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Venues & Destinations
Washington, DC Center Stage for America's 250th in 2026
1/28/2025
WASHINGTON, DC – In 2026, as the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the milestone will be celebrated on stages across America. But nowhere will the celebration be more spectacular than in the nation’s capital. Washington, DC, with its international symbols of American independence, rich history and local culture, will serve as center stage for America’s grand national celebration.
Destination DC and a growing list of more than 70 participating organizations from the local tourism and hospitality community announced plans for a year-round celebration in 2026 on the National Mall and throughout the city’s cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. A launch event was held in the Rotunda Galleries of the National Archives Museum, the only place to see the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s founding documents. A new website, DC250.us, serves as a central source of information for potential visitors.
“As an economic development organization, our job is to grow visitation to Washington, DC to benefit residents and local businesses,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “The collective strength of the partners working together will draw visitors all year. No other city offers so many cultural experiences, many of them free. Visitors and residents alike can discover American history and appreciate DC’s local cultural identity at museums, theaters, public art institutions, restaurants, hotels, exciting sports and special events and more.”
The inclusive celebration will extend from the National Mall to the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, places and people.
“Washington, DC is America’s front door, and we look forward to hosting the biggest and best semiquincentennial celebration in the country,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We know that there is no place in the world that tells the story of America better than Washington, DC. So, our message to fellow Americans is this: Start planning your trips to DC now – we can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
July 4, 2026, will be accentuated by fireworks, a grand parade, a two-day celebration on Pennsylvania Avenue and a month-long festival on the National Mall. From pertinent exhibitions to major openings, however, the city’s commemoration will take place all year. A full list of only-in-DC experiences and expanded events offers reasons to visit throughout 2026.
The National Archives plans to offer exciting programming, including its Road to Revolution exhibit and a Spirit of Independence Festival in early June 2026 on Constitution Avenue. The Archives will also add new encasements to the Rotunda to permanently display the 19th Amendment (which removed restrictions for women to vote) and the Emancipation Proclamation.
“We hope every American will come through our doors and visit our nation’s founding documents,” said Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan. “As the home of the Declaration of Independence, we invite you to celebrate the spirit of equality and liberty this fundamental record represents. Our programming will bring Americans of all ages together to reflect on 250 years of our nation’s journey toward a more perfect union. To learn more about our nation’s first records and all the documents we hold for all Americans, visit archives.gov.”
Washington, DC will also offer ways to discover the impact of the Declaration of Independence on Americans from all cultures. The National Museum of American History is just one of the institutions that will offer special exhibitions celebrating democracy and civics, with historic artifacts on view. The National Museum of African American History and Culture will honor and celebrate the profound role and enduring contributions of African Americans in shaping the U.S. through inspiring special exhibitions, engaging programs and new publications. The National Museum of the American Indian plans to examine the impact of the nation’s formation on Native peoples. Viewing this historic moment through various lenses is an experience that differentiates the offerings of Washington, DC.
“Few places tell America’s story as vividly as Washington, DC, and the semiquincentennial gives the Smithsonian the opportunity to honor 250 years of our nation’s history in the nation’s capital,” said Lisa Sasaki, Deputy Under Secretary for Special Projects at the Smithsonian. “With over 155 million objects in our collections, we are excited to share with residents and visitors the artifacts, narratives, milestones and perspectives that will continue to shape America for the next 250 years.”
In 2026, the National Mall will feature updates including new exhibits at the Jefferson Memorial, an innovative museum opening underneath the Lincoln Memorial and an improved Tidal Basin with more resilient infrastructure, wider walkways and freshly planted cherry trees.
The 2026 calendar is brimming with opportunities to experience the story of the nation through seasonal festivals and activations. The 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival will reflect the spirit of America; summer’s Smithsonian 250th Festival will reflect the nation’s cultural landscape; and Trust for the National Mall’s “Beyond Granite,” an art exhibition contemplating the ideals of the Declaration, will return in fall 2026. The new “National Mall Gateway” will bring the National Mall to life, helping visitors plan their trip and connect to history.
