Area Independence Day Celebrations

On July 4, 1776, the United States declared independence from Great Britain. Wear your finest red, white and blue to show your pride and come out to celebrate United States of America’s Independence Day, at any of these holiday celebrations!

Below is a list of area celebrations. All are on July 4 unless otherwise noted. Click on the pink links for more information.

Washington, D.C.

National Independence Day Parade

Colonial reenactors march in a previous National Independence Day parade. (Photo by Miller Taylor)

Location:  Constitution Avenue and 7th Street to 17th Street

Time: 11:45 a.m.

A Capitol Fourth Concert

Jordin Sparks performs during the 2011 A Capitol Fourth (Kevin Dietsch/UPI)

Location: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

Time: 8-9:30 p.m. (Admittance begins at 3 p.m.)

A Fourth of July tradition in the nation’s capital includes a live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and several pop artists performing patriotic music on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The concert and show is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. The concert is free and open to the public. The annual event will be broadcast live on WETA TV 26 with a repeat airing at 10 p.m.

National Mall Fireworks

Fireworks over the National Mall (Photo courtesy of PBS)

Location: Washington Monument grounds, Washington, D.C. (fireworks will be launched from the reflecting pool area)

Time: 9:10 p.m.

Maryland

Annapolis Parade and Fireworks

Location: Annapolis City Dock

Time: Parade at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Parade Route: West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street to the City Dock. Naval Academy’s Concert Band will perform at the end of City Dock just prior to the fireworks.

Bowie Concert and Fireworks

Location: Prince George’s Stadium, 4101 NE Crain Hwy, Bowie, Md.

Time: Concert with the Fabulous Hubcaps at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

College Park Concert and Fireworks

Location: University of Maryland, College Park. Parking Lot 1, off Campus Drive near the University Boulevard/Adelphi Road entrance.

Location: Food and music start at 7 p.m., with fireworks around 9 p.m.

Columbia, Md., Festival and Fireworks

Location: Lake Kittamaquandi, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Md.

Time: Music and children’s entertainment begins at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Fort Meade, Md., Red, White and Blue Celebration

Fireworks light up the sky over McGlachlin Parade Field at Fort Meade in 2012. (Photo courtesy U.S. Army)

Location: Fort Meade parade field, Route 175 (Annapolis Road) and Reece Road, Fort Meade, Md.

Time: July 3 4 p.m.; fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Free admission – Open to the public. DJ, bands, food/beverage vendors, ovelty vendors, Karate demonstration, Budwiser Clydesdales and fireworks.

Gaithersburg Concert and Fireworks

Location: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chesttreet, Gaithersburg.

Time: Gates open at 5 p.m. Walk-in at Chestnut or Dalamar Streets; the Perry Parkway entrance will be closed. Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.

Greenbelt Concert and Fireworks

Location: Buddy Attick Park, 555 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt.

Time: Entertainment begins at 4 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.

Kensington/Wheaton Concert and Fireworks

Location: Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Rd., Kensington.

Time: Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Free shuttle bus service will pick up passengers beginning at 6:15 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station.

Laurel Fourth of July Celebration

Location: Granville Gude Park, Laurel Lake, Laurel.

Time: July 6 Parade at 11 a.m. Fireworks at dusk. Events all day.

Rockville

Location: Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.

Location: Live entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Additional parking will be available at Rockville Town Center.

Six Flags America Fireworks

Location: Six Flags America, 13710 Central Ave., Mitchellville, Md.

Time: 9:30 p.m. (Hurricane Harbor)

Guests who bring any Coca-Cola product on July 4 will be granted entry to the park an hour early for exclusive ride time on Riddle Me This, The Joker’s Jinx, Superman: Ride of Steel and The Penguin’s Blizzard River. (Present can of Coke along with an admission ticket or Season Pass to get exclusive ride time.)

Takoma Park Parade and Fireworks

Location: Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Takoma Park.

Time: Parade at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Virginia

Alexandria Birthday Celebration

Fireworks over the Alexandria harbor in 2011. (Photo by Victor Wolansky)

Location: Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., Alexandria

Time: Celebrate Alexandria’s Birthday & the USA’s on July 13, 2013, 4-10 p.m. Enjoy a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Fairfax Parade, Concert and Fireworks

Location: Independence Day Parade through the downtown. Entertainment and fireworks at Fairfax High School.

Time: Parade at 10 a.m., entertainment at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dark.

Falls Church Concert and Fireworks

Location: George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.

Time: Live music will start at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:20 p.m.

McLean Fireworks

Location: Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean.

Time: Grounds open at 8 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Free admission and parking. Shuttle buses will be available from St. John’s Lutheran Church (on Douglass St. and Georgetown Pike) and the McLean Community Center.

Vienna Festival and Fireworks

Location: Festival at Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna. Concert at Yeonas Park. Concert at Yeonis Park, 1319 Ross Dr SW, Vienna. Fireworks at Southside Park on Ross Drive, Vienna.

Time: Celebrations start at 11 a.m. Concert at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Arts and crafts, food, live music, vendors and games.