Celebrate Independence Day with 'A Capitol Fourth' Concert, Fireworks in DC

Ready to celebrate the 4th of July? You can head to the National Mall Friday for "A Capitol Fourth," which will feature live performances and fireworks. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, followed by fireworks. The program will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV personality Tom Bergeron.

Performers this year include Frankie Valli, Patti Labelle, Phillip Phillips, Jordin Sparks, Michael McDonald, Sara Evans, The Muppets, Kendall Schmidt, Kelli O'Hara, Jack Everly, the National Symphony Orchestra, Choral Arts Society of Washington, the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus and the Military District of Washington.

Both the National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) strongly encourage all visitors to take public transportation or to bicycle to and from the Independence Day celebrations.   

Nearby Metro stations for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, U.S. Capitol, and President’s Park include: Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Farragut North, Farragut West, Capitol South, L’Enfant Plaza, Union Station, Federal Center S.W., and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter.  

Nearby stations for the George Washington Memorial Parkway (for viewing the fireworks) include Arlington National Cemetery, Rosslyn and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. For more information visit www.wmata.com 

The National Park Service wants to remind participants that this event is held during the warmest time of year in Washington, D.C. Plan ahead, dress in weather-appropriate attire, use sunscreen and bring plenty of water for hydration.

Due to safety concerns and large crowds, no grills, alcohol, glass bottles or personal fireworks are permitted on NPS property.

The optimum viewing areas for the fireworks include:

·         U.S. Capitol

·         Lincoln Memorial

·         National Mall between 14th Street and 3rd Street

·         Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

·         Thomas Jefferson Memorial

·         The White House Ellipse

·         West Potomac Park

·         East Potomac Park

·         Anacostia Park

·         U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)

·         George Washington Memorial Parkway across the Potomac River in Virginia.

Links to visit for additional information:

For the most up to date information about July 4th activities at the National Mall and Memorial Parks, call (202) 747-3467 or visit www.nps.gov/foju. Visitors may also tune in to the National Mall and Memorial Parks, radio station AM 1670 for updates on July 4th events, transportation, contact information, and helpful guidelines for visiting the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

For additional information and updates about July 4th and other activities at Presidents Park, visit www.nps.gov/whho, GWMP, visit www.nps.gov/gwmp, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, visit www.folklife.si.edu, Metro, visit www.wmata.com  and for additional information and updates about A Capitol Fourth,visit www.pbs.org/capitolfourth 

 A Capitol Fourth is broadcast live on PBS and can also be heard live on NPR member stations nationwide and via the American Forces Network to the nearly one million American service members, Department of Defense civilians, and their families, stationed at bases in 175 countries as well as 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea.