Cheers! Here’s Looking at Big Milestones Ahead in 2026

By Soo Greiman 

The new year stands before us like a chapter of a book waiting to be written. While I  can’t tell you exactly what your chapter will say, I can tell you some of the major milestones  that will be happening here at home—and around the world—in 2026. There will be some  doozies:  

Super Bowl LX  

Marking the 60th Super Bowl, this milestone game will be held Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in  Santa Clara, California. Expect a wild, crazy, much-hyped spectacle with opening  performances by Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones. The halftime show will feature  Bad Bunny.  

Winter Olympics in Italy  

From Feb. 6–22, the world will turn its attention to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, for the  25th Olympic Winter Games. With global media coverage, corporate sponsorships and  international talent, it’s a major event that will spark everything from national pride to travel  trends.  

Artemis II Moon Mission  

In early 2026, NASA plans to launch Artemis II. This will be the first crewed mission of the  Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a flyby around the moon before returning to  Earth. If all goes as scheduled, this will be a major milestone in the future of space exploration.  

March Madness 2026  

The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament begins with Selection Sunday on March  15 and ends with the national championship game April 5 in Phoenix.  

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament will wrap up the next night, April 6, with the  national championship game held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  

FIFA World Cup Returns to North America  

For the first time since 1994, the men’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted in North America—this  time in three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament runs from June  11 to July 19, with matches played in major cities across all three nations. Soccer’s popularity  is surging in the U.S., and this event will bring massive tourism, global exposure and once-in-a lifetime energy. 

Happy 250th Birthday, America!  

On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial—250 years of  independence. This historic milestone will bring large-scale national celebrations, historical  reenactments, fireworks, tourism and patriotic pride. From Washington, D.C., to your  neighborhood parade, it’ll be one for the history books.  

Hudson Days 2026  

Our beloved town’s celebration is set for July 16, 17 and 18—and it promises to be bigger and  better than ever. Start thinking about what kind of pie you’ll enter in the pie-baking contest.  Mark your calendar now, and plan on making memories.  

Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville  

All eyes will be on Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 11 as the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies  face off in a special Field of Dreams game, livestreamed on Netflix. You can bet the cornfields  will be whispering that night. 

Total Solar Eclipse  

On Aug. 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland  and northern Spain. While not visible here in Iowa, it’s still a rare celestial event that will spark  scientific interest and a sense of wonder across the globe.  

Iowa State Fair  

If it’s not already on your bucket list, it should be. The Iowa State Fair, our state’s largest  tourism event, will take place Aug. 13–23. From fried foods to butter cows, it’s always an  experience.  

25th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Attacks  

The year 2026 will mark 25 years since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. May we  continue to honor the memory of those lost and the courage of those who responded. May we  never forget.  

U.S. Midterm Elections  

Midterm elections will be held Nov. 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives  and 33 Senate seats will be up for grabs—setting the stage for the 2028 presidential race.  Buckle up.  

A Toast to Hudson Herald Readers  

Cheers to you. May 2026 bring health, happiness and hope. Here’s to turning the page and  writing a year worth remembering.