2017 Washington DC July 4 Fireworks Guide

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are several 4th of July celebrations in the D.C. region, but nothing on the scale of the National Mall event each year.

A day full of events includes the Independence Day Parade and the Capitol Fourth Concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark.

WEATHER UPDATE: The weather forecast is a bit dicey. NBC Washington's Chuck Bell says storms will be a bit more likely south and west of the D.C. Metro area; he says rain is most likely between 2 and 7 p.m., but fireworks should be dry. The National Weather Service calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Look for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. The chance of scattered rain showers before 2 am creeps up to 50 percent. Skies tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Nationals Game:

The Washington Nationals annually play at Nationals Park on Independence Day. This year's game is at 11:05 a.m. against the New York Mets.

Independence Day Parade:

The one-mile parade starts at 11:45 a.m. at the corner of Constitution Ave NW and 7th St NW, and ends at 2 p.m. at Constitution Ave NW and 17th St NW. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will be in attendance to see bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military and specialty units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams, national dignitaries and celebrity participants. The Parade is a major national event which seeks to draw the attention of Americans to the real meaning for the holiday. The parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival:

This festival is considered one of DC's greatest summertime traditions. The free event is held on the National Mall and features concerts, a marketplace, food, dancing and more. The 2017 edition (June 29-July 4, July 6-9) marks the 50th anniversary of the event, so special programming honoring this milestone is on tap. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

>> Don't drink and drive this holiday. Find out how you can get a free Lyft Ride in DC this Fourth of July.

Capitol Fourth Concert:

Held on the U.S. Capitol's west lawn, the Capitol Fourth concert line-up this year includes The Beach Boys, John Stamos and more. The concert runs from 8-9:30 p.m. No tickets are necessary and admittance begins at 3 p.m.

Fireworks:

Fireworks are launched beginning at 9:09 p.m. from the reflecting pool area. The show lasts 17 minutes and 30 seconds and is visible from locations in D.C. and Virginia, according to the National Park Service.

See event maps from the NPS.

If you're viewing from the National Mall, here are tips:

• Plan to arrive early, and to protect yourself from heat-related illness. See Directions and Plan Your Visit.
• Viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points.
• Consider wearing hearing protection. These fireworks are BIG and LOUD.
• Consider wearing eye protection to protect yourself from falling debris (ash).
• Consider not bringing pets (some get very scared of the loud booms).
• Immediately following the fireworks, areas along Independence Avenue between the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial will be closed for safety related to the fireworks launch site. The road will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.

Other viewing areas include:

• Washington DC: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park
• Virginia: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway

What not to bring:

• Guns, knives, or ammunition
• Drones
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Explosives or fireworks

Recommendations:

• Leave pets at home
• Travel by Metro
• Bring plenty of water
• Recycle

Due to safety concerns and large crowds, no grills, alcohol, glass bottles, or personal fireworks are permitted on NPS property, as grilling and personal fireworks risk fires.

Photo: m01229/Flickr