Art All Night 2026 Scheduled for Sept 11–12, Bringing Free, High-Energy Arts Programming to All Eight Wards
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) announced the official dates for Art All Night 2026, the District’s premier art festival, now in its 15th year of celebrating creativity and community in all eight wards. Art All Night 2026 will take place Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, once again delivering free, high-energy arts programming across the District and spotlighting local artists, makers, small businesses, and the neighborhoods that make DC a world-class destination.
“There is no event that captures the soul of this city quite like Art All Night,” said Mayor Bowser. “Ward by ward, block by block, DC comes alive — and our small businesses, our local artists, and our neighborhoods are better for it. This is what investing in people looks like. We can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors back in September to celebrate the culture, creativity, and community of Washington, DC.”
Art All Night 2026 follows a record-breaking year for the festival. In 2025, Art All Night welcomed more than 250,000 attendees and featured over 1,200 artists and performers. This largest-ever turnout demonstrates the growing demand for accessible cultural experiences and neighborhood-based economic activity across the District. The festival also debuted the Art All Night mobile app, which helps attendees explore activations more easily, navigate events citywide, and engage with participating neighborhoods across all eight wards.
“Art All Night has become a major economic and cultural driver for the District, creating real opportunities for local artists and creatives while supporting our small business corridors,” said Rosemary Suggs-Evans, Director of DSLBD. “As we reflect on the last ten years of Art All Night, we’re proud of where it started and even more excited about where it’s headed. In 2026, we’ll continue delivering unforgettable experiences in all eight wards while strengthening the neighborhood economies that keep DC thriving.”
First presented in 2011 by Shaw Main Streets, the inaugural event drew crowds of more than 30,000 to celebrate the District’s art and local culture. Over time, Art All Night expanded into a citywide festival supported by District Main Streets and community partners that organize and host activations in their neighborhoods, helping bring art, foot traffic, and economic energy to corridors across the city. In 2021, on its 10-year anniversary, the festival expanded from a one-day event to the two-day celebration that it remains today.
Art All Night has become a signature District event that reflects DC’s diversity and creative identity, elevating District-based artists and supporting local businesses through welcoming, family-friendly experiences that bring art and community together.
For updates on Art All Night 2026, visit dslbd.dc.gov and dcartallnight.org.