The Washington Monument will be illuminated on New Year’s Eve as a 250‑foot “birthday candle,” with projections beginning at 7 p.m. EST to launch the U.S. semiquincentennial. Freedom 250, which says it was created by President Donald Trump, is leading the presentation and coordinating with federal agencies. The free public display runs nightly through Monday and features narrated historical projections; New Year’s Eve will include a drone and fireworks show. Additional 2026 events include a Great American State Fair and a multinational ship parade in New York Harbor.
Washington Monument Transformed Into 250‑Foot 'Birthday Candle' To Launch America's 250th Year
Washington Monument to become ‘birthday candle’ as US marks start of 250th year
The Washington Monument on the National Mall will be transformed on New Year’s Eve into what organizers are calling the “world’s tallest birthday candle” as the United States begins its 250th year, the national Freedom 250 group said.
The Washington Monument will transform on New Year’s Eve into the "world’s tallest birthday candle in honor of our Nation’s 250th birthday."
Beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, the obelisk will be illuminated with large-scale projections that trace the nation’s past and point toward its future, with particular emphasis on the founding era. As part of a countdown to 2026, the monument will be presented visually as a 250‑foot birthday candle.
The viewing is free and open to the public and will continue through Monday with different projections displayed on the monument each night.
Program Details and Public Viewing
The free public display will start on New Year’s Eve and continue through Monday. On subsequent evenings the projection show will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST, while the New Year’s Eve presentation will continue until shortly after midnight.
A patriotic crystal ball will be used for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square to usher in 2026, months ahead of America's 250th birthday.
Themed Projections and Live Elements
Narrated sequences projected onto the monument will explore themes including discovery, the American Revolution and independence, westward expansion, the Industrial Revolution, and the modern era looking toward the future. Freedom 250 described the lighting as the “first signature moment” of a series of semiquincentennial commemorations and said the New Year’s Eve program will include both drone and fireworks displays. Organizers began testing the projections and related elements earlier in December and held previews on the monument.
“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,” said Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, in a press release. He invited Americans and “friends of America” to join the celebration.
Other Semiquincentennial Plans
Freedom 250 said it is coordinating with the White House and other federal agencies to produce additional events in 2026, including a Great American State Fair in June and a parade of ships in New York Harbor featuring vessels from more than 30 countries on the Fourth of July.
Separately, America250 — the nonpartisan commission Congress established in 2016 to prepare for the 250th anniversary — said it will mark the milestone in New York on New Year’s Eve. After midnight EST, the Times Square Ball will be lit in red, white and blue and organizers plan to release 2,000 pounds of red, white and blue confetti.
The monument lighting and related events are intended as a kickoff to yearlong observances that will commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
