UNION CITY, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America begins 2026 with free admission for children 17 and under throughout January, thanks to generous support from Magnolia Place Assisted Living.
“January is always a great month for families to explore the museum together, and we’re grateful to Magnolia Place for helping make that possible, and that’s just the beginning of what promises to be an incredible year,” said Scott Williams, CEO of Discovery Park of America. “Our 2026 calendar reflects our commitment to providing meaningful experiences and opportunities for discovery for guests of all ages. We’re especially looking forward to joining communities across the country in marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.”
The upcoming year includes temporary exhibits, seasonal events and educational programs for guests of all ages. On Saturday, Feb. 21, the park will host the “POSH Bridal Show,” a free event for brides and their guests, showcasing more than 100 bridal and event vendors. In March, Discovery Park presents the “Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards,” an annual event honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to inspiring children and adults to see beyond. Proceeds support the Kirkland Scholarship Fund.
April brings two guest favorites: “Singer/Songwriter Night featuring Phillip Coleman and Friends” and the annual “Plant Sale,” with the latter kicking off with a members-only preview the night before. Also in April, Discovery Park will host the “Military Expo” on April 17-18. This full-park activation explores the past, present and future of the U.S. military. Guests will also experience the inspiring story of Deborah Sampson in “A Revolution of Her Own!,” a dynamic one-woman show depicting Sampson’s groundbreaking service as a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army. The performance, featured in national media, blends theater and history for a captivating audience experience.
The “Cardboard Boat Regatta” will be held May 9 at the South Lake. Participants will compete using boats constructed from cardboard and duct tape. The excitement continues into June with the “Antique Tractor Show” on June 5-6 and the return of the “Rhythm on the Rails” summer concert series, held Friday evenings from May 22 through July 3. Discovery Park’s “Juneteenth” celebration on June 19 honors the history and culture of Black Americans with music, food and educational programming.
As Discovery Park commemorates the 230th anniversary of Tennessee’s statehood and the national America 250 celebration, several new exhibits will open next year. Feb. 1-June 21, the park will host “Home, Heart, Heritage: Quilt Exhibition Celebrating Black History,” a traveling exhibition from Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center that features five double-sided quilts celebrating Black American contributions to Tennessee and the nation. June 30, 2026-Feb. 1, 2027, Discovery Park will open a major exhibition, “Brushstrokes of a Young Nation: The Art of David Wright,” in the Southern Artist Showcase Gallery. The exhibition will include prints by celebrated Tennessee artist David Wright. His paintings of early settlers, frontier life and America’s expansion offer a vivid visual journey through the nation’s formative years.
One of the major highlights of Discovery Park’s Tennessee America 250 programming will be the “Celebrating 250 Years of Independence” event July 3-4, 2026. This two-day festival will include living-history demonstrations, crafts, family activities and extended park hours with discounted admission. On Friday, July 3, country music artist Mo Pitney will headline a free outdoor concert as part of Discovery Park’s Rhythm on the Rails series.
Visitors to Discovery Park in 2026 will also experience an expanded and updated permanent exhibit of photographs from the Sabin Collection that will open in spring, the return of our restored Titan missile to STEM Landing next summer, and an exhibit of artifacts from travels to the Middle East by Brent and Angie MacDonald scheduled for fall.
The “Annual Kirkland Scholarship Fundraiser: Dueling Pianos” takes place in September. Also that month, guests can enjoy “Pediatric Day” on Sept. 12, the “Celebration of Native American Culture” from Sept. 18-19 and one of the newest additions to the calendar, the “Tennessee Kruzin Nationals Car Show” on Sept. 25-26.
In October, “Pumpkin Village,” is open daily from Oct. 1-31. The month concludes with the “David Crockett Homestead and Bluegrass Festival” on Oct. 23-24, featuring frontier skill demonstrations, bluegrass music and a vibrant artisan marketplace. The year rounds out with the return of the popular “Let It Glow” light show, which runs from Nov. 13 through Dec. 30, offering both drive-thru and walk-thru experiences to celebrate the holiday season.
Throughout 2026, guests will also enjoy monthly “Homeschool Days,” “STEAM Saturdays,” astronomy nights, camps and other educational programs, enriching the visitor experience for students, families and lifelong learners.
For a complete list of exhibits, programs and events in 2026, visit discoveryparkofamerica.com/
Photo: Discovery Park members Daniel and James Burnette explore hands-on elements of the Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway exhibit. Children ages 4-17 receive free admission in January 2026.