DC July 4th 2018 Fireworks, Parades, Concerts: 2018 Guide

WASHINGTON, DC — The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, which means your family can celebrate with tons of activities in DC.

A day full of events includes the Independence Day Parade and the Capitol Fourth Concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark.

Nationals Game:

The Washington Nationals annually play at Nationals Park on Independence Day. This year's game is at 11:05 a.m. against the Boston Red Sox.

Click here for tickets, starting at $20.

Independence Day Parade:

The one-mile parade starts at 11:45 a.m. at the corner of Constitution Ave NW and 7th St NW, and ends at 2 p.m. at Constitution Ave NW and 17th St NW.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators will be in attendance to see bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, national dignitaries and celebrity participants. The Parade is a major national event which seeks to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday.

The parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events.

See Related: Get Free Lyft Rides For Fourth Of July In DC

Smithsonian Folklife Festival:

This festival is considered one of DC's greatest summertime traditions. The free event is held on the National Mall and features concerts, a marketplace, food, dancing and more.

Fourth of July activities include a folk dance, carpet weaving, fire traditions, glassmaking and more. See the full list of activities here.

Capitol Fourth Concert:

Held on the U.S. Capitol's west lawn, the Capitol Fourth concert line-up this year includes The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett and more. John Stamos is the host and the concert is broadcasted live on PBS.

No tickets are necessary and admittance begins at 3 p.m. The concert goes from 8-9:30 p.m.

Fireworks:

Fireworks are launched beginning at 9:09 p.m. from the reflecting pool area. The show lasts 17 minutes and 30 seconds and is visible from locations in D.C. and Virginia, according to the National Park Service.

See event maps from the NPS.

If you're viewing from the National Mall, here are tips:

• Plan to arrive early, and to protect yourself from heat-related illness. See Directions and Plan Your Visit.
• Viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points.
• Consider wearing hearing protection. These fireworks are BIG and LOUD.
• Consider wearing eye protection to protect yourself from falling debris (ash).
• Consider not bringing pets (some get very scared of the loud booms).
• Immediately following the fireworks, areas along Independence Avenue between the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial will be closed for safety related to the fireworks launch site. The road will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.

Other viewing areas include:

• Washington DC: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park
• Virginia: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway

What not to bring:

• Guns, knives, or ammunition
• Drones
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Explosives or fireworks

Recommendations:

• Leave pets at home
• Travel by Metro
• Bring plenty of water
• Recycle

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