Series/Festivals

Current & Future

Leonard Bernstein at 100
September 2017 – August 2018
Beginning September, 2017, the Kennedy Center will be the centerpiece for the launch of a yearlong international centennial celebration of iconic American composer, conductor, pianist, educator, and humanitarian Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). We invite you to join us to honor his legacy by experiencing some of his most cherished works.
District of Comedy Festival
July 19 – 21, 2018
The Kennedy Center presents its second annual all-star showcase of celebrated comedians headlining venues all around the building, along with a collaboration with Chicago's legendary comedy theater The Second City.
Hip Hop Culture
Ongoing
The Hip Hop Culture program at the Kennedy Center recognizes Hip Hop's contributions to global culture and its power to build and transform communities through art and action. Through this programmatic platform, the Center aims to create a dynamic home for Hip Hop and celebrate its role as a catalyst for innovation, exploration and transformation.
Renée Fleming VOICES
Ongoing
The Renée Fleming VOICES series explores the remarkable range and expression of the human voice through a diverse number of talented singers, composers, and other vocal artists.
Mason Bates, KC Jukebox
Ongoing
The genre-bending DJ and composer extraordinaire returns to the Kennedy Center to present a range of innovative music experiences, including the second season of his KC Jukebox immersive concert series and more.
DECLASSIFIED: Fridays at 9 with the National Symphony Orchestra
Ongoing
The secret is out! Select NSO Fridays are taking on a whole new vibe with this innovative mix of classic and modern sounds, special guest artists, dynamic multimedia, audience interaction, and exciting activities before and after the show—all at great price.
Sound Health
Ongoing
Sound Health, designed to explore the connections between music, health, and wellness, is a new partnership between The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Institutes of Health, and renowned soprano Renée Fleming.

Past

Artes de Cuba
May 8-20, 2018
For two weeks this spring, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present Artes de Cuba: From the Island to the World, a festival celebrating the artistic richness that has emerged from this "island archipelago in the sun." This unprecedented gathering of Cuban and Cuban American artists represents some of the world's greatest from the island and the Diaspora.
SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras
April 9-15, 2018
SHIFT celebrates the vitality, identity, and extraordinary artistry of orchestras and chamber orchestras by creating an immersive festival experience in the nation's capital.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
April 9-14, 2018
Through state, regional, and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another's work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Febuar 15 – 17, 2018
Join us to celebrate the year of the dog with three days of festivities, including special events showcasing the arts and culture of China's Chengdu Plain. The region is home to most of the world's giant pandas—including D.C.'s very own Bao Bao!
Direct Current
March 6 – 16, 2018
Modern masterpieces, cutting-edge composition, dance, drag, film, jazz, electronica, ecology, and activism all converge in a 10-day celebration of contemporary culture with works new to Washington audiences on every program.
JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy
May 2016 – December 2017
In the year leading up to the centenary of John F. Kennedy's birth on May 29, 2017, the Kennedy Center is revitalizing the very mission of the institution created to honor him. The 2016–2017 season features performances and events that celebrate the ideals he championed—Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude.
Your Home for the Holidays
November & December 2017
Whether you're a Washingtonian or visiting from far away, you'll feel at home with these performances full of holiday cheer!
Terrace Theater Re-Opening
October 3 – November 5, 2017
A month-long suite of performances to celebrate the fully reconstructed Terrace Theater.
Page to Stage Festival
September 2 – 4, 2017
The Kennedy Center annually hosts more than 50 Washington-area theater companies in a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals. This three-day event gives audiences a look at new works being prepared for Washington premieres in the upcoming season.
Kennedy Center Open House: Celebrating JFK at 100
Saturday, May 27, Noon–10 pm
In celebration of our namesake's 100th birthday, and a nod to Jackie Kennedy's famous 1962 televised tour of the White House to make it more accessible and inviting to all, we open our doors to YOU with a daylong celebration featuring dozens of FREE performances and activities for the entire family!
Spotlight on Directors
2016 – 2017 Season
This March and April, we're shining a spotlight on theater by several top directors from around the globe.
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
April 16 – 22, 2017
Through state, regional, and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another's work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists.
SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras
March 27 - April 2, 2017
SHIFT celebrates the vitality, identity, and extraordinary artistry of orchestras and chamber orchestras by creating an immersive festival experience in the nation's capital.