For many, Presidents Day is simply a three-day weekend, a perfect opportunity to refresh their homes with peak sales on mattresses and appliances. And while that is a worthy event to celebrate, the holiday stems from a celebration more significant to American history.
The holiday began as two separate days honoring the birthdays of presidents Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb. 22).
Washington's birthday was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1879.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill which moved several federal holidays to Mondays to create long weekends. During the bill's debate, lawmakers proposed a unified "Presidents Day" to honor both Washington and Lincoln. While Lincoln's birthday was celebrated in several states, it was not celebrated as a federal holiday, according to Britannica.
While some may think that the only one who celebrates Presidents Day is R.C. Willey and other major businesses, today, cities across the U.S. host festivals and celebrations to honor the two leaders. As the nation kicks off its 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026, here is how several spots are observing the special year.
Illinois, also known as The Land of Lincoln, is where Lincoln lived for 31 years of his life and built his career.
In Springfield, Illinois, the city celebrated Lincoln's 217th birthday with free admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum on Feb. 12. The Lincoln Home National Historic Site also hosted events throughout the weekend.
Gov. JB Pritzker shared a video to social media encouraging Illinoisans to remember Lincoln's impact on American history during the holiday.
The National Portrait Gallery is celebrating the holiday and the U.S. Semiquincentennial with the "250th Festival: A Celebration of Our Story." The event features dancers performing "American Winners: Athletes and Entertainers Who Shaped the Nation," alongside craft workshops, live music and storytelling sessions about the nation's history.
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, hosted the George Washington Birthday Parade on Saturday to celebrate the first president's role in the nation's founding and to ring in the 250th year of the nation.
Established in 1801, it is one of the oldest and largest parades of its kind. The event is organized by the George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee, which has planned commemorative events since 1976, according to the parade's website.
The National Park Service is debuting a new movie for its nightly program at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The screening, created in honor of Presidents Day and the 250th anniversary, is a salute to veterans and gold star families.
Every year, entrance fees to National Park Service sites that are usually charged will be waived and visitors will get free admission. All National Park Service sites that typically charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on Presidents Day.
In 2026, the National Park Service noted that free entrance on Presidents Day and other holidays it offers free entrance will be for U.S. citizens and residents only. All others will have to pay the entrance fee.
Lake Havasu lights up the desert night sky all weekend with a special fireworks show running from Feb. 12 to 15.
Visitors can also explore the SARA Crack trail, a 5-mile canyon hike, as well as a BMX track, a playground and rodeo grounds nearby.
As with anything in Texas, the Presidents Day celebrations in Laredo are big.
The festivities began Thursday night with a two-week carnival at Sames Auto Arena parking lot.
On Friday, the city hosted the "Comedy Jam for George," a tradition spanning over two decades. The weekend continued with a car show, a pageant and a Sunday morning air show.
"Philadelphia is always ready," the city's website boasts as it prepares for a yearlong celebration in honor of the nation's 250th birthday.
The Museum of the American Revolution featured a special program where visitors could explore the leadership of Washington and Lincoln through live demonstrations, "discovery carts" and crafts.
Williamsburg offered visitors a deep dive into the lives of Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The highlight event being, "An Evening with the Presidents," which took place Friday night. The program featured reenactors portraying the three Virginians as they discuss the political landscapes that challenged the early republic.
As the city put it, "there's no better place to spend Presidents Day weekend than the city that shaped the nation's earliest leaders."
