WASHINGTON — The Independence Day holiday means parades, festivals, concerts and of course, fireworks.
You can catch all of these on the National Mall this holiday weekend, or check out one of the other community celebrations.
There are so many free things to see and do over the Fourth of July weekend, WTOP put together this special list.
Please note that quite a few communities are holding their celebrations before July 4.
D.C.
- The Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall continues daily July 1-5.
- The July 4 celebration at the National Archives includes the annual dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, other live performances plus hands-on family activities.
- The Independence Day Parade on the National Mall runs along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets NW on July 4.
- The Capitol Hill July 4 parade begins at 8th and I Streets, SE and ends at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza.
- In D.C.’s Palisades neighborhood, the annual July 4 parade starts at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard. A free picnic follows at the Palisades Rec Center.
- The National Air and Space Museum in D.C. hosts a series of July 4 concerts by the U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass Quintet.
- There’s a free July 4 concert by “Max Impact”, the premier rock band of the United States Air Force, at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
- This year’s free A Capitol Fourth Concert July 4 on the West Lawn of the Capitol will include performances by Alabama, Barry Manilow, and KC and The Sunshine Band.
- The National Mall fireworks on July 4 will be launched from the Reflecting Pool, starting at 9:09 p.m.
- NoMa’s July 4 Bash in Storey Park will include free food for the first 200, water balloons, a moonbounce, live bluegrass and more.
Maryland
- Annapolis: July 4 parade and fireworks.
- Baltimore’s Washington Monument will be rededicated and reopened on July 4, and the party will continue with a festival.
- Baltimore’s Inner Harbor: July 4 concert and fireworks.
- Chesapeake Beach: July 5 fireworks.
- College Park: July 4 concert and fireworks at the University of Maryland.
- Columbia: July 4 festival and fireworks.
- Fort Meade: July 2 celebration and fireworks, open to the public.
- Frederick: July 4 celebration and fireworks at Baker Park.
- Gaithersburg: July 4 celebration and fireworks at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
- Germantown: July 4 concert and fireworks at South Germantown Recreational Park.
- Greenbelt: July 4 entertainment and fireworks at Buddy Attick Park.
- Hollywood (St. Mary’s County): – July 4 concert and fireworks ($5 donations for parking).
- Indian Head: July 4 live entertainment and fireworks at Village Green Park.
- Kensington: July 4 bike parade, plus a concert and fireworks at Albert Einstein High School.
- Laurel: July 4 parade, entertainment, hot dog eating contest and fireworks.
- La Plata: July 4 Watermelon Bash.
- Montgomery Village: July 3 parade and festival.
- Ocean City will have July 4 concerts and fireworks in two locations.
- Poolesville: July 4 concert, celebration, and fireworks.
- Rehoboth Beach: July 5 fireworks launched from the beach.
- Rockville: July 4 celebration with music and fireworks at Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park.
- Solomons: July 4 boat parade and firework.
- Takoma Park: July 4 parade, concert and fireworks.
Virginia
- Arlington: July 3 concert at the Air Force Memorial.
- Arlington: July 4 celebration at Long Bridge Park, with a view of the National Mall fireworks.
- Arlington National Cemetery will offer free parking all day July 3.
- Ashburn: July 5 entertainment and fireworks.
- Culpeper: July 4 parade, entertainment and fireworks.
- Dale City: July 4 parade and family fun day.
- Fairfax City: July 4 parade, concerts and fireworks.
- Falls Church: July 4 live music and fireworks.
- Fredericksburg: July 4 parade, festival, performances and fireworks.
- Great Falls: July 4 parade, celebration and fireworks.
- Gunston Hall (the mansion built for George Mason IV) is offering free admission on July 4.
- Herndon: July 4 activities, music and fireworks in Bready Park.
- Hillsboro: July 3 festivities and fireworks.
- Leesburg: July 3 concert and fireworks at Lansdowne Resort, as well as a July 4 parade, celebration and fireworks.
- Lorton: July 3 concert and fireworks at Workhouse Arts Center. Admission is free; parking is $10.
- Lovettsville: July 3 parade, pool party and fireworks.
- Manassas: July 4 party and fireworks.
- Manassas Park: July 4 food trucks and fireworks at Signal Hill Park.
- McLean: July 4 DJ and fireworks at Cooper Middle School.
- Middleburg: July 4 children’s parade, concert and fireworks.
- Purcellville: July 4 parade.
- Reston: July 4 pool party at Lake Newport Pool.
- Reston: July 4 celebration and fireworks at Lake Fairfax Park. Admission is free, but there’s a suggested donation of $5 per car to help pay for the fireworks show.
- Richmond: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is offering free admission July 4. There will be a children’s parade and other special activities.
- Richmond: July 3 fireworks at Brown’s Island.
- South Riding: July 3 parade, concert and fireworks.
- Vienna: July 3 fireworks, July 4 musical performances, car show, kids’ pie-eating contest and more.
- Winchester: July 3 burger eating contest and other activities, performances, and fireworks.
