4th of July Fireworks on National Mall 2016: When and Where to Watch, Safety Tips, Banned Items

By DEB BELT (Patch Staff)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are several Fourth of July celebrations in the Washington, D.C., region, but nothing on the scale of the National Mall event each year. A day full of events includes the Independence Day Parade, United States Army Band concert and the Capitol Fourth concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark.

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. Held on the U.S. Capitol's west lawn, the Capitol Fourth concert line-up this year includes Smokey Robinson, Kenny Loggins, Gavin DeGraw and more.

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.
Photo: National Park Service