Celebrate the Nation’s 250th Anniversary at LibraryFest on July 18

According to Library Director Diane Kresh, “Libraries are essential to the growth, sustainability and health of American communities. Our expertise, welcoming spaces and curated collections — all hallmarks of the public library — support our belief that everyone is entitled to an enriched quality of life. Join us as we celebrate libraries, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Participants of all ages will:

• Experience “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band brass quintet at 10 a.m.
• See a large-scale LEGO sculpture of the U.S. Constitution.
• Write a letter to future Arlingtonians and share wishes for the nation’s future, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Take a journey through the history of Arlington’s Black neighborhoods at 1 p.m.
• Visit the Community Pavilion to learn about Arlington’s diverse community groups and rich history and how to become more civically engaged, all day.
• Create a commemorative LibraryFest silkscreen poster (while supplies last).
• See the all-women powwow demonstration by Uptown Singerz at 4 p.m., representing the Nehiyaw (Cree), Frog Lake First Nations, Omaha, Pueblo of Laguna, Diné-Navajo, Southern Cheyenne and Oglala Lakota tribal nations.
• Learn about the art of ink-making, calligraphy, small-scale printing press and book binding methods.
• Enjoy live music with a variety of genres including folk, jazz, rock and more from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Performers include The Capitol Hillbillies, Uptown Singerz, Whiskey Before Breakfast Band and more.
• Listen to local poets and community leaders reading from seminal American documents, speeches and poems from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Snack on free popcorn and earn a prize for completing three activities, while supplies last.

Visit the library’s website for more information on LibraryFest programming, which is made possible by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library. 

Throughout 2026, Arlington Public Library marks the nation's 250th anniversary with programs, author talks, LibraryFest, local history projects and more.  

What

LibraryFest: Happy 250! A free community celebration for all ages.

When 

Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Food trucks will be available, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vendors include Rossana Coffee, Alejandro’s Tacos, Sweet Chili Asian Cuisine, DC Me Rollin, tATu Latin American, Captain Cookie, Kona Ice and King of Pops.

Where

Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201