The city’s theater community will offer themed programming, including a series of initiatives and free performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts designed to lift American voices. The Center’s programming, titled “The Promise of Us,” will empower artists who speak to the promise of the country around three pillars: Sounds of US, Stories of US and Future of US.
Additional anticipated openings in 2026 include the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, expansion of the National Air and Space Museum, the largest renovation in the 50-year history of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and a new concourse at Dulles International Airport.
The District welcomed a record-breaking 25.95 million total visitors in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. The data underscores the importance of increased tourism to the city’s economy. The new benchmark resulted in a record $10.2 billion in visitor spending, $2.065 billion in tax revenue and supported a record 102,366 local jobs, according to MMGY Travel Intelligence, S&P Global Market Intelligence, the National Travel & Tourism Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Data for 2024 travel is expected to be released in May 2025.
While it’s difficult to estimate economic impact over the course of 2026, local hotels, restaurants and businesses are expected to benefit from an influx of visitors. Destination DC is promoting the year-long celebration throughout its domestic and international advertising, creative, editorial, content and messaging. Hotel packages, to be announced, will entice travelers to stay overnight and explore.
Major Events in 2026:
Additions will be announced on a rolling basis as they are finalized. DC250.us.
- America’s Presidents – National Portrait Gallery, ongoing
- The nation’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House, telling the American story through the individuals who have shaped it.
- Road to Revolution – National Archives, through Aug. 6, 2026
- This rotating exhibition series showcases original documents in the Rotunda Gallery, telling stories from the creation of the Declaration of Independence and founding era. Learn how the journey from colonial resistance to American independence was not composed of a single narrative, but many intersecting (and sometimes diverging) paths.
- Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence – DAR Museum, March 2025-January 2026
- Highlighting the creations, contributions and legacies of African Americans as they fought for freedom during the midst of the American Revolution and beyond.
- 14 Special Exhibitions and Installations – National Gallery of Art, August 2025-January 2027
- The National Gallery of Art will commemorate 250 years of America with a wide-ranging program encompassing 14 special installations and exhibitions that grapple with ideas at the heart of American stories – including concepts of freedom, nationhood, identity and icons – vividly told through art. Details to be announced soon.
- Coming Together – National Building Museum, fall 2025-
- Programs, activations and an exhibition all about the past, present and future of American Cities. The Coming Together exhibition explores how American cities are reimagining and reshaping their downtown districts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Amy Sherald: American Sublime – National Portrait Gallery, Sept. 19, 2025- Feb. 22, 2026
- The artist’s first major museum survey. New and rarely seen work from 2007 to the present will be joined by the now iconic paintings of former First Lady Michelle Obama (2018) and Breonna Taylor (2020).
- The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today – National Portrait Gallery, Oct. 18, 2025- Aug. 30, 2026
- A juried selection of 35 portraits by 36 artists from the museum’s seventh Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Held every three years, the competition has accelerated the careers of nearly 300 contemporary artists working in portraiture today. The upcoming exhibition will spotlight artist contributions from 14 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
- 51 Steps to Freedom Trail – Citywide, throughout 2026
- An unforgettable opportunity to engage with the nation's ongoing journey toward freedom and equality. Through cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR), you’ll explore DC's hidden histories, from pivotal events to legendary figures. This trail offers a fresh look at the history that shaped the nation. From Frederick Douglass to Duke Ellington and Mrs. Rosa Parks, the trail brings these figures and many others to life.
- The Promise of Us – Kennedy Center, throughout 2026
- Across campus in 2026, the Kennedy Center will celebrate American choreographers, explore American stories through a cycle of works from Washington National Opera, welcome back Hamilton and uplift the American musical theater tradition, and commission new works by American composers across all musical genres for the National Symphony Orchestra. Additional ongoing programming includes:
- A Song for Us: A new choral piece will be commissioned to capture the spirit of the promise, encouraging widespread participation and culminating in a grand community sing.
