What’s Happening in 2026

Welcome to 2026! We hope you enjoyed a festive holiday season with friends and family. Now that the new year is here, I’ve been looking at the calendar to see what opportunities this year has in store for making memories together with people you care about. I’ve found plenty of events to add to my calendar, and I’m sharing a few below. It’s never too early to start making plans with friends.

1. America250: Our great nation is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence this year. Throughout the country, events are being planned to commemorate the occasion. There are numerous ways to participate, including adding your volunteer hours to the record-setting effort for volunteer service or visiting the Smithsonian’s “American Presidents” Gallery.
2. Winter Olympics: The games run from Feb. 6 through Feb. 22 this year, with Italy hosting. Even though it’s only a few weeks away, the multi-week timespan and the variety of events provide ample opportunity to plan a home viewing party or time at a sports bar with friends.
3. Fifa World Cup: Held every four years, the World Cup is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event and it determines which country’s team gets bragging rights as having the world’s best soccer (or football for fans around the world) team. This year’s competition will be the biggest ever, including a record-breaking 48 teams–up from 32 in 2022–and will feature games in 16 cities in the US, Canada and Mexico. Even if you don’t follow soccer, the excitement and cultural traditions surrounding the tournament provide endless opportunities for fun with friends.
4. Travel Destinations: When you have a great travel companion, you don’t have to go far to have a great time. But if you’re looking for something special this year, consider the EU’s two 2026 designated Capitals of Culture cities: Oulu, Finland, or Trenčín, Slovakia.
5. Art or Culture: Check out your favorite local museums and cultural institutions for their calendars of events. If music festivals are your jam, there’s no shortage of them in 2026.