Long-Lead Inspiration

Yearlong Anniversaries, Events & Celebrations

DC 250 | Yearlong, 2026 

Washington, DC will lead the nation’s yearlong celebration of America's 250th anniversary with dynamic events citywide. Museums, theaters, restaurants and iconic landmarks across the city will host special exhibitions, performances, culinary experiences and public art installations reflecting America’s rich cultural tapestry and historical evolution from 1776 to the present. New attractions and exhibits include:

• 51 Steps to Freedom Trail (Through 2026) – An unforgettable opportunity to engage with the nation's ongoing journey toward freedom and equality. Through cutting-edge augmented reality (AR), explore DC's hidden histories, from pivotal events to legendary figures. This trail offers a fresh look at the history that shaped the nation. From Frederick Douglass to Duke Ellington and Mrs. Rosa Parks, the trail brings many figures to life.
• National Archives – Washington, DC is the only place to see the charter documents: the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  • In March 2026, the Archives plan to add the Emancipation Proclamation and 19th Amendment (which removed restrictions for women to vote) to its permanent display.
  • Road to Revolution (through Aug. 6, 2026) – A rotating exhibition showcases original documents that detail major milestones and give critical historical context to the American Revolution and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
• National Gallery of Art – One of the world’s preeminent museums, the Gallery’s collection includes over 141,000 paintings drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, decorative arts and new media from the Middle Ages to the present.
  • 15 Special Exhibitions and Installations (August 2025-January 2027) – The National Gallery of Art will showcase 15 special installations and exhibitions that grapple with ideas at the heart of American stories – including concepts of freedom, nationhood, identity and icons – vividly told through art. They will also share pieces from their collection with 10 different U.S. states in a program called Across the Nation.
• National Mall – Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiring monuments and memorials, museums and family fun. The free monuments and memorials honor American forefathers and heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country.
  • Anticipated Opening of Immersive Museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial (July 2026) – Across 15,000 square feet of exhibit space, learn a more complete story of the Lincoln Memorial and look at the structure's foundations in a cavernous area known as the undercroft. New museum exhibits and multimedia presentations will highlight the construction history of the memorial and discuss how the Lincoln Memorial has become the nation's foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations.
  • Fourth of July Celebration – Kick off the holiday by joining the National Archives for a historic reenactment of the Declaration of Independence. The event includes music performers, remarks from special guests, and concludes with the National Park Services’ National Independence Day Parade. In the evening, the National Park Service plans a spectacular fireworks show befitting the occasion.
  • National Mall A250 Signature Series (Summer 2026) – Events include America’s 250th Ball for the Mall, National Mall 250 Red, White and Blue Concert, and National Mall Civic Learning Forum.
• National Portrait Gallery – Through portraits and performances, the Portrait Gallery tells the stories of poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who speak American history.
  • America’s Presidents (ongoing) – This permanent gallery featuring the only complete collection of presidential portraits on view outside of the White House will include a newly installed portrait of President Joe Biden by 2026.
  • The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today (Oct. 18, 2025 – Aug. 30, 2026) – The gallery showcases a juried selection of 35 portraits by 36 artists sourced from the museum’s seventh Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Held every three years, the competition has accelerated the careers of nearly 300 contemporary artists in portraiture today.
• Smithsonian Castle Temporary Reopening (May 25, 2026 – Sept. 7, 2026) – The iconic Smithsonian Castle will pause its renovation to reopen temporarily with a cafe, shop, special exhibition and visitor’s center.
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History – The American History Museum’s collection contains more than three million historical objects—including the famed Star-Spangled Banner—and documents that explore the evolution of the American identity.
• The American Dream Experience at the MILKEN CENTER (Opens Sept. 20, 2025) – An immersive look into American stories and how the American Dream has been defined across time through holograms, OLED images and interactive technology.
• Historic and iconic restaurants celebrate:
  • 1789 Restaurant – Six intimate dining rooms have been known to host some of DC’s most powerful figures, including President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Business formal attire is suggested.
  • Ben’s Chili Bowl – A DC institution legendary for DC’s signature dish, the Half-Smoke, and its role in the Civil Rights movement. Family owned and operated; you'll probably see the family behind the counter at Ben's original location on U Street.
  • Martin’s Tavern – The historic corner restaurant has hosted nearly every U.S. president from Truman to George W. Bush and President Biden, as well as elected officials, foreign dignitaries, sports, music and film stars. JFK proposed to Jaqueline Bouvier here. Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, the historic architecture and furnishings will immerse you in the Washington of the 18th century, when cobblestone streets and grand rowhouses dominated the landscape.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill – DC’s oldest tavern was established in 1856. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily, and weekend brunch. It’s located around the corner from the White House.
  • Succotash Prime – Succotash features a menu by Chef Edward Lee that draws on the recipes of the American South, influenced by his Korean roots.
• Find a Media Toolkit Here

January 2026

Restaurant Week – Citywide | Mid-January 2026

Take advantage of specially priced meals from over 200+ of DC’s top restaurants, including to-go options and cocktail and wine pairings.

Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution at the Library of Congress | Through March 21, 2026

The exhibit compares how George Washington and King George III were shaped by the British Empire, the Enlightenment and the revolution, showcasing their similarities and differences.

Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art | Early Winter 2026 – Summer 2026

This groundbreaking survey features LGBTQ+ artists from across Africa and the diaspora, showcasing narratives of identity, intimacy, joy and resistance.

February 2026

Honor Black History Month | February 2025 – celebrate throughout Washington, DC at locations  including: 

• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial – The memorial honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as he advocated for racial equality and other oppressed groups from around the world. Its location allows you to visit the nearby Lincoln Memorial where he gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
• Lincoln Memorial – Honoring Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and the president to officially abolish slavery in the country, this iconic monument features a 79-foot seated Lincoln. The spot is also the location of iconic moments like MLK Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and where Forest Gump was reunited with his beloved Jenny.
• National Museum of African American History and Culture – The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026. It’s the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture.
• Anacostia Community Museum – The museum documents and preserves communities’ memories, struggles, and successes, and offers a platform where diverse voices and cultures can be heard. Through interactive exhibits, it shares the untold, and often overlooked stories of people furthest from opportunity in the Washington, DC region.

INTERSECTIONS Festival at Atlas Performing Arts Center | February TBC

Visitors will enjoy 12 days of cross-cultural performances in jazz, theater, dance and visual arts.

Nick Cave: Mammoth at the Smithsonian American Art Museum | Feb. 13, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027

An immersive installation featuring massive sculptural remnants of prehistoric creatures, addressing issues of race, gender and identity.

March 2026

National Cherry Blossom Festival – Citywide | March 20 – April 12, 2025

More than 1.5 million visitors descend upon the nation's capital each year to admire the 3,000-plus cherry trees. The annual festival held in March and April is full of events that honor both American and Japanese cultures and represents a close bond forged between the two countries that began with Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki’s gift of the trees in 1912.

In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, & Happiness at the Smithsonian Museum of American History | March 2026

A bold exhibition explores the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Across three floors, visitors can encounter 250 significant objects, including the portable desk used by Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Wendy Red Star: Whispering Spirit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery | March 6, 2026 – Jan. 10, 2027

Contemporary artist, Red Star, will make all new work exploring the history of the Apsáalooke (Crow) people to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

Revolution in Their Words: How the Cause Became the Revolution at the DAR Museum | March 2026 – January 2027

The exhibit illustrates the inexorable movement from outrage to war. Documentary sources and artifacts will provide the context of the cause and how it irrevocably led to the War for Independence.

Later in 2026

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's 50th Anniversary | July 2026

Following extensive renovations, the National Air and Space Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary with most galleries reopening. Exhibits feature historic milestones in air and space exploration, offering exciting educational experiences for visitors. 

• Five new exhibits opened July 2025, focusing on subjects like the creation of military aviation, aerospace and climate change and the future of space travel.
• Seven new exhibits open July 1, 2026, focusing on subjects like understanding our universe, exploring how people could live in space and a new Flight and Arts Center.

Lincoln Memorial: Immersive Museum | July 2026

The ambitious project adds 15,000 square feet of interactive museum space beneath the iconic memorial. Exhibitions will share untold stories about the monument's construction and its legacy as a symbolic space for civil rights.

National Geographic Museum of Exploration | Summer 2026

Set to become one of DC’s groundbreaking attractions, this museum invites visitors on thrilling expeditions through immersive exhibits and state-of-the-art technologies, showcasing wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and global communities.

National Museum of African American History and Culture’s 10th Anniversary | Sept. 24, 2026 – July 31, 2027

Join the Smithsonian Institution in commemorating a decade of honoring the resilience, achievements and rich cultural legacy of African Americans. Since its opening in 2016, the museum has stood as a powerful symbol of history, innovation and reflection on the American experience. Special programming and events will be announced in the coming months.

Art Museum of the Americas 50th Anniversary | 2026

Founded in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial, AMA became the first U.S. museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art from Latin America and the Caribbean. For five decades, AMA has championed cultural diplomacy through a collection that includes over 2,000 works with a mission to advance democracy, human rights and solidarity through art. Expect major exhibitions, artist talks, cultural events and educational initiatives that reflect the artistic vibrancy and political significance of the Americas.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Reopening | Fall 2026

Hirshhorn's renowned Sculpture Garden reopens following an $88 million revitalization. Visitors will enjoy a refreshed outdoor experience, blending innovative art installations with iconic sculptures.

Dulles International Airport Expansion | 2026 A $580 million concourse expansion begins in 2026, adding seven new international gates to accommodate increasing global travel demand.

2027 and Beyond

NFL Draft 2027 | April 2027

Washington, DC was chosen to host the 2027 National Football League Draft across iconic landmarks like the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue. The three-day event will include a concert series and a free fan festival.

11th Street Bridge Park | 2027 The city’s first elevated public park over the Anacostia River, visitors can expect an amphitheater, picnic gardens, interactive art and waterfalls among other attractions and events.

Washington Commanders Move to RFK Stadium | Ongoing

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council announced a deal to bring DC’s professional football team back to Washington, DC’s RFK campus. The campus will be revitalized with a state-of-the-art roofed stadium and the transformation will include new hotels, restaurants, retail and neighborhood amenities.