The number of local events may vary, but excitement is guaranteed!

Spring

• National Cherry Blossom Festival - March 20 through April 12, 2026
  • This year, come visit the 250 new Cherry Blossom trees to celebrate 250 years of U.S. history
• America's Ball for the Mall - May 7, 2026
  • This event will honor all 50 states, feature the Trust’s 2026 History, Heroes & Hope Awards and special guests, and celebrate the National Mall’s history

Summer

• National Gallery Block Party  - 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.
• Fireworks on the National Mall  - July 4, 2026
  • Attend this once-in-a-Semiquincentennial event!  

Through a partnership with 51 Steps to Freedom, Reagan National Airport proudly commemorates America's 250th anniversary, bringing our region's history and the nation's path to freedom to life for travelers and the community.

About: 51 Steps to Freedom is an educational history initiative that uses augmented reality to bring pivotal moments, places, and people from America's journey to independence to life - connecting national history to our local region. 

• The historic carousel on the National Mall will reopen to the public in spring 2026.
• The beloved annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival will expand into a larger celebration: Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, exploring festivals as a powerful tool of civic engagement and cultural exchange.
• The Smithsonian Castle will pause renovation to reopen to the public from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day in 2026. The space will feature a visitor’s center, café, shop, and a special exhibition titled, American Aspirations.
• Renovations at the National Air and Space Museum will be completed by July 1, 2026, in honor of the museum’s 50th anniversary.
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture will celebrate its tenth anniversary in September 2026, complete with a special block party celebration.
• The Hirshhorn Museum’s Sculpture Garden and Plaza revitalization will be complete and open to the public in October 2026.

For the latest information & programming, please visit the Smithsonian website. 

On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate a historic milestone: 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

There’s no better place to mark this moment than Washington, DC. The nation’s capital will come alive with commemorative programming across museums, cultural institutions, restaurants, and hotels, offering countless ways to be part of this once-in-a-generation celebration.

• Explore upcoming events
• Check out DC itineraries, must-see national attractions and travel tips for getting around the region.

Learn More

More of what made America happen, happened here in Virginia. During America's Semiquincentennial, Virginia is highlighting the contributions of all Virginians. From American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Explore upcoming events
• Experience the VA250 Mobile Museum on wheels

Learn More

In anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary, Maryland is opening the pages of some of the most iconic accomplishments, from the oyster farms of the Chesapeake Bay to the mountain peaks out west. Expect stories of everyday Marylanders who served our country and helped democracy prosper through civic engagement. 

• Explore upcoming events
• Save the date for the Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, August 22, 2026! 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of Maryland soldiers saving the Continental Army at the Battle of Brooklyn.

Learn More