25 Ways to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

In 2026, the United States of America celebrates 250 years of independence. Here in Mesa, we honor that milestone with experiences that bring history to life — from WWII aircraft soaring overhead to pioneer trails beneath your boots — each telling a story of resilience, freedom and community.

1. Listen to the National Anthem on the World's Largest Wurlitzer Organ at Organ Stop Pizza

2. Stop and smell the roses at the veteran-themed Mesa Community College Rose Garden

3. Wave your flag proudly at Mesa's Veterans Day Parade

4. Raise a glass at award-winning, veteran-owned Cider Corps cidery

5. Step back in time and learn about the ancient Hohokam Civilization at the Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki cultural park

6. Catch America’s favorite pastime during Cactus League Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs and Athletics

7. Celebrate freedom at the Arizona Celebration of Freedom — the state’s biggest free Independence Day party

8. Take a flight through history at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, home to WWII bombers and fighter planes

9. Watch the skies at Falcon Field Airport, once a bustling WWII training base for Allied pilots

10. Dine on patriotic fare at Red, White & Brew

11. Discover stories of America’s pioneers at the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center

12. Walk in the footsteps of Elvis Presley at the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, where he filmed Charro!

13. Immerse yourself in the city’s past at the Mesa Historical Museum, where the city’s stories echo through photographs, artifacts and pioneer tales

14. Float on Arizona’s favorite summer pastime, the Lower Salt River, and keep your eyes open for wild horses

15. Explore the indigenous heritage that predates the United States itself at the Arizona Museum of Natural History

16. Spot bald eagles while cruising through Canyon Lake aboard the Dolly Steamboat

17. Hike the storied Superstition Mountains, where legends of gold mingle with breathtaking Americana landscapes

18. Time your visit to witness the Cougar Shadow, a natural phenomenon that unites nature and folklore on Mesa’s mountainsides twice each year

19. Drive the historic Apache Trail, one of the country’s most scenic byways

20. Take pride at the annual MLK Day Parade running along M.L.K. Jr. Way in Downtown Mesa

21. Visit the iconic American country singer Waylon Jennings’ grave at the City of Mesa Cemetery

22. Tour the historic neighborhoods of Mesa, where pioneer homes and stories still echo through the city’s roots

23. Chase American nostalgia with Mesa’s slew of neon signs

24. Experience the heritage of the Southwest at Mesa’s Día de los Muertos Festival in Downtown Mesa

25. Catch a concert under the stars at the Mesa Amphitheatre, where music and community come together in true American tradition