National Mall July Fourth Celebration Features Independence Day Parade, Fireworks

The July Fourth Independence Day Celebration on the National Mall in Washington kicks off Friday morning with the annual parade along Constitution Avenue and ends later that night with fireworks over the mall's memorials, monuments and landmarks.

Below is the full schedule, plus what to know about prohibited items and other important information. Attendees should also check for more information and updates on the National Park Service July 4th website.

National Mall July Fourth Schedule of Events – Friday, July 4, 2025

National Independence Day Parade

• 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., Constitution Avenue NW between 7th Street and 17th Street
• Marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, and more celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic, flag-waving, red, white and blue celebration of America's birthday.
• The parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW and proceeds west to 17th Street.

Operation Independence! Family Scavenger Hunt

• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sylvan Theater (southeast grounds of the Washington Monument)
• Calling all junior spies! Report to the National Park Service information tent in front of the Sylvan Theater (near the intersection of 15th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW) and use the password Operation Independence! to embark on a scavenger hunt and learn about spying techniques during the American Revolution.
• This family activity is geared towards ages 10 and up and involves approximately a half mile of walking around the Washington Monument grounds.

Independence Day Junior Ranger

• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., various locations
• Celebrate Independence Day by becoming a Junior Ranger. Pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet at any National Park Service information tent on the ground of the Washington Monument, then complete the fun, self-guided activities to learn about America’s history, parks, and symbols of freedom.
• Return your completed booklet to a ranger at any info tent to be sworn in and receive your special Fourth of July Junior Ranger badge!

Fourth of July Family Fun at the Jefferson Memorial

• 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Celebrate Independence Day with engaging, family-friendly activities at the Jefferson Memorial. 
• Independence Day Trivia: Test your knowledge of America’s founding with fun and educational trivia questions for all ages.
• Story Time: Gather for ranger-led readings of children’s books that explore the history of Independence Day and the life of Thomas Jefferson.
• Sign the Declaration: Step into the shoes of the Founding Fathers with our giant reproduction of the Declaration of Independence—add your name alongside Jefferson’s experience what it might have felt like to take part in history.

Ranger Talk - Jefferson & Adams: Founding Friends, Fierce Rivals

• 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Join a National Park Service ranger for a special Independence Day talk exploring the remarkable relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams - allies in revolution, adversaries in politics, and friends at the end. Learn how their ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence, their visions for the young republic diverged, and how both men died on July 4, 1826—50 years to the day after that founding document was adopted.

A Capitol Fourth Concert

• 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., West Lawn of the United States Capitol
• This star-studded salute to Independence Day is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol and is free and open to the public.
• Gates open at 3 p.m. 

Fireworks on the National Mall

• 9:09 p.m. to 9:27 p.m.
• The display will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Where To See The Fireworks On The George Washington Memorial Parkway

• There will be limited pedestrian access to the National Mall via Arlington Memorial Bridge from the following locations.
• U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and Netherlands Carillon
• Columbia Island/Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove (Access to the Potomac Riverfront is now possible via the new bike/pedestrian tunnel that runs underneath the Boundary Channel Bridge (a.k.a. the “Humpback Bridge”)
• Gravelly Point, north of National Airport
• Washington Sailing Marina/Indigo Landing Restaurant at Daingerfield Island

Sign Up for July Fourth National Mall Emergency Text Notifications

• The US Park Police will again be using a text notification service to quickly deliver important and emergency information to visitors.
• Cell phone users can receive notifications via text message by texting JULY4DC to 888777.

How To Get To The National Mall On July Fourth

• Visitors are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to the National Mall on July 4. Visit WMATA for public transit information.
• The Smithsonian/National Mall station is the closest Metro stop to the fireworks area. Due to the possibility of overcrowding at Smithsonian, travelers are encouraged to use other nearby Metro stations, such as Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom, L'Enfant Plaza, Archives/Navy Memorial, or Metro Center.
• If you choose to drive, public parking is extremely limited during this event. Limited parking is available on Hains Point, accessible via I-395 or Maine Avenue from the east only. Vehicles will not be allowed on or around the National Mall.
• Numerous road closures will affect drivers' ability to navigate areas of Washington, D.C., and along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
• Several buildings and landmarks will be closed to visitors.

Items Prohibited At The D.C. Independence Day Celebration

• Guns, knives and ammunition
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Explosives and fireworks