Salute to America Celebration & Fireworks

Every generation gets one moment that they remember for the rest of their lives. In 2026, generations of Americans will look up at the sky and remember the incredible sights of the 250th anniversary. From the first flyby of the Moon since 1972 to July 4, 2026, yet another moment will arrive.

The capstone of America’s 250th anniversary brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Washington Monument grounds and surrounding areas for a full day of performances, flyovers, first time aerobatic demonstrations over DC, and a live broadcast evening program—culminating with the largest fireworks display in history.

What to Expect

• Daytime program with headline musical performances and military flyovers, beginning at 1 PM
• Evening live broadcast with the Joint Armed Forces Orchestra and national speakers starting at 7 PM
• 850,000 fireworks shells launched from 10 sites: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, 8 Potomac River barges, and West Potomac Park
• Freedom 250 firework display, join us in person or via livestream!

Know Before You Go

Getting There & Site Entry

Watching the fireworks is one of the highlights of Independence Day in Washington, DC, and fortunately, the city and the surrounding area offer a plethora of scenic viewing options.

Guests should approach the site via Constitution Avenue NW or Independence Avenue SW, following signs to the Entry Queue on 14th Street NW. Security magnetometers open at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Plan to arrive early—with large crowds expected, attendees' queues will be significant. Metro and rideshare are strongly recommended; driving and parking in the immediate area is first-come, first-served. The public area on the mall is also first-come, first-served.

Visit the National Park Service's dedicated page for more details.

Public Safety & Health Guidance

Washington, DC's Independence Day fireworks display is one of the nation's great traditions, and this year's celebration of America's 250th birthday will be unforgettable. As you plan your visit, we want to make sure everyone in your group — including your four-legged family members — has a safe and enjoyable experience.

Fireworks will proceed as scheduled. We recognize firework shows can be difficult for veterans, individuals sensitive to loud noise, and pet owners. Please plan ahead using the tips below:

Tips for All Guests

• Heat and humidity are risks on the Mall in July. Bring water, take shade breaks, and know the signs of heat exhaustion.
• Bringing Pets? Leave Them Home.

The National Mall is not a pet-friendly environment on the Fourth. The AVMA strongly advises leaving pets at home during fireworks displays — loud noise, crowds, and unfamiliar surroundings are a stressful combination that can cause animals to bolt and become lost. For a full July 4 pet safety checklist, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Clear Bag Policy

To speed up security screening, all attendees must follow the Clear Bag Policy. Each person may bring ONE of the following:

✓ APPROVED OPTION 1 One (1) clear, see-through bag Maximum size: 12" x 6" x 12" (approximately one large gallon-size freezer bag)

✓ APPROVED OPTION 2 One (1) small clutch or purse Maximum size: 10" x 6" x 2" All bags subject to inspection upon entry.

IMPORTANT: NO STORAGE ON-SITE

The U.S. Secret Service does not provide on-site storage or check-in for prohibited or oversized items.

Any items surrendered at security checkpoints will be discarded or turned over for destruction. Review the full policy before you leave home.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted inside the event venue. This list follows the U.S. Secret Service Prohibited Items policy. For the complete and current list, visit: secretservice.gov/prohibiteditems

Consent Notice

By entering this secured area, you are consenting to a search of your person and your belongings.

The Salute to America event will be historic. Attendees should assess their health before deciding to go, as air quality will decline and noise levels will be higher than usual. Those sensitive to poor air should follow the recommendations in the Air Quality Guide.

You can protect yourself during and after the event by following these Health Recommendations:

• Children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions face higher risks and should avoid extended time outdoors during this period.
• Download and follow health advisory guidelines in the Air Quality App for the Washington-Baltimore region during and after the event. Additional information and activity recommendations can be found on EPA's AirNow webpage.
• Follow best practices to reduce indoor air quality concerns, such as keeping windows closed, using air purifiers with HEPA filters if available, and setting HVAC systems to recirculate indoor air.
• All attendees should wear hearing protection during the event – especially young children.
• Visibility may become compromised in a large fireworks display – visitors should anticipate effects on pedestrian movement, crowd management, emergency response operations, and navigation.

Road Closures / Public Transportation

ROAD CLOSURE DETAILS

Full road closure information below. Guests should expect extensive closures throughout the National Mall area. On July 4, there will be major bridge closures Theodore Roosevelt and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation is encouraged as parking is limited near the mall. For Salute to America, the nearest metro stops are Federal Triangle, L'Efante Plaza, Smithsonian, and Federal Center SW.

For rideshare (Uber or Lyft) there will be rideshare hubs and geofenced pickup zones situated a short distance from the venue.

• Attendees should plan to check local news and transportation services ahead of events for additional travel guidance — traffic in and around event areas, and expect some road closures.
• Drivers and attendees may monitor updates and traffic conditions through the District of Columbia and the DC police department at @DCPoliceTraffic on X throughout the day of events.
• Residents can visit alert.dc.gov to sign up to receive real-time updates on traffic, weather, and public safety and follow @AlertDC on X.
• Visit wmata.com for public transportation options into and out of the city, as well as any Metro closures.