DC prepares for Fourth of July celebrations with fencing, safety measures

WASHINGTON - Washington, D.C. is just days away from Fourth of July festivities marking America’s 250th anniversary, and city leaders are finalizing preparations for the large‑scale events planned on the National Mall.

Extreme heat remains one of the city’s major concerns, with temperatures expected to soar above 100 degrees. Visitors are urged to take breaks, stay hydrated and be mindful of heat‑related risks as crowds gather for the holiday.

DC Police, DC Fire and EMS, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the Health Department are coordinating safety measures across the city. 

More road closures are going into effect, and several spaces that were previously open are now fenced off. Along Independence Avenue, FOX 5’s Melanie Alnwick saw crews installing seven‑foot anti‑climb fencing on both sides of the street. Officials are warning drivers to expect unplanned roadblocks at any time.

D.C.’s downtown already has a reputation for challenging traffic, and officials say the added closures make it even more important for people moving around the city to plan ahead, pack patience and choose the option that best fits their needs.

City maps show nine public security checkpoints for accessing fireworks viewing areas. For the Salute to 250 events, gates open at 1 p.m., and fireworks are scheduled to launch at 11 p.m.

A clear‑bag policy will be in effect. Bags must be no larger than a gallon‑size Ziploc or a small clutch. Prohibited items include aerosols (including sunscreen and bug spray), backpacks, balls or frisbees, chairs, coolers, glass, metal or thermal containers and vapes. Visitors can text DC250 to 888‑777 for updates.

Officials also encourage using Metro and monitoring transit alerts to plan the most efficient trip in and out of the city.

Freedom 250 Program

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Washington Monument Grounds, 2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Daytime program with headline musical performances and military flyovers, beginning at 1 PM

Evening live broadcast with the Joint Armed Forces Orchestra and national speakers starting at 7 PM

Freedom 250 Fireworks Display

Watch in person or via livestream

850,000 fireworks shells launched from 10 sites: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, 8 Potomac River barges, and West Potomac Park

• DATE: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• LOCATION: Washington Monument Grounds, 2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20024
• DOORS OPEN: 1:00 PM
• FIREWORKS SHOW: ~10:30 PM ET · approximately 40 minutes

Site Entry

Guests should approach the site via Constitution Avenue NW or Independence Avenue SW, following signs to the Entry Queue on 14th Street NW. 

Security magnetometers open at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 4, 2026. 

Plan to arrive early—with large crowds expected, attendees' queues will be significant. 

Metro and rideshare are strongly recommended; driving and parking in the immediate area is first-come, first-served. 

The public area on the mall is also first-come, first-served.

More information online

• SITE ADDRESS: Washington Monument Grounds, 2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20024
• ENTER VIA: Constitution Ave NW or Independence Ave SW → Entry Queue on 14th St NW
• SECURITY OPENS: 8:00 AM, Saturday July 4, 2026
• GETTING THERE: Metro and rideshare strongly recommended — parking extremely limited

Pets

The National Mall is not a pet-friendly environment on the Fourth. The AVMA strongly advises leaving pets at home during fireworks displays — loud noise, crowds, and unfamiliar surroundings are a stressful combination that can cause animals to bolt and become lost. For a full July 4 pet safety checklist, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Clear Bag Policy

To speed up security screening, all attendees must follow the Clear Bag Policy. Each person may bring ONE of the following:

Approved Option 1 One (1) clear, see-through bag Maximum size: 12" x 6" x 12" (approximately one large gallon-size freezer bag)

Approved Option 2 One (1) small clutch or purse Maximum size: 10" x 6" x 2" All bags subject to inspection upon entry.

Important: No Storage On-Site

The U.S. Secret Service does not provide on-site storage or check-in for prohibited or oversized items.

Any items surrendered at security checkpoints will be discarded or turned over for destruction. Review the full policy before you leave home.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted inside the event venue. This list follows the U.S. Secret Service Prohibited Items policy. For the complete and current list, visit: secretservice.gov/prohibiteditems

• Aerosols (including bug spray and sunscreen)
• Laser pointers
• Glass, thermal, or metal containers
• Lighters
• Ammunition
• Mace / Pepper spray
• Animals (except service/guide animals)
• Packages
• Backpacks and oversized bags
• Pocket knives
• Balloons
• Range finders
• Balls / Frisbees
• Recreational motorized mobility devices
• Bicycles
• Selfie sticks
• Bull horns / Noise makers
• Signs exceeding 20\" x 3' x 1/4\"
• Camping / Folding chairs
• Skateboards / Scooters
• Coolers
• Structures / Sign supports
• Drink tumblers
• Explosives
• Drones / Unmanned aircraft
• Firearms
• Flammable liquids
• Toy guns / Weapons of any kind
• Vapes / Smokeless tobacco

Road Closure Details

Full road closure information below. Guests should expect extensive closures throughout the National Mall area. On July 4, there will be major bridge closures Theodore Roosevelt and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

From Thursday, June 25, 2026 through Friday, July 10, 2026, the Great American State Fair will be occurring in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures that motorists should take into consideration:

The following streets were previously closed for the buildout of the Great American State Fair and will remain closed after the Fair concludes on Friday, July 10, 2026, to allow for event demobilization. The organizers have been in communication with all entities requiring access to these streets during this period.

• Madison Drive from 3rd Street to 14th Street, NW
• Jefferson Drive from 3rd Street to 14th Street, SW
• 12th Street from Madison Drive to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 12th Street from Jefferson Drive to Independence Avenue, SW

From Wednesday, June 24, 2026, through Sunday, July 11, 2026, the following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking:

• 7th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street, NW
• Independence Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street, SW

From Wednesday, June 24, 2026, through Sunday, July 11, 2026, the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrian traffic may move north and south but will be required to undergo security screening. Members of the public who wish to travel from one side of the National Mall to the other without entering the security perimeter should use 3rd Street or 14th Street.

• 7th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 4th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, through Friday, July 10, 2026, the following streets may be closed intermittently for public safety:

• 14th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street, NW
• Independence Avenue from 14th Street to 3rd Street, SW

For timely traffic information, please visit x.com/DCPoliceTraffic.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is encouraged as parking is limited near the mall. For Salute to America, the nearest metro stops are Federal Triangle, L'Efante Plaza, Smithsonian, and Federal Center SW.

For rideshare (Uber or Lyft) there will be rideshare hubs and geofenced pickup zones situated a short distance from the venue.

Full details online.

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