July 4th 2025 Fireworks, Events Around Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC — Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun in and around the District of Columbia.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas.

July 4 Festivities For 2025

Many people will be heading to D.C. for the big 4th of July Celebration on the National Mall. The National Park Service has posted a schedule of events, maps and other information online to make sure you’re in the best spot to watch the 17.5-minute fireworks display when it starts at 9:09 p.m., weather-permitting.

Viewing from the National Mall

• 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 incidental falling debris (ash).
• Consider not bringing pets (some are 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 checks related to the fireworks launch site. The road and sidewalks will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.

Fireworks may be cancelled due to inclement weather

The fireworks display may be delayed or cancelled if there is inclement weather, such as driving rain, high winds, lightning and/or low ceiling cloud cover in the area. Sign up for automated alerts by texting JULY4DC to 888777.

Other Viewing Areas

National Independence Day Parade

The parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW and proceeds west to 17th Street, wrapping up about 2 p.m.

Marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams and more take part in the celebration of America’s birthday. Learn more here.

A Capitol Fourth Concert

This star-studded salute to Independence Day is broadcast live from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol and is free and open to the public. Gates open at 3 p.m. More information is at www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth.

Origins Of Independence Day Holiday

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. In that document, the 13 original colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.

Today, Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.