Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday)
About
The third Monday of February is the federal holiday officially called Washington's Birthday. Just across the river, Old Town Alexandria stages the nation's largest George Washington Birthday Parade around the same weekend.
Highlights
- Federal holiday officially named Washington's Birthday
- Old Town Alexandria's George Washington Birthday Parade nearby
- Patriotic programs at Mount Vernon
Practical tips
- Government offices and banks close; major retail runs sales
- Pair with the Alexandria parade across the Potomac
- Mount Vernon often offers free or discounted admission
Sources
Other upcoming events
Jazz in the Garden 2026
On summer Friday evenings the National Gallery of Art turns its Sculpture Garden into a free open-air jazz venue. The 2026 'American Sounds' season nods to the nation's 250th, with passes given out by weekly lottery.
Wawa Welcome America 2026 (Philadelphia Semiquincentennial)
Philadelphia's free Wawa Welcome America festival expands for the US 250th, running from Juneteenth through July 4 with concerts, museum days and a grand finale concert and fireworks over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Art Museum.
Great American State Fair on the National Mall 2026
A centerpiece of the US 250th, the Great American State Fair lines the National Mall for over two weeks with pavilions representing all 50 states, territories and federal entities — food, culture and exhibits ahead of the July 4 capstone.