On July 4th, millions of Americans are expected to descend upon Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the nation’s capital.
Between record-setting parades, military flyovers, and fireworks on the National Mall, the district will be buzzing on Independence Day. But the many celebrations also come with road closures, suspension of commercial flights, and restrictions on boat traffic.
Here’s everything to know about the July 4th festivities in Washington and the effects they will have on the city.
Independence Day Events in DC
On Friday, July 3rd, D.C. will host its annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol grounds, followed by a fireworks display at Mount Vernon. The concert will feature performances from country music singer Trace Adkins, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and several other music groups and conductors. Hosted by Capital Concerts, the annual event will also air live on PBS.
On Independence Day, several events are happening across the district. In the morning, the National Archives will host its annual July 4th celebrations, which kick off at 8:30 a.m. with live music and arts and crafts, and a 10 a.m. ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence.
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At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, the annual National Independence Day Parade will start heading down Constitution Avenue and run between 3rd Street NW and 12th Street SW. The parade will feature displays from every state and a variety of costumes and performances representing the entire United States.
During the day, visitors can head to the Great American State Fair, which began on June 25 and runs through July 10. On the National Mall, there will be military flyovers and musical performances beginning at 1 p.m.
In the evening on July 4th, there will be several fireworks shows, with the Salute to America National Mall fireworks beginning at around 10:30 p.m. and lasting for about 40 minutes. There is also a new, second fireworks show on the Anacostia River that the National Park Service is hosting in honor of the 250th anniversary.
In addition to these major events, smaller events are happening throughout the city, including rooftop parties, a Washington Nationals baseball game, and more.
Road, river, and airport closures
With many events happening across the nation’s capital this holiday, there will also be traffic disruptions. Here’s what to know to avoid a jam.
Given the military flyovers over the Beltway, Reagan National Airport has announced it will halt all travel into and out of the airport at certain times on July 3 and July 4. DCA has halted all flights “for several hours” in the early afternoon on July 3rd and all flights after noon on July 4.
On the Potomac River from 9 a.m. on July 4 to 9 a.m. on July 5, boaters will face several restrictions due to the fireworks displays, according to a traffic advisory from the Metropolitan Police Department. From the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the 14th Street Bridge, there will be an anchorage zone on the east side of the Potomac River; except for where the water gets shallow close to the eastern bank, where there will be no anchoring or boating allowed at all. Boats will be allowed to pass on the west side of the river.
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In terms of street closures, these roads will be closed on July 4 from 4 a.m. to midnight for the parade and fireworks display:
- Inbound Case Bridge ramp to 12th Street tunnel
- Jefferson Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, SW
- Madison Drive from 15th to 3rd Street, NW
- Independence Avenue from 14th Street to Ohio Drive, SW
- C Street from 21st to Virginia Avenue, NW
- C Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- D Street from 18th to 17th Street, NW
- E Street from 20th to 17th Street, NW (eastbound lanes only)
- 10th Street from Constitution Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 12th Street from Madison Drive to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- 1200 block of Maine Avenue, SW
- 14th Street Bridge Inbound, SW (ALL Traffic will remain on E/B I-395)
- 14th Street Bridge (HOV) Inbound, SW (ALL Traffic will remain on E/B I-395)
- 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 17th Street from New York Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 18th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 19th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 20th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 21st Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to E Street, NW
- 23rd Street from Virginia Avenue to Memorial Bridge
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 23rd Street, NW
- Virginia Avenue from Constitution Avenue, NW to 24th Street, NW
- Maine Avenue from I-395 W/B to Independence Avenue, SW
- Southbound Potomac River Freeway exits to Independence Avenue and E Street, NW
- TR Bridge ramp to Constitution Avenue, NW
- TR Bridge ramp to Ohio Drive, NW
- E/B E Street Expressway ramp to E Street, NW
- E Street Expressway ramp from the TR Bridge
- Arlington Memorial Bridge
- Southbound Rock Creek Parkway will be closed at Virginia Avenue, NW
- Henry Bacon Drive from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
- Ohio Drive from Independence Avenue to the Ohio Drive Bridge
- Parkway Drive from Ohio Drive to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
- West Basin Drive from Independence Avenue to Ohio Drive, SW
At 1 p.m. on July 4, the following roads will close as well until midnight:
- 23rd Street from Virginia Avenue to Washington Circle, NW — no southbound traffic
- 3rd Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
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The following roads are closed for the Great American State Fair from June 24 through July 11:
- 7th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW