As summer begins to wane, the National Gallery of Art is looking ahead to the much-anticipated return of National Gallery Nights, an event series taking place from 6 to 9 PM on the second Thursday of each month. In addition to viewing the gallery’s regular and special exhibitions, attendees can enjoy music, dancing, drinks, gelato, and art-making actives.
To get a ticket, you’ll have to enter a lottery that takes place the week before each event. If you’re not successful, don’t give up hope—there will be first-come, first-serve tickets available at the gallery’s East Building starting at 5:30 PM on the nights of the events.
Here’s what the National Gallery has planned:
Thursday, September 10: American Icons
Lottery opens: Monday, August 31, 10:00 AM
Lottery closes: Thursday, September 3, noon
Feature exhibition American Icon: The US Flag in Art will display artistic reimaginings of the American flag. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite American icon—or just go red, white, and blue—and DJ RBI will be spinning hip hop tunes for the dance floor.
Thursday, October 8: Monster Mash
Lottery opens: Monday, September 28, 10:00 AM
Lottery closes: Thursday, October 1, noon
For this Halloween-themed celebration of all things freaky and ghoulish, the Gallery asks attendees to come in costume for viewing of its “eeriest artwork.” Of course, there will still be plenty of opportunities to party. Local funk-pop band Oh He Dead will perform, and you’ll have the chance to “make your own creepy creation to take home.” Note: Full-face masks and costume accoutrements bigger than 17″ × 26″ are not allowed.
Thursday, September 10: Gratitude
Lottery opens: Monday, November 2, 10:00 AM
Lottery closes: Thursday, November 5, noon
Just in time for Thanksgiving is a craft and poetry-making event centered on gratitude. The collective effort of the event’s attendees will result in a “communal mosaic” of things we’re all thankful for, including music from DJ Chan Don.
