Disney will wish America a very happy 250th birthday with a company-wide celebration of the nation beginning on Veterans Day and culminating on July 4, 2026, with a 24-hour multi-platform broadcast.
The Indepence Day telecast will air across Disney+, Hulu, ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX and National Geographic, ending with a fireworks broadcast from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. The coverage will be led by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir alongside hosts and personalities from ABC News, ESPN and National Geographic.
“At its heart, America’s story is one of imagination, ambition, and possibility — the same ideals that have guided Disney since the beginning,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “This celebration honors both a nation and a spirit that never stop dreaming about what’s next.”
In addition to the 24-hour broadcast, Disneyland and Disney World will launch the “Soarin’ Across America” attraction in summer 2026, taking guests on an immersive new flight experience over the country’s most breathtaking landscapes and cities.
“Good Morning America” will continue its “50 States in 50 Weeks” series, National Geographic will launch an “America in Superlatives” show and ESPN will premiere a new segment on “SportsCenter” titled “America’s Team,” a search to find out which team most embodies the United States.
ABC News Studios will air a two-hour primetime special connecting America’s most iconic cities to the Disney parks. Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park will present a special Independence Day fireworks show from July 3 to July 5. And Disney Consumer Products will launch a new military-inspired assortment of merchandise and memorabilia.
Continuing its legacy of supporting military families and veterans, Disney will donate $2.5 million to Blue Star Families, host movie screenings on military bases and create special offerings across Disney experiences for service members.