Attend The Smithsonian Folklife Festival
This festival celebrates diverse cultures, highlighting their food, dance, art, way of life, clothing, music, and more.
In years past Peru, Baaque Country, China, Kenya, Armenia have been feted.
This 55 year old festival takes place on the National Mall – and best of all, it’s free to attend .
There are performance stages, booths with exhibits, demonstrations, and a generally friendly audience. Local restaurants supply food athentic to the countries represented
The second half of this festival takes place between June 30th – July 4th in 2022. Hours are 11 am to 6 pm , with concerts starting at 6:30 pm.
Click here for more information about the festival and for a schedule of events.
Water Taxi & Wharf Jitney
Introducing one of the best ways to view the city and the easiest mode of transportation to get to destinations on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers: our new water taxi. And if you just want to get across the Washington Channel, catch our jitney to East Potomac Park for a round of golf or a leisurely stroll.
National Independence Day Parade
The National Independence Day Parade is BACK! You can watch it live online or in person along Constitution Ave NW from 1145am to 2pm.
The parade route is between 7th and 17th St NW on Constitution Ave NW along the National Mall. There are some seating at the top of the steps at the National Archives but they are limited and go fast! The best place to watch the Independence Day Parade is towards to end of the parade route where the crowds are thinner.
If you can’t go there, you can watch it at 5pm on the youtube channel –
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Fairfaxs Annual Independence Day Parade
- Address:Historic Fairfax Courthouse, Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Date and Time: July 3 10:00 AM
Spend the morning watching nine marching bands, drill teams, entertainers, balloons, and various civic groups march through Fairfax. The parage begins at 4100 Chain Bridge Road before it heads along Main Street, University Drive, and Armstrong Street.
A Capitol Fourth Concert
- Address:West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, E. Capitol Street and First Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
- Time: 8:00 9:30 PM
- Website
If you do come to the National Mall to enjoy the fireworks, come early and enjoy the patriotic concert, A Capitol Fourth.
This concert is also broadcast live for those tuning in on the American Forces Network and at home to enjoy.
Wherever you watch from, the view of the Washington, D.C. skyline lit up by exploding fireworks, silhouetting the memorials and monuments will be like nothing you have seen before.
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What To Do On July 4th In Washington Dc
Whether you are a local or a visitor to Washington DC, you may be asking yourself what to do on July 4th in Washington DC?
What is open in Washington DC? Happily, almost everything will be reopened by July 4th. Restaurants will be at full capacity, all museums will be open, and the fireworks will be very spectacular.
Th Of July In Washington Dc
Dozens of monuments, dazzling firework displays, and plenty of founding fathers’ fun make our nations capital the ideal place to ring in the fourth of July.
Follow along as we take you through every last 4th of July celebration in the Washington DC area.
Washington DC truly pulls out all the star-spangled stops, from the electrifying display of lights above the Potomac River to celebrity-studded concerts at the Capitol Building.
Travel back to colonial times at George Washington’s country estate, or marvel at the majesty of the Lincoln Memorial. Over 700,000 people attend the city’s patriotic parades, celebrations, and events each year.
However you celebrate Uncle Sam, the District City is here to make all of your 4th of July fantasies come true!
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Visit The Kids Sections At The Smithsonian Museums
Smithsonian museums have no costs.
Many of the main Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall have separate rooms for younger visitors, a favorite is the miniature Julia Child’s Kitchen in the Wegmen’s Wonderplace at the American History Museum.
You’ll also find an entire floor of the American Indian Museum geared towards kids, with a passport to explore the many Native cultures.
Vienna Sprinklers And Sparklers And Fireworks Celebration
- Address: two locations
- Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna, Virginia 22180
- George C. Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Dr. SW, Vienna, VA 22180
Begin your day at the Vienna Community Center, where everyone can ack like a kid and enjoy getting cooled off under the sprinklers, slipping down the slides, and having a blast in all the water activities.
After drying off, continue celebrating at Yeonas Park, where there will be plenty of music, food, and fireworks.
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Visit The National Museum Of American History
DCs Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is reopening to the public just in time for the Fourth of July! This multilevel museum allows you to experience the evolution of Americas identity from colonial times up until now.
A standout National Museum of American History piece is the original Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. It will be hard for your day to get more patriotic than paying the Star-Spangled Banner a respective visit.
Attend A Sporting Event
Sports and a cold beer are the perfect way to fend off the summer swelter, and luckily there are a number of games to attend in DC in July 2022.
Baseball
The Washington Nationals will be playing a number of games at home this month:
Click here for ticket information.
Soccer
The DC United soccer team will play at Audi Field 4 times this month:
For tickets click here.
Washington Spirit, DC women’s soccer team, will also play at Audi Field:
Tickets can be found here.
This is a great option for families. For more family-friendly ideas, check out our things to do with kids post.
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Attending The Capitol Fourth Concert
A popular Washington DC 4th of July event is the free Capitol Fourth concert held at the Capitol and broadcast on PBS. Here are Grandpa Points thoughts on that experience a few years back.
The free concert start time is 8 p.m. and the gates to The Capitol grounds typically open at 3 p.m. There are security checkpoints and a list of no-go items, but you can bring nonalcoholic drinks, food and beach/camp chairs that sit low to the ground. Get there early for the best seats! You really want to prepare for this properly as temperatures look like they will be warm this year and youll likely spend many hours outdoors.
On our visit, the steps themselves were full by 5 p.m. and hands were stamped to verify who was there at that time to help with any potential crowding issues later on. Perhaps an even better solution than seeing the concert on the 4th is go to the dress rehearsal at 8 p.m. on July 3 then you can have more flexibility for the actual Independence Day.
Attend ‘a Capitol Fourth’ Concert At The Us Capitol
Live Broadcast on PBS at 8pm EST
For 2020-21, the concert was prerecorded but for 2022 it is back to being a live event.
Here’s the 2022 Preview
If you miss the concert, you can also watch it on PBS from the comfortable of a local restaurant or your hotel room.
For 2022, the concert will be hosted by country music star Mickey Guyton with a variety of performers
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Watch The Fireworks Party The Long Weekend Away Or See A Parade On The National Mall
Independence Day in Washington, DC is a pretty big deal, considering its the nations capital and all. Throughout the year, millions of visitors flock to the District to learn about American history and witness iconic sites and monuments, from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial.
For Washingtonians, though, a stroll through one of DCs best museums or a jog around the Jefferson Memorial is just another day. That changes on the night of the Fourth of July, when the sky above the National Mall is transformed into a patriotic display of fireworks. Beyond the fireworks, theres so much more to do like party at the nearest outdoor watering hole, take advantage of special daytime programming at historic sites such as George Washingtons Mount Vernon, and, of course, see the annual National Independence Day Parade stomp its way down Constitution Avenue.
So, fire up those grills, grab a pack of cold ones, and get ready to toast to the occasion. From rooftop parties to under-the-radar fireworks viewing locations, heres what to look forward to in Washington, DC this year on the Fourth of July.
Watch The Show From Your Luxury Dc Apartment
If you prefer not to wrestle with the Washington DC 4th of July crowds, you can always watch the show from the comfort of most of our Washington DC luxury apartments with access to a rooftop viewing area. You might also make the short journey to your favorite downtown DC rooftop bar for a laid-back experience with your family and friends.
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National Air And Space Museum
Visit the National Air and Space Museum over the 4th of July weekend and help the museum celebrate 40 years! On July 1st the National Air and Space Museum will host a 40th birthday celebrationwith a special ceremony, and the museum will remain open all night while offering special activities. If you are in DC on July 1st, this is a celebration you dont want to miss!
The International Colombian Festival Washington Dc 2022
Go Colombia LLC is proud to present the 6th edition of the International Colombian Festival of Washington DC. In last years festival, more than 5,000 spectators were in attendance, and the event was covered by the local newspaper and television stations, including well-renown Hispanic network Telemundo.
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Tips For Celebrating The Fourth Of July In Washington Dc
Washington DC is a short drive from The Wayside Inn in Ellicott City, Maryland, making it an easy and educational day trip. In particular, visiting the Nations Capital is quite patriotic on the Fourth of July. If you plan to spend the Fourth of July in Washington DC, you can rest assured there are plenty of fun-filled activities taking place that will not only strike a chord with your patriotic side, but provide memories that will last a lifetime.
Below are our two favorite activities to enjoy on the Fourth of July Washington, D.C.
Get Your Fill At The Wharf
Fresh seafood is a given on the waterfront. But The Wharf offers more, including a wide selection of distinctive choices for food, drinks, and entertainment while you eat. Watch the chefs prepare your meal. Listen to music. Or just people-watch while you savor the flavors of The Wharf.
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Attend The Dress Rehearsal For A Capitol Fourth
If youve ever watched the Independence Day fireworks on PBS, youve probably also seen the concert. This is a really popular event. If you want to make this part of your 4th of July in DC you should plan to arrive several hours early.
