The nation’s capital is the best place to celebrate the nation's monumental birthday throughout the year
2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a monumental moment being celebrated on stages across America. But nowhere is the celebration more spectacular than in the nation’s capital. Explore the top events, exhibitions, celebrations and openings related to America's 250th anniversary before they expire.
Great American State Fair – Through July 10
The National Mall transforms into a huge state fair for the entire country. From Maine lobster rolls to Hawaii’s shimmering hula stage, Texas-sized steaks to Alaska’s towering ice carvings, all fifty states, territories and federal agencies showcase their food, culture and pride in an unforgettable, coast-to-coast celebration. You can register for tickets online in advance.
Register
National Mall, Between Constitution & Independence Avenues SW, Washington, DC 20050
Red, White and Spy: Tradecraft Try Its – Through 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 ages 9 and up will be available not only within the Museum’s exhibits, but also outside on its plaza (weather permitting).
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International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Smithsonian Institution
American Aspirations – Through July 26
Co-curated by Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch, American Aspirations brings together some of the Smithsonian’s most treasured objects to commemorate the Declaration of Independence and consider how founding ideals have been interpreted across generations. The special exhibit will be housed inside the majestic Smithsonian Castle, which is temporarily open through Sept. 7. Among the highlights: the desk Thomas Jefferson used while writing the Declaration, Sally Ride's in-space flight suit, a personal hymnal that belonged to Harriet Tubman and a candle stand used by George Washington.
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
Great American Farmers Market – Aug. 3-8
During National Farmers Market Week, the Great American Farmers Market will feature more than 80 vendors from across the country showcasing fresh produce, artisan goods and innovative agricultural products on the National Mall. Opening day includes a ribbon cutting and live entertainment. Each day highlights a special theme: Sunday celebrates America's 250th anniversary, Monday focuses on health and wellness, Tuesday highlights community and shared values, Wednesday spotlights wildfire prevention and forestry, Thursday honors America's natural beauty and Friday celebrates farmers.
National Museum of Asian Art
A Museum in the Making – Through Aug. 8
Mull over this meta exhibit about how the country’s first national art museum got made. To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, the National Museum of Asian Art has partnered with the Freer House to tell the story of this bold experiment in art and design, which continues to shape the museum’s galleries today.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, West Building, Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20004
Freedom 250 Grand Prix – Aug. 22-23
The first-ever INDYCAR race held in the nation’s capital goes down in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Set on a street circuit weaving through the National Mall and around iconic national monuments, the historic weekend celebration will play up American motorsports through speed, innovation and other events. The event is televised nationally and supported by partners including INDYCAR and Monumental Sports & Entertainment. While general admission tickets are no longer available, visit the Freedom 250 website to stay updated on the event.
National Gallery of Art
Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography – Through Aug. 23
Mining and photography are intertwined in American history, with the camera used to document labor practices for nearly 200 years. This new National Gallery of Art exhibit goes underground with 150 photographs that showcase how we’ve extracted resources from the Earth and that ceaseless removal’s impact on people and places.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Snarkitecture Architecture
THE PLAYGROUND – Through Aug. 30
The National Building Museum has a penchant for hosting installations that double as spectacles. This summer will be no different with THE PLAYGROUND, which arrives just in time for Independence Day and celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. Infrastructure that is commonly outdoors is brought inside through nine unique activations that ask visitors to embrace exploration of the materials that make up the built environment around us. This type of interactive and immersive museum experience is unique to the National Building Museum and will be a popular destination throughout its run, so secure tickets at your earliest convenience.
Hours & Admission
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
DC JazzFest – Sept. 2-6
The annual celebration of jazz brings national and local musicians to a range of venues all over the city, including The Wharf. Some concerts are free; most are ticketed. A lineup stacked with talent and free performances are just some of the many reasons why you should check it out. Lineup headliners for 2026 include the Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet, Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling, Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles, Nate Smith and Emmet Cohen.
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Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building Reopens – Through Sept. 7
The second oldest building of the Smithsonian Institution reopens to the public for a limited time in perfect alignment with America’s 250th anniversary. 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.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Free Admission
900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20004
Smithsonian Institution
Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America – Through Sept. 7
In the Arts and Industries Building (the Smithsonian’s second-oldest building and the country’s first national museum) right next to the Smithsonian castle, explore what American independence really means, and how that meaning has evolved over time from the American Revolution until now.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
Dear America – Through Sept. 20
Explore how artists have captured and questioned the American experience over the last 250 years. Through more than 100 works on paper spanning photography, prints and drawings, discover powerful depictions of the nation’s landscapes, people and ideals of freedom.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
DC Public Library
District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture – Through Sept. 27
DC gave the world the football huddle, the modern blood bank and legends like Marvin Gaye. Discover the vibrant contributions of Washingtonians through images, artifacts, storytelling and free programs. The main exhibit location is Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, but satellite locations can be found across the city.
