If you’re an RVer, you could inundate your travel itinerary with spectacular events as you motor across North America.

Indeed, every year brings us the College Football Championship, the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, March Madness, the Masters, the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, and multiple major concerts, rodeos, and other special events — all held at famous venues across the continent.

But 2026 will add another level of excitement to the mix – with the FIFA World Cup coming to North America for the first time since 1994 — and the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Patriotic Celebrations

The United States of America turns 250 on July 4, 2026. To honor this significant milestone, celebrations across the nation generally will be larger than usual, with some extra days added on to the holiday since July 4 occurs on Saturday. So even though this event is eight months away, you should consider reserving an RV spot today so that you can camp near some of the events you plan to attend.

Many of the biggest celebrations to note will take place in historically significant cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. Washington, D.C., and its environs also will feature massive celebrations.

Events leading up to the Fourth shouldn’t be missed. Particularly worthy is Sails on the Potomac, a parade of Tall Ships in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 12-14. (Having seen the Tall Ships sail through the Golden Gate into San Francisco Bay, we can tell you, it is a sight worth seeing.) Alexandria will also host speakers, exhibitions, and art displays during its commemoration.

Philadelphia, birthplace of the nation, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the home of the Liberty Bell, will pull out all stops with a larger-than-normal parade, a massive fireworks display, and a July 4 FIFA World Cup match.

Boston’s celebration will pay tribute to the city’s role in the early dissatisfaction of the colonists and actions that helped foment the American Revolution. Parades, museum openings, and fireworks are planned throughout Massachusetts, home of many of the country’s Founding Fathers.

The event calendar for July 4 in Washington, D.C., still is not finalized, but planners have indicated that a larger parade than usual will roll down Constitution Avenue. There will be a huge gathering on the National Mall, the Capitol Fourth concert, and an extensive fireworks display. Various D.C. websites will have updates as the schedule is finalized.

Super Soccer Events on U.S. Shores

One schedule that is finalized is that of the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Next year’s cup will feature an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches. The tournament will be co-hosted across 16 cities in the three countries. The first match will be held in Mexico City, and the final match will take place at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Qualification matches started in 2023 and will finish in March 2026, when the final slate of teams will be named. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are automatically included as host countries.

Tickets are scarce and expensive, but tailgating outside venues should offer football/soccer fans a chance to loudly support their favorite team.

So get out your calendar and plan your adventure. Next year holds a lot of promise for events worth following.