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Celebrate America's 250th Birthday in Alexandria, VA

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Just minutes from Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River waterfront, historic Alexandria, Virginia, welcomes families, friends and history-lovers to stay in and explore the city to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

250th experiences begin in 2025 and culminate with major events in the summer of 2026. From June 12-14, 2026, Alexandria will host tall ships as an official Sail Virginia℠ 2026 Affiliate Harbor as part of Sail250® Virginia, the largest public event in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the 250th.

Alexandria has played a major role in the nation’s story and reflects its progress toward inclusivity. Find intimate historic museums, trace George Washington and the Founding Fathers’ footsteps and follow the stories of Black Americans who shaped the history of Alexandria and the United States. Museums and organizations across Alexandria tell this story through tours, exhibitions, public art, programs, wayfinding signs and more.

Join us as we celebrate and commemorate America’s story in Alexandria. 

Bold text reads “Alexandria VA 250” with “VA” in blue with a star inside the “A”, and “250” in red, marking Alexandria, Virginia’s 250th anniversary.

Special Events in Alexandria

Swipe to discover special events around Alexandria honoring the nation’s 250th birthday. Key happenings include DC250 events and festivals, Mount Vernon 250 offerings and the Alexandria/USA Birthday waterfront fireworks celebration.

A historic sailing ship with tall masts and yellow trim is docked by the shore, with calm water and a distant treeline under a cloudy sky.

Sail250 Virginia℠ 2026

A fleet of the world’s most magnificent tall ships and military ships, in an epic peacetime gathering, will sail into the port of Virginia as part of Sail250® America. As an Affiliate Harbor of Sail Virginia℠ 2026 as part of Sail250® Virginia, Alexandria will welcome tall ships along the waterfront June 12-14, 2026.

Colorful fireworks burst over a calm waterfront at night, reflecting on the water. Silhouetted posts and distant city lights are visible under a clear, deep blue sky.

Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebrations

This summer, the city celebrates is 276th and the USA’s 249th birthday on Saturday, July 12, at Oronoco Bay Park with live music, food and drink vendors and a grand finale fireworks display over the Potomac River. In 2026, the beloved summer event with commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday alongside the city’s 277th.

A smiling family of five—two adults and three children—walk together on the grass in front of a large historic building (George Washington's Mount Vernon) with red roof, white walls, and a cupola under a blue sky with clouds.

America 250 at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Experience history where it happened at the first president’s estate. Walk through Patriots Path—a Revolutionary War encampment—and chat with the soldiers to learn about life as an 18th-century soldier. Experience new historical character engagements on the bowling green. And in 2026, visit a brand-new exhibit on the life and times of George Washington.

Two older men stand side by side in front of a brick wall. Both wear hats, glasses, and patterned shirts. A colorful yellow and pink geometric graphic is behind them. The image is mostly black and white.

"Time and Place" Public Art Project

Look for a 250th-themed Time and Place public art project Alexandria’s Office of the Arts. The Time and Place series features periodic, curated exhibitions of temporary public art projects that examine aspects of the city’s history. 

A large wooden sailing ship with tall masts and rigging is docked by the water, with several people standing on its deck. Trees and a pier are visible in the background.

Things to Do in Alexandria

Tall Ships in Alexandria: Sail Virginia℠ 2026 Affiliate Harbor

A historic tall ship with sails furled is docked on a calm river, surrounded by trees and buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic Attractions and Museums

Carlyle House

Black History & Culture

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Key To The City

Two women stand and talk outside the Freedom House Museum, a historic brick building with a white door on a tree-lined sidewalk. A museum sign hangs from a post nearby. Another person walks further down the sidewalk.

250th Celebration of Washington Taking Command

A group of men in historical military uniforms stand around a cannon on a grassy lawn, with more reenactors and a large colonial-era building in the background.

Architecture in Alexandria

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Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

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City of Alexandria

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George Washington's Mount Vernon

A wide-angle view of a historic mansion with white walls, green shutters, and a red roof, surrounded by green lawn, a gravel path, and a colonnade, seen at sunrise or sunset.

VA250

A family of four takes a selfie with a man in historical costume outside a colonial-style building on a sunny day, standing on a green lawn with a wooden hoop on the ground.

Visit Washington, D.C.

A family of four walks in front of the Lincoln Memorial on a sunny day, with other visitors on the steps and around the monument. The sky is partly cloudy.

Upcoming History Events in Alexandria

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DATES:
05/17/2025AND06/17/2025
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Plan Your Visit

Alexandria Hotels

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Getting To & Around Alexandria

Train station

Plan

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Parking

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