As fireworks burst across the National Mall next Friday night, the countdown to America’s 250th in the nation’s capital will begin with a flourish. Washington, DC, will serve as the centre stage for the national celebration in 2026, with the city’s international symbols of American independence, rich history, and local culture at the heart of the festivities. Major new openings across the city – including an immersive museum underneath the Lincoln Memorial, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, renovations to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and completion of the National Air and Space Museum – combined with a full calendar of special events, festivals and exhibitions – make Washington, DC the place to be all year. 

“Throughout 2026, nowhere will the celebration for America’s 250th be more spectacular than the nation’s capital,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, DDC. “There’s only one place visitors will find the complete package for the occasion: special programming, can’t-miss experiences, new attractions, excitement, value, the Declaration of Independence itself, and ways to learn about its impact on different segments of the population.” 

Destination DC and a growing list of more than 75 participating organisations from the local tourism and hospitality community are planning an inclusive, citywide celebration that extends from the National Mall to the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, featuring diverse places and people. New for July 4, DDC and its partners have announced umbrella story angles and accompanying inspirational itineraries that will help shape the traveller and group tour experience:

The Story of US: American History & Independence
Events and exhibitions focused on the nation’s founding, construction of government and the building of a national identity. In Washington, DC, we commemorate the history of the American people.

Hidden Histories: Freedom & Civil Rights
Highlighting stories celebrating the ongoing fight for equality – then and now.​

Crafted Expression: Arts & Culture
Major artistic celebrations of the American identity.

Power of Your Voice: Civic Engagement & Public Discourse
Programs exploring democracy in the scope of public dialogue and the First Amendment.​

The Future of Freedom: Urban Development & Innovation​
Exhibitions and initiatives reflecting on the past and future of American cities.​

DC’s Favorite Pastimes​
Celebration of sports, festivals and food within the nation’s capital. 

The countdown aligns with the launch of Destination DC’s advertising and sales efforts for DC250. Through the lens of DDC’s award-winning “There’s Only One DC” campaign, which highlights the city’s diversity of experiences, free things to do, and people, advertising will build excitement for core events and reach travellers thinking ahead. DC250.us is the central source of information for potential visitors.

The 2026 calendar presents numerous opportunities for people to engage with the nation’s story through expanded seasonal festivals and themed activations. From spring, when the 2026 National Cherry Blossom Festival will reflect the spirit of America, to summer, when the month-long Smithsonian 250th festival will showcase the nation’s cultural landscape, and to fall, when the Trust for the National Mall plans an outdoor exhibition, there are exceptional experiences available throughout the year.

• Major openings in 2026 include:
• Improved Tidal Basin
• More resilient infrastructure, wider walkways and 250 freshly planted cherry trees
• New exhibits at the Jefferson Memorial
• National Geographic Museum of Exploration
• National Air and Space Museum expansion
• Five galleries and the renovated Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater will open on July 28, 2025.
• Innovative museum under the Lincoln Memorial
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden renovation
• New concourse at Dulles International Airport 

Additionally, the National Archives just announced a new, interactive museum opening in October 2025. Following a $40 million renovation, the 10,000-square-foot space will feature original artefacts, documents and films, including George Washington’s original copy of the Constitution. The Archives previously announced plans to permanently display the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment (which removed restrictions on women’s voting rights) beginning in March 2026.
DC will also debut “51 Steps to Freedom,” an augmented-reality walking tour through the city’s neighbourhoods and landmarks. Users download a free mobile app to unlock interactive media, videos, music, artwork and archival audio that bring history to life. The pilot app, featuring the first 16 of the eventual 51 immersive stops, will be available for public use this July.

The new Sixty DC hotel opened this month near Dupont Circle. The boutique hotel brand, with locations in Beverly Hills, California, and New York’s Lower East Side, boasts two trendy food and beverage concepts: Casamara, serving coastal Mediterranean cuisine, and Reynold’s, a cocktail bar. 

Additional hot new restaurant openings include the world’s second location of Fish Shop, the splashy dining destination in the Scottish Highlands; Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus DC, showcasing the richness and diversity of the Black culinary experience; Willowsong, from touted West Coast chef Jeffrey Williams; and Stephen Starr’s glamourous reincarnation of The Occidental. DC also boasts more than 30 new or renovated rooftop experiences since 2020, including the immersive Dome at Hi-Lawn, located atop Union Market, and the second location of the trendy Ciel Social Club at the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill.
Iconic festivals, events and a star-studded sports schedule highlight summer in DC. Audi Field hosts three premier matches for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup this month, and on July 19, the USA men’s rugby team will face England before USA women’s rugby takes on Fiji. Seven top 10 players and a long list of fan favourites will appear in the Mubadala Citi DC Open in July. Additionally, catch the Washington Nationals, DC United, Washington Spirit and Washington Mystics in action. 

Summer Festivals and Events
Putt Across America – The Wharf, May 23-Sept. 1
An immersive mini golf adventure for all ages makes its world premiere in DC—a journey through larger-than-life holes celebrating iconic American landmarks.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival – National Mall, July 2-7
The 2025 theme, “Youth and the Future of Culture,” will transform the National Mall into a space where young people, including musicians, entrepreneurs, artists, activists, and craftspeople, will collaborate, share, and discuss how they shape the future.

Independence Day in DC – Citywide, July 4
Check out where to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Mubadala Citi DC Open – Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, July 21-27
The District’s signature professional tennis tournament returns with top-tier talent.

Otakon – Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Aug. 8-10
The family-friendly convention brings together fans to celebrate Asian media, entertainment, and pop culture, including anime, manga, music, movies, and video games.

Broccoli City Festival – Nationals Park and Southwest, Aug. 8-10
The beloved festival takes on a new format this year, featuring a whole weekend of events.
DCBX – Citywide, Aug. 22-25
Ranked as the best Latin dance festival in the US five times.

DC JazzFest – Citywide, Aug. 27-31
National and local musicians perform throughout the city, including at The Wharf. Headliners include Branford Marsalis, Eddie Palmieri, Ron Carter, Lalah Hathaway, the String Queens, the John Scofield Trio, Sun Ra Arkestra and Matthew Whitaker. Many concerts are free.

Summer Restaurant Week – Citywide, Aug. 18-24
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual celebration of DC’s dining scene offers diners pre-fixe menus for lunch and brunch ($25) and dinner ($40 and $55). 

National Book Festival – Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Sept. 6
The beloved free festival marks its 25th anniversary, celebrating books of all kinds curated by the Library of Congress. 

New Exhibits
From Shadow to Substance: Grand-Scale Portraits During Photography’s Formative Years – National Portrait Gallery, June 20-June 7, 2026
Featured works include daguerreotypes representing US senators Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, as well as papal nuncio Gaetano Bedini.

Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs – National Museum of Asian Art, June 21-Nov. 20
17 Japanese artists who pushed the limits of printmaking and photography. 

Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest – The Phillips Collection, June 28-Sept. 28
The first comprehensive museum retrospective of the American artist and activist, with previously unknown works and archival findings. 

Theatre
A Wrinkle in Time – Arena Stage, June 12-July 20
A world-premiere musical of the classic young adult novel.
Duel Reality – Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall, July 1-20
Experience the passion and tragedy of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers in this exhilarating production set in an acrobatic sporting arena. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – The National Theatre, July 8-Sept. 6
Experience the wizarding world like never before with this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony awards.

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