photo courtesy National Gallery of Art
Good news from the National Gallery of Art:
“The National Gallery of Art’s popular National Gallery Nights after-hours program returns to the East Building in fall 2025 with three vibrant evenings of art, music, and creative exploration. Join us on the second Thursday of September, October, and November from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for a new season of free, themed events.
This season’s programs Back to School, Strike a Pose, and Art Under the Stars invite visitors to explore the National Gallery through the lens of self-expression, learning, and community. Enjoy after-hours access to exhibitions, hands-on activities, pop-up performances, and unexpected surprises throughout the night.
As with all National Gallery programs,
National Gallery Nights is free. Due to the event’s popularity and to provide everyone with an equal chance to attend, entry is offered through a lottery system. The lottery will open on the Monday before each event at 10:00 a.m. and close that Thursday at noon. All entrants will be notified of their status on Friday. A limited number of walk-up passes will also be available at the East Building entrance on the day of the event beginning at 5:30 p.m., distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Light fare, gelato, and beverages including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase throughout the East Building, including in the Cascade Café, Terrace Café, and Espresso & Gelato Bar.
To receive email notifications for National Gallery Nights lotteries, sign up at nga.gov/nights or on each event page.
Upcoming Programs
Back to School
Thursday, September 11, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery for registration opens Monday, September 1, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, September 4, at noon.
The seasons are changing, and National Gallery Nights is back! Lace up your sneakers, zip up your backpack, sharpen your pencils, and tap into your inner child on their first day of school—without the first-day nerves. Get creative using everyday materials in Artmaking 101. Don’t be late to music class, where Virginia-based band Butcher Brown plays a fusion of jazz and funk. Then, get to know the new kids in school: recent additions to the National Gallery of Art collection.
Strike a Pose
Thursday, October 9, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery opens Monday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, October 2, at noon.
Fashion. Photography. Self-expression. You can find all three in this after-hours program celebrating our newest exhibition, Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985. Wear your favorite outfit inspired by fashion from the ’50s through the ’80s. Strike a pose in our photobooth. Experiment with photography while making art of your own. As a rare treat, we’ll open part of the West Building so you can explore the exhibition in person.
Art Under the Stars
Thursday, November 13, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Lottery opens Monday, November 3, at 10:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, November 6, at noon.
After the sun goes down, our East Building comes to life with music, art, and dance. This is your chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition after hours. The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art—the largest display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art ever shown outside Australia—inspires our evening. Immerse yourself in the sounds and vibrations of the didgeridoo. Weave your own textiles inspired by works in the exhibition. Then, come up to the Roof Terrace to enjoy modern masterpieces under the night sky.
This program series is made possible by a generous grant from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
Programming is subject to change.”