National Gallery Nights — Gratitude

Culture & Conversation: National Gallery Nights — Gratitude

Thursday\, November 12\, 2026 | 6–9 PM
Location: National Gallery of Art, East Building
4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Cost: Free admission, but passes are required.
Join us for a special evening at the National Gallery of Art as its popular National Gallery Nights series celebrates art, creativity, community, and gratitude!
For one evening, the museum's beautiful East Building transforms into a lively after-hours gathering, with art, music, hands-on activities, and opportunities to connect with fellow art lovers.
The November theme is Gratitude, a celebration of the people, experiences, and moments that enrich our lives.
What's happening:

Explore the National Gallery's remarkable art collections after hours.
Create small tokens of appreciation for people in your life.
Contribute to a communal mosaic celebrating what we're thankful for.
Enjoy creative poetry activities in the galleries.
Dance to music from DJ Chan Don.
Enjoy food, wine, cocktails, and other refreshments available for purchase.

Come enjoy a wonderful evening of art and conversation in one of Washington's most beautiful cultural settings. Whether you're a regular museum visitor or simply enjoy discovering interesting places, this promises to be a fun evening!

Important: Free Ticket Lottery

This is a very popular event, and admission is not guaranteed.
Option 1 — Enter the lottery
The lottery closes TODAY, Thursday, November 5, at 12:00 noon ET.
Enter here:
https://www.nga.gov/calendar/national-gallery-nights/national-gallery-nights-gratitude?evd=202611122300
Lottery participants will be notified on Friday, November 6, whether they've been selected for registration. Each selected participant can reserve up to two free passes.
Option 2 — Try for admission on the day
If you miss the lottery or aren't selected, a limited number of complimentary walk-up passes will be distributed at the East Building entrance on Thursday, November 12, beginning at 5:30 PM.
These passes are first-come, first-served and are not guaranteed. Arriving early is recommended.

Meetup arrangements

We'll plan to gather inside the East Building at 6 PM for those who secure admission.
Please obtain your own pass through the lottery or the walk-up option. RSVPing on Meetup does not provide museum admission.
Because this event uses a lottery and limited walk-up passes, some members may not be able to attend. Please update your Meetup RSVP once you know whether you've secured admission.
We look forward to an evening of art, discovery, and conversation!