THE FIREWORKS
The annual Independence Day Firework Celebration will kick off at exactly 9:09 p.m. from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The show will be visible across the region, and residents can take in the celebration from free public spaces or from private businesses.
THE NATIONAL MALL: Get up close and personal with the fireworks by watching the fireworks from the National Mall. Fair warning: the Mall will be crowded, so we recommend getting there early and familiarizing yourself with the National Park Service’s entry points. (The National Mall; 9:09 p.m.; FREE)
FREE IN D.C.: Revisit Christina Sturdivant’s round-up of the best spots to watch fireworks across D.C., including Anacostia Park, Lady Bird Johnson Park on the Potomac, McKinley Tech High School (151 T Street NE), Cardozo High School (1200 Clifton Street NW), Holy Rood Cemetery (2126 Wisconsin Avenue NW), the Supreme Court (1 First St NE), and the National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW).
FREE IN VA: Across the river, residents get a panoramic view of the fireworks reflected on the water. Consider jumping on a bike and heading to the Mount Vernon Trail, watching from the Marine Corps Memorial, or Gravelly Park.
CRUISE CONTROL: If you’re looking for a more luxury experience, watch the fireworks from the Potomac River with Washington DC Cruises. Expect front-row views of the light show with speciality cocktails and dinner. As of publication, the “buffet” and “plated dinner” options on the 4th of July Dinner Cruise were still available. (Potomac River; 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; $275+)
LADY BIRD: Head to the Lady Bird Rooftop lounge with a direct view of the Washington Monument and Mall. Partygoers can expect small bites (including Lobster “Corndogs”, and 18-hour Slow-Roasted Short Ribs) along with an open bar (with sangria, punch, mimosas and Prosecco). (Lady Bird Rooftop Lounge; 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $175+)
WATERGATE: The famed District hotel is hosting its Fireworks Party at Top of the Gate. Experience 360-degree views of the District and Virginia with an open bar and a prime seat for the fireworks. VIP and Premium tickets with hot and cold food, champagne toasts, and bottle service are available. (Watergate; 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $195+)
MORE: DC July 4th Pier Pressure Red, White & Fireworks Cruise (Inner Harbor Spirit Yacht; 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m; $179+); Mid-County Sparkles (Albert Einstein High School; Music at 6:00 p.m., Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.; FREE); Conrad Fireworks (Summit, on the rooftop of Conrad; 7:30PM; Prices Vary, Hotel Reservation Required).
PARADES & FESTIVALS
NATIONAL PARADE: Start your Fourth of July on Constitution Avenue with the National Independence Day Parade — complete with bands, fife and drum corps, floats, and more. The celebration will travel from 7th to 17th Street Northwest and is co-hosted by the National Park Service. (Constitution Avenue, 7th to 17th Street; 11:45 AM; FREE)
CAPITOL HILL PARADE: The Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade is back. Now in its 21st year, the neighborhood parade will march along Capitol Hill’s Barracks Row starting at 10:00 a.m. — led by the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. (Barracks Row; 10:00 a.m.; FREE)
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL: Let’s go to the (National) Mall, because the Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival overlaps with the Fourth of July. The free two-week festival “honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them.” (The National Mall between 12th and 14th St NW; 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; FREE)
BASEBALL GAME: Celebrate the Fourth just like our forefathers did, with Major League Baseball. The Washington Nats will face off against the Cincinnati Reds at 11:05 AM at Nationals Park — complete with free American Flag Sunglasses for the first 10,000 fans to arrive. (Nationals Park; 11:05 a.m.; $18+)
CONCERTS & MUSIC
AFROAMP: Head to Ivy City for #AfroAmpFest — the Afrobeats & Amapiano Festival. Started by the DMV’s own DJ Mambo, the music and dance party will feature a lineup of DJs including GuiltyBeatz (who worked on Beyonce’s Renaissance album) and Caltonic SA. (Culture in Ivy City; 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; $30 – $60)
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL: Spend your morning at the National Cathedral with Organist Thomas Sheehan and Washington Symphonic Brass for the Independence Day Concert. The event begins with “Fanfare for the Common Man” and ends with sing-a-longs. The free concert will also be available via livestream. (The National Cathedral OR Virtual; 11:00 a.m.; FREE)
CAPITOL CONCERT: In the mid-afternoon, head to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert featuring performers including Chicago and Boyz II Men. The event’s broadcast — airing on PBS and streamed online — will be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro (you may know him for playing Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). (West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol OR Virtual; 3:00 p.m.; FREE)
NAVY CONCERT BAND: On Tuesday, Eckington Parks & Arts and the U.S. Navy Concert Band are teaming up to offer residents a free concert at Alethia Tanner Park. The 55-piece band is composed of the Navy’s most elite musicians, and will feature vocalists alongside wind and string instruments. Due to traffic, concertgoers are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transport. (Alethia Tanner Park; 4:00 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Danger Bird (A Tribute to Neil Young) (Pearl Street Warehouse; 6:00 p.m.; FREE)
MORE FAMILY FUN
SCAVENGER HUNT: From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, the Sylvan Theater Family Activity Area is hosting educational games for the District’s younger historians. Participants are encouraged to bring their Independence Day Junior Ranger booklet (but it’s not mandatory). (Sylvan Theatre Family Activity Area; 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; FREE)
GROOVY NATE: At 10:30 a.m, National Harbor is hosting Groovy Nate for its weekly National Harbor’s Kids Day (every Tuesday from June through August). This week’s show combines “music, puppetry, movement and comedy” to kick off Fourth of July celebrations. (150 National Plaza National Harbor; 10:30 a.m.; FREE)
ARCHIVES: The National Archives is hosting a suite of activities to mark the Fourth of July — starting with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and followed by “family-fun activities” like meeting the historical figures, and signing (a copy of) the Declaration of Independence. (The National Archives; 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.; FREE)
AND MORE FOOD & DRINK
DUPONT BAR CRAWL: Don your best costume, because it’s time for red, white, and brew. Starting at 2:00 p.m., the “Drink For America” Bar Crawl will begin across Dupont. Attendees will get access to drink specials (including $3 beers, $4 shots, an $5 mixed drinks), a costume contest, and surprise giveaways. (Dupont Circle; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; $11-$20)
KICK AXE COOKOUT: Kick Axe — the ax throwing center in Ivy City — is hosting a cookout party with their sister venue THRōW Social. Partygoers (and ax-throwers), can expect $5 hot dogs and burgers straight from the grill, live music, and enough drink specials to go around. (Kick Axe Throwing DC; 1:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.; $33+)
MORE: July 4th @ Flash (Flash; 3:00 p.m. et; $20 – $50); 4th of July at La Vie Penthouse! (La Vie; 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; $29+); Tiki TNT 4th of July Luau (Tiki TNT; 7:00 p.m.; $150+)
