MA250, One Philly and hundreds of community-led events join coast-to-coast July 3-4 celebration of nation’s 250th

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 24, 2026 – America250 today announced the expansion of America’s Block Party to seven host locations, more than 1,200 grassroots celebrations, a nationwide livestream experience, and iHeartRadio programming, creating new ways for Americans across the country to take part in the nation’s 250th anniversary over July 3–4.

From major host events in cities across the country to neighborhood block parties, the America’s Block Party Mobile App, iHeartRadio audio stream, and a livestream on America250.org, America’s Block Party is designed to connect Americans wherever they are — at live events, in their own communities, or watching from home.

The celebration will also help introduce Giving 4th, the historic initiative aiming to permanently transform Independence Day into a new national tradition of generosity and shared community impact. Designed to be a lasting legacy of America’s Semiquincentennial for generations to come, the initiative calls on all Americans to add something new to their July 4th celebrations: giving back to the causes and communities they care about.

America250 is the only national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to help lead the celebration and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Its mission is to engage all 350 million Americans through national programming, major events, partnerships and public participation opportunities.

“America’s 250th belongs to every American, and America’s Block Party is designed to make this moment feel shared. We invite every American to attend an event — whether you are in a major city, at a local gathering, listening through the iHeartRadio, or watching the livestream from home,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “This is how we turn July 4 into more than a single event. We are creating a nationwide celebration that invites every American to participate, reflect, celebrate, and give back.”

Seven Signature Host Locations Nationwide

Boston and Philadelphia join previously announced America’s Block Party celebrations in New York, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Fort Campbell and Charleston.

• Boston — MA250: An official America’s Block Party partner, a free and open to the public July 4 concert returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade with notable headlining talent and patriotic performances with the Boston Pops, followed by fireworks over the Charles River. America250 is pleased to include the National Anthem, performed by the Boston Children’s Chorus and Tanglewood Festival Chorus with the Boston Pops. The event will also pay tribute to America250’s America Waves initiative, inviting Americans to honor the Stars and Stripes and reflect on our country’s past, present, and future as one. Details on attending the live event or to watch the full concert are available at bso.org/July4
• Philadelphia — The One Philly: Unity Concert for America will unite music fans from across the country for a multi-genre, multi-generational celebration of American music, democracy, culture, and community. Hosted by Wanda Sykes and featuring star-studded performances from headliners including Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, Meek Mill and The Roots, Seal, Jordan Davis, State Property, Kathy Sledge, Infinity Song, and more special guests, the six-hour live concert will take place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, culminating with a fireworks finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As an associated America’s Block Party event, the concert will distribute commemorative America Waves handheld flags, inviting attendees to transform the Parkway into a sea of red, white, and blue.

America250 also shared new details for several previously announced America’s Block Party host locations, including:

