America 250 : Everyday Hero Vignettes
Historic Maryland desegregation carousel reopens on the National Mall
America 250: The American Dream
Did you know? The 17th century fort in a Pikesville neighborhood
Southwest Airlines unveils a new patriotic America 250 plane at BWI
Explore Day at Fort McHenry
Patriots Trail marker unveiled in Carroll County
Descendant of Maryland's original Liberty Tree planted in Annapolis
Events in Your Area
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Carroll 250 Traveling Exhibit at Hampstead Day
Date: May 16, 2026
Time: 8 am-3 pm
Location: Main Street, Hampstead, Carroll County -
Chestertown Tea Party Festival
The free weekend event features a reenacted "tea toss" along the Chester River.
Date: May 22-24, 2026
Location: Chestertown -
Westminster Memorial Day Parade
Date: May 25, 2026
Time: 10 am
Location: Downtown Westminster -
We the People Prince George's 250th Block Party
Date: May 30, 2026
Time: 11-3:30pm
Location: Bowie Center for the Performing Arts -
Skirmish demo at Antietam Battlefield
The 3rd US Regular Infantry will present military and civilian living history near the Newcomer House, including a skirmish demonstration.
Date: May 30, 2026
Time: 1pm
Location: Newcomer House at 18422 Shepherdstown Pike in Keedysville -
The Evolution of our American flag
How did America go from the British Colonial Flag to our American symbol of freedom?
Date: June 14, 2026
Time: 1 pm
Location: 324 N. Kenmore Ave., Bel Air -
Money of the 13 Colonies Exhibit
Date: June 3- August 2, 2026
Time: Varies
Location: 9 Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg -
Flag Day in St. Michaels
Join the St. Michaels community for a Flag Day celebration featuring a patriotic boat parade through the harbor and additional activities to honor the Stars and Stripes as part of the Talbot 250 celebrations.
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location: St. Michaels -
The Evolution of our American flag
How did America go from the British Colonial Flag to our American symbol of freedom?
Date: June 14, 2026
Time: 1 pm
Location: 324 N. Kenmore Ave., Bel Air -
Sail 250 Maryland
Click for events across our region celebrating Maryland and its rich history.
Date: June 24-30
Time: Various
Location: Various -
Darlington Independence Day Celebration
An evening of food, fun, and fireworks in Darlington!
Time: 5:30 pm
Date: June 27th
Location: Downtown Darlington -
MD Two Fifty: Honoring the Signers
Visit the Thomas Stone National Historic Site for a special program honoring the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Date: July 2-4, 2026
Time: All Day
Location: Thomas Stone National Historic Site, 6655 Rose Hill Road, Port Tobacco, MD -
Calvert County Star Spangled Spectacular
Free community event with live music, local food vendors, kids’ activities, vendors, and a fireworks display to end the evening
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: 4 pm
Location: 140 Calvert Fair Drive, Prince Frederick -
Salute to Cecil County Veterans- America 250 Celebration
Time: 4 pm
Date: July 3rd
Location: North East Community Park -
Salute to Cecil County Veterans- America 250 Celebration
Time: 4 pm
Date: July 3rd
Location: North East Community Park -
Star-Spangled 250th at Oregon Ridge
Celebrate America 250 at Oregone Ridge Park with Music Director Jonathan Heyward and the BSO. Purchase tickets in advance.
Date: July 3 and 4
Time: 8 pm
Location: Oregon Ridge Park -
Fourth of July Celebration at the Carroll County Farm Museum
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 4-10 pm
Location: Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center Street, Westminster -
Washington County 250th Anniversary Celebration
This family-friendly celebration will feature live music, food and drink vendors, kids zones, exhibits, local businesses and artisans, a live drone show, and fireworks.
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Washington County Agricultural Education Center -
Open House: Drayden African American Schoolhouse
Visit the Drayden African American School House, one of the nation's best-preserved one-room African American schoolhouses.
Date: Various
Location: 18287 Cherryfield Road, Drayden, MD -
Allegany Maryland 250 Celebration
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary and Allegany County's unique history with your neighbors at this free community celebration. Live entertainment all day. The burial of a time capsule and planting of the Liberty Tree.
