America turns 250 this Fourth of July, and the networks and streamers are going big. Live celebrations, documentaries and special programming roll out all weekend.
Whether you’re looking to watch the festivities unfold in real time or dive into the stories that shaped the nation, here’s a look at some of the America 250 programming worth adding to your watchlist.
Watch the Celebration Live
Want the excitement as it happens? These broadcasts put you front row at the country’s biggest America 250 events.
A Capitol Fourth, Washington, D.C.: PBS’s Independence Day tradition returns for its 46th year, and for the 250th it moves up a night. Expect a free patriotic concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, capped by a fireworks finale over George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
- The details: Airs live Friday, July 3 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. ET on PBS, and streams free on PBS.org, the PBS app and PBS’s YouTube channel.
Sail4th 250, New York Harbor: One of the anniversary’s signature events. Tall ships and naval vessels from 46 nations gather in New York Harbor for an International Parade of Sail past the Statue of Liberty.
- The details: Airs live July 4 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on NBC, Telemundo, NBC News NOW and Peacock.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks: The country’s most iconic Independence Day show hits its 50th anniversary with an expanded display honoring America’s 250th. Musical performances lead into fireworks launching from three points across the city.
- The details: Airs live July 4 from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, simulcast on Peacock and Telemundo.
Disney Celebrates America: Disney marks the 250th with a 24-hour celebration featuring live reporting from all 50 states, musical performances, fireworks and a concert from Nashville.
- The details: Begins the evening of July 3 and runs through July 4 across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, FX, Freeform and ABC News Live.
Salute to America, Washington, D.C.: The National Mall caps the holiday with what organizers bill as the largest fireworks display in history: roughly 850,000 shells launched from ten sites around the Lincoln Memorial, the Potomac River and West Potomac Park, lighting up the capital’s monuments. A full day of music and military flyovers leads up to it.
- The details: Fireworks around 10:30 p.m. ET on July 4. C-SPAN carries the National Mall events live and commercial-free on TV, at C-SPAN.org and on the C-SPAN app, and the program also livestreams at Freedom250.org.
Explore America’s Story
In the mood to learn something this weekend? These specials dig into America’s history, people and places.
Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness: Hosted by Deborah Roberts and Will Reeve, this primetime special explores the people, places and innovations that shaped the American experience, told from Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
- The details: Airs June 29 from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and streams on Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic and ABC News Live.
Seven Natural Wonders of America: National Geographic and ABC News spotlight the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. Hawaii’s volcanoes kicked things off, with six more wonders revealed through the summer.
- The details: On National Geographic all summer, with additional reveals during Disney’s America 250 coverage.
Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans: A HISTORY Channel initiative honoring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror, told through personal stories of service.
- The details: Rolls out through the year, building to a Veterans Day 2026 documentary event on HISTORY.
Even More to Watch
The celebration doesn’t stop there. From local storytelling to sports traditions, there’s more to mark the 250th.
Our 250 / Nuestros 250: A 100-day initiative from NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations spotlighting local history, community celebrations and the people shaping America’s next chapter, in English and Spanish.
- The details: On participating NBC and Telemundo local stations through July 4.
America’s Team: ESPN’s new SportsCenter feature travels the country to spotlight the teams, communities and traditions that capture the American spirit.
- The details: Featured on SportsCenter, with a special two-hour edition live on ABC on July 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. ET (2 to 4 p.m. PT).
Celebrate From Anywhere
Whether you’re tuning in for live celebrations, exploring America’s history through documentaries or enjoying a few classic Fourth of July traditions, there’s no shortage of ways to mark the country’s 250th anniversary from home. Check your local listings and favorite streaming services to see what’s available, then sit back and enjoy!