What's on
There’s something for everyone. From theater and music, to poetry and exhibitions, experience the power of the arts with us.
Upcoming events
Join us for in-person and virtual events; theater, poetry, music, and more.
Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis
Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis
Explore Esther Inglis's life and work as an early modern influencer and as the first woman in Britain to preface her works with selfies, in this exhibition 400 years after her death.
Through Sun, Feb 9, 2025
Folger Salon with Shaul Bassi and Sylvia Korman
Folger Salon with Shaul Bassi and Sylvia Korman
Learn about research happening at the Folger in real time! Each month, Folger Institute scholar and artist fellows will share their most exciting finds and thought-provoking challenges, followed by casual open conversation.
Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 4:30pm
Author Talk and Reading: "The Girls of Godzilla, Illinois" with Jami Nakamura Lin
Author Talk and Reading: "The Girls of Godzilla, Illinois" with Jami Nakamura Lin
How do we live with the things that haunt us? Join us online for a virtual talk with Jami Nakamura Lin and a reading from her current book project, which sets folklore—from both Edo period Japan and early modern Europe—against a suburban Chicago community.
Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 6:30pm ET
Edmond Dédé and Morgiane
Edmond Dédé and Morgiane
Join us for a free talk exploring the music of Edmond Dédé (1827—1903) and his opera Morgiane. The manuscript of Morgiane, the first known opera by a Black American composer, is on display Jan 10 – Mar 2.
Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 6:30pm
Folger Friday: New Year Wellness Celebration
Folger Friday: New Year Wellness Celebration
For our next Folger Friday event, participate in beginner-level creative and physical experiences that focus on preparing our minds and bodies for a new year.
Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 5:30pm
Not Just Another Day Off 2025
On demand: Not Just Another Day Off
Each year, the Folger celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with poetry readings by contemporary poets and actors. This year’s virtual program includes "Declaration" by Tracy K. Smith, the Gettysburg Address, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" – the Black national anthem, and Dr. King’s August 1967 speech "Where Do We Go From Here?”.
Sat, Jan 18 – Tue, Jan 21, 2025
Shakespeare Exhibition
Our Shakespeare Exhibition
See the Folger First Folios, learn more about Shakespeare and his plays, and explore the complexities of his cultural legacy.
Ongoing
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
Dive into the fantasy world of Shakespeare and explore the world of fairies and wizards! Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, Jan 25, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
Shakespeare as a Starting Point: Shakespeare with Community | The Reading Room Festival
Shakespeare as a Starting Point: Shakespeare with Community
The annual festival kickoff explores the unexpected ways Shakespeare’s legacy has endured, and how engaging with theater-making enhances the relevance and value of Shakespeare in the everyday lives of people.
Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 6:30pm
The Reading Room Festival: Jan 30 – Feb 2
At Folger Theatre’s third annual festival, join artists, critics, and scholars to celebrate creative community and collaboratively explore the multifaceted nature of Shakespeare’s stories. Buy $20 tickets to individual events or purchase a Reading Room Festival All-Access Pass ($150) to attend all staged readings, panel discussions, workshops, and community celebrations.
Featured plays
Henry 6 | The Reading Room Festival
Henry 6
Artistic Director of San Diego's Old Globe Barry Edelstein shares selections and commentary on the process of creating Henry 6, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s rarely produced Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III.
Thu, Jan 30, 2025, 7:30pm
Valor, Agravio y Mujer (The Courage to Right a Woman's Wrongs) | The Reading Room Festival
Valor, Agravio y Mujer (The Courage to Right a Woman's Wrongs)
This play is a celebration of women’s agency, written by Shakespeare’s Spanish contemporary Ana Caro Mallén de Soto.
Fri, Jan 31, 2025, 8pm
By the Queen | The Reading Room Festival 2025
By the Queen
This dynamic new drama by Whitney White, lifted and remixed from the text of Henry VI and Richard III, finally gives Queen Margaret's story the telling it deserves.
