2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, and our metro has something to say about it! All around the area, local businesses, event organizers, and community members are coming together for a variety of events that celebrate this milestone. We’ve put together your guide on where to catch some of the best ones over the next few months, before this monumental year comes to a close. You can also check out what's happening statewide and how to get involved here.
JUNE
America 250 Pop-Up at Pour Choices
Join Pour Choices in Grimes for a patriotic summer through Labor Day weekend. The entire restaurant has been decorated in red, white, blue, stars, and stripes in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Immerse yourself fully with a special summer menu and cocktails to keep the party going.
UFC Freedom 250 Watch Party
Smash Park in West Des Moines is hosting a watch party that meets the grandeur of the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House South Lawn. On June 14 from 7-11 p.m., guests are invited to come and grab a table, order some food, and settle in for a night of fights. Learn more here.
“The American Experience: Semiquincentennial” Guided Tour
The Des Moines Art Center will be offering several public guided tours titled, “The American Experience: Semiquincentennial” that will highlight works on display that center around American artists, history, and culture. These tours will be offered every Saturday from 1-2 p.m., starting June 27. Learn more here.
JULY
America 250: Save Lives with LifeServe
For 250 years, Americans have supported one another in times of need. What better way to keep this narrative going than by donating blood to help save lives. From July 1-3, LifeServe invited donors to kick off Independence Day AND America 250, honoring them with a special exclusive patriotic hat with your donation. Learn more about how you can help here!
Yankee Doodle Pops: Celebrating America 250
This beloved Des Moines tradition is coming back this year with a bang to honor America 250. On the Iowa State Capitol grounds, Yankee Doodle Pops will be a night full of live music from the Des Moines Symphony, spoken word poetry by Billy Weathers (of The Contrary fame), The Weary Ramblers, The Des Moines Choral Society, and more. Let’s not forget the over-the-top fireworks finale above the Des Moines skyline. Bring your lawn chair for this event on July 3 from 8:30-10 p.m.
Red, White & Zoo
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with the Blank Park Zoo’s “Red White & Zoo” weekend! All weekend long from July 3-6, families can save $2.50 on advance tickets online with promo code AMERICA250. Watch the animals enjoy some patriotic-themed enrichment and grab a Bomb Pop Cup for $2.50 at the GoGoPlaza! Guests can also be among the first ever to feed an Okapi, visit new habitats, and explore the Diamond Jubilee Walk.
Independence Day, Historic Baseball & America’s Potluck Picnic
This year, more than ever before, Independence Day has a more monumental meaning. Living History Farms hosts their annual 4th of July celebration all day long with 19th century activities, games, historic baseball, a parade, and so much more. Learn more about this day-long event and get your tickets here.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence at Living History Farms
250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed by the Second Continental Congress. Four days later, Colonel John Nixon read it aloud to the public at the State House Yard in Philadelphia. In honor of this, Americans in all 50 states and 16 territories will read the document aloud at state capitols, city halls, municipal buildings, and more. Take part in this historical reading at Living History Farms at the church on July 8 at 3 p.m., included with your general admission.
Social Saturday: Free To Be!
Join the Des Moines Art Center for a specially themed Social Saturday event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on July 11. Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a scavenger hunt, a special screening of “Powwow People”, story time, themed guided tours, and so much more. (Psst, Des Moines Art Center members get free admission to the museum every day in July too!) Check out more about this event here.
Celebrate America Glow Party
Warrior Lanes in Waukee is hosting a special family-friendly America themed afternoon of fun on July 19 from noon-1:30 p.m. When you sign-up for this afternoon, your package gets you 90 minutes of glow in the dark bowling, rental shoes, a large single topping pizza, a pitcher of soda, and a $5 arcade card. Dress in your best red, white, and blue, and make your reservations here.
The Freedom 250 Truck at Adventureland
This year, Adventureland will have various displays and events all around the park to emphasize America 250. Right inside the Adventureland Boulevard will be the Freedom 250 Truck, a fleet of six massive vehicles, displayed from July 28-August 2 only! Be sure to grab your tickets and see them before they move on to their next tour stop.
AUGUST
American Revolution Experience at Living History Farms
In celebration of 250 years of freedom, the American Battlefield Trust and the Daughters of the American Revolution are touring an exhibit called the “American Revolution Experience” across the country. It’s making a stop at Living History Farms from August 1-11 to answer the question, “How were ordinary people affected by the American Revolutionary War?”. Learn more about this exhibit here.
America 250 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
This year, the Iowa State Fair is planning an entire lineup of special events, entertainment, and competition to commemorate this anniversary. There will be many can’t-miss moments, making this year bigger and bolder than ever. Check out all of the displays around the fairgrounds, their tree planting initiative, art exhibitions, special contest divisions, nightly drone shows, and more, all dedicated to America 250. Learn more here!
Drones Over Adventureland
More than 300 colorful drones will take to the night skies at Adventureland on August 21 and 22 to create displays that pay tribute to the anniversary of our country. This stunning show is 20 minutes long and will begin just after 9 p.m. Get your Adventureland tickets here.
SEPTEMBER
34th Army Band of Iowa National Guard at Hoyt Sherman Place
The historic Hoyt Sherman Place will be hosting their America 250 celebration on September 13 with a special performance by the 34th Army Band of the Iowa National Guard. This free, outdoor performance will honor our nation’s rich musical and civic traditions. At 1 p.m., festivities will begin with interactive activities, a historic flag display, concessions, and food trucks. Then at 3 p.m., enjoy curated repertoire of classic American works on the EMC Insurance Plaza. Learn more here.
Season Debut: Unity- American Mosaic & West Side Story
The Des Moines Civic Center and Des Moines Symphony are hosting two America 250 occasions that celebrate our country and the heartland. At 7:30 p.m. on September 26 or 2:30 p.m. on September 27, guests are invited to an incredibly immersive event with Kevin Put’s Heartland and Iowa’s Linda Robbins Coleman’s, In Good King Charles’s Golden Days, set the stage for the sweeping American Mosaic by Peter Boyer and photographer/video artist Joe Sohm. Then, enjoy Harlem Quartet’s electrifying music from West Side Story. Get your tickets here.
American Discovery Trail: Iowa
The American Discovery Trail is the second longest trail in the world, running through almost all 50 states...and Iowa is one of them! This year, Iowa will be hosting the trail from September 26 to October 5 as trail goers will cross 543 miles through the state. This event is meant to be accessible to all whether it’s walking, running, wheelchair, horseback riding — you name it! Learn more about this organization’s America 250 relay, see how you can get involved, and watch for these relayers as they pass through the Des Moines metro.
OCTOBER
Indigenous Iowans Day at Living History Farms
Explore all the native cultures that shaped our state at Living History Farms on October 10 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. As we look back on America’s 250th anniversary, we look back on the very first Americans on the Ioway Farm, representing Indigenous people who lives in 1700 on the land that would become Iowa. Included with general admission, stop by for demonstrations, special activities, and more. Get your tickets here.
Iowa America 250 Harvest Festival
The state of Iowa is coming together for a one-day festival on October 24th on the Iowa State Capitol grounds. This family-friendly event will include food trucks, live music, and entertainment. This festival not only will commemorate America 250 but also serves as the finale to the “America’s Harvest” movement in October, dedicated to the story on how agriculture has shaped American history. More details to come!
