In 2026, the United States of America turns 250 years old.
The Smithsonian will celebrate the nation’s successes, contemplate our history, commemorate the sacrifices of those who have worked to uphold the nation’s ideals, and ask Americans to commit to advancing our democracy and preserving our shared future.
In 2026, the United States of America turns 250 years old. The Smithsonian will celebrate the nation’s successes, contemplate the consequences of our history, commemorate the sacrifices of those who have worked to uphold the nation’s ideals, and ask Americans to commit to advancing our democracy and preserving our shared future.
At the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, we are embracing this historic moment by bringing the spirit of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to you! Through the Culture of, by, and for the People initiative, we’ve created three interwoven programs designed to cultivate curiosity, understanding, and belonging across the nation.
of
the people
Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals is a series of co-curated programs and exchanges showcasing the nation’s remarkable cultural landscape, presented at local festivals in several states and territories.
by
the people
By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 features public programs that explore cultural and creative expressions in your home communities. Produced in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
for
the people
For the People: Living Traditions for Engaged Learning is a nine-month professional development program for teaching artists and middle school educators, using local festivals as experiential learning laboratories.
The Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 thanks Signature Supporter Lilly Endowment Inc., with additional support from Target.
Past Programs
In the summer of 1976, we celebrated the nation’s 200th anniversary with a twelve-week Festival on the National Mall. More than 5,000 participants and some 4.5 million visitors took part in the Bicentennial festivities. Beyond the Mall, this landmark event inspired folk arts programs and festivals across the country—many of which continue to serve Americans today.
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1976 FestivalOld Ways in the New WorldThis Bicentennial program served as a kind of family reunion, bringing together the children of immigrants to the United States from various parts of the world and their cultural cousins who stayed at home.
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1976 FestivalRegional AmericaDuring the two-month Festival, each week featured a different region of the United States, gathering artisans and families to demonstrate the arts and skills that characterized their hometowns.
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1976 FestivalWorking AmericansFrom horseshoe makers to decorative ice carvers, newspaper printers to long-haul truckers, this program presented the occupational cultures of a broad range of broad range of unions and professional organizations.
Festival 101
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The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. Produced annually by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the Festival has featured participants from all fifty states and more than a hundred countries.
Our Festival takes place every summer, typically overlapping the July Fourth holiday, with free performances, workshops, demonstrations, and other activities. It is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. We invite visitors to sing and dance along, try crafts and games, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange.
