A year of once-in-a-generation celebrations, storytelling and meaningful travel experiences awaits
Sticking around for 250 years is an impressive accomplishment. In 2026, the United States will mark this quarter-millennium moment with a year-long commemoration unlike anything we’ve seen before. On July 4, 2026, our nation will pause to honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, not just as a date in history, but as a call to reflect on where we’ve come from, who we are today, and where we want to go together. For tour operators, this isn’t just an anniversary. It’s a movement, and it’s a chance to connect travelers with experiences that honor America’s past while looking boldly toward its future.
Across the country, communities are stepping forward to host celebrations, unveil new projects, and showcase the stories that make America so unique. And while every state will play a role, the Western region is preparing to shine in 2026. Wide open landscapes, pioneering spirit, and vibrant cultural traditions will give visitors a distinctly Western lens on America250.
Connecting with the roots of America
For tour operators, the opportunity is clear: America250 isn’t just a series of dates on a calendar. It’s a chance to design journeys that tap into the energy of this once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Travelers are seeking more than sightseeing; they want meaning. They want to connect with the roots of the American story, while also seeing how communities are building toward the next 250 years. The West provides the perfect backdrop for that journey: landscapes that inspire awe, communities eager to share their heritage, and a national movement that ensures the spotlight will shine brightly on their efforts.
As we approach 2026, the message is simple: the future of group travel is tied to the storyof America itself. And this anniversary gives us all, operators, travelers, and communities, the chance to shape how that story is told.
Across the country, national tentpole activations are already shaping up to anchor local celebrations. America250’s national “playbook” also promises coordinated July 4, 2026, activations in communities across the country, partnering with legacy parades and events at the local and state level.
In the Western region, several early hints in the calendar suggest fertile ground for regional tie-ins and themed itineraries. Here are a few of them:
ALASKA America 250 Celebrations
Event: The Great American Road Trip: Denali National Park & Preserve
When & Where: January 1, Denali National Park & Preserve
What’s Happening: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Great American Road Trip initiative invites Americans to explore the nation’s highways and byways in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Launched by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the campaign highlights iconic travel routes, historic landmarks, and scenic destinations across all 50 states, encouraging families to rediscover the beauty of the country by car. Visit the Great American Road Trip website (america250.org/event/the-great-american-road-trip/) for interactive maps, travel tips, and curated itineraries to help plan your journey as part of this once-in-a-generation milestone. Denali National Park & Preserve is a vast wilderness in Alaska, home to North America’stallest peak, Mt. McKinley. The park offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and wildlife viewing. It’s a haven for adventurers and nature enthusiasts seeking to experience the rugged beauty of Alaska’s interior.
Why It’s Not to Miss: There may be no more picturesque state in the country than Alaska.
Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California photo by Joe McGowan
CALIFORNIA America 250 Events
Event: America250 Float in the 137th Rose Parade
When & Where: Pasadena, California, January 1-3
What’s Happening: America250 will participate in the 137th Rose Parade® with a breathtaking float titled Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years, created in partnership with Fiesta Productions, to honor the nation’s Semiquincentennial. The design will feature three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the past, present, and future of the United States, soaring above a vibrant, botanically rich landscape inspired by America’s natural beauty. As an iconic moment on January 1 leading into the Semiquincentennial year, the float reflects America250’s mission to engage Americans from sea to shining sea. Brought to life with the help of dedicated volunteers, the float will inspire millions as it ushers in a year of national celebration. The America250 float will also be featured in Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase.
Why It’s Not to Miss: The Rose Parade is one of the grandest spectacles in the land. It’s a must-watch on a yearly basis.
USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. Photo by Bernard Spragg
America 250 Events in HAWAI’I
Event: Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade & Ceremony
When & Where: December 7, Honolulu
What’s Happening: The National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade and Ceremony unites generations in a truly meaningful event that honors our history makers while educating and inspiring the rising generation to learn the lessons of the past. While we commemorate the past, we also celebrate that once bitter enemies are now friends and allies.
Why It’s Not to Miss: Visiting the site of the Pearl Harbor attacks is something you will always remember.
OREGON America 250 Celebrations
Event: Bridge of the Gods Centennial Celebration
When & Where: September 18, Cascade Locks Marine Park
What’s Happening: The Bridge of the Gods Centennial Celebration doubles as a highlight of Oregon’s America 250 festivities, marking 100 years of the iconic Columbia River crossing alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary. Join this historic convergence in Cascade Locks for a weekend honoring the bridge’s legacy and its role in the broader storyof the Pacific Northwest and the United States.
Highlights of the celebration include:
Dual Legacy Panels and Presentations: Tribal leaders, historians, and state officials are invited to open the event by weaving together the bridge’s 1926 origins with reflections on 250 years of American history, emphasizing Indigenous heritage, westward expansion, and modern unity.
Columbia River Heritage and Art Fair: A vibrant marketplace featuring artisans, pioneer-era crafts, and local food, while exhibits explore the bridge’s ties to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Pacific Crest Trail.
Why It’s Not to Miss: This event promises to be a nice trip back in time filled with nostalgia.
WASHINGTON America 250 Events
Event: Museum Day
When & Where: August 8, across the state
What’s Happening: Museums around the state will be open and offer free or discounted admission.
Why It’s Not to Miss: Who doesn’t love free museums? And Washington is home to some of the finest museums in the country, including The Museum of Flight in Seattle and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Also of note, museums across the state will also offer free or discounted admission on September 17, the Day of Civic Engagement.