- National Scrollathon Exhibition – Kennedy Center, May 26-Sept. 7, 2026
- Bringing together the communal art-making effort of more than 250,000 participants from all over the United States, artists Steven and William Ladd will assemble an encompassing visual art installation to reveal the American story in all its beautiful complexity. Participants will share one word that expresses their hopes and dreams for America, and the words will be brought together into a text-based artwork across the Kennedy Center campus.
- Sounds of US at the REACH: Artists will be invited to curate free events and activations in response to the question, “what does America sound like?”
- Our Nation on the Millennium Stage: The series of free performances will lift American voices by featuring artists, companies, independent filmmakers and writers from all 50 states, DC and the U.S. territories.
- Kennedy Center Arts Hackathon: Designed to harness the early career potential of artists and technologists as culture changemakers, the Arts Hackathon is a two-day event preceded by preparatory online workshops, concluding with final presentations, judging, awards and a gala.
- Portraits of US: The public is invited to submit an artistic self-portrait to be part of a virtual wall of faces expressing the myriad diversity of America’s peoples and the promise of America’s future. This ever-expanding mosaic will be featured on the Center’s website and social channels.
- National Mall 250: Our Monumental Moment – National Mall, throughout 2026 and beyond
- The National Mall Gateway: Experience a new digital and on-site program and platform that invites visitors to curate tours, learn civics, dive into history, discover hidden stories and experience the National Mall like never before as the nation’s greatest living history classroom.
- National Mall 250 Expanded Volunteer Corps: Helping National Park Rangers welcome visitors at sites across the National Mall.
- Once-in-a-Lifetime National Mall 250 Commemorative Events and Programming: Check out the growing roster of special events on America’s Front Yard celebrating our nation’s history, the National Mall and its vibrant future as the place where history lives...on.
- Community Engagement Space – National Gallery of Art, throughout 2026
- Launching with a day of service on January 17, 2026 – the Saturday of Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend – the National Gallery will host a community engagement space dedicated to exploring the intersection of art and civic engagement. Located in the former Art Information Room adjacent to the West Building Rotunda, this reimagined space will play host to drop-in art making facilitated by partner artists and community groups, guest talks and community meetings. All visitors are welcome to create art and reflect during general operating hours.
- Language & Liberty: Words that Shaped America – Planet Word Museum, throughout 2026
- Join Planet Word for a year-long journey through the powerful and evolving language of American liberty. From “Give me liberty or give me death” to “Yankee Doodle;” from “Ask not what your country can do for you” to “Black Lives Matter,” words have given voice to the spirit, priorities and struggles of Americans in every generation since the nation’s founding. Through a compelling series of monthly programs, explore how slogans, speeches, lyrics and more have shaped and reflected the American story.
- Presidents’ Day – Citywide, Feb. 16, 2026
- The nation's capital presents unique ways to engage with the history and legacy of U.S. leaders. The National Park Service also plans expanded programming for George Washington’s birthday.
- American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project - Rorschach Theatre, March-August 2026
- Explore the physical and psychological landscape that defines a nation in the Theatre’s latest immersive, self-guided experience. Each month, participants receive a map and instructions to travel to a curated location in the DC area. They’ll also receive a box of artifacts to engage all five senses while exploring each site with story elements such as letters, music, souvenirs or photos. Each monthly box reveals a new location and a new chapter in the ongoing story.
- 19th Amendment, Emancipation Proclamation – National Archives, March 2026-
- New encasements will be added to the Rotunda of the National Archives Building to permanently house the 19th Amendment (which removed restrictions for women to vote) and the Emancipation Proclamation alongside the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.
