The Washington Monument will look a little different this New Year’s Eve, with the iconic attraction turning into a canvas of visual narratives and the largest birthday candle ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Freedom 250, the national organization created by President Donald Trump to lead America’s 250th celebration, announced this as the first project in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s founding.
“The illumination of the Washington Monument marks the beginning of a momentous year for our nation—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach said in a press release. “We invite every American—and every friend of America—to join this historic celebration of the triumph of the American spirit.”
The six-night display will begin on Dec. 31 with a “special” New Year’s Eve “countdown moment” featuring a 250-foot birthday candle “illuminating” the Washington Monument.
Each evening through Jan. 5, a different presentation will be displayed on the monument. The event is not ticketed and will be open to the public. Following Dec. 31, the projection will display from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Each evening’s presentation will project a sweeping visual narrative onto the Monument, celebrating America’s story, strength, and unity and serving as a dazzling national kickoff to the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great nation,” according to the press release.
The display is meant to begin a yearlong slate of “marquee national events.” Freedom 250 has already unveiled some events for the anniversary, including the Great American State Fair in June, a national prayer gathering in May, and the Patriot Games in the fall of 2026.
New Year’s Eve celebrations marking 250 years since the nation’s founding will also continue in New York City with America250, the nonpartisan organization chartered by Congress, leading events for the anniversary.
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America250 announced that after the ball drops on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, the ball will be relit in the America250 design featuring red, white, and blue, and will rise above an illuminated “2026,” according to the press release.
There will also be the first post-midnight release of 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti in Times Square, along with a finale set to Ray Charles’s rendition of “America the Beautiful.”