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Celebrate 250!

Don't miss out on the many exciting events and exhibitions happening throughout Washington DC this year.

National Archives, Road to Revolution & The American Story.

Displayed through August 6, 2026, the Road to Revolution rotating exhibition showcases original documents in the Rotunda Gallery, telling stories from 1775 through the creation of the Declaration of Independence, while the ongoing exhibit, The American Story, will immerse guests in an interactive exploration of the people, ideas and events that shaped 250 years of U.S. history.

National Gallery of Art, Special Installation: Celebrating American Art

Starting March 1, 2026, the National Gallery of Art reimagines its galleries to explore how artists told the American story from the colonial era to the 20th century.

Ford’s Theater, 1776

Running from March 13 through May 16, Ford’s Theater will premiere an insightful, vibrant and humorous take on our founding fathers’ determination to do the right thing for their fledging nation.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

A beloved DC tradition, each year the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the gift of cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to Washington, D.C., on March 27, 1912. Celebrated this year from March 20 through April 13, the festival features a variety of events and activities including the Blossom Kite Festival, National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, and so much more. 

Memorial Day Celebrations

Experience Memorial Day in Washington DC with a number of events, like the National Memorial Day Parade taking place on Monday, May 26, 2026.

Fourth of July Celebrations

Washington DC lights up every year for Fourth of July celebrations. On the docket for 2026? Expect a fireworks display, National Independence Day Parade, a Capitol Fourth Concert and so much more. 

U.S. Botanic Garden: America's State Flowers

Step into a vibrant celebration of nature! From April 10 to October 1, 2026, the U.S. Botanic Garden will showcase the unique blooms each U.S. state and territory has proudly chosen as their official flower. Explore the colors, stories, and beauty that make every state blossom.

National Museum of Women in the Arts: Historical Paintings by American Women Artists

From March 13 to October 11, 2026, the National Museum of Women in the Arts will present an installation featuring still lifes, portraits, and landscapes spanning the 18th to 20th centuries. The exhibition highlights works by ten pioneering American women artists, celebrating their artistry and lasting contributions to American art history.

The National Museum of American History: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness

The National Museum of American History will present an exhibition exploring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Spanning three floors and 300,000 sq. ft., visitors can encounter 250 significant objects, including the portable desk Thomas Jefferson used to draft the Declaration. The exhibition opens May 15, 2026.

National Portrait Gallery: Photographic Memory: Fifty Years of Photography

Celebrate 50 years of photography at the National Portrait Gallery! From May 15, 2026, to February 28, 2027, explore over 100 iconic works that showcase the history, artistry, and vision of the gallery’s photography collection. Don’t miss this milestone exhibition highlighting some of the most influential images of the past half-century.

International Spy Museum: Camouflage: Designed to Deceive

This immersive special exhibition explores the fascinating world of camouflage and its four core principles: disappearing, distorting, disguising, and deceiving. Opening March 1, 2026, the exhibition invites visitors to see how camouflage shapes perception across nature, art, and design.

National Gallery of Art: Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience

Featuring more than 100 works, 'Dear America' invites visitors on a sweeping visual journey through 250 years of American history. From intimate portrayals of its people to expansive landscapes and evolving visions of freedom, the exhibition reveals how artists have shaped and challenged the story of America. On view from April 11 to September 20, 2026.

Planet Word Museum: Language & Liberty: Words that Shaped America

Discover the power of language in a dynamic series of monthly programs exploring how words, through slogans, speeches, song lyrics, and more, have shaped, challenged, and reflected the American story. Running throughout 2026, this series brings history to life through the voices that defined a nation.