- In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness – National Museum of American History, March 2026-September 2026
- A bold, immersive exhibition exploring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Spanning three floors and 300,000 square feet, the exhibition will feature 250 significant objects, including the portable desk Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence. Another noteworthy artifact is the only surviving ship of the early U.S. Navy, the gunboat Philadelphia. This National Historic Landmark helped stall British forces and now will undergo an on-site conservation to preserve it for future generations.
- Revolution in their Words: How the Cause Became the Revolution – DAR Museum, March 2026-January 2027
- This exhibit will illustrate the inexorable movement from outrage to war, using documentary sources and artifacts to provide the context of the cause and how it irrevocably led to the War for Independence.
- Wendy Red Star: Whispering Spirit – National Portrait Gallery, March 6, 2026-Jan. 10, 2027
- Red Star will make all new work for the exhibition, inspired by research conducted in collections across several Smithsonian units and other institutions based in Washington, DC.
- National Cherry Blossom Festival – Citywide, March 20-April 12, 2026
- The blossoms aren't the only thing blooming – so is the spirit of America! Join visitors from around the world to commemorate our nation’s history while surrounded by the beauty of spring’s most iconic flowers. Celebrate the semiquincentennial at the nation’s greatest springtime celebration with art, culture and spectacular events as you witness the nation’s past and future unfold.
- National Mall 250 Signature Series – National Mall, May 2026
- America’s Semiquincentennial Ball for the Mall: Join the Trust for the National Mall to celebrate and support its mission and the Semiquincentennial in a grand tent on the National Mall, featuring its History, Heroes & Hope Awards, special guests and more.
- National Mall 250 Red, White & Blue Commemorative Concert: Special guest stars and performers will celebrate the Semiquincentennial under the monuments and beneath the stars on America’s Front Yard.
- National Mall 250 Civic Learning Forum: Join leaders in history and civics for a Semiquincentennial Forum – a look back on history and what lies ahead. Wigs, bonnets and tricorne hats optional.
- Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Photography – National Portrait Gallery, May 15, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
- Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the founding of its photographs collection, the exhibition will present more than 100 works, including the earliest known photograph of a U.S. First Lady and Alexander Gardner’s original “cracked-plate” portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
- Memorial Day Festivities – Citywide, May 23-25, 2026
- Salute active-duty military and veterans at the Rolling to Remember honor ride and patriotic concert (May 24) and America’s largest Memorial Day parade (May 25). The National Park Service also plans expanded programming
- Anticipated Opening – National Geographic Museum of Exploration, summer 2026
- The groundbreaking attraction will invite visitors to embark on thrilling expeditions, immersing guests in the excitement of exploration and discovery. Experience the world like never before through immersive exhibits and cutting-edge technologies that reveal the wildlife, landscapes, communities and cultures that make up our incredible planet.
- Spirit of Independence Festival – National Archives, June 5-7, 2026
- The 250th celebration starts at the National Archives with a three-day festival and tent at 701 Constitution Avenue NW. Activities will include musical performances, receptions, family-friendly events and activities for the whole family. More details to come.
- National Gallery Block Party – National Gallery of Art, weekend of June 6, 2026
- The National Gallery’s largest-ever public program, the entire campus will come alive with artmaking, food, music, film screenings and more.
- The Smithsonian 250th Festival – National Mall, June 18-July 12, 2026
- An expanded month-long Smithsonian Festival will transform the National Mall into a living testament to the country’s remarkable cultural heritage. The 2026 event will reflect the nation’s cultural landscape, challenge assumptions and illuminate America’s town square. Activities will highlight a wide range of communities, cultural practices, occupations and perspectives.
- Anticipated Opening – National Air and Space Museum, July 2026
- The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary with special events and initiatives throughout 2026. Tied to the anniversary, the museum intends to have its 8-year renovation of its flagship building on the National Mall completed and open the remaining galleries by July 1, 2026.
