America is celebrating a pretty big birthday this year. Who needs cake when you’ve got war re-enactments, live arts performances, festivals, history lessons and more? Take advantage of your proximity to all the semiquincentennial events in and around the nation’s capital by filling your calendar with fun.
This list will be updated throughout the year as more activities become available.
Spirit of Independence Festival at the National Archives
It tracks that the building that houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights would get behind America’s big birthday. This particular event runs June 4-6 and offers a free Stars & Stories Fest on June 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., that will include historical re-enactors and a patriotic selfie station. On June 6, 9 a.m.-noon, head out to Yappy Hour on the Archives lawn. The free event will have pet-themed caricatures, face painting and a Patriotic Pooch Contest. Other events include a “Salute to Service” with live performances by military bands and the chance to peek inside a Vietnam War Army helicopter. 701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.
Virginia 250 Passport
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture has created a free passport program to encourage people to visit historic sites statewide that are related to the Revolution. The passport also gets you a discount on admission to the sites, and once you get five stamps, you can be entered to win a prize. Some of the sites in Northern Virginia include Mount Vernon, George Mason’s Gunston Hall and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Passports are available locally at Mount Vernon. The program runs through Dec. 31.
Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream
Three new free exhibits connect to America’s big birthday. The first is “Celebrating 250 Years: A Journey Through America with Robert Friemark,” a collection of 50 color screen prints by the abstract expressionist that represent each of the 50 states. The second exhibit is “The Spirit of 2076,” which asks visitors to answer this question: “As we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America, what will the next 50 years look like?” Lastly, “Here from the Start. At the Heart of Progress. Building the Future.” explores the history of financial systems in the United States. 1503 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
Three new exhibits highlight the art and philanthropy of American women. Of the Hills shows Catherine Glynn Benkaim’s collection of Indian Pahari pantings. Woven and Coast, opening Nov. 7 will focus on Shirley Z. Johnson’s collection of late-imperial Chinese textiles and contemporary Japanese metalwork. Finally, Jacqueline Avant’s collection of makie, Japanese lacquerware, will be on show starting Nov. 21 as part of Adorned in Gold. Additionally, A Museum in the Making opens June 27 to tell the story of how museum founder Charles Lang Freer used his home in Detroit as a launching point for the country’s first art museum. And this year’s IlluminAsia festival in May will home in on Asian American cinema and literature.
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness at the National Museum of American History
The museum has a new exhibit on the Declaration of Independence. Visitors can review 250 significant objects, including the desk Thomas Jefferson used to draft the world-changing document and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat. 1300 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Arlington 250 at Arlington Public Library
APL is celebrating all year. Stop at any of the system’s eight libraries to participate in the “Put Yourself on the Map” project. It invites visitors to share a memory of visiting any library in the country. On May 21, join a community event to discuss All the President’s Men, a book by the Washington Post reporters who uncovered the Watergate scandal. July 18 will bring a summer festival that celebrates libraries and includes a chance to write letters to future Arlingtonians that will be put into a time capsule. And look on Aug. 29, author Rossi Anastopoulo will talk about her book Sweet Land of Liberty, which tracks the history of America in 11 pies. Get an overview of all the plans direct from APL Director Diane Kresh. Check the library’s website for event locations and times.
American Icon: The US Flag in Art at the National Gallery of Art
From June 6-Dec. 6, check out the exhibition on the Stars and Stripes. It will highlight more than 30 works from the late 1800s to today that show the flag’s changing uses and interpretations. 6th Street and Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Sails on the Potomac
The signature event of Alexandria’s America 250 celebrations will happen June 12-14 at the waterfront. George Washington’s hometown, Alexandria played a pivotal role in the country’s founding. And that role will be honored at this event with music, family activities, tours, public art and more. Plus, check out several tall ships: Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, Providence and Sultana. Robinson Terminal South, 2 Duke St., Alexandria
Great American State Fair
Details are still in the works, but the website promises coast-to-coast pride, “from Maine lobster rolls to Hawaii’s shimmering hula stage, Texas-sized steaks to Alaska’s towering ice carvings.” Look for more details on the fair, which will be on the National Mall from June 25-July 10. Between Constitution and Independence Avenues S.W., Washington, D.C.
Happenings in Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown
Hop on I-95 south for a couple hours and land in the seat of American history: Jamestown, the first settlement in the New World, and Yorktown, where the Revolutionary War ended. Check out “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation,” an exhibit running July 1-Jan. 31, 2027, at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to exhibit Virginia’s role in America’s founding. Through July 12, the Jamestown settlement site is showcasing 31 Ming porcelain vessels from archaeological digs as part of “Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown.” In Williamsburg’s Merchants Square, check out the Great American Birthday Quilt, a 500-foot-long creation made of squares representing the country’s spirit and history.
Civic Jam
The Little City is readying for a big party July 3, 6-10 p.m. There won’t be fireworks, but go to dance and jam out to music that highlights Falls Church. other features include a beer garden and “classic summer fun.” See all the America 250 events planned on this website. Cherry Hill Park, 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Fourth of July Celebration on the National Mall
Obviously, July 4 is *the* date, and the National Mall might be the very place to be on it. The National Archives will host a historic re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence. The National Park Service’s National Independence Day Parade will take over Constitution Avenue for three hours, including marching units representing all 50 states and themed floats. At night is the annual A Capitol Fourth event, a celeb-studded concert on the Mall followed by a fireworks show. Check the website for more information as the date draws closer.
1776 Singalong & Discussion
The city of Alexandria and Emerging Revolutionary War, which provides free content on the historical event, will host a sing-a-long and panel discussion about 1776, a movie that came out in 1972. Beforehand, check out Stories of U.S.: Collections Capture Our History, an exhibition at The Lyceum. Tickets to the sing-a-long and discussion on July 25, 7-9:30 p.m., are $10. 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.
Satisfy your need for speed Aug. 22-23 at the first NTT IndyCar Series race on the National Mall. The races are free to watch, but tickets are required. Get them here. The request period ends June 7.
America 250 at Tudor Place
The ancestral home of Martha Washington’s descendants, this estate in Georgetown will celebrate America’s special birthday all year long. An exhibit titled Founding Fortunes: The Estate Sale of Martha Washington, is open through December and showcases several artifacts from the first family, including one of two surviving Revolutionary War camp stools that George Washington used. Other events include lectures on topics such as national commemorations and coffeehouse conversations on things like civic participation. 1644 31st St., N.W., Washington, D.C.