Celebrations in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary

Language & Liberty: Words that Shaped America (speaker series) 
Planet Word Museum
Jan. – July 
Join Planet Word for a 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 programs, explore how slogans, speeches, lyrics and more have shaped and reflected the American story.  

Freedom & Resistance 
MLK Library
Jan. 16 – March 15 
Created in collaboration with the editors of The New York Times Magazine, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and educators from The Pulitzer Center, the exhibition explores connections between the experiences of Black Americans and the ideals of American freedom. 

Founding Fortunes: The Estate Sale of Martha Washington 
Tudor Place
Feb. 10 – Dec. 31 
The exhibition at the home of Martha Parke Custis Peter, granddaughter of Martha Washington and step-granddaughter of George Washington, explores the 1802 public sale of Martha Washington’s household contents at Mount Vernon, revealing what the Washingtons’ worldly belongings—and the people who desired them—can tell us about the values, aspirations and divisions of early American society. Several of these items will be presented to the public for the first time. In addition, America 250 at Tudor Place will feature special programming throughout the year. 

250th Festival: A Celebration of Our Story 
National Portrait Gallery
Saturday, Feb. 14, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
The National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard will host a free community festival for all ages that commemorates 250 years of art, history and culture. Dance to live performances and take guided tours through the galleries. Enjoy story times, games and more! Participants can create art with friends and family and take home a booklet to celebrate the 250th all year long. 

Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection 
The Phillips Collection
Through Feb. 15, 2026 
Coinciding with America’s 250th, the Phillips Collection presents artists from its permanent collection to build a story about how people, cultures, landscapes and histories of the U.S. have been imagined. The exhibition includes artworks from the historic collections of African American art at Howard University Gallery of Art and the University of Maryland.  

Road to Revolution
National Archives
Through Aug. 6, 2026
The rotating exhibition series showcases original documents in the Rotunda Gallery, telling stories from 1775 through the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Collectively, it reveals that the journey from colonial resistance to American independence is not composed of a single narrative but many intersecting (and diverging) paths.

Renwick Gallery

State Fairs: Growing American Craft 
Renwick Gallery
Through Sept. 7, 2026  
After five years of research and months of preparation, the Renwick Gallery debuts the first exhibit to survey American state fairs’ unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. Personal stories and regional traditions will be showcased across more than 240 artworks. Highlights include a life-size butter cow made on-site, size-96 boots from the State Fair of Texas and a pyramid of 700 glass jars of preserved fruits and vegetables. 

Coming Together
National Building Museum
Through Fall 2026
Enjoy programs, activations and an exhibition all about the past, present and future of American cities. See how places all over the U.S. have reimagined and reshaped their downtown districts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidents’ Day
Feb. 16
The nation's capital presents unique ways to engage with the history and legacy of U.S. leaders. The National Mall and Memorial Parks also plan expanded programming for George Washington’s birthday.

American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project 
Rorschach Theatre
March – Aug.
Delve into the ghosts, divinations and delusions of a country on its milestone anniversary and revive long dead Americans whose presence continues to echo through our capital city.  

Celebrating American Art
National Gallery of Art
Opens March 1
The historical American galleries, which comprise a major section of the institution’s West Building, provide a compelling journey through the rich history of American art from the colonial era through the early 20th century.

1776 
Ford’s Theatre
March 13 – May 16 
An insightful, vibrant and humorous take on our founding fathers’ determination to do the right thing for their fledgling nation. As we explore this historical moment through the evolving identity of America today, this robust, award-winning musical boldly brings our country’s beginnings to blazing life.

Historical Paintings by American Women Artists
National Museum of Women in the Arts
March 13 – Oct. 11 
The NMWA will present a selection of historical works by American women artists, coinciding with both Women’s History Month in March and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The installation will feature still lifes, portraits and landscapes spanning the 18th to 20th centuries by 10 American women artists.

Honoring the American Bison
National Museum of Natural History
The popular museum will spotlight the complex tale of the American bison, the United States’ official national mammal, with new exhibitions, displays and programming as part of DC's celebrations. 

• March 19: Bronze bison statues go on view outside the museum entrance
• May 7: Bison: Standing Strong exhibition opens, exploring the cultural and ecological legacy of bison

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Citywide
March 20 – April 12
The spirit of America blooms right along with the cherry blossoms in 2026, as DC welcomes visitors from around the world to commemorate U.S. history while surrounded by the beauty of spring’s most iconic flowers. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the greatest springtime celebration and promises attendees plenty of art, culture and can’t-miss events. 250 new cherry blossom trees will be planted this year, a gift from Japan. 

Revolution in Their Words: Penning Independence
DAR Museum
March 27 – Dec. 31 
This exhibit will focus on the thoughts and words of people affected by the turmoil and anger between the colonies and the British leaders. A wide range of people will tell their stories, in their own words. 