Sat, Feb 1, 2025, 8pm
Hamlet: The Reading Room Festival 2025
Hamlet
Hamlet is a Black, Latinx prince in this bilingual reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, with text infused by the Spanish spoken in present-day New York City.
Sun, Feb 02, 2025, 4pm
Exhibition halls
Exhibitions
Explore our world-class collection and enjoy interactive experiences created for visitors of all ages and stages.
- Our Shakespeare Exhibition Hall is devoted to the works of William Shakespeare then and there, here and now — including for the first time a display of all 82 copies of the Folger’s First Folios; and
- In our Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall, you’ll discover exhibits of significant collection items that inspire the Folger’s work, deep dives into our vault, and special exhibitions.
Current exhibitions
Shakespeare Exhibition
Our Shakespeare Exhibition
See the Folger First Folios, learn more about Shakespeare and his plays, and explore the complexities of his cultural legacy.
Ongoing
Out of the Vault: Into the Heart of the Folger
Out of the Vault
Encounter remarkable books and manuscripts that connect with the multifaceted work of the Folger in this ongoing exhibition.
Ongoing
Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis
Little Books, Big Gifts: The Artistry of Esther Inglis
Explore Esther Inglis's life and work as an early modern influencer and as the first woman in Britain to preface her works with selfies, in this exhibition 400 years after her death.
Through Sun, Feb 9, 2025
Family Programs
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
Family Workshop: The Fantastical World of Shakespeare
Dive into the fantasy world of Shakespeare and explore the world of fairies and wizards! Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, Jan 25, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
Folger Theatre 2024-2025 Season
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
In a violent world, two young people from warring families fall in love. How can they safeguard their future when the systems meant to protect them fail?
Tue, Oct 1 – Sun, Nov 10, 2024
A Room in the Castle
A Room in the Castle
This retelling of Hamlet from the perspective of the women of the story offers up what it’s like to be on the other end of a wild prince’s antics while delivering a message of defiant hope.
Tue, Mar 4 – Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night
A playful interpretation of a beloved Shakespeare comedy that brings gender fluidity, mistaken identities, and what it means to move between worlds into a joyful discovery of love.
Tue, May 13 – Sun, Jun 22, 2025
Folger Consort 2024-2025 Season
Join us for these remaining concerts.
The Love Birds
The Love Birds
Folger Consort intersperses 14th-century poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s charming A Parlement of Foules with bracing and intricate music of his times from England and France, perfectly mirrored by new music from composer Juri Seo.
Fri, Feb 14 – Sun, Feb 16, 2025
Kings and Commonwealth
Kings and Commonwealth
Folger Consort performs music from the court of King James I and King Charles I that reflects the political and religious upheavals in early 17th century England, including political ballads of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
Fri, May 2 – Sun, May 4, 2025
Save the date: Folger Gala
Folger Gala 2025
Folger Gala
Save the date for the 2025 Folger Gala. Tickets and additional information coming in January 2025. The annual gala will be held at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Sat, Apr 26, 2025
O.B. Hardison Poetry 2024-2025 Season
Join us for these remaining readings.
Disability Poetics with Camisha Jones and torrin a. greathouse
Disability Poetics with Camisha Jones and torrin a. greathouse
Folger Poetry continues its exploration of 'Whose Democracy?' with readings by poets torrin a. greathouse and Camisha L. Jones whose present works probe the erasure of disabled voices.
Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 7:30pm
2025 Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize with Paul Muldoon and Julia Thacker
2025 Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize with Paul Muldoon and Julia Thacker
The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series and co-sponsor The Waywiser Press celebrate the 19th winner of the Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize with this year’s prize judge, acclaimed Irish poet, critic, playwright, and translator Paul Muldoon, who will read with the winning poet.
Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 7:30pm
The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Finale Reading Ellen Bass
The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Finale Reading Ellen Bass
Ellen Bass, chosen by a group of Folger Poetry supporters, will read from the work of other poets cited as a literary influence, as well as from her own work. A moderated conversation will follow the reading, with a bookselling and signing at the post-reading reception.
Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 7:30pm
Ticket information
Contact the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077 or folgerboxoffice@folger.edu.
