Plans for the 250th anniversary of the United States will roll out over the coming year through a wide-ranging slate of civic initiatives, public festivities, and historical commemorations aimed at connecting with communities nationwide.
Leading the effort is America250, a bipartisan commission established by Congress in 2016 to oversee the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. The program spans national service projects, regional celebrations, and headline-making ceremonies designed to build anticipation ahead of July 4, 2026.
One of the earliest initiatives to debut is America Gives, a nationwide volunteer drive intended to make 2026 the biggest year for collective service hours in U.S. history. Organizers say the campaign reflects a deliberate focus on local involvement rather than a single, centralized celebration.
“We want to welcome this milestone year from sea to shining sea,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios. “This has to be community-driven. It has to be grassroots.”
On Jan. 1, America250 will kick off its coast-to-coast presence by participating in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The commission’s float, titled Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years, will showcase three oversized bald eagles representing the nation’s past, present, and future.
New York City will also host several high-profile moments, including a reimagined New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square to serve as an early signal of the anniversary year. Working alongside the Times Square Alliance and One Times Square, organizers plan to weave patriotic themes into the iconic event.
After the traditional midnight descent, the crystal ball will rise again, glowing in red, white, and blue. The ceremony will feature additional elements, including a second confetti drop, offering a glimpse of the expansive anniversary programming planned across the country.
“Whatever you’re picturing, it’s going to be far bigger than that,” Rios said. “This will be one for the ages—possibly the most inspirational celebration this country, and maybe the world, has ever seen.”
Looking toward the summer of 2026, planners are also exploring a separate Times Square ball drop on July 3, the night before Independence Day. If approved, it would mark the first time in more than a century that the famous ball descends on a date other than New Year’s Eve.
The Times Square ball drop tradition began in 1907, when a 700-pound ball made of iron and wood was first lowered to usher in the new year. Today’s Constellation Ball measures roughly 12 feet across and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds. The ritual has been paused only twice, in 1942 and 1943, during World War II, when blackout restrictions replaced the celebration with moments of silence.
Additional commemorative plans are expected through the “Freedom 250” initiative announced by President Donald Trump, which aims to support complementary programming nationwide.
According to Rios, the diverse lineup of events—from fireworks and educational initiatives to oral history projects and neighborhood gatherings—is designed to invite participation across political, cultural, and generational lines.
“If we can offer something that speaks to everyone,” she said, “that’s how we reach and engage all 350 million Americans.”