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 Book Club:
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Folger Book Club:
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Folger Book Club:
Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Our February 2025 book club tells a story of a long-lost opera and shocking secret.
Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 6:30pm
Family Workshop: Shakespeare and Me
Family Workshop: Shakespeare and Me
Join the Folger and look at different ways Shakespeare's characters showed off who they are. Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, Feb 8, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
Workshop and Community Read: "Sweet Blood" with Camille Simone Thomas
Workshop and Community Read: "Sweet Blood" with Camille Simone Thomas
Join Whose Democracy? Artist Fellow Camille Simone Thomas for a workshop and community read of her speculative historical fiction play "Sweet Blood," set in 1727 Jamaica.
Sat, Feb 08, 2025 at 3:30pm
Early Music Seminar: The Love Birds
Early Music Seminar: The Love Birds
Folger Consort Artistic Director Robert Eisenstein leads a lively seminar that offers a sneak peek at the music performed in the Folger Consort’s upcoming "The Love Birds: Chaucer’s A Parlement of Foules."
Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 6pm ET
The Love Birds
The Love Birds
Folger Consort intersperses readings from 14th-century poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s A Parlement of Foules with medieval music and a world-premiere composition by acclaimed composer and Guggenheim Fellow Juri Seo, capturing the wit and charm of Chaucer's avian world through music.
Fri, Feb 14 – Sun, Feb 16, 2025
Folger Salon with Alex Baines, Rob Clines, and Anandi Rao
Folger Salon with Alex Baines, Rob Clines, and Anandi Rao
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, Feb 20, 2025 at 4:30pm
How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition
How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition
Social climbing was a competitive sport in Tudor England, requiring a complex range of skills, strategies, and techniques. This exhibition explores what it takes to become an early modern mover and shaker.
Opens Fri, Feb 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
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: Shakespeare and Me
Family Workshop: Shakespeare and Me
Join the Folger and look at different ways Shakespeare's characters showed off who they are. Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, Feb 8, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
Family Workshop: The Art of the Shakespearean Power Player
Family Workshop: The Art of the Shakespearean Power Player
Dive into themes from our temporary exhibition, “How to Be A Power Player: Tudor Edition,” and connect them to Shakespeare’s words. Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
DIY at the Folger: Miniatures
DIY at the Folger: Miniatures
Make your own self-portrait, fit for the Tudor court! This free activity is inspired by the miniatures on display in the temporary exhibition, “How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition."
Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 11:30am
Family Workshop: A Power Player Spectacle
Family Workshop: A Power Player Spectacle
Join the Folger as we use our how-to guide to power playing and the words of Shakespeare to create our own spectacular production! Choose from two free workshops for ages 5-7 and ages 8-11.
Sat, May 3, 2025 at 11:30am & 1pm
DIY at the Folger: The Tudor Ruff
DIY at the Folger: The Tudor Ruff
Create and model the fashionable accessory that is the ruff! Join us for this free activity inspired by our temporary exhibition, “How to Be a Power Player: Tudor Edition."
Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 11:30am
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 readings from 14th-century poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s A Parlement of Foules with medieval music and a world-premiere composition by acclaimed composer and Guggenheim Fellow Juri Seo, capturing the wit and charm of Chaucer's avian world through music.
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 soon. 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.
