The Freedom250 group is hosting the July 4th fireworks this year.

Entry and access

The official viewing area is at the Washington monument. There is a primary entrance on 14th

From Freedom250’s materials:

Location
Washington Monument
2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20024
 
SITE ENTRANCE: To enter the site, guests will proceed down Constitution Ave or Independence Ave to the Entry Line located on 14th St.

Timing
●  Security Magnetometers Open: 5:00 PMon Saturday, July 4, 2026
●  All guests must be through security before 6:00 PM. We strongly encourage guests to plan their arrival well in advance, allowing ample time for transportation, security screening, and access into the venue prior to this time.

Security
All guests must undergo security screening prior to entering the venue. Please see below for prohibited items.
 
APPROVED BAGS
Each guest may bring one (1) clear, see-through bag not exceeding:
  •  12" × 6" × 12" (approximately the size of one large gallon-size freezer bag)

Alternatively, guests may carry:
  •  One (1) small clutch or purse not exceeding 10" × 6" × 2"

All bags are subject to inspection upon entry.

✓  Food and water will be available for purchase inside the event site.
✓  Complimentary water will be available inside the event site.
✓  Cooling tents will be available inside the event site.

Additional information will be posted in comments.

**They are aiming for it to be the largest firework show in history. A rumored 850,000 fireworks to be set off over the course of an estimated 40 minutes, starting around 10:30-11:00PM.**

* Daytime program with headline musical performances and non-stop flyovers and air performances, 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

Flyovers and demonstrations along the National Mall and Washington
Monument grounds include:
• 1:14 PM - NASA F-5 Flyover
• 1:24 PM - NASA Fleet Review
• 1:44 PM - USCG Helo Flyover
• 1:54 PM - USCG Fixed Wing Flyover
• 2:09 PM - Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
• 2:29 PM - Army Helo Flyover
• 2:44 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Heavies
• 2:54 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 2 - AFSOC
• 3:04 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Wave 3 - Fighters
• 3:29 PM - Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
• 3:39 PM - USMC Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Rotary
• 3:49 PM - USMC Fleet Review - Wave 2 - Fixed Wing
• 3:59 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 1 - Rotary
• 4:09 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 2 - Fixed Wing
• 4:19 PM - USN Fleet Review - Wave 3 - Fighters
• 4:21 PM - USN F-18F Demonstration
• 4:59 PM - USN Blue Angels
• 5:26 PM - USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
• 5:44 PM - USAF Fleet Review - Fighters
• 6:02 PM - USAF Tri-Bomber Formation
• 6:05 PM - USN F-35C Demonstration
• 6:25 PM - USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration
• 7:03 PM - Air Force One Flyover
• 7:07 PM - USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break
• 7:17 PM - HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One • 7:38 PM - U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
• 7:39 PM - F-22 Raptor Demo
• 7:53 PM - F-22 Raptor in Afterburner
• 7:59 PM - B-1 Flyover\
• 8:07 PM - B-1's in Afterburner
• 8:11 PM - HUGE ONE Fly Over Review
• 8:22 PM - Golden Knights Twilight Jump
• 10:36 PM - B-1 Afterburner Night Pass

It’s essentially a non-stop aerial performance.

The 'state fair' area on the mall will open at noon and remain open through midnight, (according to current reports)

[DC public safety for the 4th](https://250.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/250/Fourth%20of%20July%20Press%20Conference%20Presentation%201.pdf)

[Interactive Firework view map](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/007ba46c1d884711a8f251adb41d0cf7/page/Page?draft=true&locale=en#data\_s=id%3Awidget\_10\_output\_config\_default\_geocode\_0\_0%3A0)

This is a sticky post for information about the July 4th fireworks and festivities. It will be moderated for civility and politics. Information about other adjacent or parallel July 4th celebrations are welcomed and encouraged.