A comprehensive guide to Disney Celebrates America, the Walt Disney Company’s celebration of the U.S.A.’s 250th anniversary.

The Walt Disney Company is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with a powerful, multi-platform initiative titled Disney Celebrates America — a coast-to-coast tribute to our country’s history, people, and dreams.

First launched on Veterans Day 2025 and running through July 4, 2026, this event showcases storytelling, entertainment, and experiences across Disney’s parks, media networks, and brands — all in honor of America’s past, present, and future.

What Is Disney Celebrates America?

Lasting from Veterans Day 2025 and continuing through the July 4, 2026, weekend, Disney Celebrates America is the Walt Disney Company’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

In their announcement, Disney explained that the initiative will “shine a spotlight on the people, places, and moments that make our nation special—a tradition of honoring and uplifting others that’s been part of Disney’s story for more than a century.” The celebration will take place across all parts of the Walt Disney Company, including the parks, entertainment, and more.

Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness

Disney has announced a new two-hour primetime special, Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness, airing June 29, 2026, on ABC. Hosted by Deborah Roberts from Walt Disney World and Will Reeve from Disneyland Resort, the special will use Disney Parks as a backdrop to tell stories about American innovation, achievement, and history. From Main Street, U.S.A. to Tomorrowland, the program will highlight uniquely American stories and milestones while celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Soarin’ Across America

In 2026, the Walt Disney Company will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with a new initiative called Disney Celebrates America. The celebration kicked off Veterans Day 2025. Among the changes, Disney has announced a new iteration of Soarin’, called Soarin’ Across America.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

The new immersive flight experience arrived Memorial Day 2026 at Disney World, and July 2 at Disney California Adventure.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin’s America 250 Celebration

Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin can take part in a special Fourth of July weekend celebration created in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

From July 3 through July 5, 2026, hotel guests can enjoy a variety of patriotic activities around the resort, including live DJs by the pool, family-friendly inflatable games, USA-themed arts and crafts, complimentary birthday cake, and a specialty Red, White & Poured cocktail available throughout the celebration.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are a staple in the EPCOT resort area. Photo by CJ Ayd

The festivities also make the Swan and Dolphin a convenient home base for experiencing Disney Celebrates America offerings at EPCOT. Guests can walk or take complimentary boat transportation to the park to experience Soarin’ Across America, the limited-time attraction celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Thanks to the resort’s Early Theme Park Entry benefit, guests can also enjoy access to EPCOT before regular park opening.

The patriotic fun continues beyond Independence Day. Beginning in July and running through the end of August, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will host a Summer Concert Series featuring live music, themed food trucks, specialty cocktails, and entertainment for hotel guests and visitors with resort passes.

The celebration is part of the resort’s broader “Summer Story Worth Telling” initiative, which also includes seasonal discounts for Disney Annual Passholders, teachers, Florida residents, and other eligible guests throughout the summer.

More Fourth of July Experiences at Walt Disney World

While the nighttime spectaculars are the biggest draw, Walt Disney World is adding even more patriotic touches throughout the holiday weekend.

On July 4, guests visiting Magic Kingdom and EPCOT can look to the skies beginning around 10:30 AM ET for a special flyover by the U.S. Air Force Reserve (weather permitting). Throughout the day, Disney will also feature performances by the beloved Voices of Liberty at EPCOT alongside the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, adding even more live patriotic entertainment to the parks.

As evening approaches, EPCOT’s iconic Spaceship Earth will glow in red, white, and blue before guests gather for Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which once again concludes with the fan-favorite Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks finale. Over at Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy the Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky fireworks spectacular, while the classic Electrical Water Pageant continues its nightly voyage across Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake with its patriotic finale.

Disney is also extending the run of Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, an exhibit at EPCOT featuring paintings by former President George W. Bush honoring post-9/11 veterans and service members. Across the resort, guests can also expect patriotic décor, limited-time merchandise, themed character appearances, and other seasonal entertainment throughout the Fourth of July weekend.

