As the United States prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, theme parks, cultural institutions, and other visitor attractions across the country are launching a huge programme of experiences, events, and exhibitions in the coming months and around 4 July 2026.
SeaWorld 250 at SeaWorld San Antonio is a limited-time celebration featuring all-American entertainment
Major organisations, including the Smithsonian Institution and Disney, are among those unveiling new experiences themed around American history, culture and innovation.
Here, blooloop rounds up some of the top offerings around the US.
Soarin’ Across America
Starting with theme parks, Disney’s US properties are celebrating America’s 250th birthday with the new Soarin' Across America attraction.
The flying theatre experience at Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure and Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida features new scenes of the US from coast to coast, filmed with advanced cameras and aerial technology.
"A trip across the United States felt like a natural next flight for Soarin’ to take, and the 250th anniversary of our nation provided the perfect opportunity to 'book the flight'," said Tom Fitzgerald, portfolio executive creative director and chief storytelling executive at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Locations featured in the updated experience range from the New England coastline to the Grand Canyon West.
“Each scene helps to create a portrait of what we believe makes America so special,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a tapestry of urban wonders, natural beauty, and iconic locations that celebrate the spirit of the nation and the 250th anniversary of the United States.”
More Disney experiences
The celebration continues across Walt Disney World with patriotic lighting on Spaceship Earth at Epcot, special performances from Voices of Liberty, themed décor along Main Street, U.S.A., character experiences, and limited-time merchandise and F&B offerings.
Disney parks are celebrating America 250 with themed décor, character experiences, and special merchandise and F&B offerings
At Disneyland, highlights include special flag retreat ceremonies honouring veterans, themed décor along Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure, limited-time entertainment, and special food and beverage.
Fireworks at US theme parks
Theme parks including Dollywood, Hersheypark and Universal Studios Hollywood are also marking the US’ 250th anniversary with fireworks, themed décor and more.
At Dollywood in Tennessee, there will be red, white and blue décor across the park through August. The theme park is also adding a patriotic salute to its Sweet Summer Nights drone show, which runs from 15 June through 2 August.
At Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, guests can celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with various events and festivities
And at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, guests can celebrate America’s 250th all summer with various events and festivities, including fireworks, a new show, limited-time F&B and more.
Highlights include patriotic décor, photo opportunities, and new red, white and blue ride and light packages. A new live show, Sweet Land of Liberty: A Celebration of the American Songbook, is taking place through Labor Day.
Universal Studios Hollywood is also marking the occasion on 3 and 4 July with a new fireworks show, live fife and drum performances, festive décor and more.
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks
Through 5 July, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is offering patriotic merchandise and a themed drone show, while Busch Gardens Williamsburg is providing patriotic entertainment and special F&B from 29 June until 5 July, with fireworks on 4 July.
SeaWorld 250 at SeaWorld San Antonio is a limited-time patriotic celebration featuring all-American entertainment, themed F&B and limited-time merchandise.
Six Flags celebrations
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, as well as the New Revolution roller coaster’s 50th anniversary, Six Flags Magic Mountain is restoring the name of the ride – the world's first modern looping coaster – to the Great American Revolution.
Also, the park is offering red, white and blue merchandise and F&B.
Cedar Point is hosting the Star-Spangled Celebration to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the USA
Elsewhere, Cedar Point is hosting the Star-Spangled Celebration from 29 June until 4 July, providing live entertainment such as skydiver demonstrations and stilt walkers, limited-time food and beverage offerings, and a spectacular fireworks display on 4 July.
There will also be fireworks, immersive décor, limited-time F&B, guest-participation experiences, and rides on historic thrill rides at 17 Six Flags parks in the US.
America 250 at the Smithsonian
Moving to museums, the Smithsonian Institution is celebrating 250 years of American history with a special series of events, exhibitions and programming called ‘Our Shared Future: 250’.
“America’s 250th reminds us that the story of the United States is not only about the past we inherit but also the ideals we continue to pursue,” said Lonnie Bunch, the Smithsonian’s secretary.
“With Our Shared Future: 250, the Smithsonian is engaging communities across the country to explore the history that connects us and the future we share. This is a moment to celebrate, to reflect and to renew our commitment to the enduring promise of America.”
The Smithsonian Institution is celebrating 250 years of American history with a special series of events
Highlights include:
The new Bison: Standing Strong exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, which explores the cultural and ecological legacy of American bison.
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, which features 250 objects from the museum’s collections and encompasses 250,000 square feet across all three floors of the museum
The reopening of the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts and Industries Building, two of the Smithsonian’s most iconic and historic buildings.
The Smithsonian Castle and the Arts and Industries Building are reopening as part of the America 250 celebrations
An AR experience by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, which memorialises and uncovers the stories of American women who helped found the US.
A new Revolutionary War-focused gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, as well as a freshly conserved ‘Declaration of Independence’ diorama (1969) by Bartlett Frost.
The National Gallery of Art in DC
The National Gallery of Art is marking America 250 with its ‘Across the Nation’ partnership programme, bringing masterpieces from its collection to 10 partner museums around the US.
As part of the celebrations, the museum is also expanding its American galleries with more historic artworks and providing two special exhibitions: Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience and American Icon: The US Flag in Art.
