Disney+ To Feature “Disney Celebrates America” 24-Hour Livestream

In 2026, the United States of America turns 250 years old, and to celebrate, Disney has announced details on its “Disney Celebrates America” campaign, which will stretch across the entire company.

Beginning on Veterans Day, aka November 11th 2025 and culminating on the July 4th, 2026 weekend, Disney will feature special programming, storytelling, and experiences across its iconic brands and businesses to celebrate the nation’s remarkable journey, spotlight the people and places that make this country so unique, and inspire patriotism in every generation.

As a pillar of American storytelling, innovation, and imagination, the company will bring the semiquincentennial to life in uniquely Disney ways, leaning into the dreams, stories, and optimism that have touched the lives of people across the country and around the world for the past century. Disney will spotlight and celebrate the nation’s many vibrant communities and expansive landscapes, encouraging audiences and guests to discover the people and places that have shaped America for the last 250 years.

The celebration will culminate on the July 4th weekend with a 24-hour, multi-platform broadcast, “Disney Celebrates America,” highlighting America’s 250th anniversary events nationwide across Disney’s linear networks and streaming platforms, including Disney+, Hulu, ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX and National Geographic, ending with a special evening fireworks broadcast from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. David Muir, anchor and managing editor of “World News Tonight with David Muir,” is set to lead the daylong coverage, accompanied by ABC News anchors and correspondents, iconic ESPN commentators and National Geographic Explorers reporting from across the country for this once-in-a-lifetime presentation featuring top entertainers, athletes and historians — all coming together to spotlight the wonder, achievements and dreams that define the American spirit.

Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company said in a statement regarding the celebration:

“At its heart, America’s story is one of imagination, ambition, and possibility – the same ideals that have guided Disney since the beginning.  This celebration honors both a nation and a spirit that never stop dreaming about what’s next.”

Over the next year, Disney will have plenty of activations for the event including:

• ABC’s “Good Morning America” will continue its popular “50 States in 50 Weeks” series, which kicked off earlier this year, highlighting unforgettable places and people across the nation.
• Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will celebrate coast to coast with the summer 2026 opening of “Soarin’ Across America,” an immersive new flight experience aboard the beloved Soarin’ attractions at Disney California Adventure Park and EPCOT. “Soarin’ Across America” will take guests on a breathtaking journey, highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.
• National Geographic’s “America in Superlatives” series will feature, across all platforms, a range of National Geographic storytellers and photographers highlighting unique places and events from around the United States, offering surprising and inspiring stories that explore what makes America special.
• ESPN will premiere a new SportsCenter segment, “America’s Team,” a cross-country search to find out which team most embodies the country, plus special patriotic programming across its flagship platforms, including exclusive live coverage of the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4.
• In June 2026, ABC News Studios will present a two-hour primetime special that journeys through the heart of our nation — where the real-life spirit of iconic locales like New Orleans and the American frontier comes alive through the beloved lands of Disney Parks, connecting audiences to the extraordinary people, places, histories, and traditions that make America unique.
• Expanding beyond Independence Day, the beloved fireworks show “Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” will play across all three nights of the holiday weekend, July 3 – 5, at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park.
• Disney Consumer Products will once again honour our nation’s heroes with a new special military-inspired assortment now available at select locations across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, while supplies last. In addition, debuting in May 2026, an array of Americana merchandise, including select items commemorating America’s milestone anniversary, will be available for purchase at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and DisneyStore.com.

Throughout the event, Disney will also be offering special discounts to veterans for its theme parks and cruise line.

Roger’s Take:   Disney loves to celebrate major occasions at its theme parks, especially when it can take advantage to sell more merchandise and tickets, so it makes sense for Disney to embrace the 250th anniversary celebrations.  A live-stream from the parks onto Disney+ is also a great way of promoting the theme parks and making it feel like a must-see event.  I’m hoping we get to see more documentaries arrive on Disney+ throughout the celebration, to help give more information to viewers around the world to the history of the country, while also getting to enjoy a fantastic fireworks show! 

Will you be checking America’s 250th anniversary at Disney?  Let me know on social media!