By the D23 Team
The Walt Disney Company is joining a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary with its star-spangled “Disney Celebrates America” initiative! Happening now through the July 4, 2026, weekend, this celebration is bringing the worlds of Disney together to honor America’s past; celebrate its present; and inspire its future. As the summer continues to unfold, Disney will feature special programming, storytelling, and experiences to honor the nation’s remarkable journey, spotlighting the people and places that make this country so unique.
Fans can get in on all the patriotic pastimes with incredible experiences from Disney Parks; other memorable events broadcast and streamed on ABC, Disney+, National Geographic, and ESPN; merchandise from Disney Consumer Products; and so much more.
Read on for ways to celebrate America250 throughout the worlds of Disney this summer:
Watch the Fun
- ABC presents a two-hour primetime special entitled Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness hosted by 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts from Walt Disney World Resort and national correspondent Will Reeve from Disneyland Resort. In this coast-to-coast event, Disney Parks and attractions are the portal through which America’s greatest stories, triumphs, and traditions are celebrated. The special is now available to stream on Disney+.
- Beginning the evening of July 3 and continuing through July 4, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ESPN, and National Geographic will present an unparalleled 24-hour, cross-platform broadcast spanning ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, ABC News Live, ESPN, and ABC Owned Television Stations and affiliates. Led by World News Tonight anchor David Muir and featuring anchor and Disney Legend Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America co-anchors Disney Legend Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan, Nightline co-anchors Juju Chang and Byron Pitts, 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts, Prime anchor and World News Tonight Sunday anchor Linsey Davis, The View co-hosts Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, and Sara Haines along with more of the ABC News team and talent, the event takes viewers across all 50 states to explore the people, places, and defining moments of the nation’s 250-year history. Featuring live celebrations, immersive storytelling, performances, and reporting from locations across the country, the broadcast delivers a comprehensive, daylong tribute to America’s past, present, and future.
- Additionally, look for special editions of Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, and Nightline—as well as curated segments such as Disney Celebrates America: Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash, a one-of-a-kind live celebration with must-see performances by iconic artists and musical acts spanning multiple genres; GMA’s “50 States in 50 Weeks: America The Beautiful,” a culmination of the showcase series of the beauty of America’s land and people; Dawn of America, tracing American history from colonial times through the Declaration of Independence; America Expands Westward, highlighting America’s growth through a cross-country adventure including broadcasts from Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder with celebrations from Ketchikan, Alaska; Innovation and Invention, presenting a special look at the birth of Hollywood cinema, the history of American fashion, the space race, and more; Wonders of America, a special collaboration between ABC News anchors and National Geographic Explorers (which will feature the newly announced “Seven Natural Wonders of America,” a list created in collaboration between National Geographic and ABC News); and a look at the brave U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families who have helped defend their country for two and half centuries.
- ESPN’s flagship news and information program, SportsCenter, will present a special two-hour edition live on ABC on July 4 from 2-4 p.m. PT/5-7 p.m. ET, celebrating the people, moments, and stories that have shaped American sports culture. Co-hosted by Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson, the program will feature live reports from SportsCenter anchors across the country.
Celebrate at the Parks—and More
- Soarin’ Across America—now open at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort and debuting July 2 at Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland Resort—is a reimagined flight experience that takes guests on a breathtaking journey across the United States, spotlighting a tapestry of the nation’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes in a uniquely Disney way, including more than a dozen locations such as the New England coastline, Mount Rushmore, Washington, D.C., New York City, Grand Canyon West, and more. Created by Walt Disney Imagineering, fans will enjoy this all-new experience brought to life with the elements that they know and love from this attraction—the flight, sights, scents, and a new arrangement of the iconic Soarin’score by composer Bruce Broughton.“We flew 28,000 miles across the country to capture footage with brand-new, state-of-the-art incredible cameras,” says Jared Negron, assistant producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. “So guests can expect a really fun ride... Disney has such a deep, deep history with celebrating this nation with pride and joy and optimism—and that was one of the things that we wanted to capture [with Soarin’ Across America].”
- Across Walt Disney World, the celebration will continue with patriotic lighting on Spaceship Earth, special performances from Voices of Liberty, the beloved Electrical Water Pageant, and Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park, as well as themed décor along Main Street, U.S.A., character experiences, and limited-time merchandise, food, and beverage offerings throughout the resort. Additional activities include flag retreat ceremonies, performances by the Dapper Dans and Main Street Philharmonic, an extended run of the Portraits of Courage exhibit honoring post-9/11 veterans through Fourth of July weekend, and more. Fans can head to Disney Springs for festive décor, plus special performances from the United States Air Force Band of the West.
- Meanwhile, at Disneyland Resort, offerings include special flag retreat ceremonies honoring veterans, themed décor along Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park, and specialty food and beverage offerings. Additional opportunities to celebrate over Fourth of July weekend (July 3-5), include a pre-show fireworks tribute ahead of World of Color Happiness!, the return of the Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky fireworks spectacular, patriotic themed attire for the Dapper Dans, military band performances, and a celebratory cavalcade honoring America.
- From themed activities onboard Disney Cruise Line to a Sam Eagle merchandise collection featuring the beloved patriotic character from The Muppets available in select Disney Stores and on DisneyStore.com, there’ll be many opportunities for fans to join in on the celebration.
Honor Veterans and their Families
Throughout the celebration, Disney is continuing its longstanding commitment to honoring U.S. service members, veterans, and their families, a legacy that has been part of the company’s story since its earliest days. As part of “Disney Celebrates America,” Disney is expanding its relationship with Blue Star Families through a previously announced $2.5 million commitment to help strengthen military families and communities across the country. The Walt Disney Company has proudly supported Blue Star Families for over a decade in their work helping U.S. military families across the country. Disney’s commitment will support a wide range of experiences and programs throughout this anniversary year, including the 25th Disney and “Blue Star Books” in Washington, D.C. at the Library of Congress.
Also this year...
- Disney will invite Military families across the US to attend special movie screenings of new releases on military bases and in key markets throughout the U.S.
- ABC News will provide live coverage of celebrations and activations featuring veterans and active military service members stationed around the world. Disney’s platforms will cover additional milestones throughout the anniversary year.
- Disney Experiences have 2026 offers available at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line for eligible service members in appreciation of their service and in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
- Disney will expand its use of the US Chamber Corporate Fellowship and Skillbridge programs, providing networking, professional training and hands-on experience for military veterans entering the civilian workforce.