Capital One Arena: 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: East Regional  
March 27-29  
March Madness returns to downtown DC.

America’s State Flowers 
U.S. Botanic Garden
April 10 – Oct. 1 
The U.S. Botanic Garden will display the flowers each U.S. state and territory has chosen as their official flower. From fragrant magnolia flowers and roses to native orchids, bluebonnets and saguaro cactus flowers, enjoy the variety of floral beauty that symbolizes America. 

Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience
National Gallery of Art
April 11 – Sept. 20
More than 100 works on paper show how artists have explored the American experience over the last 250 years through depictions of the country’s landscape, people and concepts of freedom.  Wide-ranging works include photographs by Carleton Watkins, Dorothea Lange and Carrie Mae Weems; prints by Thomas Hart Benton, Roy Lichtenstein and Rupert García; and drawings by Thomas Moran, John Wilson and Tonita Peña. 

Emancipation Day  
April 16  
Eight and a half months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill abolishing slavery in DC into law. Details for this expanded annual celebration will be announced as they are finalized.   

Smithsonian Craft Show
The National Building Museum
April 23-26
The country's premier showcase for the finest in hand-crafted, American artisanal works returns to the National Building Museum. Marvel at the lineup of exhibitors that represents all facets of contemporary craft and design: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood.

Historic National Mall carousel will reopen to the public  
Late April  
After two years of refurbishment, the historic carousel on the National Mall will reopen. Built in 1947, it was originally located in an amusement park just outside Baltimore that was a focal point for desegregation in the area.  

Passport DC
May 1-31 
A month of programming highlights DC’s international cultures, featuring the Around the World Embassy Tours and European Union Open House. 

In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness
National Museum of American History
Opens May 14
A bold exhibition explores the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Across three floors, visitors can encounter 250 significant objects, including the desk Jefferson used to draft the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat and gloves worn by a “Miracle on Ice” hockey player as he skated toward an underdog Olympic victory.

Memorial Day Festivities
May 23-25
Salute active-duty military and veterans at the Rolling to Remember honor ride and patriotic concert (May 24) as well as America’s largest Memorial Day parade (May 25). The National Mall and Memorial Parks also plan expanded programming.

Smithsonian Castle to Temporarily Reopen
May 22 – Sept. 7
The Smithsonian Institution Building (known as "the Castle") will temporarily reopen to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day in 2026, with a new visitor center, café, shop and a special exhibition titled American Aspirations.

Spirit of Independence Festival for the 250th
National Archives
June 4-6 
The one-month countdown to July 4 starts with a three-day family festival on Constitution Avenue, at the front door of the historic National Archives building. 

National Gallery Block Party
National Gallery of Art
Weekend of June 6, 2026
The National Gallery will throw its largest ever public program: a block party spanning the West Building, East Building and Sculpture Garden. The museum’s campus will feature indoor and outdoor artmaking, food, music, film screenings and more.

American Icon: The US Flag in Art
National Gallery of Art
June 6 – Dec. 6
The exhibition will spotlight over 30 works from the late 1800s to today that illustrate changing uses and interpretations of the American flag.

Various Programming  
Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building
June 16 – Sept. 7 
The Arts and Industries Building will open to the public for a limited time, offering spaces for creative exchange. Visitors can explore two exhibitions: a special version of the traveling exhibition, Voices & Votes: Democracy in America, and another showcasing objects and stories from past Folklife Festivals. The building will also host For the Common Good: The Smithsonian on Our Shared Future 250, a series of conversations with Smithsonian staff, community partners and thought leaders, as well as the Folklife Marketplace, featuring handcrafted items from artisans.

Red, White and Spy: Tradecraft Try Its   
International Spy Museum
June 19 – July 14 
Ever wanted to write in invisible ink like George Washington? Slip a secret note to someone like Virginia Hall? If so, drop by the International Spy Museum to try your hand at real spy skills inspired by American history. Quick, hands-on activities for agents of ages 9+ will be available not only within the Museum’s exhibits, but also outside on its plaza (weather permitting).

Great American State Fair
June 25 – July 10 
From Maine lobster rolls to Hawaii’s shimmering hula stage, Texas-sized steaks to Alaska’s towering ice carvings, all 50 states and territories will showcase their food, culture and pride on the National Mall.

The Spirit of Invention: Patent Office and Patentees 
National Portrait Gallery
June 26, 2026 – June 6, 2027 
On July 4, 1836, President Andrew Jackson signed into law an act of Congress to overhaul the nation’s patent system and fund the construction of a Patent Office building in Washington, DC. The building has since served as the home of the National Portrait Gallery for more than 50 years. This exhibition will sketch the early history of the Patent Office through works in the museum’s collection, ranging from a painted portrait miniature of President Jackson to an 1869 print depicting patent examiners at work.

