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(NEXSTAR) – America250, the non-partisan commission tasked with preparing celebrations for the nation’s 250th, has announced several of the musical acts that will be performing at its “America’s Block Party” concert in Los Angeles.
This “Block Party” concert has also been scheduled for July 4 — the same day that Freedom 250, a Trump-backed commission organizing semiquincentennial celebrations of its own, is hosting a “Salute to America” that Trump has described as “the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all.”
The two celebrations, however, will be taking place on opposite ends of the country. (The Freedom 250 event is happening in D.C.) The events seem to differ in tone, as well, with Freedom 250’s Salute to America featuring parades, military demonstrations and “patriotic performances,” while America250’s Block Party concert in Los Angeles appears to be more of a benefit show to raise awareness for charitable nonprofit initiatives.
Both events will honor our nation’s military and first responders, with America250 giving away 5,000 tickets to first responders, veterans and service members, and Freedom 250 organizing “tributes to service members and American heroes.”
Both shows will culminate in fireworks displays. America250’s will also feature a “drone spectacular.”
What is America’s Block Party?
America’s Block Party is one of numerous events, commemorations and programs organized by America250 in the lead-up to the country’s 250th anniversary on July 4. The Block Party actually runs from July 3 through July 5, during which time several host cities will be taking part in local celebrations and live broadcasts.
In New York City, for instance, the “Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show” will begin streaming on July 3 and continue through midnight — “Giving 4th” being America250’s initiative to drive charitable donations and encourage volunteer work around the holiday. And on July 4 and 5, America250 will be hosting a gathering on the Times Square Skywalk, where visitors can take in the scenery and capture photos of the city through a glass wall inscribed with the Declaration of Independence.
Other “Block Party” locations on July 4 include: Charleston, South Carolina, where a waterfront celebration will feature local musical acts and fireworks; Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where a Charlie Daniels tribute performance is scheduled to take place; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Jelly Roll is one of the acts scheduled to perform at a celebration sponsored by Harley Davidson.
Who is performing at the Los Angeles concert?
Musical acts scheduled to perform at the Los Angeles Veterans Memorial Coliseum on July 4 include Chris Stapleton, Smashing Pumpkins and Queen Latifah. Queen Latifah is also hosting the event, according to America’s Block Party.
Lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan of American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins performs at the 26th edition of the Vive Latino music festival in Mexico City, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Queen Latifah introduces a performance from “Chicago” during the 79th Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Chris Stapleton performs “Bad As I Used to Be” during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tickets went on sale (for $17.76 apiece) on June 16. The show starts at 6 p.m. PDT on July 4, and will be preceded by a Block Party Village event featuring free food and giveaways.
“This is a chance to celebrate a once-in-a-generation milestone with great music, real energy, and a purpose that reaches far beyond the stadium,” said the “U.N.I.T.Y” rapper in a statement provided at America250’s website.
America250 had said additional musical performances would be announced “in the coming weeks.”
Where can America’s Block Party be viewed?
A representative for America250 told Nexstar that the NYC benefit broadcast on July 3, as well as the concert in Los Angeles the following day, will be livestreamed on the America’s Block Party app, with an audio feed being streamed by iHeartRadio. The LA concert will be streamed on Twitch, as well.
The America’s Block Party app will also “feature content from other America’s Block Party and grassroots events nationwide” between July 3 and 5, according to America250.
‘Belongs to all of us’
A representative for Freedom 250, when contacted about its Salute to America event coinciding with America’s Block Party, said there was room enough for both celebrations.
“Freedom 250 celebrates every American marking this milestone,” Rachel Reisner, a Freedom 250 Spokesperson, told Nexstar. “America’s 250th birthday belongs to all of us, and the more the country shows up to celebrate it, the better. While our organizations play different roles, we’re excited Americans are coming together around this once-in-a-generation moment.”
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