Upcoming Events

Events on the National Mall

American Aspirations at the Smithsonian Castle
Opens June 2
The iconic Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall has reopened in time for the 250th this summer. Visit their newest exhibit opening June 2. The exhibition invites visitors to consider how the founding ideals of 1776 have been interpreted and how each generation has reached towards new understandings of freedom, opportunity, and a shared future. Learn more.

Concerts on the Avenue at the US Navy Memorial
Tuesdays in June, July and August, 7:00-8:15 PM
Spend a summer evening on the Plaza with the full U.S. Navy Band as part of the Concerts on the Avenue series. Join on select Tuesdays at 7:00 PM for live music in a setting that blends tradition, community, and the spirit of the Sea Services. More info here.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone on the National Mall
Opens Thursday, June 11, 2 PM
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. will be set against the backdrop of America's 250th anniversary celebration and will serve as a premier destination for fans from across the country and around the world to gather in the nation's capital. Find more details.

Public Opening of Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
June 25
Ever wondered what supports the Lincoln Memorial? Now you can experience the “Undercroft,” where floor-to-ceiling glass reveals the impressive grid of concrete columns that uphold this iconic structure. After completing a security screening, you’ll enter an interactive exhibit space that explores the memorial’s construction history and highlights its enduring significance. Get tickets NOW here.

The Great American State Fair
Opens June 25, 10 AM
Great American State Fair is a 16-day national exposition running from June 25 through July 10, 2026, spanning from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument. The celebration will unite and showcase all 56 U.S. states and territories in a single World’s Fair-scale event. This is an opportunity for visitors from across America to experience an unforgettable celebration of the people and traditions that define our nation. Learn more here.

Summer Concert Series at the National World War I Memorial 
June 25, 5 PM
The National World War I Memorial’s popular summer programming June 25, 2026 at 5 p.m. and this year’s opening is extra special. The special concert will celebrate 250 years of American music, highlighting the nation’s rich history through sound as we approach the semiquincentennial of the United States of America. RSVP here.

Movies at the Memorial
June 6, 11, 18, 25 at dusk
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with Movies on the Memorial at the United States Navy Memorial. Featuring a lineup of iconic, America-themed films that honor courage, service, teamwork, and the stories that have shaped our nation over the last 250 years, this free outdoor movie series invites you to bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs for unforgettable experience under the stars in the heart of Washington, D.C. Learn more.

PTSD Awareness Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 – 9 PM
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will host a ceremony in honor of PTSD Awareness Day at the Wall on June 27th. Learn more here.

A Capitol Fourth
Friday, July 3, 8 PM
America’s National Independence Day celebration honors our country’s birthday with an all-star salute. Fireworks show to follow on July 4th. Watch live or on PBS: learn more.

National Independence Day Parade
Saturday, July 4, 10:30 AM
America’s National Independence Day Parade takes place annually on July 4th at 10:30 am in Washington, D.C. before a street audience of thousands of spectators. The parade starts at 3rd St. NW and Constitution Ave., runs south along 3rd St. SW to Independence Ave., heads west at Independence Ave., and ends at 12th St. SW. Find more info.

Fourth of July at the National Archives
Saturday, July 4, 10 AM
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the National Archives will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding—steps away from the original Declaration of Independence—on Constitution Avenue. For more than 50 years, the National Archives has held its annual Fourth of July program, and this year the tradition continues with historical reenactors and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more.

Salute to America: The Nation’s 250th Birthday Fireworks Celebration
Saturday, July 4
The capstone of America’s 250th anniversary brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Washington Monument grounds and surrounding areas for a full day of performances, flyovers, first time aerobatic demonstrations over DC, and a live broadcast evening program—culminating with the largest fireworks display in history. Learn more here.

Films at the Stone
Friday, July 17 and Friday, August 21, 8 PM
An inspiring summer film series located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Films at the Stone screens stories of individuals who, against all odds, fought for what was right and whose lives inspire viewers to live the values of democracy, justice, hope and love. See the full summer film schedule here.

Freedom 250 Grand Prix
Saturday, August 22 - Sunday, August 23
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will take place Aug. 22-23, 2026, marking the first‑ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall. The free, two-day motorsports event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with world‑class racing set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Request free tickets.

Past Events