America 250th Events

Adams County, Pennsylvania, will mark the 250^th anniversary of America’s founding through a variety of initiatives, projects, and especially events.  

Throughout 2025 and 2026, the Gettysburg region will host hundreds of events that help educate and celebrate our local and national history as part of America’s 250th. Events will range from historical presentations, living history encampments of all eras, parades, parties, performances and picnics. 

We invite you to celebrate America’s 250 right here in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and learn how this small rural town played such an important role in the history of our nation. All events are open to the public. 

Events listed below have been reviewed by a committee who has approved these events based on their alignment with the four pillars of America250PA – education, preservation, innovation and celebration. We encourage you to revisit this site as events get added to the calendar through the end of 2026. 

Events in 2025

April 6 – Presentation: “Your Backyard Geoglogy”, Ye Olde Sulpur Spa Historical Soc., York Springs 

April 18 – Two Lights for Tomorrow, Gettysburg NMP Museum & Visitor Center, Seminary Ridge Museum 

April 25-27 – Scout Immersion Weekend, Historic Daniel Lady Farm 

May 8-11 – Gettysburg Film Festival, Various Locations 

June 27-29 – 52 Annual Civil War Relic Show, All-Star Events Complex 

July 4-6 – 162^nd Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg Re-enactment, Historic Daniel Lady Farm 

November 14-16 – Civil War Remembrance Celebration, Historic Daniel Lady Farm 

October 18-19 – Fall Crafts, Music and History Festival, Historic Daniel Lady Farm 

December 5-6 – Candlelight Christmas Tours, Historic Daniel Lady Farm 

December 31 – New Year’s Eve, America 250^th Celebration, Daniel Lady Farm 

Events in 2026

January TBA – Official Launch of America250PA in Adams County, Pa. 

July 10-26 – Performance of “1776”, Gettysburg Community Theatre 

November 18-19 – Re-creation of Lincoln’s Visit, Downtown Gettysburg, Gettysburg National Cemetery 

If you are an organization in Adams County, Pennsylvania, interested in hosting or developing an event, please submit your event information by clicking on the button below. If you have questions about hosting or submitting an America 250^th event, please email america250adams@gmail.com. 

Application for Officially Recognized Program, Project, or Event

In 2026, America will celebrate its 250^th birthday. Adams County appointed a local commission to develop opportunities to commemorate this EPIC milestone.

EDUCATE

PRESERVE

INNOVATE

CELEBRATE

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the state legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. 

America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from all 67 counties, bring the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation so Pennsylvanians can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth & nation today, use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth’s history but also to our Nation’s history, leave a lasting impact on the next generation and to spark an interest in which will ignite the drive for them to appreciate all the triumphs, trials and tribulations to which contributed to the Commonwealth for which they are now writing their own history.

In 2022 Adams County formed a local commission to support the efforts at the state level. The America250PA-Adams County Commission invites organizations and businesses to participate. Please complete this application to be considered as an officially recognized Program, Project or Event with America250PA-Adams County.