It’s a special birthday.

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This year, the country will celebrate 250 years on July 4. Many organizations, businesses and citizens are planning big parties throughout the summer to commemorate the occasion.

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America250, America250.org, is a national effort to organize the celebrations across the country. Congress created the nonpartisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2016 to plan the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

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In July of 2024 Gov. Joe Lombardo created the America250 Nevada Commission, america250nevada.org/commission, and appointed its members. It has held public meetings each quarter since March 2025. U.S. Rep. (R-NV) Mark Amodei chairs the commission.

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“As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation, every state is preparing to celebrate in its own way,” he said. “I may be biased, but Nevada has a real opportunity to show the country how it’s done. Our Battle Born spirit, history and accomplishments set us apart and give us so much to be proud of. So, I encourage everyone to get involved, attend events, volunteer and share your family’s stories because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help tell and bridge the Nevada story with the greater American story.”

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I may be biased, but Nevada has a real opportunity to show the country how it’s done. Our Battle Born spirit, history and accomplishments set us apart and give us so much to be proud of.

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The other board members include: Gerald Dixon, Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, COO; Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas; Amanda Hilton, Nevada Mining Association president; Kelly McNeil, Nevada League of Cities executive director; Tony F. Sanchez, III, ESQ., executive vice president of business development and external relations, NV. Energy; Mary Beth Sewald, Vegas Chamber president and CEO; Ann Silver, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce CEO; Virginia Valentine, Nevada Resort Association president and CEO; and Keith E. Whitfield, former UNLV president. Brenda Scolari, director of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for the state of Nevada, is listed as staff.

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Hoover Dam kicked things off on Memorial Day with a 300-foot-by-150-foot American flag and nightly red, white and blue illumination. The lighting display will continue nightly at dusk through July 4.

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The Las Vegas Strip and Downtown will light things up this summer with eight consecutive Saturdays of synchronized fireworks displays from June 6 through July 25. The July 4 display will be launched from nine rooftops across the resort corridor. Several Strip and off-Strip restaurants are planning America250th viewing parties with special menus. Fireworks and viewing parties are just part of the celebration. There are several civic projects in the works, as well.

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“Though events are important, The America250 Commission focused its efforts on creating lasting impact for all of Nevada’s communities through community volunteerism, civic engagement and programs that will be felt in communities long after the celebrations of July 4,” Scolari said.

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The commission, Department of Education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement and NV Energy Foundation have partnered to create the Civic Seal program, which provides scholarships to students and educators.

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Throughout the spring, the commission, in partnership with the Nevada Volunteers organization, supported 62 community volunteer programs through the Nevada Gives program, funded by MGM Resorts International, america250nevada.org/nevada-gives.

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In addition, the NV Energy Foundation has funded the Our Nevada stories podcast series on KUNR, kunr.org/show/our-nevada-stories. Nevada State Folklorist Brad McMullen spent eight months traveling throughout the state collecting Nevadans’ stories. The series began on Memorial Day and will stream Sundays at 4:30 p.m.

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Public art installations funded through the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts are underway in Las Vegas, Henderson and other cities. For a full list of those projects, visit america250nevada.org/nac-grant.

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“I think the most exciting thing planned is just bringing people of all walks together to celebrate the birthday of our beautiful nation,” Guzman said of the upcoming events.

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“I love this country,” he said. “It is the greatest country in the world, and we all owe it so much. Being able to celebrate this milestone of 250 years, is an honor we all should all embrace.”

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Below is a list of some of the other events planned throughout the state to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

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Eight Consecutive Saturdays of Fireworks

• June 6: Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, and The Venetian
• June 13: MGM Grand, ARIA and Planet Hollywood
• June 20: The Plaza, Binion’s Gambling Hall and Fremont Street Experience parking garages
• June 27: Resorts World, Fontainebleau and The STRAT Hotel
• July 4: A synchronized Independence Day display launched from nine rooftops across the Las Vegas Strip
• July 11: MGM Grand, ARIA and Planet Hollywood
• July 18: Resorts World, Fontainebleau and The STRAT Hotel
• July 25: Caesars Palace, Treasure Island and The Venetian

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Nevada Pavilion in Washington, D.C.

June 25-July 10: An immersive exhibit showcasing Nevada’s contributions to the American story will be presented at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

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Pahrump Art Project

June 30, 10 a.m.-noon: Pahrump will open its Tourism Information Center and unveil the Main Street Mural and Youth Arts Legacy.

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Mesquite Artist Reception

June 18, 4- 5 p.m.: Mesquite Fine Arts Center, 15 W. Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite will showcase local artwork with the America250 theme.

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Other Local Events

• Water parks, Cowabunga Bay in Henderson and Cowabunga Canyon in the Spring Valley area, will host the annual Red, White & Kaboom event July 3. Activities begin at 1 p.m. and fireworks are launched at 8:50 p.m.
• Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort, Durango, Lake Las Vegas, M Resort, Floyd Lamb State Park and Buckskin Basin Park plan to launch fireworks on July 4.
• For families, there are several events to get into the patriotic spirit. Celebrating the country’s birthday begins in Downtown Summerlin with the 2026 Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade on July 4 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit summerlinpatrioticparade.com.
• City of Las Vegas will hold its big Fourth of July event at 7 p.m. July 4 at Buckskin Basin Park, 7350 Buckskin Ave. and Wayne Bunker Family Park at 7351 W. Alexander Road.
• The city of Henderson’s Fourth of July Celebration features activities at Heritage Park. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. For more information, visit eventeny.com/events/2026-city-of-henderson-4th-of-july-celebration-29372/.
• The Las Vegas Fourth of July 5K and 10K are vibrant celebrations of the nation’s independence. Participants begin at Bruce Trent Park, and it is open to all fitness levels. For more information, visit lasvegas4thofjuly5k.com.

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