More than 1,200 grassroots celebrations are planned nationwide.
America250 has 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 July 3-4.
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 the semiquincentennial for generations to come, the initiative calls on all Americans to add something new to their July 4 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,” 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.”
Boston and Philadelphia join previously announced America’s Block Party celebrations in New York, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Fort Campbell, Ky., and Charleston, S.C.
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 watching the full concert are available at bso.org/July4.
Philadelphia – The One Philly: Unity Concert for America: This event will unite music fans from across the country for a multigenre, multigenerational 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 Block Party host locations, including:
New York – Historic Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show & America’s Block Party in the Sky at One Times Square: On 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 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 will air on america250.org.
Following the July 3 show, One Times Square will host complimentary public events with reserved participation available July 4–5. America’s Block Party in the Sky 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 the square during this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The experience will be made available to America’s heroes, including active servicemembers, veterans and first responders, before the 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, and 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 – 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 on site to collect stories from festivalgoers for Our American Story.
Fort Campbell, Ky. – 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® and Ram, and produced by Fort Campbell MWR, 8 Track Entertainment and MOTR Music.
Charleston, S.C. – 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 the 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).
Watch 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 the 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.
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, the initiative 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.
By National Executive Committee resolution, American Legion departments and posts are encouraged to connect with their state and local America250 commissions. An online directory is available to contact these commissions at america250.org/our-partners/state-and-territory-commissions. Share your stories of involvement on Legiontown, and send details of your post or department events to magazine@legion.org.
- USA250