Disney Celebrates America’s 24-Hour Broadcast Event

The centerpiece of Disney Celebrates America will be an unprecedented 24-hour, cross-platform broadcast event taking place July 3-4, 2026. Spanning ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, ABC News Live, and local ABC stations, the broadcast will take viewers on a coast-to-coast journey through America’s history, culture, and future.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Coast-to-Coast Coverage Across All 50 States

Led by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and featuring members of the ABC News team, including Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, Deborah Roberts, Linsey Davis, Juju Chang, Byron Pitts, and more, the event will explore all 50 states through live reports, performances, storytelling, and special features.

The expansive broadcast is designed to highlight the people, places, and defining moments that have shaped the nation over the past 250 years while looking ahead to its future.

Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash

One of the biggest highlights will be Disney Celebrates America: Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash, a live music celebration from downtown Nashville featuring major musical performances and one of the largest fireworks and drone shows in the country. The event will be accompanied by a live score performed by the GRAMMY Award-winning Nashville Symphony.

Historic Stories and American Milestones

The broadcast will include special segments highlighting pivotal moments and places throughout American history. Viewers will get rare access inside the Statue of Liberty during a tribute produced in partnership with the Consulate General of France in New York.

Other features will explore colonial America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the expansion of the American frontier, the nation’s military history, and the innovations and inventions that helped shape modern America.

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder will also be featured during the celebration, with segments originating from Ketchikan, Alaska.

SportsCenter Celebrates America’s Sports Legacy

Sports fans can tune in to a special two-hour edition of SportsCenter airing live on ABC on July 4. Hosted by Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson, the program will spotlight iconic athletes, memorable moments, and the stories that have helped define American sports culture.

In addition, ESPN.com will publish its “America 250 Road Trips” series, examining how sports have shaped communities and identities across the country.

Wonders of America With National Geographic

National Geographic will play a major role in the celebration through Wonders of America, a collaboration with ABC News highlighting some of the nation’s most breathtaking destinations.

The broadcast will also reveal the newly named “Seven Natural Wonders of America,” showcasing extraordinary landscapes and natural landmarks from across the United States. National Geographic will further expand on these stories through special print, digital, and social media coverage throughout the summer.

A Grand Finale on Independence Day

The 24-hour event will culminate on Independence Day with celebrations from across the country, bringing together live performances, historical storytelling, cultural moments, and tributes to the people and places that continue to shape the American story.

The celebration will conclude with special Fourth of July festivities from Disney Parks and communities nationwide, serving as the capstone of Disney’s nationwide tribute to America’s 250th anniversary.

Celebration of Veterans, Military, and Families

A major focus of Disney Celebrates America is honoring the veterans, active-duty service members, and military families who have helped shape the nation’s history over the past 250 years.

As part of the initiative, Disney is expanding its longstanding partnership with Blue Star Families through a previously announced $2.5 million commitment designed to strengthen military families and communities across the country. The collaboration will support a variety of programs, events, and experiences throughout the anniversary celebration.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

One recent example was the 25th Disney and Blue Star Books event at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. More than 500 military children and family members participated in a day of reading, play, and special Disney experiences. As part of Disney’s ongoing support of military families, the company has now donated more than 370,000 books through the program over the years.

Throughout Disney Celebrates America, military families will also be invited to participate in special events and experiences across the country. Disney recently hosted military families for a screening of Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu and plans additional opportunities, including a special screening of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5.

Disney’s Longstanding Support of Military Families

Support for military families has been part of Disney’s story for decades, and Disney Celebrates America builds on that tradition through both community programs and in-park experiences.

Throughout the celebration, Disney Parks will continue recognizing veterans and active-duty military personnel through special flag retreat ceremonies, performancces by Voices of Liberty and the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, patriotic entertainment, and dedicated Fourth of July offerings at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Disney will also continue supporting programs that help service members transition into civilian careers, including expanded participation in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Corporate Fellowship Program and the Department of Defense SkillBridge program.

Special Military Offers and Experiences

As part of the celebration, Disney has announced plans for special experiences and offers for eligible service members across Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.

Additional details about 2026 military promotional offers, discounts, and vacation opportunities are expected to be released throughout the celebration as Disney continues to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of military families nationwide.