The 4th of July is especially fun in the DC area. Parades, fireworks, baseball games…there is so much to choose from. Here are eleven ways you can celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this year. Whatever you do, we hope you have tons of fun with your family and friends!
1. McLean 4th of July Fireworks
June 27 from 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Kickstart your 4th of July celebration over the weekend at Langley High School. This FREE, family-friendly event will include music and family fun. Food trucks will be on site. Shuttle service will be provided from a number of locations in McLean.
2. Washington Nationals Games
July 3rd at 6:45pm (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)
July 4th at 11:05am (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)
Take the family out to the ball game! Cheer on your Washington Nationals on July 3rd. This game will include post-game “Freedom Fireworks” and a raffle. The game on July 4th begins at 11:05am, leaving plenty of time for late afternoon and evening festivities. Attendees can get a free beer, enter a raffle, and will watch a special tribute to America during the game.
3. July 4th Day of Celebration with the National Archives
July 4th from 9am – 3:30pm
What better place to celebrate our Declaration of Independence than at the National Archives? This celebratory event will begin with live music, followed by a live reading of the Declaration of Independence. Attendees will also enjoy the fife and drum corps and family-friendly activities. This event is FREE and open to the public. Seating on the Archives’ steps for the reading of the Declaration of Independence is first-come first-served.
4. “An American Celebration” at Mount Vernon
July 4th from 9am – 5pm
Celebrate America’s independence at Mount Vernon. There will be several activities to enjoy such as meeting people from George Washington’s world, a magic show, and a musical performance by the National Concert Band. You can also observe a naturalization ceremony. Purchase tickets in advance and check out the schedule of events online.
5. Fairfax City 58th Annual Independence Day Celebration
July 4th at 10am
Festivities begin at 10am when the city’s annual Independence Day Parade kicks off. There will be marching bands, parade balloons, floats, and clowns. See the website for information regarding the parade route. An evening show begins at 6:30pm, which will include live music. The fireworks display will begin when it gets dark.
6. Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade
July 4th at 10am
This annual Hill tradition is back for its 23rd year. Families will once again celebrate Independence Day as a community, watching floats, marching groups, and more as they parade down 8th Street, SE.
7. Takoma Park 4th of July Parade & Evening Street Party
July 4th at 10am – 12pm (parade) and 6pm – 9pm (street party)
Takoma Park’s Independence Day Parade will be full of fun for the whole family!Check out the website for route details. The street party will have live music, food trucks, kids activities, and a wine and beer garden.
8. Palisades 4th of July Parade and Picnic
July 4th at 11am – 2pm
The parade will begin at 11am. Neighbors are invited to participate in the parade by walking in it or creating a float. After the parade, attendees are invited to celebrate America’s birthday at a FREE picnic at the Palisades Park & Rec Center.
9. National Independence Day Parade
July 4th from 10:30am – 2pm
This annual celebration of our nation’s birthday will go along Constitution Ave NW. The parade starts at 3rd St. NW and Constitution Ave., runs south along 3rd St. SW to Independence Ave., heads west at Independence Ave., and ends at 12th St. SW. Cheer along marching bands, floats, balloons, and more with the monuments and stately buildings of DC as the backdrop. Attendees can set up their viewing spot anywhere along the route. There is limited seating on the steps of the National Archives building.
10. A Capitol Fourth
July 4th from 8pm – 9:30pm
America’s national Independence Day celebration will honor July 4th with a musical military salute broadcast on PBS. The public can attend this concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for FREE. Gates open to the public at 3:00. Check out the event website for all details.
11. July 4th Fireworks on the National Mall
July 4th at 9:09pm
Celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday by viewing this annual fireworks display that will launch from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Please refer to the NPS website for more information about road closures, prohibited items, directions, etc. If you don’t want to head to the Mall, there are other areas of town where you can find good views of the fireworks. Additional spots to enjoy the fireworks are: the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial; Columbia Island/Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove; and Gravelly Point (north of Reagan National Airport).
