Disney Celebrates America with 24-Hour July 4th Special

‘Disney Celebrates America’ Event to be Broadcasted Across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, and More

In what is shaping up to be one of the largest television events in modern history, Disney Entertainment Television has officially announced a massive, 24-hour multiplatform broadcast to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Operating under the banner “Disney Celebrates America,” the unprecedented broadcast will kick off on Friday, July 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT and run straight through Saturday, July 4.

The sprawling event will leverage the full power of the Disney portfolio, streaming and broadcasting simultaneously across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, ESPN, FX, Freeform, and ABC News Live.

Related-Disney Celebrates America Lineup Announced Ahead of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary

“Storytelling has always been at the heart of The Walt Disney Company, creating generations of fans around the world for more than a century,” said Debra OConnell, chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. “‘Disney Celebrates America’ continues that legacy by bringing together the breadth of our portfolio to create something only Disney can, and we’re proud to bring audiences everywhere together to celebrate America’s stories.”

Muir Leads the Journey, Seacrest Hosts the Party

The 24-hour marathon is anchored by World News Tonight’s David Muir, who will guide viewers through all 50 states to explore the majestic geography, pivotal historical moments, and diverse cultures that have shaped the nation over the last two and a half centuries.

The celebration features an array of interviews and appearances from massive cultural icons, including digital megastar MrBeast, country legends Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw, rock/folk icon Brandi Carlile, and pop superstar Nick Jonas.

The programming culminates on the night of July 4th with “Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash.” Hosted live by Ryan Seacrest, the primetime special will broadcast from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, featuring a superstar musical lineup and one of the largest fireworks and drone spectacles in U.S. history, scored live by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.

Full 24-Hour Broadcast Schedule (All Times EDT)

Friday, July 3

• 10:00–11:00 p.m. | America the BeautifulDavid Muir kicks off the broadcast with rare reporting from inside the torch and crown of the Statue of Liberty. The hour features “Liberty Lights”—a first-of-its-kind artistic illumination of the monument produced with the Consulate General of France—and a cockpit flyover view from Deborah Roberts with the French Air and Space Force. Brandi Carlile will deliver a special performance of “America the Beautiful” alongside SistaStrings, accompanied by a message from Disney Co. CEO Josh D’Amaro.
• 11:00–11:35 p.m. | Pre-Party Across AmericaLinsey Davis anchors live from New Orleans, while Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer and Sam Champion host from New York City to spotlight early celebrations.
• 11:35 p.m.–12:37 a.m. | Party Across AmericaThe party expands nationwide. Davis reports from Bourbon Street (featuring jazz icon Wynton Marsalis); John Quiñones broadcasts from San Antonio; Trevor Ault reports from a Disney cruise ship in Alaska; Cameron Mathison checks in from Las Vegas; and Anabel Munoz covers fireworks in Los Angeles. Broadway’s Ragtime, Dancing with the Stars, and the historic Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, will also be featured.

Saturday, July 4

• 12:37–1:07 a.m. | Nightline (Special Edition)Juju Chang and Byron Pitts co-anchor a late-night special celebrating 80 years of ABC News storytelling, featuring a profile of the Hartford Courant (the country’s oldest newspaper).
• 1:07–5:00 a.m. | GMA’s 50 States in 50 WeeksThe late-night hours feature the grand finale of GMA’s year-long road trip across the country, which began in July 2025, visiting every state in the order they joined the Union.
• 5:00–7:00 a.m. | Dawn in AmericaDavid Muir traces colonial history with exclusive access to the archives in Philadelphia. Sunrise moments include Kelly Ripa honoring Schoolhouse Rock; Ginger Zee at Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes; Rachel Scott aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Eagle; Gio Benitez at Cadillac Mountain; and Steve Osunsami covering a live naturalization ceremony at Monticello.
• 7:00–10:00 a.m. | Good Morning America (Special Edition)Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan share their personal family immigration stories. Roberts will present an exclusive, years-in-the-making genealogical breakthrough mapping the descendants of an enslaved individual who helped build the White House. The morning also includes military tributes, a look ahead to the 2027 Grammy Awards on ABC, and updates from the 9/11 Memorial, Pearl Harbor, and Walt Disney World.
• 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Hometowns & HeroesMuir anchors a look at America’s westward expansion. Highlights include Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos exploring the Indian Canyons oasis; Jonathan Karl live from Mount Rushmore; Sunny Hostin on Puerto Rico’s cultural legacy; and ESPN’s Joe Buck tracing the path of Lewis and Clark.
• 12:30–1:00 p.m. | Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating ContestESPN presents the ultimate July 4th competitive eating tradition, featuring top-ranked titans Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo.
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. | 7 Wonders of AmericaABC News anchors team up with National Geographic Explorers to journey through the nation’s natural marvels:
  • The Grand Canyon & Redwoods: David Muir
  • The Appalachian Mountains: Diane Sawyer
  • The Everglades: Robin Roberts
  • Niagara Falls: Michael Strahan
  • Hawai’i’s Volcanoes: Juju Chang
  • Yellowstone: Deborah Roberts
  • Special Segment: NFL star Myles Garrett joins a prehistoric dinosaur dig in North Dakota.
• 3:00–5:00 p.m. | Dreamers & InnovatorsMuir anchors live parade coverage from local stations nationwide. Whoopi Goldberg explores the birth of Hollywood; Deborah Roberts tracks the history of American fashion; and Gio Benitez charts the evolution of the space race.
• 5:00–7:00 p.m. | SportsCenter (Special Edition)Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson co-host a special two-hour edition celebrating the legendary moments and people that have shaped American sports culture.
• 7:00–7:30 p.m. | World News Tonight with David MuirA special holiday edition of the nation’s top-rated evening news program.
• 7:30–8:00 p.m. | Countdown to Nashville’s Star-Spangled BashA preview of the night’s big concert featuring interviews with Boyz II Men and Clint Black, an inside look at the “Camp Rock 3” nationwide bus tour, and a visit to MrBeast’s headquarters in North Carolina with Jesse Palmer.
• 8:00–11:00 p.m. | Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash (Live Coast-to-Coast)The 24-hour broadcast hits its grand finale live from downtown Nashville. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the massive concert lineup includes:
  • The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, Brothers Osborne, Clint Black, Elizabeth Nichols, Emily Ann Roberts, John Crist, Lauren Daigle, Little Big Town, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw.The night concludes with an epic, nationwide broadcast of fireworks and drone shows from both Nashville and the Disneyland Resort.

Audio and Radio Coverage

For those on the road over the holiday weekend, ABC News Radio will offer a companion three-hour program featuring Martha Raddatz’s military profiles from her book The Hero Next Door, alongside a full audio simulcast of the 24-hour television broadcast for its affiliates.

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