Clipper Around the World 
June 2026 
Following the success of its debut visit to the nation’s capital in 2024, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to Washington, DC with a home boat also sailing back to its namesake port.

Anticipated Reopening: Galleries at the National Air and Space Museum
July 2026
Following an extensive renovation, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum anticipates most of its galleries and public spaces will be open in time for the museum’s 50th anniversary, with completion of the remainder soon thereafter.

Anticipated Opening: National Geographic Museum of Exploration
July 2026 
The groundbreaking attraction invites visitors to embark on thrilling expeditions, letting guests in on the excitement of exploration and discovery. Cutting-edge tech and interactive elements will reveal the wildlife, landscapes, communities and cultures that make up our incredible planet.

Anticipated Opening: Immersive Museum Beneath the Lincoln Memorial
By July 2026
Beneath one of the iconic locations in the nation, 15,000 square feet of exhibit space will tell a more complete story of the Lincoln Memorial and provide an in-depth look at the structure's foundations in a cavernous area known as the undercroft. New museum exhibits and multimedia presentations showcase the construction history of the memorial. Visitors will be fascinated as they learn how the Lincoln Memorial has become the nation's foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations.
 

Fourth of July Celebration
National Mall
July 4
Kick off the milestone day by joining the National Archives for a historic reenactment of the Declaration of Independence. The event includes performers and remarks from special guests. Stay for the National Park Services’ renowned National Independence Day Parade. In the evening, celebrate the semiquincentennial with “A Capitol Fourth,” the star-studded concert on the National Mall. Then, the National Park Service plans a spectacular fireworks show befitting the occasion. 

DC JazzFest
Sept. 2-6
The 2026 DC JazzFest will celebrate America's 250th with "The Future of Jazz: America’s Next 250 Years," celebrating jazz as both a reflection of American history and a forward-looking art form that continues to evolve. This theme offers a powerful way to tie jazz’s rich history to its limitless future, reinforcing that jazz – like America – is constantly growing, innovating and redefining itself. 

10th Anniversary Celebration
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sept. 24, 2026 
The museum will host a special block party to commemorate both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the museum’s 10th anniversary. Additionally, “Welcome Home: Our Legacy Continues” will encompass new exhibitions and expanded educational programming over the course of a yearlong celebration. 

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Anticipated Opening of the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Revitalization
Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Oct. 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, dining and reflection.

Veterans Day
National Mall
Nov. 11, 2026
The National Mall and Memorial Parks will host expanded programming. Plans will be announced as details are finalized.

Ongoing

New Opening: Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream  
Opened Sept. 20, 2025  
A series of gallery spaces and immersive exhibits explores ingenuity, perseverance and possibility in a nation of immigrants.  

250 Years of Beers 
Dacha Beer Garden
Throughout 2026 
A tour of beer through the 50 states. Each month, they’ll feature beers from states in chronological order of when they entered the union. 

© David C. Ward

America’s Presidents
National Portrait Gallery
Ongoing (temporary closure April 6 – May 14)
The permanent gallery features the only complete collection of presidential portraits on view outside of the White House.

Spying Launched a Nation
International Spy Museum
Ongoing
This newly renovated exhibit contains a letter from 1777 written by George Washington authorizing America’s first official effort at espionage. The resulting intelligence work was instrumental in winning the Revolutionary War against British forces. The fully immersive experience is narrated by Chris Jackson, best known for his role as George Washington in the original cast of Hamilton.

See also: Camouflage: Designed to Deceive (open March 1)

250 Years of US
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Throughout 2026
For 250 years, America’s story has been told through the voices of its artists, the rhythm of its music, the words of its writers, and the movement of its dancers. It is a story of resilience and reinvention, of dreams daring enough to redefine what was possible, and of creativity that has not only shaped a nation, but the world.

51 Steps to Freedom Trail 
Throughout 2026, with the majority of interest points expected to launch in July 
An 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, as you stand where history happened, the trail uses “point your phone” technology to bring these figures and many others to life. 

The American Story  
National Archives
Opened Nov. 21, 2025; permanent exhibit  
This all-new exhibit immerses guests in an interactive exploration of the people, ideas and events that shaped 250 years of U.S. history through nine galleries that spotlight records in the National Archives. The permanent exhibit utilizes artificial intelligence to find and match documents that align with the interests of every visitor, so no two guests have the same experience. See George Washington’s annotated draft of the Constitution, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and patents for Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, Barbie and Yoda. The American Story and adjacent Discovery Center for children are part of an extensive $40 million renovation, marking the first major transformation of the National Archives Museum in two decades.