Night at the Museum: National Gallery of Art transforming for special happy hour events this fall

The National Gallery of Art’s East Building is transforming after hours for special happy hour events happening this season.

Once a month this fall, the museum will stay open past closing time to offer guests food, drinks, live performances, art making experiences and much more.

WTOP’s Matt Kaufax went out to September’s NGA event, a Hip Hop Block Party, to celebrate 50 years of the genre.

October’s theme will be Nightmare at the Museum, where the Gallery will be offering a free screening of “Ghostbusters” outside in the Fourth Street Plaza. Tickets to get inside the museum for these events are given out based on a lottery system. You can register at the National Gallery of Art’s website.

Registration for October’s event begins on Monday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. The outdoor portion of October’s event will be free to anyone, even if you don’t have a ticket.

If you are thinking about heading to NGA Nights, check out what you can expect in Kaufax’s exclusive video tour, where D.C.-area residents of all ages can have a blast, dance the night away and embrace their inner creative.

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The National Gallery of Art’s East Building is transforming after hours for special happy hour events happening this season. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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September’s theme was the “Hip Hop Block Party” to honor 50 years of the genre. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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Guests can enjoy a special evening in the museum after hours with food, music and live performances. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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“I would say that this is what makes D.C. cooler than other cities in the U.S.,” said one eventgoer. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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Parents can bring their kids along to participate in activities like arts and crafts: “Hopefully they enjoy it so much, they go to sleep on time,” said one parent. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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“Everybody can come out, enjoy themselves, you know, listen to some good music by some dope DJs that they have here,” said one eventgoer. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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Tickets to get inside the museum for these events are based on a lottery system. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

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October’s theme will be Nightmare at the Museum, where the Gallery will be offering a free screening of “Ghostbusters” outside in the Fourth Street Plaza. (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

Matt Kaufax

If there's an off-the-beaten-path type of attraction, person, or phenomenon in the DC area that you think more people should know about, Matt is your guy. As the features reporter for WTOP, he's always on the hunt for stories that provide a unique local flavor—a slice of life if you will.