Our recommendation is to attend the full dress rehearsal that they usually do on July 3rd. It is the same show, minus the fireworks of course, and with a smaller crowd, so you dont have to arrive nearly as early.
Annual Celebration Of Bastille Day
Celebrate the Storming of the Bastille at the French Embassy’s Bastille Day Celebration. The event includes a sit-down dinner featuring dishes from the Savoie region paired with champagne and wine, followed by a performance from a live band, an operette, and a silent auction. Spots are limited so reserve a table now.
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See The Declaration Of Independence
In the time when you’re not attending a concert or watching fireworks, we recommend a visit to the National Archives Museum to see documents that have shaped our nation.
Inside you will find the Charters of Freedom: the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.
The National Archives is free to visit and open to the public. Timed tickets are recommended to skip the line.
Meet George and Martha Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Uncle Sam throughout the day. Celebrate with crafts, art and live music 9am- 4pm on July 4.
Find out more –
For more free things to do, check out our Free section below.
See The Fireworks On The National Mall
Fireworks in DC has always been the centerfold for celebrating Independence Day.
At the time of writing, information about the fireworks is still being provided to the public. Assuming 2022 fireworks are similar to year’s past, here are some suggestions about where to watch the fireworks in DC:
- ON THE NATIONAL MALL: If you want to watch on the National Mall, you’ll need to keep on eye on entry points and prohibited items. The steps of the Lincoln Memorial and grounds around the Washington Monument are usually the most popular places and people come out early in the day to grab a spot. Certain areas of the National Mall are usually closed
- TIDAL BASIN: The steps of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial are also a popular place to gather to watch the fireworks.
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Watch The Fireworks From The National Mall
A bad piece of advice the locals often dish out is to skip the National Mall on the 4th of July. Will it be crowded? Of course. However, this should not deter you from heading down. Its important to know that a large section of the National Mall gets fenced off and you can only enter it through a limited number of security checkpoints. The secure area includes the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.
We like to sit in the area near the museums. This is outside of the secure area so its a bit easier to get in and out. It is a little farther away but the view is still excellent.
Spend Time At The National Mall
Many DC locals consider the National Mall one of the citys best places to spend a Fourth of July holiday. Connective walking pathways allow you to navigate the National Mall with ease, while each of the propertys monuments and memorials has something unique to offer.
Walking through National Mall areas like the Vietnam Memorial helps you acknowledge the men and women who sacrificed so much for Americas freedom. Consider paying the National Malls Lincoln Memorial a visit to acquire an exceptional view of the Washington Monument and the surrounding DC cityscape.
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Where To Watch The Fireworks
Lets admit it: all that grilling and beer crushing youre doing earlier in the day is pretty much an extended pregame for the fireworks show. This year, Washingtonians are spoiled for viewing options, from scenic lawns and parks to rooftops and boats.
Head to the highest rooftop restaurant and lounge in the Mount Vernon Triangle, Ciel Social Club, which boasts nearly 360-degree views of the US Capitol dome, Washington Monument, and downtown DC. Theyre throwing a National Fireworks Viewing Party from 7 to 10 pm featuring incredible views of the fireworks, passed hors d’oeuvres, a two-hour premium open bar, and a live band.
Meanwhile in Georgetown, the Rosewood and CUT Above are hosting an elevated July 4th dinner for guests to enjoy the fireworks and celebrations from new heights. The dinner includes chef Andrew Skala’s family-style menu and a bottle of Krug Cuvée Champagne, followed by a prime view of the fireworks display.
For something a bit more relaxed, Victura Park at the Kennedy Center makes a great place to watch the fireworks, with its ample green space and prime Potomac views. On the Fourth theyll be open from 10 am until the fireworks end, with food trucks and grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests are welcome to bring blankets, but chairs and outside food are a no-go.
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Austa Somvichian-Clausen is a freelance food and travel writer, who lives in Brooklyn with her girlfriend and two fur babies.
Play Outside On The National Mall
Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
Rent paddle boats on the Tidal Basin to get a unique perspective of the Jefferson, Dr. King, and FDR Memorials. There is a fee to rent the boats and they only operate in good weather.
The Tidal Basin Boathouse supplies life vests for individuals over 18 months of age or 25 lbs.
You can find the operating status and current rates here.
Carousel on the National Mall
For little kids, a carousel ride on the National Mall provides a fun break between visiting the museums. There is also a food and drink stand nearby for a quick snack.
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