This Independence Day, WHRO Public Media will help share one of the nation's most significant commemorative events with audiences across America.
Produced in association with WHRO Public Media, America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together will air live nationwide on PBS on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasting from Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, the two-hour special celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence with an evening of music, storytelling, history, and spectacle from the very place where the nation's path to freedom began.
As part of PBS America @ 250, the live event will showcase Virginia's central role in the American story while bringing together acclaimed artists, historians, performers, and cultural organizations for a celebration designed to honor the past, engage the present, and inspire future generations.
The star-studded program features performances by legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins, renowned entertainer Michael Feinstein, internationally acclaimed opera star Ryan Speedo Green, Broadway favorite Kelli O'Hara, and Tony Award-winning actress Adrienne Warren. Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas will serve as narrator, while celebrated documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will offer a special welcome.
Audiences can also look forward to powerful moments that reflect the diverse voices and experiences that shaped America. Highlights include "The Heartbeat of Freedom," bringing together Indigenous, West African, and English Colonial drumming traditions; dramatic readings from the Declaration of Independence; performances by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums; and the world premiere of Through a Window, featuring Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, the Virginia Chorale, and Ryan Speedo Green accompanied by 400 synchronized drones creating breathtaking images in the night sky.
The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display set to classic American favorites performed by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.
For WHRO, the broadcast represents a unique opportunity to help tell Virginia's story on a national stage. Produced in partnership with VA250 and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and presented in association with WHRO Public Media and PBS, the event will connect viewers nationwide with the people, places, and ideals that helped shape the United States.
The live broadcast will be available on WHRO TV 15, the WHRO+ app, and PBS stations nationwide.
Whether attending in person in Williamsburg or watching from home, audiences will be part of a historic national celebration marking 250 years of American independence.