A block party at the National Gallery of Art will also take place on the weekend of 6 June.
The National Gallery of Art is marking America 250 with its ‘Across the Nation’ partnership programme
“As the nation’s art museum, it is our great honor to commemorate 250 years of America,” said Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art.
“Through a dynamic slate of presentations and programs, the National Gallery of Art highlights the American artists, stories, and movements that have shaped our nation’s cultural heritage.”
Also in Washington, DC
In Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, several exhibits and openings are launching to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US.
The new National Geographic Museum of Exploration, for example, opened on 26 June.
Following an opening festival, the attraction will launch an America 250-themed lineup of activities, including the Red, White & Blue: Photographs of the United States exhibition. NeoPangea is a creative partner for several interactive experiences at the Museum of Exploration.
Another opening around the 250th anniversary of the US is the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft Museum, which is welcoming the public for the first time.
The exhibition space is located directly beneath the iconic Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. New museum exhibits and multi-media presentations by partners, including RLMG, highlight the history of the memorial.
The new National Geographic Museum of Exploration will launch an America 250-themed lineup of activities
Elsewhere, an exhibition called The Declaration’s Promise opens at the Library of Congress in DC on 3 July.
The show, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), explores the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history.
And, the US Botanic Garden will bloom with the flowers that each US state and territory has chosen as its official flower. These will be showcased with living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations and herbarium specimens.
‘A Nation of Artists’ in Philadelphia
‘A Nation of Artists’ brings together three collections from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Middleton Family Collection for a unique presentation celebrating 250 years of American creativity.
Spanning centuries, stories, and artistic traditions, the new exhibition is on view through September 2027 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Daniel Weiss, director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, said: “A Nation of Artists will span three centuries of art to trace the ever-evolving story of American creativity. This exhibition, a cultural milestone, will bring together voices from around the country through innovative programs, partnerships, and scholarship.”
National Constitution Center
At Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, two exhibitions are on view for America 250 – America’s Founding and Governing the Nation. Partners for these shows include Luci and Trivium Interactive.
The former immerses visitors in the story of how a nation was born, brought to life through rare artefacts, immersive environments, and digital interactives.
The latter explores how power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches and shared between national and state governments via hands-on experiences and artefacts.
Elsewhere in Philadelphia
The Declaration’s Journey exhibition – on view at the Museum of the American Revolution through January 2027 – marks the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding by exploring the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today.
The Ministry of Awe in Philadelphia features large-scale installations, soundscapes, performances and interactive environments
In the heart of the Old City, the birthplace of America, Ministry of Awe (MoA) has opened as a new cultural landmark in Philadelphia during the 250th anniversary year.
Housed inside the former Manufacturer's National Bank, a dramatic 1870 building, the immersive experience features large-scale installations, soundscapes, performances and interactive environments.
At the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, The First Salute: An Untold Story of the American Revolution opened in April.
Electrosonic provided audiovisual design, engineering and system integration for the exhibition, and Lorem Ipsum designed and produced media for the show.
New museums across the US
New museums and cultural institutions are launching across the US this year to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
The Obama Presidential Center, a new 19.3-acre museum campus, has debuted in Chicago’s historic Jackson Park. Visitors can get a close-up look at life in the Obama White House, brought to life through captivating exhibits, unique artefacts, and hands-on interactions.
The centre's exhibition design is by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), with exhibition media design and production by batwin + robin productions and exhibit fabrication by kubik maltbie. Event Network designed, developed, and operates the retail experience.
To honour America’s 250th birthday, the centre is hosting ‘You Are America’ – a series of talks, performances, films, and community events.
The new 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center campus is located in Chicago's historic Jackson Park
And, coinciding with the event on 4 July, BRC Imagination Arts is opening a $200 million, state-of-the-art distillery and tourism destination in Kentucky called Horse Soldier Farms.
Also by BRC, the newly reimagined Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is opening in West Branch, Iowa, following a $20.3 million transformation
In Utah, the first state history museum debuts on 27 June as the nation reflects on 250 years of American history. Elsewhere, the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library opens in North Dakota on 4 July. Electrosonic worked on both projects.
New York, Boston and beyond
Additional exhibits and experiences are on offer across the country. Starting with New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the USA with the special Revolution! installation, as well as events and performances.
At the New York Historical, guests can celebrate with a live-music series, extended hours, and the new Tang Wing for American Democracy.
The Museum of the City of New York is celebrating with an exhibition titled The Occupied City: New York and the American Revolution.
Developed in partnership with the Gotham Center for New York City History, the show transforms the museum’s entire third floor into a 7,000-square-foot immersive journey through Revolutionary-era New York.
In Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts is unveiling a major reinstallation of its 18th-century Art of the Americas galleries.
Elsewhere, the America 250: Common Threads exhibition is on view at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.
In Virginia, the George Washington’s Mount Vernon museum has revitalised its Discover the Real George Washington exhibition for the 250th anniversary of the US, working with Solid Light.
Finally, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is celebrating America 250 this summer with a lineup of immersive festivals, astronaut appearances and patriotic events.
Highlights include an ‘All-American’ block party, a patriotic drone show, and the nostalgic Moon Fest weekend.
