Museums in Dresden include the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden (State Art Collections) with important art collections across 12 museums, including the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Gallery), the Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault), the Galerie Neue Meister (New Masters Gallery), the Rüstkammer (Armoury) with the Turkish Chamber, and the Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden (Museum of Ethnology).

The Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte (State Museum of Prehistory), The Staatliche Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden (State Collection of Natural History), The Universitätssammlung Kunst + Technik (Collection of Art and Technology of the Dresden University of Technology), The Dresden City Museum with a focus on the city's history, and The book museum of the Saxon State Library with the Dresden Codex, are others.

The Botanischer Garten Dresden, a botanical garden maintained by the Dresden University of Technology, is in Großer Gartenn - also home to the Dresden Zoo.

The 1985 reconstruction of the Saxon State Opera, or Semperoper, took 40 years to complete after the bombings of WWII. Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, concerts and Semperoper Ballet performances take place here.

The Dresden State Theatre or Staatsschauspiel Dresden, runs a number of small theaters and The Dresden State Operetta is home to Germany's only independent operetta.

The best-known of several choirs in Dresden is the Dresdner Kreuzchor (Choir of The Holy Cross) boys' choir, founded in the 13th century, made up by students of the Kreuzschule. Another choir, The Dresdner Kapellknaben originated at the former Hofkapelle, the Catholic cathedral.

The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra gives concerts at a number of venues, including the Albertinum, the Schauspielhaus, the Frauenkirche, the Kreuzkirche and the Schloss Albrechtsberg.

Throughout the summer, the outdoor "Zwingerkonzerte und Mehr" concert series is held in the Zwingerhof, with music and dance performances. A big annual June event, the Bunte Republik Neustadt culture festival lasts 3 days in Neustadt, with free live street concerts live concerts, food and refreshments.