As the United States prepares to commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Washington, DC is set to take centre stage in the nation’s grand celebration. The capital city, home to iconic symbols of American independence, rich history, and diverse culture, will host a year-round series of events and activities across its cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
Destination DC and a growing list of more than 70 participating organizations from the local tourism and hospitality community announced plans for a year-round celebration in 2026 on the National Mall and throughout the city’s cultural institutions, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. A launch event was held in the Rotunda Galleries of the National Archives Museum, the only place to see the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s founding documents. A new website, DC250.us, serves as a central source of information for potential visitors.
“As an economic development organization, our job is to grow visitation to Washington, DC to benefit residents and local businesses,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “The collective strength of the partners working together will draw visitors all year. No other city offers so many cultural experiences, many of them free. Visitors and residents alike can discover American history and appreciate DC’s local cultural identity at museums, theatres, public art institutions, restaurants, hotels, exciting sports and special events and more.”
The inclusive celebration will extend from the National Mall to the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, places and people.
The District welcomed a record-breaking 25.95 million total visitors in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. The data underscores the importance of increased tourism to the city’s economy. The new benchmark resulted in a record $10.2 billion in visitor spending, $2.065 billion in tax revenue and supported a record 102,366 local jobs, according to MMGY Travel Intelligence, S&P Global Market Intelligence, the National Travel & Tourism Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Data for 2024 travel is expected to be released in May 2025.
While the total economic impact of DC250 is yet to be determined, the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, is expected to benefit from increased visitor numbers throughout 2026.
Destination DC is actively promoting DC250 through domestic and international marketing campaigns, using advertising, editorial content, and social media to engage global travellers. Special hotel packages and curated itineraries will be introduced to encourage extended stays and deeper exploration of the city’s rich heritage.
