Increased security operations are underway in preparation for a variety of summer events, including UFC Freedom 250, 2026 United Bowl, Freedom 250 FIFA Fan Zone, the Great American State Fair, Juneteenth and Capital Pride Celebrations.
District officials gathered at the District Emergency Operations Center (1015 Half St. SE) Wednesday afternoon to brief the public about upcoming safety precautions, road closures and more.
Strengthening Security Measures
The District’s current security posture is the result of months of planning, collaboration and partnership with local, regional and federal partners according to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah. “We want to thank all of the agencies and employees that have been working very hard for months and our partners for their work in preparing for the weeks ahead in the District and helping to keep our city safe, welcoming and ready to host major events,” she said.
Alongside these additional security measures, maintaining typical public safety resources for residents during these high-security events remains a top priority for District agencies, Appiah said.
There are currently “no no specific, credible threats identified in connection with the upcoming events,” Interim Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Jeffery Carroll reported. He emphasized that due to the “high-profile nature” of upcoming events and the expected large crowds, MPD has been working with partner agencies on a “robust security plan” to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike. This includes expanded security zones, traffic closures, parking restrictions and more.
District officials strongly urged residents and visitors to utilize public transit when traveling to events, particularly around the National Mall. Significant parking restrictions and traffic closures will be in affect for all events and may change based on conditions.
UFC Freedom 250
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House Sunday evening. Increased security measures, road closures and parking restrictions will begin on Thursday, June 11, and continue through Monday, June 15.
“Beyond our visible presence and screening, our multilayered security plan includes overwatch drones, advanced counter drone technology, protective intelligence, specialized tactical teams and other unseen resources to identify and address potential threats,” Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office Tara McLeese said, urging commuters to avoid roadways surrounding the White House on both Friday and Monday.
The following streets will be designated as emergency no parking from Thursday, June 11, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m:
- 17th Street from New York Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- Constitution Avenue from 18th Street to 14th Street NW
The following streets will be designated as emergency no parking from Friday, June 12, at 10 p.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6 a.m:
- 17th Street from H Street to New York Avenue NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- G Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- F Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- New York Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- E Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- D Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- C Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to 18th Street NW
- 22nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street from 21st Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 18th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 15th Street from H Street to Upper Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- New York Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- G Street from 15th Street to 13th Street NW
- F Street from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- E Street/Lower Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- E Street from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- Madison Drive from 14th Street to 7th Street NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- 14th Street from F Street to Independence Avenue SW
- 13th Street from F Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Madison Drive NW
- 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 7th Street NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 7th Street NW
The following streets will be designated as emergency no parking from Sunday, June 14, at 6 a.m. to Monday, June 15, at 6 a.m:
- H Street from 18th Street to 14th Street, NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from Thursday, June 11, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m:
- 17th Street from New York Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
- 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
- Constitution Avenue from 18th Street to 14th Street NW
- C Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- D Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- E Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- E Street/Lower Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- Madison Drive from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from Friday, June 12, at 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m:
- Henry Bacon Drive from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
- Daniel French Drive from Lincoln Memorial Circle to Independence Avenue SW
The following bridges and streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m:
- Memorial Bridge
- Parkway Drive from Potomac River Freeway to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- 23rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
- Independence Avenue from 23rd Street to 14th Street, NW
- Maine Avenue from Independence Avenue to 12th Street, SW
- Westbound I-395 Exit 4B to Maine Avenue/12th Street
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from Friday, June 12, at 10 p.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6 a.m:
- 17th Street from H Street to New York Avenue NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- G Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- F Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- New York Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 22nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street from 21st Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 15th Street from H Street to Upper Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- New York Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- G Street from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- F Street from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- F Street from 14th Street to 13th Street NW
- E Street from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- Madison Drive from 14th Street to 7th Street NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- 14th Street from F Street to Independence Avenue SW
- 13th Street from F Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 12th Street from Constitution Avenue to Madison Drive NW
- 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 7th Street NW
The following streets will be close to vehicular traffic from Saturday, June 13, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6 a.m:
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to 18th Street NW
- 18th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 12th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 12th Street Expressway/Tunnel
- 11th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 10th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 12th Street to 9th Street NW
- Southbound Potomac River Freeway exit E Street/I-66
- Northbound Potomac River Freeway exit E Street/I-66
- Eastbound I-66/TR Bridge exits toward Constitution Avenue
- Eastbound I-66/TR Bridge exits toward E Street/Whitehurst Freeway
The following streets will be close to vehicular traffic from Sunday, June 14, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 15, at 6 a.m:
- H Street from 18th Street to 15th Street NW
- Connecticut Avenue from I Street to H Street NW
- 17th Street from K Street to H Street NW
- 17th Street from K Street to I Street NW
- 16th Street from I Street to H Street NW
- 15th Street from K Street to I Street NW
- Vermont Avenue from I Street to H Street NW
- I Street from 17th Street to 14th Street NW
The following streets will be close intermittently to vehicular traffic from Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14:
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 9th Street to 7th Street NW
- 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 9th Street Tunnel
- Independence Avenue from 23rd Street to 14th Street SW
- Maine Avenue from Independence Avenue to 12th Street SW
- Westbound I-395 Exit 4B to Maine Avenue/12th Street
Great American State Fair
More than 150 family-friendly exhibits and attractions from US states and territories, businesses, innovators will highlight the Great American State Fair. The fairgrounds are open to the public daily at the following times:
- Sunday through Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Thursday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- July 4th: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
This event will take place on the National Mall between 4th and 14th Streets NW from from June 15 to July 10. Attendees can enter the fairgrounds at the following entry points:
- 12th Street at Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW
- 7th Street at Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW
Both Madison and Jefferson Drives along the Mall will be closed throughout the entire the duration of the event.
Visit 250.dc.gov to learn more about upcoming events, associated traffic restrictions, closures and more.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
