There’s only one DC … and only one place to celebrate the biggest U.S. birthday yet.
In 2026, as America 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. In 2026, Washington, DC, the international symbol of American independence that boasts its own rich history and local culture, will serve as centerstage for America’s grand national celebration.
Read below and begin saving dates as you peruse what the city’s cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels have planned. Bookmark this page as more will be added to this list in the lead-up to 2026.
America’s Presidents
National Portrait Gallery
Ongoing
The permanent gallery featuring the only complete collection of presidential portraits on view outside of the White House will include a newly installed portrait of President Joe Biden by 2026.
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.
Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence
DAR Museum
March 2025 – Jan. 2026
Visitors can explore the creations, contributions and legacies of African Americans who fought for freedom during the American Revolution and beyond.
15 Special Exhibitions and Installations
National Gallery of Art
Aug. 2025 – Jan. 2027
The National Gallery of Art commemorates 250 years of America with wide-ranging programming that will encompass 15 special installations and exhibitions in total. Special focus will be paid to ideas at the heart of American stories: concepts of freedom, nationhood, identity and icons, each vividly told through art.
Coming Together
National Building Museum
Fall 2025
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.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
National Portrait Gallery
Sept. 19, 2025 – Feb. 22, 2026
The artist’s first major museum survey features new and rarely seen work from 2007 to the present. Sherald’s iconic paintings of former First Lady Michelle Obama (2018) and Breonna Taylor (2020) will be featured.
The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today
National Portrait Gallery
Oct. 18, 2025 – Aug. 30, 2026
The Portrait Gallery showcases a juried selection of 35 portraits by 36 artists sourced from the museum’s seventh Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Held every three years, the competition has accelerated the careers of nearly 300 contemporary artists in portraiture today. The upcoming display spotlight contributions from 14 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
Our Nation on the Millennium Stage
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Throughout 2026
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.
The Promise of Us
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Throughout 2026
Across campus in 2026, the Kennedy Center will celebrate American choreographers, explore American stories through a cycle of works from the Washington National Opera, welcome back Hamilton and uplift the American musical theater tradition. New works by American composers across all musical genres will also be commissioned for the National Symphony Orchestra. A new choral piece, A Song for US will capture the spirit of the promise, culminating in a grand community sing. Last but certainly not least, Sounds of US at the REACH will invite artists to curate free events and activations in response to the question, “What does America sound like?”
Community Engagement Space
National Gallery of Art
Throughout 2026
Launching with a day of service on Jan. 17, 2026—the Saturday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend—the National Gallery of Art 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 host 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.
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 Mall and Memorial Parks also plan expanded programming for George Washington’s birthday.
American Apparitions: A Psychogeographies Project
Rorschach Theatre
March – Aug. 2026
Explore the physical and psychological landscape that defines a nation in the Rorscach Theatre’s immersive, self-guided experience. Each month, participants will 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, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness
National Museum of American History
Opens March 2026
A bold exhibition explores the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Across three floors and 300,000 square feet, visitors can encounter 250 significant objects, including the portable desk used by Thomas Jefferson 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 undergoes an on-site conservation to preserve it for future generations.
Revolution in Their Words: How the Cause Became the Revolution
DAR Museum
March 2026 – Jan. 2027
The DAR Museum exhibit illustrates the inexorable movement from outrage to war. Documentary sources and artifacts will provide the context of the cause and how it irrevocably led to the War for Independence.
Wendy Red Star, Alaxchiiaahush/Many War Achievements / Plenty Coups, 2014. Artist-manipulated digitally reproduced photograph by C.M. (Charles Milton) Bell from the National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution. © Wendy Red Star.
Wendy Red Star: Whispering Spirit
National Portrait Gallery
March 6, 2026 – Jan. 10, 2027
Red Star will make all new work, inspired by research conducted in collections across several Smithsonian units and other institutions based in DC.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
Citywide
March 20 – April 12, 2026
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.
Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Photography
National Portrait Gallery
May 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the founding of its photographs collection, the National Portrait Gallery presents more than 100 seminal works. Among the gems: 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) as well as America’s largest Memorial Day parade (May 25). The National Mall and Memorial Parks also plan expanded programming.
National Scrollathon
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
May 26 – Sept. 7, 2026
The Kennedy Center selected artists Steven and William Ladd to create this stunning visual art installation. The National Scrollathon will be a collaborative art-making effort with more than 250,000 participants from all 50 U.S. states and territories and all social, ethnic and economic backgrounds to reveal the American story in all its beautiful complexity. When complete, more than 50 large-scale textile artworks will be displayed across the Kennedy Center campus, along with photographic portraits of the thousands that helped create them.
Anticipated Opening: National Geographic Museum of Exploration
Summer 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.
Spirit of Independence Festival
National Archives
June 5-7, 2026
The 250th anniversary celebration starts at the National Archives with a three-day festival and tent at 701 Constitution Avenue NW. Expect musical performances, receptions, family-friendly events and activities for the whole family. More details to be announced.
National Gallery Block Party
National Gallery of Art
Weekend of June 6, 2026
The National Gallery of Art will host its largest public program ever. The museum’s entire campus will come alive with artmaking, food vendors, live music, film screenings and lots more.
The Smithsonian 250th Summer 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 reflects the nation’s landscape and will challenge assumptions and illuminate America’s town square. Activities will highlight a wide range of communities, cultural practices, occupations and perspectives.
Anticipated Re-Opening: 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: Immersive Museum Beneath the Lincoln Memorial
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.
July 4th Spectacular on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
July 3-4, 2026
Mark the calendar (well in advance) for 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. Interactive and immersive art-themed and cultural activities invite participation and connection. Friday, July 3 is Arts & Culture Day: Stunning light projections 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: Families can kick back and enjoy activities and games.
Fourth of July Celebration
National Mall
July 4, 2026
The National Park Service plans a spectacular fireworks show and parade to befit the occasion of America’s 250th birthday.
DC JazzFest
Citywide
Sept. 2-6, 2026
It's all things jazz at the 2026 DC JazzFest. Expect to see rising stars and world-renowned artists at dozens of venues across all four quadrants of the city.
Beyond Granite
National Mall
Fall 2026
The Trust for the National Mall, the National Park Service and the National Capital Planning Commission are collaborating on a 2026 exhibition that will mark the second in the Beyond Granite series. The transformative experience invites the public to commemorate and contemplate the ideals of the Declaration of Independence in contemporary society and what they mean for the future. Learn about the acclaimed inaugural exhibition from 2023.
Anticipated Opening of the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Revitalization
Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
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, dining and reflection.
Past and Future Cities
National Building Museum
Fall 2026
A new exhibition traces the nation's history through the development of its built urban environments.
International Day of Peace Open House
The U.S. Institute of Peace
Sept. 21, 2026
Honor the global tradition with a visit to the U.S. Institute of Peace as it holds an open house event.
10th Anniversary Celebration
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Sept. 24, 2026
The monumental Smithsonian location honors its 10th anniversary. Programming will be announced in the coming months.
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.