Ford's Theatre in downtown Washington DC holds sensory-friendly performances: A Christmas Carol on Sunday, November 22, 2026 and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Saturday, April 24, 2027, both at 2 pm. House lights stay on low, sound levels are adjusted, you can move around or take a break, quiet spaces are set up in the museum and lobby, and sensory kits with headphones are there to borrow while they last.
Sensory-friendly performances: A Christmas Carol, Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2 pm; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Saturday, April 24, 2027 at 2 pm. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the performance. The museum, below the historic theatre, opens one hour before performance time. Daytime historic site visits have timed entry every half hour from 9 am to 4:30 pm, seven days a week; the visit schedule varies from week to week, so check the Ford's calendar.
“Quiet spaces will be available in the museum (downstairs) and the lobby.”
“You may take as many breaks as you need, and can return to the theatre whenever you are ready.”
“Sensory kits include sensory toys (fidget spinners, plush toys) and noise canceling headphones.”
For A Christmas Carol, Ford's posts a Know Before You Go guide and a Behind the Scenes guide with photos of the stage magic, linked from the show page. A general pre-visit story and sensory maps of the lobby, museum, balcony and Aftermath Exhibits are on the accessibility page.
To borrow a sensory kit, speak to a Box Office Associate when you arrive. For questions or to request accommodations in advance, email access@fords.org or call 202-347-4833.
The restrooms in the main lobby are automatic; the restrooms in the museum and balcony have manual flush. Infant changing tables are in the main lobby.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Ford's Theatre
Louder, in Ford's words
Restrooms in the main lobby (automatic flush and fixtures; the automatic toilets may be loud)not stated
Quieter, in Ford's words
Quiet spaces in the museum (downstairs) and the lobby, at sensory-friendly performancesquiet zone
Ticket policies: no refunds, and a valid form of ID is needed to pick up tickets held at the Box Office. Ford's Theatre members get ticket discounts.
Ages: each performance has its own age recommendation, and no one under 5 is admitted to mainstage performances. All patrons need a ticket, whatever their age. Booster and car seats are not allowed in the theatre.
Bags and food: there is no coat check, and luggage and oversized bags are not permitted on site. No food inside the theatre; concessions are sold at the gift shop, and only bottled water is allowed in the museum and historic theatre.
Getting around inside: an elevator in the main lobby goes to the museum (Floor 1), the lobby and orchestra (Floor 2) and the balcony (Floor 3). There are 8 or 9 steps down the orchestra aisles and 13 or 14 down the balcony aisles, with no handrails. Accessible seating is in rear orchestra Row O and rear balcony Row H, and courtesy wheelchairs are available at no charge, first come, first served.
Late arrivals are seated at the house manager's discretion, and monitors in the lobby show the stage while you wait.
Parking: the garage on 10th Street NW just south of F Street has an elevator to the lobby. Weekend parking there is a flat $22.70. Ford's does not validate parking. Metro: Metro Center (11th and G Streets exit) is a 3-minute walk; Gallery Place/Chinatown (Gallery Place exit) is a 5-minute walk.
Your performance ticket also lets you visit the Petersen House before 4:30 pm on the date printed on the ticket. The museum and Aftermath Exhibits have dark, low lighting, videos with sound, and artifacts about death and violence, including weapons.
Email
access@fords.orgAccessibility questions and accommodation requests
