Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday: 4 July 2026

Virginia

From the establishment of Jamestown by the Virginia Company of London to its role in the American Revolution, Virginia has been at the forefront of key moments in US history. Explore Virginia’s Historic Triangle, starting at the first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown, to examine the struggles of early colonists and Native Americans. Yorktown Battlefield recounts the Revolutionary War’s final battle with preserved trenches and exhibitions. In Colonial Williamsburg, watch re-enactments of 18th-century life and tour restored buildings like the Governor’s Palace.

Presidential homes offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of the country’s first leaders. Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, features his gardens, outbuildings and final resting place. Monticello reveals Thomas Jefferson’s architectural ingenuity and eclectic interests, as well as the stories of the 600-plus enslaved people who worked on the property, while Montpelier chronicles the life of “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison.

Throughout Virginia, major signature events are taking place highlighting the history leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, from milestone anniversaries of the United States Armed Forces to the 2026 Fourth of July Celebration in Colonial Williamsburg. 

In June 2026, Norfolk, Hampton Roads and Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay region will welcome an international fleet of tall ships, military vessels and character ships to commemorate the US 250th anniversary. This milestone maritime festival — Sail250® Virginia — will include more than 60 ships from 20 countries, bringing 7,000 visiting sailors, officers and dignitaries to Virginia’s shores.

Bonus: Explore the 300-mile (483-km) Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail, to learn about the state’s bluegrass roots at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and other sites.

See how Virginia celebrates a big birthday

Maryland

Maryland played a pivotal role in shaping the nation, which you can explore at historic sites across the state. Fort McHenry in Baltimore was crucial in defending the city during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem.

Follow the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to retrace the voyages of the early English explorer who mapped the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Along the trail, visit sites like Patuxent River Park to learn about the culture and history of Maryland’s Indigenous peoples at a replica village and an annual festival. Then, wander amongst reconstructed colonial buildings and interact with interpreters in period dress at Historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first capital. Further north on the bay, visit museums and a lighthouse in Havre de Grace — which was one vote shy of being the nation’s capital.

Bonus: Unearth 200 years of stories at Riversdale House Museum, a former 19th-century plantation. Learn about the lives of the enslaved people who worked the property, like Adam Francis Plummer, and the enduring legacies of its resident families.

Learn more about America's 250th birthday in Maryland

Washington, DC

Since its founding in 1790, Washington, DC has been home to pivotal moments throughout history. In honour of the US’s 250^th anniversary in 2026, the city will see year-round new and exciting developments, events and exhibitions against the backdrop of its iconic landmarks.

Flanked by the towering Washington Monument and the US Capitol Building, the National Mall will host a larger-than-ever Fourth of July celebration with a historical re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence, musical performers and a parade, all culminating in a spectacular fireworks show. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy the Mall’s America 250 Signature Series, boasting a wide variety of events like balls and concerts.

New groundbreaking attractions include the opening of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration and the completion of renovations at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The 51 Steps to Freedom Trail will utilise augmented reality to explore the hidden histories of legendary figures like Frederick Douglass, Duke Ellington and Rosa Parks. And the Lincoln Memorial will open a new immersive museum showcasing how it became the nation's foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations.

Themed exhibitions at existing venues abound as the Emancipation Proclamation and 19th Amendment (which removed restrictions for women to vote) join the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights at the National Archives. Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution at the Library of Congress will compare George Washington and King George III during the American Revolution, while the Kennedy Center will explore American stories with the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. 

Bonus: Explore America’s Prohibition Era with visits to speakeasies like Code Red — whose menu features 1920s cocktails — and Off the Record, a popular spot for the city’s political elite.

Find happenings in Washington, DC

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