Nov. 10 birthday will be marked by events nationwide before, on and after the date itself.
The U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday on Nov. 10 will be marked by events nationwide before, on and after the date itself.
The second phase of Homecoming 250 will run in Philadelphia and Camden County, N.J., Nov. 7-11. The festival is being put on in partnership with the Tun Legacy Foundation; events will be held in Philadelphia unless otherwise listed, and tickets can be purchased via the website.
Friday, Nov. 7
Masonic Temple Library & Museum Tour, 1 N. Broad St. Join guided, timed tours of the historic Masonic Temple to explore rarely seen archival items, including artifacts from the historic Tun and exhibits showcasing the deep-rooted connection between Pennsylvania Freemasonry and the U.S. Marine Corps. Ticket required.
Saturday, Nov. 8
The Tun Lunch and Learn, 1 N. Broad St. Beginning at 11 a.m., guests can enjoy lunch and a panel discussion with representatives of the six organizations with a heritage at the historic Tun – the United States Marines, Pennsylvania Freemasons, United States Navy, Society of St. George, St. Andrew’s Society and Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick. Ticket required.
The Tun Legacy Tour, 1 N. Broad St. From 1:30-3:30 p.m., be part of the debut of the Tun Legacy Tour and see Philadelphia sites significant to the historic Tun and the establishment of the Continental Marines. The tour will also be offered in 2026 as part of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s Semiquincentennial celebration, and as a regular offering once The Tun® opens. Ticket required.
Welcome Dinner at the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. From 5-8 p.m., enjoy waterfront dining and learn the compelling story of how the Marine Corps was founded on the banks of the Delaware River. Ticket required.
Sunday, Nov. 9
Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival, 21st Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway At 4 p.m., join fellow Marines and veterans in marching through Center City during this festive tribute hosted by the City of Philadelphia, ending at the Veterans Festival. Free and open to the public. To march in the parade, sign up here.
Marine Corps 250th Celebration Dinner Cruise, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. From 4:30-8 p.m., celebrate aboard Spirit of Philadelphia with a formal dinner cruise and keynote by Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr. Ticket required.
Midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast, 101 S. 3rd St. From 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., attendees of the Birthday Breakfast will don nightcaps at the Museum of the American Revolution and kick off the Marine Corps' 250th birthday at midnight. Ticket required.
Monday, Nov. 10
Ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant, 320 Arch St. At 9 a.m., the public is invited to the historic Arch Street Meeting House grounds to honor Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps. The ceremony is held in cooperation with the Corporal Brandon Hardy Chester County Detachment #286 of the Marine Corps League. Free and open to the public. Space is limited.
Marine Corps 250th Commemoration at Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut St. At 10:30 a.m., the public is invited to honor the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps’ founding by gathering in front of Independence Hall for addresses by the civilian and uniformed leaders of the Marine Corps, the official Pennsylvania Marine Corps 250th Birthday cake-cutting sponsored by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and more. Free and open to the public.
The Tun® Birthday Block Party, 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut streets From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the public is invited to join the Tun Legacy Foundation at the future site of the rebuilt Tun, featuring performances by Marine/musician Dave Bray USA, Marine/comedian Bryson Banks and the American Bombshells. Free and open to the public.
100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, 200 S. Broad St. At 6 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate 250 years of the United States Marine Corps at the birthplace of one of its most cherished traditions – the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Homecoming 250 is hosting the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in the very same ballroom where Commandant Lejeune hosted the inaugural celebration a century ago. Ticket required.
Marine Corps 250th Birthday Ball at the Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd St. From 6-11 p.m., honor the Corps’ founding steps from the site of the historic tavern called the Tun. Hosted by the Tun Legacy Foundation. Ticket required.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day Ceremony aboard Battleship New Jersey, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, N.J. At 11 a.m., honor veterans aboard New Jersey in a ceremony highlighting the Marine Corps' values of honor, courage and commitment. Free and open to the public.
The Marine Corps has been hosting public events and celebrations of its own throughout 2025 across the country. Since May, Fleet/Marine Weeks have been held in Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta, showcasing displays, equipment and history. On Nov. 10, according to marines.mil/marines250, “Marines around the world will take a moment to reflect, commemorate and celebrate 250 years of winning our nation’s battles. Our Corps has never been stronger than it is today because of the Marines who wear our Eagle, Globe and Anchor with pride.” And the 250th-birthday celebrations will conclude in Washington, D.C., at the Commandant's Birthday Ball at the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks.
Other events can be found at https://www.marine250.com/events, including:
Marine Corps 250th Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony, Nov. 8, 10 a.m., Iwo Jima Monument, New Britain, Conn.
LAFD SOS Breakfast, Nov. 8, 8 a.m., LAFD Hollywood Museum, Los Angeles
Southern Indiana Leathernecks 250th USMC Birthday Ball, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., Huntingburg Event Center, Huntingburg, Ind.
Coastal Bend Detachment (M.C.L. #430) United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Birthday Ball, Nov. 8, Corpus Christi, Texas
Cape Cod Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m., Emerald “Irish Village,” Hyannis, Mass.
Wings Over the Rockies Museum United States Marine Corps 250th Birthday Ball Celebration, Nov. 9, 5 p.m., Air & Space Museum, Denver
Mike 3/7 Vietnam 41st Reunion/Memorial Service, Nov. 10, 10 a.m., Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, Philadelphia
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, Nov. 10, Lariat Lodge, Littleton, Colo.
Brazos Valley Marine Corps League 1391 Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, Nov. 10, 11:45 a.m., VFW Post 4692, Bryan, Texas
Mesquite NV Marines 250th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, Nov. 10, CasaBlanca Casino and Resort, Mesquite, Nev.
Marine Corps League Department of South Carolina 250th Birthday Cake Cutting Celebration, Nov. 10, State House, Columbia, S.C.
Marine Corps League Shangri-La Detachment Birthday Ball, Nov. 15, 5 p.m., Lewistown Fire Hall, Frederick, Md.
Solano County Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Nov. 15, 5:30 p.m., Sunrise Event Center, Vacaville, Calif.
This list will be updated.
- Honor & Remembrance