Kennedy Center
National cultural center of the United States
About
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, commonly known as the Kennedy Center, is a cultural center located on the eastern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. It is considered the national cultural center of the United States, serving as a "living memorial" to John F. Kennedy. The center opened on September 8, 1971, and hosts many genres of performance art, spanning theater, ballet, modern dance, classical music, jazz, pop, psychedelic, and folk music. The Kennedy Center is the residence of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Authorized by the National Cultural Center Act of 1958, which requires that its programming be sustained through private funds, the center represents a public–private partnership. Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, almost entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. The center receives annual federal funding to cover building maintenance and operations.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
March on Washington
1963 civil rights movement demonstration
0.6 mi away
Watergate complex
Group of six buildings in Washington D.C., U.S.
0.2 mi away
Washington Harbour
Mixed-use in Washington, D.C., U.S.
0.5 mi away
United States Department of State
Executive department of the U.S. federal government
0.4 mi away
Arlington Memorial Bridge
Bridge in Washington, D.C.
0.6 mi away
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
US national memorial in Washington, D.C.
0.6 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
Finding places to eat…
Traveler reviews
Tickets & tours
Tickets and tours for Kennedy Center
We may earn a commission from some of these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Photos from Unsplash, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA); facts from Wikipedia; maps © OpenStreetMap contributors, weather from Open-Meteo. Huginn’s tips are AI-written — check prices, hours and entry rules before you go.