D.C.'s biggest events and openings for 2026
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D.C. goes big with a year's worth of America 250th celebrations and beyond. Photo: Courtesy of Washington.org
It's a big year, D.C. — 2026 is packed with museum openings, major concerts and festivals, and a yearlong celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Why it matters: The city is rolling out the red, white and blue carpet for an anticipated influx of visitors.
Driving the news: Major museum openings and revamps are timed to the nation's semiquincentennial.
- This summer: The National Geographic Museum of Exploration will debut downtown, per Destination DC. In July, look for a new museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial, as well as the complete expansion of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
- In October, the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden is set to reopen after a $68 million renovation, per Destination DC — the largest in its 50-year history.
ICYMI: The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, a new National Archives museum, and an overhaul of George Washington's Mount Vernon all recently debuted.
Zoom in: America's 250th celebrations take center stage, while other annual happenings like the cherry blossoms are getting a semiquincentennial glow-up.
🌸 This spring: The National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20-April 12) adds 250 new trees to the Tidal Basin, which just completed its new seawall. Registration for one of the city's most popular races, the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile & 5K (April 12), opens Jan.5.
- The Smithsonian Castle temporarily reopens from May 22-Sept. 7. Ford's Theatre stages "1776" from March 13-May 16.
- Major exhibitions open, including one at the National Gallery of Art on how artists have explored the American experience, one at the National Portrait Gallery covering 50 years of photography, and a massive exhibit at the National Museum of American History with artifacts like Benjamin Franklin's desk.
🇺🇲 Summer: 250th festival season! The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival is expanding to a monthlong Festival of Festivals in June and July, per Destination DC. The Mall will also host a Great American State Fair from June 25-July 10 with installations from all 50 states.
- A UFC cage fight at the White House is planned for June 14 (Flag Day/President Trump's 80th birthday).
- No surprise, July Fourth is getting supercharged with a massive fireworks display, among other things.
🍂 Fall: DC JazzFest at the Wharf (Sept. 5-6) celebrates "America's Next 250 Years."
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture marks its 10th anniversary with block parties and new exhibitions.
- The Marine Corps Marathon happens Oct. 25 (registration TBA).
What we're watching: Big concerts, theater debuts and sporting events now through summer.
😋 Jan. 19-25: The big DMV Winter Restaurant Week.
🪩 March 23-24: Lady Gaga's Mayhem Ball at Capital One Arena.
⚾ March 26: The Nationals' season opens in Chicago (home opener: April 3).
🏒 April 12: The Caps' last regular-season home game (and TBD: a farewell for Ovi?).
🎤 June 12: "CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical" world premiere at Arena Stage (through Aug. 9).
🏳️🌈 June 12-21: Capital Pride Festival (it's later this year due to 250th events).
🎸Aug. 17: Foo Fighters Takeover Tour at Nationals Park.