• New York — Historic Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show & America’s Block Party in the Sky at One Times Square: July 3-5, One Times Square will serve as the live broadcast stage for the nation to watch and celebrate as we mark midnight across America – with Ball drops for every American time zone.
  • The Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show at One Times Square will bring together performers, nonprofits, corporations, and communities across the country to drive charitable donations, turning the moment of celebrating our nation’s 250th into an enduring movement of impact. A livestream of the show will air on America250.org.
  • Following the July 3 Broadcast Benefit Show, One Times Square will host complimentary public events with reserved participation available July 4–5.  America’s Block Party in the Sky atop One Times Square will bring the once-in-a-generation Independence Day to the elevated Times Square Skywalk–a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck, offering a unique river-to-river vantage point of the Crossroads of the World, Manhattan street grid, and city skyline. Visitors can read the Declaration of Independence transcribed on a glass wall of the Skywalk, reflect on its meaning, and capture a one-of-a-kind photo moment with the founding document’s words set against the Times Square streetscapes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to write their own message of giving and reflection on a piece of confetti that will be released in Times Square during this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The experience will be made available to America’s Heroes, including active service members, veterans, and first responders, before the Times Square Skywalk opens to the public. Reservations for complimentary reserved participation are available at OneTimesSquare.com/a250.
• Los Angeles — July 4 Benefit Show at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: On July 4, America250 will host a family-friendly benefit show at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, bringing together major musical artists and patriotic tributes for an in-person live show and a nationwide livestream audience.
  • The event will feature performances from 12-time Grammy Award winner Chris Stapleton and Grammy Award-winning rock icons The Smashing Pumpkins and will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning musician, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, and Academy Award-nominated producer Queen Latifah.
  • A pre-event Block Party Village with music, giveaways, face painters, as well as free food and drink, will be open to ticket holders starting at 3 p.m. PDT with the live benefit show beginning at 6 p.m. PDT. The show will culminate in a firework and drone spectacular. Anyone with a ticket to America’s Block Party will receive access to the fan event. Tickets are now on sale for $17.76 at America250.org/LA.
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin — America’s Block Party at Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance: Set along Lake Michigan, Summerfest will welcome fans from across the country for its July 4 celebration presented by Harley-Davidson. The event will feature a full day of live music, including performances by Jelly Roll, Sam Barber, The Temper Trap, BoDeans, Soul Asylum, Joywave, Jonah Kagen, and more. Additionally, the festival will host a giveaway for a one-of-a-kind Summerfest x Harley Davidson x America250 bandana, and the America250 airstream will be onsite to collect stories from festivalgoers for Our American Story.
• Fort Campbell, Kentucky — Fort Campbell Festival: The home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will host a July 4 festival for military families and the public, featuring The Legend of Charlie Daniels Tribute Concert with special guests The Frontmen, Aaron Tippin, Eric Lee Beddingfield, and the 101st Airborne Division Band. Expected to draw more than 100,000 attendees, the event is powered by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram. Produced by Fort Campbell MWR, 8 Track Entertainment, and MOTR Music.
• Charleston, SC — SC250 Charleston Independence Day Celebration: The Independence Day celebration on the waterfront spotlights the crucial role the American Revolution played in advancing the nation’s founding ideals and will feature a community concert and fireworks display, the largest in the Southeast.

More Than 1,200 Grassroots Celebrations Nationwide

In addition to America’s Block Party host locations and associated events, more than 1,200 grassroots celebrations are being planned in communities across the country — bringing the nation’s 250th anniversary to Main Streets, parks, local festivals, and neighborhoods nationwide.Americans can find celebrations near them on the America250 Calendar and the America’s Block Party Mobile App available for Apple (iOS) and Google (Android).

America’s Time Capsule to be Buried on July 4, 2026 in Philadelphia

In addition to the America’s Block Party events on July 4, America250 will commemorate the 250th national time capsule that will be buried at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia on July 4 and remain sealed until 2276.

Watch in the Livestream and Listen on iHeartRadio

Americans can join the livestream from home featuring select America’s Block Party performances, patriotic tributes, and ways to give back as part of Giving 4th on July 3–4 on America250.org and on the America’s Block Party Mobile App. America250 will also work with iHeartRadio to bring the New York and Los Angeles benefit show performances to listeners nationwide, with more details to come in the following weeks.

Giving 4th: A New Independence Day Tradition of Giving Back

America’s Block Party will launch Giving 4th, an America250 initiative that aims to establish a new, nationwide season of giving anchored around July 4th – uniting Americans through acts of generosity and making Independence Day not just a day that Americans celebrate, but a day of shared impact. Through Giving 4th, Americans will be invited to support causes and organizations that matter most to them, with America250 encouraging participation nationwide.

America250 Drives Momentum from Sea to Shining Sea

With just a few weeks until July 4, 2026, America250 continues to build nationwide participation and its strongest momentum yet through values-based programming focused on service, storytelling, education, innovation, culture and community engagement. Across its programs, America250 is creating opportunities for Americans to learn, participate and share their stories as part of a national commemoration designed to build long before and endure long after the fireworks, including:

• 11 million service hours recorded through America Gives.
• 73,000 flags distributed through America Waves.
• 28 states (and counting!) visited by the Our American Story mobile recording studio.
• 30 college student finalists competed in America’s Startup.
• Multiple artists signed for America’s Soundtrack.
• More than 20,000 entries and 550 awardees over three contest years for America’s Field Trip.
• Nearly 4,500 attendees at the America Innovates event in San Francisco.
• 427 members in the Congressional America250 Caucus, making it the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in U.S. history.

These programs are designed to engage Americans from every part of the country and create a legacy that extends beyond July 4, 2026.

To learn more about America’s Block Party, find celebrations nationwide, watch the livestream event and download the official app, visit America250.org.

About America250

America250 is the national nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is spearheaded by the congressionally-appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its sole-supporting nonprofit organization, America250.org, Inc., together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Leading up to July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.