MIAMI, FL (May 19, 2026) – 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 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.

“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. The initiative also includes “Flags Across Miami-Dade,” a community-focused effort encouraging residents to display American flags throughout neighborhoods across the county, creating a visible patriotic experience for visitors exploring Greater Miami and Miami Beach during the America250 celebration.

The City of Miami Beach will further commemorate America250 through a series of patriotic community celebrations and cultural programming taking place throughout the year. Highlights include the Miami Beach FREEDOM exhibit at The Galeria on Ocean Drive, celebrating patriotism, culture and the city’s coastal lifestyle; Red, White and Boots, a family-friendly line dancing celebration in Lummus Park; and dual Fourth of July festivities and fireworks displays taking place across both South Beach and North Beach. Visitors and residents can explore the full lineup of Miami Beach America250 programming at Miami Beach America250.

The City of Miami’s annual Fourth Fest at Bayfront Park will once again serve as one of Greater Miami’s signature Independence Day celebrations, featuring live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food vendors and a spectacular fireworks display over Biscayne Bay set against Downtown Miami’s waterfront skyline. Located in the heart of Downtown, the event draws thousands of residents and visitors annually for an evening of patriotic celebration along the bayfront. Visitors can experience the festivities from rooftop venues such as The Elser Hotel & Residences, waterfront restaurants and lounges, or through boat and cruise experiences on the water offering front-row views of the fireworks display.

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 semi quincentennial 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 America 250 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.

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.

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

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About the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB)
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited, independent, not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami & Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit MiamiandMiamiBeach.com or call 1.888.76.Miami (U.S./Canada only) or 305.447.7777. To reach the GMCVB offices, call 305.539.3000. Meeting planners may call 1.800.933.8448 (U.S./Canada only) or 305.539.3071 or visit MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Greater Miami & Miami Beach, join the conversation by following on social media at Facebook.com/visitmiami, X.com/visitmiami, Instagram.com/visitmiami and Pinterest.com/visit_miami.

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