In 2026, we will celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring all the ways that Ohio has contributed to U.S. history for 250+ years.
Each month we will focus on a different theme that reflects Ohio’s unique impact.
Note: Experiences and themes subject to change.
Museums, historic sites, libraries, and other organizations can get involved in many ways including:
We’ll kick-off 2026 by celebrating the unique contributions of Ohio from Presidents to other Ohio originals and firsts.
Key experience: Changemakers statewide tourism trail
February’s focus will be Ohio innovations and innovators, historic and contemporary businesses, and the hard-working people of Ohio past and present. National Invention Day and National Engineer’s week both occur in February.
Key experience: Inventors & Innovators statewide tourism trail
John Legend, Halle Berry, Rascal Flatts, 21 Pilots, Drew Carey, and so many more – we’ll celebrate Ohio’s contribution to music, entertainment, and movies.
Key experiences: Ohio Goes to the Movies – statewide movie series featuring films with significant Ohio ties, February-May 2026. Ohio Creativity statewide tourism trail
Ohio moves the world on land and in space. We’ll celebrate Ohio’s impact on transportation. This will be an opportunity to showcase how Ohio has impacted the world from canals to space and every mode of transportation in between.
Key experiences: Ohio Transportation Celebration featuring the Buckeye Train Ride, April 2026, and the Ohio Air & Space tourism trail.
May’s theme will celebrate Ohio’s amazing symphonies, museums, artists, and more. It will include Ohio Goes to the Movies and Ohio Arts Council programming, among other experiences.
Key experiences: Ohio Creativity statewide tourism trail, Ohio Goes to the Movies
In June, we’ll celebrate the great resources we have – Lake Erie, Ohio River, 76 State Parks, miles of trails for biking and hiking.
Key experiences: Beautiful Ohio statewide tourism trail and The Great Ohio Bike Adventure 2026 will run along U.S. Route 250.
Family and friends will gather for the 4th of July. We’re going to celebrate by providing them with an Ohio-themed Homecoming Kit that will be both fun and educational.
Key experience: Picnic at the People’s House (Ohio Statehouse) – July 2026
In 2026, The Ohio State Fair will be a way all Ohioans can celebrate the 250th anniversary as we unearth the bicentennial time capsule and create a new one for the next generation.
Key experiences: Opening the 1976-time capsule buried on the Ohio state fairgrounds, the opening of the Ohio History experience at the fair.
September’s theme will embrace sports of all sorts – from peewee to professional sports teams and Ohio’s incredible contribution to athletics.
Key experience: Partnership with Pro Football Hall of Fame
October is the month of harvest, and we’ll celebrate Ohio’s contributions through Agriculture through all of the amazing Ohio fall activities – AM 250-OH corn maze anyone?
Key experience: TBD
We’ll recognize Ohio’s contribution of those who serve on the front lines daily as firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals. Veteran’s Day 2026 will be a focal point.
Key experience: statewide Veterans graves cleaning, recognition, and commemoration
In December, we’ll cap off the year-long celebration by looking forward to the future to prepare for Ohio’s leadership in the next 50 years.
Key experience: Day-long conference and gathering with futurists and other leading thinkers in Ohio across disciplines.