Date: July 4, 2026
Location: Canal Place, 13 Canal St., Cumberland -
Frederick's 4th: An Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate the largest Independence Day celebration in Frederick County with two stages of entertainment alongside family-friendly rides and amusements, food trucks, beer gardens, and a dazzling fireworks show!
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 12-9 pm
Location: Baker Park, 121 N. Bentz Street, Frederick -
Howard County 4th of July on the Lakefront
4th of July at Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Pack a picnic or support one of the local food vendors.
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 3 pm start
Location: 10275 Wincopin Cir., Columbia -
Historic Annapolis Fourth of July Festival
Join Historic Annapolis for a full day of history. One ticket gets you into all 3 locations.
Date: July 4, 2026
Time: 12- 4 pm
Location: William Paca House and Garden, Hogshead Trades Museum, and the Museum of Historic Annapolis. -
Bel Air Independence Day
A full day of food, fund, and patriotism in Bel Air.
Time: 6:45am kick-off
Date: July 4th
Location: Downtown Bel Air -
Carroll County at 250: People, Place, and the Making of History
Ribbon-cutting and opening of "Carroll County at 250: People, Place, and the Making of History," showcasing artifacts from Carroll County.
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Historical Society of Carroll County, 210 E. Main Street, Westminster -
Washington County 250th Anniversary Celebration
Downtown Hagerstown will host the Stars & Stripes Street Festival in honor of the nation's 250th birthday. The City of Hagerstown will also be installing a new time capsule.
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 4:00- 9:00 pm
Location: South Potomac Street & Public Square, Downtown Hagerstown -
Frederick County: 1776 the Musical
1776, the Tony Award-winning musical by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone, takes us inside the hallowed halls of Philadelphia in one of the most defining moments in history. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased ahead of time.
Date: July 10, 11, 12 2026
Time: Varies
Location: New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick Street, Frederick -
Garrett 250
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at the Garrett 250 Birthday Bash.
Enjoy live entertainment, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and a spectacular evening drone light show.
Date: July 18, 2026
Location: Garrett County Fairgrounds -
Voices of the Maryland 400
Learn more about the soldiers, now called the Maryland 400, and hear accounts of their actions in battle.
Date: July 22, 2026
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: 2300 Waverly Mansion Drive, Marriottsville -
Miles for Maryland trail challenge at Assateague State Park
Maryland's state parks, including Assateague State Park on the Eastern Shore, are participating in the "Miles for Maryland" Trail Challenge to honor America's 250th anniversary. The challenge encourages participants to walk or hike 250 miles at state parks through the end of 2026. Assateague State Park offers hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Date: January 1 – December 31, 2026
Time: Dawn to dusk (park hours)
Location: Assateague State Park
Events In Your Area
America 250: The Stories
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Southwest Airlines unveils a new patriotic America 250 plane at BWI
Southwest Airlines unveiled a patriotic aircraft at BWI Airport for the America 250 initiative, alongside a $250,000 investment in nonprofits.
Free Navy concerts to networking opportunities: Events for veterans
Veterans in the Baltimore area have a few opportunities this weekend and into early next week to connect with the community, enjoy live music, and be recognized for their service.
Historic Maryland desegregation carousel reopens on the National Mall
The Smithsonian reopened the historic National Carousel on the National Mall. The ride has deep ties to Maryland's desegregation at Gwynn Oak Park.
Baltimore fourth-grade students attend 'Explore Day' at Fort McHenry
Fourth-grade students from across Baltimore attended "Explore Day" at Fort McHenry to learn about Maryland's history and receive national park passes.
Photographic scavenger hunt to celebrate "America in miniature"
To celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, Maryland State Parks has a photographic scavenger hunt to get you around the state that's been referred to as "America in Miniature."
250 miles to celebrate America's 250th
The Maryland Park Service is inviting you to take on a truly historic adventure in 2026: walking or hiking 250 miles, one mile for each year since the founding of the United States.
