Why were fireworks held at Mount Rushmore in 2026?

The 2026 fireworks display at Mount Rushmore National Memorial was part of the Freedom 250 celebration honoring the United States Semiquincentennial, also known as America 250 .

Are fireworks at Mount Rushmore an annual occurence?

No. Although Mount Rushmore always hosts special programming and performances on the Fourth of July, fireworks are not an annual occurrence. The 2026 fireworks display was a special event commemorating the United States Semiquincentennial as part of the Freedom 250 celebration. Mount Rushmore has hosted fireworks on rare occasions throughout its history, but there is no annual Independence Day fireworks display at the memorial.

Can I watch a recording of the 2026 Mount Rushmore Fireworks?

Yes. You can watch the full recording of the 2026 Mount Rushmore fireworks celebration right here on the Travel South Dakota website using the video player near the top of this page.

Will fireworks return to Mount Rushmore in the future?

At this time, fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial are not scheduled as an annual event. Visitors should check the National Park Service website for future announcements. The memorial always has special programming and performances on Fourth of July.

Mount Rushmore Fireworks

To mark America's 250th birthday, the State of South Dakota and the National Park Service brought fireworks back to one of the country's most iconic landmarks for a celebration worthy of the occasion. Whether you were there in the crowd or watching the livestream from home, it was an Independence Day for the history books.

Watch the Recording

Couldn't make it — or just want to watch it again? A full broadcast of the star-spangled official Freedom 250 event is available here to watch anytime.

A cowboy on horseback rounds up a herd of bison at the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Custer, South Dakota. — Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, held each September, is one of the great traditions of the American West.

Gold Camp Jubilee Days, Lead — Fireworks shimmer over the Open Cut, where South Dakota's gold rush began. Learn more at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center in Lead.

With a pink and blue sky background, the giant in-progress Crazy Horse sculpture looks out over the Black Hills — Experience history on a massive scale at Crazy Horse Memorial®, the world's largest in-progress mountain carving.

Horse-drawn stagecoaches parade through the streets of Historic Deadwood at the Days of '76 Parade. — Deadwood's Wild West heritage comes alive at events like the Days of '76 Rodeo & Parades.

A person wearing a yellow shirt sits on a hill above Wind Cave National Park, with the animals roaming the grasses below and the bridge visible in the background. — Explore above- and below-ground wonders at Wind Cave National Park.

Tourists stand inside Jewel Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota — Nature puts on quite the show inside Jewel Cave National Monument, the third-longest cave in the world.

More to Celebrate in the Black Hills

Mount Rushmore is spectacular, but there’s plenty more South Dakota begging to be explored — no matter when you visit. From scenic byways and roaming wildlife to rich Old West history, there are endless ways to keep the adventure going across the Black Hills & Badlands.

A short drive puts you right in front of the still emerging Crazy Horse Memorial®. Looking to cool off? Go underground at Wind Cave National Park (one of the longest cave systems on the planet!) or check out the glittering passages of Jewel Cave National Monument. More of a wildlife fan? Custer State Park offers 71,000 acres of pure fun, complete with roaming bison, mountain goats and a crew of famously friendly burros who may or may not try to pull a snack heist on your vehicle.

Use the interactive map below to find exactly what speaks to you and start building your next great Black Hills adventure.