- Anticipated Opening – Immersive Museum beneath Lincoln Memorial, July 2026
- This project will create 15,000 square feet of exhibit space that tells a more complete story of the Lincoln Memorial and provides a look at the structure's foundations in a cavernous area known as the undercroft. New museum exhibits and multimedia presentations will highlight the construction history of the memorial and discuss how the Lincoln Memorial has become the nation's foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations.
- July 4th Spectacular on Penn Ave – Pennsylvania Avenue NW, July 3-4, 2026
- A two-day celebration on the legendary street that has served as a backdrop to some of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history will bring the city and nation together. Interactive and immersive art and cultural activities will invite participation and connection. Friday, July 3 is Arts & Culture Day; stunning light projections will transform iconic structures into vibrant canvases and large format “live” art exhibits will create a visually captivating atmosphere. Hands-on art projects inspired by local culture will allow visitors to express their creativity and celebrate the community’s spirit. Saturday, July 4 is Family Day; kick back and enjoy family-friendly activities and games.
- Fourth of July Celebration – National Mall, July 4, 2026
- Kick off the holiday by joining The National Archives for a historic reenactment of the Declaration of Independence. The event includes music performers, remarks from special guests, and concludes with the National Park Services’ National Independence Day Parade. In the evening, the National Park Service plans a spectacular fireworks show befitting the occasion.
- DC JazzFest – Citywide, Sept. 2-6, 2026
- It's all things jazz at the 2026 DC JazzFest, featuring rising stars and world-renowned artists at dozens of venues across all four quadrants of the city.
- Beyond Granite – National Mall, fall 2026
- Following the acclaimed inaugural exhibition in 2023, Trust for the National Mall, National Park Service and the National Capital Planning Commission are planning a transformative experience that will invite the public to commemorate and contemplate the ideals of the Declaration of Independence in contemporary society and what they mean for the future.
- Anticipated Opening – Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Revitalization, fall 2026
- The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, the only Smithsonian galleries embedded on (and in) the National Mall, will reopen with fanfare in the fall of 2026 after a three-year, mission-driven revitalization. The $68 million project is expected to increase visitation to the national museum of modern and contemporary art threefold. The 1.4-acre art park will reopen as the easiest to access American space for the presentation of outdoor sculpture, time-based artwork and performances, large-scale commissions, public education, special events and reflection.
- Past and Future Cities – National Building Museum, fall 2026-
- An exhibition tracing the nation's history through the development of its built urban environments.
- International Day of Peace – Citywide, Sept. 21, 2026
- The U.S. Institute of Peace plans to hold an open house.
- 10th Anniversary Celebrations – National Museum of African American History and Culture, Sept. 24, 2026
- Plans will be announced as details are finalized.
- Veterans Day – Citywide, Nov. 11
The National Park Service will host expanded programming. Plans will be announced as details are finalized.
Growing list of participating organizations:
51 Steps to Freedom, Adams Morgan Partnership BID, America250, American University, Anacostia Community Museum, Anderson House - The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, Big Bus Tours, Chalk Riot, Common Collective, Council of the District of Colombia, Councilmember Matt Frumin's Office, DAR Museum, DC History Center, DC Jazz Festival, DC Public Artists, DC Public Library, DowntownDC BID, Dumbarton House, Events DC, Executive Office of the Mayor, Gallaudet University, Georgetown BID, Georgetown Heritage, Government of the District of Colombia, Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, DC, Heurich House Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Holiday Inn Washington Capitol Hill - National Mall, Humanities Council of Washington DC, International Spy Museum, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Library of Congress, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Motion Picture Association, Museum of the Peace Corps Experience, National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives Foundation, National Archives Museum, National Building Museum, National Capital Planning Commission, National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Gallery of Art, National Geographic Museum of Exploration, National Museum of American Diplomacy, National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Park Service National Capital Region, Openbox, Planet Word Museum, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Rorschach Theatre, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian American Indian Museum, Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services, The 1882 Foundation, The People's House, Theatre Washington, Trust for the National Mall, Tudor Place, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington Nationals, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
About Destination DC
Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. www.washington.org.
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