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GREATER MIAMI AND MIAMI BEACH BRING AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY TO LIFE

May 2026

WITH EXPERIENCES TO SEE, DO AND CELEBRATE

Photo Credit: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

As America prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026, Greater Miami and Miami Beach will celebrate the milestone through the lens of one of the nation’s youngest and most culturally dynamic major destinations. Founded in 1896, Miami is the only major U.S. city founded by a woman—Julia Tuttle—and has since evolved into a global crossroads shaped by immigration, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. Through patriotic waterfront celebrations, national exhibitions, community festivals and commemorative experiences, Greater Miami and Miami Beach will honor America250 with a lineup reflecting both the nation’s history and Miami’s unique role in the American story. To view the full lineup of events, visit HERE.

“Greater Miami and Miami Beach offers a powerful lens through which to celebrate America’s past, present and future,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Miami represents the entrepreneurial spirit, cultural diversity and forward-looking energy that continue to define the United States. Throughout 2026, visitors and residents alike will experience commemorative programming that celebrates both our nation’s history and our unique place in it.”

Commemorative & Cultural Events
Memorial Day Weekend will serve as an early kickoff to Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s America250 celebrations, anchored by the annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show on Miami Beach. Known as “The Greatest Show Above the Earth,” the nationally recognized event features demonstrations from all six branches of the U.S. military alongside offshore powerboat racing, parachute demonstrations, live music and patriotic tributes along the shoreline. Visitors can enjoy premium viewing experiences from destinations such as The Betsy Hotel, including LT Steak & Seafood and the property’s rooftop deck overlooking Ocean Drive.

Miami-Dade County celebrates the moment by launching Miami-Dade 250, a program including educational, public, cultural events and community partnerships that encourage residents to explore history and imagine the future. Miami-Dade’s official Fourth of July programming will headline the summer celebrations. From 4-9 p.m. on July 4, Tropical Park will host Miami-Dade’s signature America250 community celebration featuring live music, food vendors, family-friendly activities and fireworks, while also kicking off Parks & Recreation Month. Residents and visitors can further commemorate the milestone by purchasing exclusive apparel, accessories and collectibles through Miami-Dade County’s official America250 online merchandise store.

One of the destination’s most significant cultural offerings will arrive June 20 through July 5, when National Archives and Records Administration brings its traveling exhibition Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation to Museum of Miami. The exhibition will provide visitors a rare opportunity to experience historic documents that helped shape the United States during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.

Additional programming throughout the year will include:

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science presenting America250: Celebrating American Innovation, highlighting the inventors and visionaries who shaped American ingenuity.
The Miami Short Film Festival partnering with Deering Estate on July 12 for Focus On: Celebrating Our Nation’s 250th Birthday, a curated screening of short films honoring the American experience.
A special America250 celebration hosted by the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on July 11 during their matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, including commemorative merchandise and postgame entertainment.
The State of Florida’s planned America 250 Florida Road Trip initiative, highlighting Miami landmarks including Freedom Tower, Miami Circle and Everglades National Park.
Brightline’s commemorative “Freedom Express” train experience connecting Miami and Orlando with patriotic storytelling and historical imagery.
The Miami International Airport MIA Live Arts performance series showcasing music and cultural traditions reflective of America’s diversity.

Fourth of July Celebrations
Neighborhoods and waterfront destinations throughout Greater Miami and Miami Beach will also host their own Independence Day festivities, including the annual Fourth Fest at Bayfront Park featuring live entertainment and fireworks over Biscayne Bay. Visitors can experience the celebrations from rooftop venues such as The Elser Hotel & Residences or through boat and cruise experiences on the water.

Hotel & Destination Milestones
On July 2, Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables, Autograph Collection will present Hotel Colonnade 250: A Celebration of History, Hospitality & Community, an immersive evening exploring Miami-Dade County’s cultural heritage and contributions to the American story.

The destination will also commemorate several local milestones coinciding with America250, including the centennial of Coral Gables and the iconic The Biltmore Hotel, as well as 100 years of Art Deco architecture in Miami Beach—home to one of the world’s largest preserved collections of the style.

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To stay up-to-date on openings, announcements and timely news throughout the destination, visit MiamiandMiamiBeach.com and follow @VisitMiami on social media.