CNN to Air Expansive 'The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250' Programming Including 'Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy'

Washington, DC - (May 28, 2026) - As America marks a momentous 250 years of independence, CNN will broadcast an expansive slate of must-see programming from across the country over multiple days to commemorate a historic day for the nation.

On the evening of Friday, July 3rd, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen continue the beloved tradition of CNN's New Year's Eve Live, counting down live to America's 250th birthday from Times Square. Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250 will air from 8pmET through 12:30amET and will feature New York's unique midnight ball drop honoring the nation's semi quincentennial and ushering in a landmark year for the country.

Throughout the night, Anderson and Andy will be joined by an array of special guests - including celebrated American icons, cultural legends, and inspiring everyday heroes whose stories reflect the spirit, resilience, and diversity of the United States. In addition to the festivities in Times Square, CNN correspondents and reporters stationed across the country will bring viewers into cities and small towns nationwide, spotlighting the people, traditions and celebrations shaping this historic moment in communities coast-to-coast.

On Saturday, July 4th, CNN anchors and correspondents will be fanned out across the country for The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250, CNN's nonstop special coverage of the unique events defining America's 250th. The festivities on the National Mall in Washington, DC will be the focal point throughout the day including the Great American State Fair.

Special coverage will begin at 12pmET with Brianna Keilar and Laura Coates anchoring from the nation's capital.

CNN's July 4th coverage will culminate at 6pmET with Anderson Cooper anchoring from Boston with Pamela Brown, where CNN is also proud to be the worldwide exclusive broadcast partner for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which will take place at the Hatch Shell. The signature event will be conducted by Keith Lockhart and feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Chance the Rapper, and Trombone Shorty, and include a massive fireworks and drone display.

CNN's Dana Bash and Boris Sanchez will anchor coverage throughout primetime from the National Mall in Washington, DC, where the nation's capital will host headline performers, speeches, and a dazzling fireworks show across the national monuments.

In New York, CNN's Sara Sidner and Victor Blackwell will anchor from the top of the Empire State Building as the city plans a showstopping fireworks display across both the Hudson and East Rivers. CNN's Elex Michaelson and Cari Champion will anchor the network's coverage from San Diego starting at 11pmET.

Additional dayside coverage highlights include: John Berman on a scavenger hunt exploring the revolutionary history of Boston; Erica Hill in New York City as a flotilla of tall ships from around the world sails into New York Harbor; Danny Freeman in Philadelphia; Andy Scholes in Nashville; Randi Kaye in Provincetown, Massachusetts; and Donie O'Sullivan from George Washington's Mount Vernon, Derek Van Dam on the National Mall in Washington, DC; Nick Watt in Los Angeles; Julia Benbrook at the White House, plus reporting from Bill Weir, Harry Enten, and more.

CNN's Fourth in America: Celebrating 250 will also feature an array of musical performances by artists including, Charlie Puth and Josh Groban from Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida; Kane Brown from Cadott, Wisconsin; Goo Goo Dolls from The Venetian Resort Las Vegas; Maren Morris from the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas, Rod Stewart from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado; Lil Wayne, AJR, Kool & the Gang, and Chaka Khan from BottleRock in Napa Valley, California.

In addition to Boston, Washington, and New York, CNN will feature fireworks displays from more than a dozen cities across the country, including Philadelphia, Nashville, San Diego, Houston, St. Louis, Seward, Alaska, and Kauai, Hawaii.

CNN's Fourth in America: Celebrating 250 is sponsored by Ancestry, HBO Max's "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness", and Penn Medicine.

CNN's Special Coverage on July 3 and July 4 will air live for CNN's streaming and pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps. In addition, the entire Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will be available to stream live exclusively on CNN.com and the CNN app for all users regardless of subscription.