Milestone Exhibit – 50 Years of Iconic Photography – Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
National Portrait Gallery
1275 K St., NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC
Daily 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
https://washington.org/event/photographic-memory-fifty-years-photography
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the founding of its photographs collection, the National Portrait Gallery presents more than 100 seminal works. Among the gems: the earliest known photograph of a U.S. First Lady and Alexander Gardner’s original “cracked-plate” portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th and G Streets, NW
Washington, DC. 20004
Daily 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Much Here is Beautiful:Photography Surveys of the US Bicentennial – Sept. 18, 2026 – April 18, 2027
This landmark exhibition takes a look back on the nation in the years surrounding 1976. The collection of 225 images captures striking images of communities across the US during a series of regional photographic projects funded by the National Endowment of the Arts.
Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America – through Sept. 7
Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
900 Jeferson Dr., SW
Washington, DC
Daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
https://www.si.edu
The exhibition includes historical and contemporary photographs, multimedia interactive, campaign materials and more to explore the ongoing work of democracy from the American Revolution and the suffrage movement to civil rights ad modern voting.
National Gallery of Art
4th St. & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
10:00 Am – 5:00 PM
www.nga.gov
Upcoming:
Sky Hopinka (Kicking the Clouds) – April 11 – Dec. 26, 2026 through photographs, poems and film, Sky Hopinka connects family, language, place and lived indigenous experience. West Building.
Remember Me – Nov. 7, 2026 – March 14, 2027 Picturing African Americans in Early Photography, depicting powerful stories of identity, resilience, and self- representation.
Multiple Exposures Gallery
The Torpedo Factory Art Center, Studio 312
105 Union St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.multipleexposuresgallery.com
Mon-Sun 11 am – 5 pm
Soomin Ham Photography– Sept. 1n – Oct. 11 a collection of fine art photography highlighting contemporary photographic perspectives and personal vision.
Previous photographic exhibits may also be viewed online at www.multipleexposuresgallery.com under Exhibitions – Virtual Galleries.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23220
Mon., Tues, Wed., Sat., Sun – 10am-5pm; Thurs., Fri – 10am – 9pm
https://vmfa.museum,/visit/plan-your-visit/
Promise and Peril: Recent Acquisitions in American Landscape Photography – May 8 – Oct. 4
Marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the exhibition captures the” beauty, abundance, and scale of the nation’s diverse landscapes, photography has borne witness to the consequences of human ambition, including histories of resource extraction, population displacement and neglect.”
French Photography in the Age of Impressionism – Opening Nov. 21 The exhibition explores how French photographers in the 19th century helped reshape the way people saw and documented a rapidly changing society. It highlights how new photographic techniques allowed artists to capture everyday life, architecture and culture with greater freedom and detail.
Glen Echo Photoworks
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD
301-634-2274
Gallery Hours: Saturday & Sunday 1-4 PM
www.glenechophotoworks.org/gallery
Gallery exhibits may be viewed using the above link.
National Portrait Gallery
Eighth & G Streets
Washington, DC 20001
www.npg.si.edu
Mon-Sun. 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age, by George Burrell (A Sequel) – through Jan. 10, 2027
Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Collecting – Nov. 14, 2026 – Nov. 7, 2027 Celebrating the golden anniversary of the museum’s photographs collections, with an exhibition of more than 100 works from the daguerreian era to the current digital age.
Reserve Collection Highlights: Modern Prints from Matthew Brady’s Portrait Negatives – through May 14, 2028
Collection of the Portrait Gallery’s Civi War-era modern prints from the original photographic negatives. Portraits of Lincoln, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ulysses Grant, and Emma, Queen of Hawaii are featured.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave, NW
Washington, DC. 20005
www.nmwa.org
Tues – Sun. 10 am – 5 pm
Marlo Pascual: Making Something of Nothing – current through Feb. 28, 2027 – created from the vintage photographs found in thrift stores the artist transforms the photographs using found objects and other techniques to promote deeper contemplation.
National Geographic Museum of Exploration
1600 M ST, NW
Washington, DC. 20036
www.moe.nationalgeographic.org
Sun – Mon 9am -8pm
Included with admission, the newly opened museum showcases various exhibits of National Geographic photographs that showcase the power of storytelling through unforgettable images of people, places and the planet. Note: some exhibitions require an add-on entry ticket.
Washington Post
Photography section: https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/
Going Out Guide: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/
Art Section: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art
EVENTS
Troops Through Time (Living History Event) – Sept. 5 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center
5201 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
Free
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=6FC4ABBC-E083-DBB0-5463699C0BB0DF94
Reenactors from 1775 to WWII demonstrate the life of a soldier with living history demonstrations, Civil War Field Music performances, Civil War Artillery demonstrations and talks on a variety of military topics throughout the day.
Brookside Gardens Butterfly Experience – through Sept. 7
1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD
Advanced tickets are required.
https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/
Emerge yourself in a world of butterflies from the Americas, Africa and Asia.
On select mornings, tripods are permitted from 9-10am before the exhibition is open to the general public.
Walkingtown, DC – Sept. 19 – 26
https://eventsdc.com/walkingtown
An annual event offering various tours over nine days to showcase the city’s art, culture and history. Great opportunity to photography the city’s architecture and explore the city’s hidden gems. Visit link for a list of tours (tours currently show 2025 offerings…check back for updated info).
America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration -through October 12
US Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20001
https://www.usbg.gov
Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the US Botanic Garden will feature an exhibition of the flowers of each U.S. state and territory. Located in the Conservatory, the exhibit includes living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens.
Maryland Renaissance Festival – selected dates through October 25
Revel Grove
1821 Crownsville Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401
https://www.renfest.com
Note: There is no free admission for seniors at the Maryland Renaissance Faire this year. The festival changed its ticketing structure for its 50th anniversary season and eliminated the free Labor Day Monday Senior Citizen discount. Also, all tickets must be purchased online. There will be no ticket sales onsite at the gate.
DC State Fair 2026 – Sunday, Sept. 6 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Anthem Row (800 K St., NW), Washington DC
www.dcstatefair.org
The annual DC State Fair is a celebration of the District’s agricultural, culinary and artistic talents.
The Maryland State Fair – Sept. 3-7 & Sept. 10-13
Maryland State Fairgrounds
Timonium, MD
https://marylandstatefair.com
Adams Morgan Day – Sunday, Sept. 13. 12:00PM – 6:00PM
18th St., NW
Washington, DC
www.admoday.com
The longest running neighborhood festival in the District. 18th Street comes alive with music, dance, food vendors and community.
The Great Frederick Fair – Sept. 18-26
Frederick Fairgrounds
Frederick, MD
https://thegreatfrederickfair.com
H Street Festival – Sept. 19 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
H Street NE, 3rd – 15th
https://www.hstreetfestival.org
Leesburg Airshow – Sept. 26 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Leesburg Executive Airport
1001 Sycolin Rd., SE
Leesburg, VA
Free Admission
https://www.leesburgva.gov
Aerobatic performances begin at 1:00. The event features Scott Francis Airshows, Warbird Thunder Airshows, Flying Circus, Jersey Jerks, classic military aircraft, parachute exhibitions, food, activities and much more.
Delmarva Birding Weekends
https://delmarvabirding.com
Birding Enthusiasts: Many of the events are sold out, but you can subscribe to their newsletter for early notification of tours or browse the website for personal trip ideas.
Free Entrance to National Parks on Constitution Day – Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026
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