. 5, 2025

Join us for FREE film screenings in the Justice Forum at the REACH. Monica Sorelle’s tender feature debut is a multigenerational drama that deftly explores the relationships between immigrants and their children, the looming threat of gentrification, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Zar Electrik

Wed. Jan. 8, 2025

Zar Electrik pays homage to tribal cultures, particularly through the incorporation of the ancient Zar ritual originating from Ethiopia and Egypt. The group transports us into its unique universe, where the reigning forces are trance and dance.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

TAE & The Neighborly

Thu. Jan. 9, 2025

TAE & The Neighborly is a Wisconsin-based soul-pop R&B group. It was formed during 2020 over their shared love of cake baking. The Cowboy Gazette says their live show is “...going down smoother than a can of [beans] warmed on the campfire.”

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Raul Midón

Fri. Jan. 10, 2025

Blind singer-songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón is nothing if not prolific. His 14th and latest album Lost & Found is a blend of what he calls “smooth folk,” “alt-pop,” and “jazz.”

Social Impact

The Lion’s Den

Sat. Jan. 11, 2025

Join The Lion’s Den DMV and friends to learn DC’s very own, Beat Ya Feet, along with Bmore’s Baltimore Club, and a style from Los Angeles, KRUMP. Be sure to stay for the open hour for a special drumming workshop & exhibition by DMV’s local legend, Malik Dope!

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Vienna Teng

Sat. Jan. 11, 2025

Songwriter Vienna Teng reemerges this fall with her We’ve Got You—her first new music in over a decade—but her fans have been here the whole time. Teng’s new mini-EP reflects the complexity of her life over the past decade: climate change work, community building, parenthood.

Bravo

Millennium Stage Films

Extraordinary Cinema: Becoming Cousteau

Sun. Jan. 12, 2025

Join us for FREE film screenings in the Justice Forum at the REACH. Academy Award®–nominated filmmaker Liz Gabus gives an inside look at adventurer Jacques Yves-Cousteau and the experiences that made him the 20th century’s most renowned environmental voice.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Maruja Limón

Wed. Jan. 15, 2025

Maruja Limón is a female sextet from Barcelona known for their vibrant music that blends flamenco, pop, and Latin rhythms. The group delivers explosive music with lyrics that balance sensitivity and irony.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

NSO Youth Fellows

Thu. Jan. 16, 2025

Students from the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship Program will perform chamber music on the Millennium Stage.

National Symphony Orchestra

Sound Health Friday

Select Fridays at 10 a.m

Join us for Sound Health Fridays at The REACH for activities prior to 11:30 a.m. NSO coffee concerts. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. and purchase coffee at the Hyannis Port Coffee Bar, and wander the REACH. At 10 a.m., participate in a Morning Sing, attend a health-inspired talk and performance, or join a wellness-inspired workshop.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

National Sympony Orchestra

Fri. Jan. 17, 2025

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play an assortment of chamber music.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Yeison Landero

Sat. Jan. 18, 2025

Yeison Landero was born in San Jacinto (Bolívar), and carries in his soul a cumbiambero heart inherited from his legendary musician grandfather, Andrés Landero. His love for his ancestral accordion and his passion for cumbia are so great that he decided to turn them into the motor of his life.

An Immersive Exhibit

free admission 10 a.m. to midnight

Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy is a major permanent exhibit in the massive roof-level Atrium that explores Kennedy’s appreciation and promotion of the arts and why the Kennedy Center came to be the living memorial to him and his ideals.

An Immersive Exhibit

free admission 10 a.m. to midnight

Millennium Stage

See what’s coming and watch recent performances of our free in-person and livestreamed series.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Washington Musical Pathways Initiative

Wed. Dec. 11, 2024

The Washington Musical Pathways Initiative (WMPI) is a talent development program for dedicated student musicians in grades 8–12 from communities that have been historically excluded from classical music and want to pursue music study in college.
Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

An Irish Christmas with John Doyle and Mick McAuley

Thu. Dec. 12, 2024

John Doyle and Mick McAuley have been playing music together on the international stage for over 20 years. As multi-instrumentalist members of Irish American supergroup Solas, they combined to create part of the group’s unmistakable early sound which garnered critical worldwide acclaim.
This event is currently standing room only
Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

A Night of Klezmer—A Hannukah Celebration

Fri. Dec. 13, 2024

Join Klezmer clarinetist Michael Winograd and his band of Brooklyn Klezmorim for an evening of Jewish celebration music, new and old!
This event is currently standing room only
See More Millennium Stage Upcoming Events

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free admission 10 a.m. to midnight

New Exhibit Honors JFK and the Arts

free admission 10 a.m. to midnight

Millennium Stage

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