The National Geographic Museum of Exploration Announces Inaugural Programming Season

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2026) — This summer, the spirit of exploration can be found in the heart of Washington, D.C., as the National Geographic Museum of Exploration unveils its schedule of new public programming. The museum will celebrate its grand opening weekend from June 26–28 with a dynamic, three-day festival, followed by a season of programming firsts, including enthralling series, concerts and activities that highlight the sense of wonder embodied in the museum.

Guests visiting the museum during its grand opening will experience music and dance performances highlighting cultures from around the world, pop-up talks and conversations elevating the work and journeys of National Geographic Explorers, and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Additionally, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, programming will explore the people, places and stories that have shaped the United States since the nation’s founding.

A highlight of the summer season will be the “Red, White & Blue: Photographs of the United States” exhibition, which showcases visual storytelling through the work of legendary National Geographic photographers like Ronan Donovan, Katie Orlinsky and David Doubilet. This exhibition invites visitors to see America through a vibrant new lens — a journey where color speaks louder than words, amplifying landscapes, histories and everyday stories that shape our nation. To commemorate the debut of this exhibition, a ticketed celebration featuring photographers represented in the gallery, along with a commissioned live performance, will take place on Friday, July 10. The exhibition will be on display until January 2027.

The museum’s America 250 programming aligns with the National Geographic Society's year-long initiative to honor our country's living icons — species, landscapes and communities that constitute the American experience. By focusing on photography and the impact of national parks on our nation’s landscape, we celebrate these protected spaces as enduring living icons, as well as people and communities whose stewardship and contributions continue to shape them. In July, we will feature a lineup of national park-themed events, including a parks-themed scavenger hunt through the museum and the return of Nat Geo Nights, which invites guests to join us for trivia, lectures, Explorer talks, performances and hands-on activities for all. Tickets for Nat Geo Nights include admission to select exhibitions aligned with each event’s theme.

"We are thrilled to welcome everyone to D.C.’s newest cultural institution: a place where science, exploration, education and storytelling ignite the spark of discovery in ways you can only find at National Geographic," said Emily Dunham, chief campus and experiences officer at the National Geographic Society. "We’ve designed this experience so that every visitor who walks through our doors leaves feeling inspired about our extraordinary world."

The museum is also an official Programming Partner of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, the Society is a committee member of DC250 and a collaborator with Destination DC, Events DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and the Trust for the National Mall.

Other noteworthy, must-see series debuting at the Museum of Exploration:

Explore a vibrant calendar of events, from captivating seasonal changes to beloved recurring programs, all designed to enhance the museum experience. While most offerings are freely included with general admission, some premium experiences require an additional ticket.

Complimentary programs included with admission:

• Courtyard Farmstand: This market is open to the public on Tuesday mornings, featuring fresh, locally grown produce and regional growers.
• From The Archives Screening: This weekly archival series presents rare films and classic television specials that cover history, science and the spirit of exploration.
• Pop-Up Talks: These short, enriching talks offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from Explorers on their objects and stories on display in the museum, allowing you to engage with their work in real time.
• MOEments: Brief, behind-the-scenes talks that highlight the collaborative expertise powering the Society’s global mission.

Advance registration or a separate ticket is required for:

• Coffee with an Explorer: Intimate, small-group meet-and-greets with Explorers to hear stories from their on-the-ground experiences around the world.
• Drinks with an Explorer: A live series where featured Explorers will share their journey, from their earliest spark moments to the global impact of their fieldwork, alongside a specially curated, signature drink inspired by the featured speaker.
• Concerts in the Courtyard: Live music performances that reflect the rhythms, sounds and traditions of worldwide cultures on Friday evenings.
• Trivia Nights: This weekly Wednesday evening series, hosted in collaboration with Sporcle, Inc., features two trivia games, each with four categories: two general knowledge rounds and two National Geographic-themed rounds.

Tickets to the museum’s summer programming events are available here.

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