More Information | Free Admission
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration – Through Oct. 12
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden showcases the official flowers of every U.S. state and territory. Varieties on display include fragrant magnolias, roses, orchids, bluebonnets, saguaro cactus flowers and many more; all of them symbolize the natural beauty of America.
Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Ms. Americana – Through Oct. 31
The National Museum of Women in the Arts' (NMWA) take on nostalgia, Ms. Americana invites viewers to consider 250 years of the American experience through ten works of art by nine American women artists from the 18th through the 20th centuries. The paintings, which include still-lifes, portraits and landscapes, are curated from NMWA’s collection and were created by women who also owned businesses, traveled the world and engaged in politics. The scope here is broad and tender.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
©Jasper Johns and ULAE, National Gallery of Art
American Icon: The US Flag in Art – Through Dec. 6
The exhibition spotlights more than 30 works from the late-1800s to today, each illustrating the changing uses and interpretations of the American flag. Paintings, prints and photographs from seminal artists such as Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, Jasper Johns and Faith Ringgold examine the ever-evolving symbolism of the Stars and Stripes.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
National Portrait Gallery
The Spirit of Invention: Patent Office and Patentees – Through June 6, 2027
Timed with the U.S. semiquincentennial, the National Portrait Gallery commemorates the founding of its historic home with The Spirit of Invention: Patent Office and Patentees. The exhibition sketches the early history of the Patent Office – the third oldest building in DC – through works in the museum’s collection.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
National Portrait Gallery, First Floor, East Galleries, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20001
Smithsonian Institution
Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design – Through June 2028
Running for two years beginning on June 12, this exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) takes a cerebral look at the way thoughtfully shaped furniture shapes our environments and our perspectives. Explore the ways that designers, much like visual artists, harness abstraction as both a technique and a source of inspiration.
Free Admission | Hours & Information (timed passes required)
National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Smithsonian Institution
Revelation: A Journey Into Abstraction – Through June 2028
NMAAHC dives even deeper into abstraction with this installation which explores the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists from the mid‑20th century to the present. The exhibit reintroduces key works from the museum's collection and debuts new acquisitions, offering fresh contexts and perspectives.
Free Admission | Hours & Information (timed passes required)
National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Smithsonian Institution
From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage – Through 2029
As part of Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 programming, the National Museum of Natural History displays more than 600 artifacts that represent all 50 U.S. states, DC and an additional five U.S. territories. Items range from significant scientific discoveries to cultural keepsakes to ancient fossils like an American mastodon tooth.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Experience the new Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Just in time for America's 250th anniversary, the Lincoln Memorial invites visitors to experience its story in a whole new way. A century-old secret opens to the public – 15,000 square feet of immersive exhibits right beneath your feet. Exhibits will also trace the construction history of the memorial and explore how its meaning has evolved across generations. Also, for the first time, original signed copies of both the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment will be on display together, housed beneath the president who made them law. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stand in the presence of the documents that reshaped America.
More Information
Visit the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration
The highly anticipated National Geographic Museum of Exploration invites visitors to immerse themselves in the excitement of exploration and discovery. Expect cutting-edge technology that uncovers wildlife, communities and cultures from all over the world as well as an immersive outdoor courtyard. Visit the museum's website for more details on what to expect and tickets.
National Geographic Museum of Exploration, 1600 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Check out new galleries at the National Air and Space Museum
Perfectly timed with its own 50th anniversary and the nation’s 250th anniversary, the National Air and Space Museum opens five new galleries. Returning favorites include the Hubble Space Telescope, Skylab, a North American P-51D Mustang and a Lockheed U-2. Several artifacts new to the building include the Ilyushin IL-2, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, Cessna Skyhawk and several artworks by Robert Rauschenberg in the temporary exhibition, The Ascent of Rauschenberg.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Air and Space Museum, 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560
The Declaration's Promise: A Revolutionary Idea
In honor of America's 250th birthday, the Library of Congress showcases a range of rare artifacts that illustrate the promise found in the nation's original Declaration of Independence. Featured treasures include Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Walt Whitman's writing pen and much, much more. Phrases from the Declaration are used to organize this dynamic exhibit.
Free Admission | Hours
Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20540
