Let loose this 4th of July by going to one of these fun, local events. Live music, food, drinks, parades, and more make up this year’s offerings. Don’t forget to cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display!
Falls Church
The city of Falls Church will celebrate Independence Day with its annual celebration and fireworks on the evening of Monday, July 4, at George Mason High School. The celebration at the high school starts at 7pm with a live musical performance. The fireworks will start at around 9:20pm. In the event of rain, the event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, at the same time and location. The event is free to the public. Blankets and flat-based chairs are allowed for seating on the field. Food and drinks will be sold on site, but alcohol, smoking, glass containers, fireworks and pets are not permitted.
Vienna
The Town of Vienna will celebrate America’s independence with food, family fun and fireworks. It all starts at 4pm in Yeonas Park with the 2nd annual Vienna Inn Chili Dog Eating Contest. In two shows at 5:30 and 6:30pm, the Old Bay Circus Company will present lovely aerialists, giant unicycles, madcap juggling and stunts that will thrill all ages. Kids’ games and moon bounces will be on the upper fields, and the Little League concession stand will be open to fill your bellies with delicious food and drink!
At 7pm Vienna’s own Fat Chance will entertain with songs for all generations, and to top off the fun, Vienna’s annual fireworks show will close the evening with a bang! Families are encouraged to bring blankets as you spend the evening celebrating America’s independence! The fireworks begin in Southside Park when it turns dark and seating will be available at Yeonas Park.
Great Falls
Great Falls will be holding a 5K and a Parade and Hometown Celebration at Great Falls Village Centre.
The Great Falls Trailblazers are bringing the Annual 5K Walk/Run to our local trails, beginning at the Freedom Memorial on the Library grounds. Runners may preregister online or register the day of the race, prior to 8am.
From 8am to 1:30pm, INOVA will hold a Blood Drive at the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department. Everyone who completes the donor screening procedure will receive a free Donor T-shirt! Photo ID is required, please allow one hour for donor visit.
The Little Patriot Parade will be held on the Village Centre Green. Babies and Toddlers up to age 5 are welcome to parade their finest patriotic display around the Green. Prizes for “Young George Washington,” Little Miss Betsy Ross,” and “The Star Spangled Family” will be awarded. At 10am the Main Parade will start at the Great Falls Village Centre – see the floats, horses, antique cars and pets making their loop. Be sure to spot the winning floats for Best Neighborhood, Best Business and Best Organization!
After the parade, enjoy burgers, dogs and snow-cones along with music, field games and festivities on the Village Centre Green with your Great Falls neighbors.
Pack up the family and come tailgate with your neighbors at Turner Farm Park before the fireworks. Gates open at 6:00pm. Live music, games, contests and food trucks will entertain until the Big Show gets underway just after dusk.
Fairfax
The City of Fairfax will host its 50th Annual Independence Day Celebration on Monday, July 4, with a parade, a gathering of superheroes, a firefighter competition and, of course, fireworks! The Independence Day Parade will run from 10am to 12pm Downtown Fairfax, rain or shine.
From noon to 1pm, there will be a Superhero Fest in the SunTrust Bank parking lot – meet and take photos with all your favorite superheroes! In attendance will be Batman, Superman, Robin, Flash, Spiderman, Ironman, Super Girl, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Captain America.
At 12:30pm there will be a firefighter competition, food and beverages, as well as fun for the kids!
The fireworks at the events leading up to them begin at 6pm at Fairfax High School. In case of rain, the fireworks only will be held on July 5th. Look out for some special surprises during the event!
National Mall
There are several Fourth of July celebrations in the Washington, 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, United States Army Band concert and the Capitol Fourth concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark. Held on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn, the Capitol Fourth concert line-up this year includes Smokey Robinson, Kenny Loggins, Gavin DeGraw and more.
Fireworks are launched beginning at 9:09pm 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.
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.
McLean
The 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, produced annually by the McLean Community Center will be held at Churchill Road Elementary School this year. The grounds open at 6:30pm, with the fireworks show beginning at sunset – approximately 9:15pm. Admission is free. In case of inclement weather, only the fireworks display will be presented the next day at 8pm.
Patrons can come early to enjoy musical entertainment by a local disc jockey and there will be food trucks on the grounds selling a variety of entrees and snacks.
Smoking, pets, fireworks, glass containers, weapons, sparklers, vaping, and alcohol are not allowed on school grounds.
