America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together

This July 4th, AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER celebrates the nation’s Semiquincentennial with a star-filled tribute set in the revolutionary capital of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Blending live performance, music, historic interpretation, and large-scale visual spectacle to create an inspiring national event that connects the nation’s founding to the present day, the special is designed as a celebration and a unifying national moment. Produced in partnership with VA250, the two-hour event will honor the past, engage the present, and inspire a season of civic renewal — all from the place where the path to independence began. From the first melodic sounds of a violin to the thunderous pyrotechnic finale, this is a program for all Americans to see themselves reflected in our nation’s continuing story. Broadcast live from the heart of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER premieres live, Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET ( check local listings ) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.

Highlights from the live event include a dazzling variety of musical performances by an outstanding line-up of American artists, including:

• Multi-platinum recording artist, Emmy and Grammy nominee, Tony Award winner and “Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein
• Three-time Grammy Award-winning opera bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green
• Tony winner and Emmy, SAG, Olivier, and two-time Grammy nominee Kelli O’Hara
• Tony, Drama Desk, Antonyo and Outer Critics Award winner Adrienne Warren
• Legendary Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins

AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER will also feature narration by Tony and Golden Globe nominee and Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas and a special greeting from acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

Additional highlights include “The Heartbeat of Freedom,” with Indigenous, West African and English Colonial drums coming together as one and a dramatic presentation of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence by a cast representing key historic figures, including Thomas Jefferson, Martha Washington and James Lafayette, an enslaved Virginian who won his freedom as a Revolutionary War double agent. The event also features the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and includes the world premiere of “Through a Window,” performed by Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, the Virginia Chorale, and Ryan Speedo Green, with inspiring images created by 400 synchronized drones. The finale will feature a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by classic American favorites as recorded by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.

AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app, which is available on iOS, Apple TV, Android mobile and tablets, Android/Google TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and tablets, Comcast, Samsung Smart TV, VIZIO and LG Smart TVs.

AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER is made possible by Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in association with PBS. Carly Fiorina is the executive producer, William Schermerhorn is the artistic director, and Donna Smeland is the executive in charge of production. The show is co-produced by Allen Newman and William Schermerhorn. Zachary Nial is the broadcast director, and the show is written by William Schermerhorn. Tedd Firth is the music director. Zara Frankel is the executive in charge for PBS.

AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER is part of a slate of new programming for PBS America @ 250, a multiyear celebration of U.S. history, culture, and children’s programming that pays homage to America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. As part of the largest national and local engagement effort in its history, PBS member stations are activating events in more than 75 markets nationwide. In addition to tentpole programming like THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION from Florentine Films, PBS KIDS, PBS LearningMedia, PBS Digital Studios, and PBS member stations are exploring these topics at a national and local level. PBS America @ 250 programming will span across History, Music and Culture, plus programming from PBS KIDS. Visit the PBS America @ 250 Explore Page at www.pbs.org/explore/pbs-america-at-250 for more program information and PBS LearningMedia resources.

About VA250
Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250)
Established by the General Assembly in 2020, VA250 serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia. America. Made In Virginia. From its founding ideals to its leading figures, more of what made America happen, happened here in Virginia. Which makes Virginia the ideal place to learn about our nation’s beginnings, no matter what state you call home.

About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 56 million viewers on YouTube, and 10 million followers on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on  pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet,  Facebook, Instagram, or through our  apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at  pbs.org/pressroom  or by following PBS Communications on X.