Increased security operations are underway in preparation for the District’s Fourth of July celebrations. Local and federal officials gathered at the District Emergency Operations Center (1015 Half St. SE) Monday morning to brief the public about increased security measures, updates to public transportation and the parking and traffic restrictions expected across the city this week.
July Fourth Events
A variety of events will take place throughout the week on and around the National Mall, in Anacostia Park and in the District’s neighborhoods on Saturday, July 4, including:
- The 23rd Annual Capitol Hill Community Fourth of July Parade will take place at 10 a.m. beginning on Eighth Street SE in Capitol Hill.
- The National Independence Day Parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin at Third Street and Constitution Avenue NW and running south along 3rd Street before heading west at Independence Avenue SW and ending at 12th Street SW.
- The Palisades 60th Annual Fourth of July Parade will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning at MacArthur Boulevard and Whitehaven Parkway NW. The parade route will proceed down MacArthur Boulevard to Edmunds Place, make a left on Edmunds Place to Sherier Place NW and end at the Palisades Recreation Center (5200 Sherier Place NW).
- The Great American State Fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Independence Day. This event will take place on the National Mall between 4th and 14th Streets NW. The festivities, and related parking and road closures, will continue through July 10. Attendees can enter the fairgrounds at the following entry points: 12th Street at Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW and 7th Street at Jefferson Drive SW and Madison Drive NW.
- The FIFA World Cup Fan Zone, located between 3rd and 4th Streets, will be open from 12 to 8 p.m. The area is free and open to the public, and the first matches of round 16 will be shown live at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- The Salute to America celebration will include live performances, flyovers and a fireworks display. Attendees can enter the mall beginning at 1 p.m. at Constitution Avenue NW or Independence Avenue SW and should follow the signs to the entry queue on 14th Street NW. The fireworks are expected to begin at 10:30 p.m.
- Fireworks in Anacostia Park will take place at concurently with the national mall fireworks.
Safety and Security Posture
Local and federal agencies are working in close collaboration to ensure the safety and security of all attendees. At this time, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is “not tracking any credible threats” related to Independence Day events in the District, according to the Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office, Darren Cox.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has also been in close coordination with local and federal partners in preparation for the event, Interim Chief of Police Jeffery W. Carroll said. “This coordination is critical, and together we’re taking every necessary step to ensure that the celebrations are both enjoyable and safe for everyone.”
All attendees entering the secure viewing area on the National Mall will be subject to “TSA style” screening, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office for the United States Secret Service Tara McLeese reported. The restricted area will limit attendees to one clear bag, no larger than a gallon size zip lock, per person.
“There is no area in the country where law enforcement is better prepared and works closer together. Every agency represented here today, and many who aren’t, play a pivotal role in a complex security plan,” McLeese said.
Transportation
Officials strongly encourage attendees to utilize public transportation throughout the weekend. “Metro is definitely the safest, easiest way to get around,” General Manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Randy Clarke said, emphasizing that WMATA will be “very well staffed” for the event.
“We know what we’re doing,” Clarke said. “It’s something we take a lot of pride in. July Fourth is our Super Bowl every year, so we will be prepared.”
Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will offer free rides beginning Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m. to Sunday, July 5, at 2 a.m. Visit www.wmata.com for public transportation updates and additional information.
Road Closures and Traffic Restrictions
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Sunday, June 28, beginning at 6 a.m:
- 15th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Madison Drive from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- Jefferson Drive from 15th Street to 14th Street SW
The following street will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” on Monday, June 29, beginning at 7 p.m:
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to 6th Street NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Monday, June 29, beginning at 7 p.m:
- Independence Avenue from 15th Street to Maine Avenue, SW
- the eastbound curb lane of Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 6th Street NW
The following street will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning Tuesday, June 30, beginning at 8 p.m:
- 17th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue SW
The following street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, July 1, beginning at 9 a.m:
- the westbound curb lane of Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 6th Street NW
- Raoul Wallenberg Place from Maine Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, beginning at 8:00 p.m., the following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking:
- 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 15th Street from Lower Pennsylvania Avenue/E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, July 1, beginning at 8 p.m:
- Constitution Avenue from 18th Street to 14th Street NW
- 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue 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 Constitution Avenue to 18th Street NW
- 15th Street from Lower Pennsylvania Avenue/E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
The following street will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” and closed to vehicle traffic on Thursday, July 2, beginning at 6 a.m:
- C Street from 19th Street to 18th Street NW
The following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” and closed to vehicle traffic On Thursday, July 2, beginning at 9 p.m:
- E Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- the southbound lanes of 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
The following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” and closed to vehicle traffic on Friday, July 3, beginning at 6 a.m:
- Inbound Case Bridge ramp to 12th Street Expressway/Tunnel
- Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street to 18th Street NW
- Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 22nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from Virginia Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- Henry Bacon Drive from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
- C Street from 21st Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- 19th Street from Virginia Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Independence Avenue SW
- 12th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 10th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
- 6th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue NW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Friday, July 3, beginning at 10 p.m:
- Westbound I395 exit to Maine Avenue/12th Street Expressway
- Maiden Lane from 12th Street to Maine Avenue SW
- Southbound Potomac River Freeway split to Independence Avenue, Maine Avenue and E Street NW
- Eastbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge ramp to Constitution Avenue NW
- Eastbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge ramp to Independence Avenue NW
- Westbound E Street Expressway split to Potomac River Freeway/Ohio Drive (all traffic to I66 West)
- The Arlington Memorial Bridge
- Independence Avenue from 23rd Street to 12th Street SW
- Maine Avenue from Independence Avenue to Ohio Drive SW
- 14th Street Bridge Inbound, SW (ALL traffic from Virginia will remain on eastbound I-395)
- 14th Street Bridge (HOV) Inbound, SW (ALL traffic from Virginia will remain on eastbound I-395)
- 23rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Daniel French Drive from Lincoln Memorial Circle to Independence Avenue SW
- Ohio Drive from Independence Avenue to the Ohio Drive Bridge
- Parkway Drive from Ohio Drive to Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
- West Basin Drive from Independence Avenue to Ohio Drive SW
The following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 4 a.m:
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to 18th Street NW
- 23rd Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 20th Street from E Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- E Street from 20th Street to 18th Street NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- 18th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 17th Street from H Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- D Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- C Street from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- 15th Street from H Street to Lower Pennsylvania Avenue/E Street 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
- Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- E Street from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- 13th Street from F Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 12th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 11th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 10th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 8th Street from E Street to D Street NW
- D Street from 9th Street to 6th Street NW
- 7th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- C Street from 6th Street to 3rd Street NW
- 5th Street from E Street to Indiana Avenue NW
- 4th Street from E Street to Indiana Avenue NW
- 3rd Street from Indiana Avenue/D Street NW to C Street SW
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to Louisiana Avenue NW
- 2nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street from 2nd Street to 1st Street NW
- 1st Street from D Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- Louisiana Avenue from D Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- New Jersey Avenue from D Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- Independence Avenue from 12th Street to 3rd Street SW
- Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue to 3rd Street SW
- 4th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 6th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 7th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 9th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- C Street from 9th Street to 7th Street SW
- L’Enfant Plaza from Independence Avenue to 9th Street SW
- 12th Street from Independence Avenue to D Street SW
- C Street from 14th Street to 12th Street SW
- D Street from 14th Street to 12th Street SW
- 13th Street from C Street to D Street SW
The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 4 a.m:
- Exit 4 from eastbound I395
- Eastbound E Street Expressway ramp from southbound Potomac River Freeway to E Street, NW
- E Street Expressway ramp to E Street from the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
- Virginia Avenue from 24th Street to 18th Street NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 18th Street to 17th Street NW
- 20th Street from E Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- Eastbound E Street from 20th Street to 18th Street NW
- 19th Street from E Street to Virginia Avenue NW
- 18th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 17th Street from H Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 3rd Street NW
- 15th Street from H Street to Lower Pennsylvania Avenue/E Street NW
- New York Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- 14th Street from F Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 12th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- 3rd Street from C Street NW to C Street SW
- Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to Louisiana Avenue NW
- Independence Avenue from 12th Street to Washington Avenue SW
- Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue to 3rd Street SW
- 4th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 6th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 7th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- 9th Street from Independence Avenue to C Street SW
- C Street from 9th Street to 7th Street SW
- 12th Street from Independence Avenue to D Street SW
- C Street from 14th Street to 12th Street SW
- D Street from 14th Street to 12th Street SW
- 13th Street from C Street to D Street SW
The following streets will be closed to thru traffic and restricted to local vehicles only on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 4 a.m:
- G Street from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- F Street from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street NW
- E Street from 14th Street to 12th Street NW
- 13th Street from F Street to E Street NW
- 11th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 10th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 8th Street from E Street to D Street NW
- D Street from 9th Street to 6th Street NW
- 7th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 6th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- Indiana Avenue from 7th Street to 3rd Street NW
- C Street from 6th Street to 3rd Street NW
- 5th Street from E Street to Indiana Avenue NW
- 4th Street from E Street to Indiana Avenue NW
- 3rd Street from Indiana Avenue/D Street NW to C Street SW
- 2nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street from 2nd Street to 1st Street NW
- 1st Street from D Street to Louisiana Avenue NW
- Louisiana Avenue from D Street to Constitution Avenue NW
- New Jersey Avenue from D Street to Louisiana Avenue NW
- D Street from 12th Street to 6th Street SW
- Virginia Avenue from 7th Street to 2nd Street SW
- 7th Street from C Street to I Street SW
- School Street from 6th Street to 4th Street SW
- E Street from 7th Street to 2nd Street SW
- Maryland Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street SW
- 6 Street from C Street to I Street SW
- 4th Street from C Street to I Street SW
- 3rd Street from C Street to E Street SW
- C Street from 6th Street to 2nd Street SW
- D Street from 4th Street to 2nd Street SW
- 2nd Street from Washington Avenue to E Street SW
- G Street from 7th Street to 4th Street SW
- L’Enfant Plaza from Independence Avenue to 9th Street SW
The following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” for the Palisades Parade on Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m:
- MacArthur Boulevard from Whitehaven Parkway to Arizona Avenue NW
- Edmunds from MacArthur Blvd to Sherier Place NW
- Whitehaven Parkway from MacArthur Boulevard to Foxhall Road NW
The following streets will be closed for the Palisades Parade on Saturday, July 4, from 9: a.m. to 12:30 p.m:
- MacArthur Boulevard from Whitehaven Parkway to Arizona Avenue NW
- Edmunds Place from Sherier Place to MacArthur Boulevard NW
- Sherier Place from Edmunds Place to Dana Place NW
The following streets will be posted as “Emergency No Parking” for the Capitol Hill Parade on Barraks Row on Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m:
- 8th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Virginia Avenue SE
- D Street from 7th Street to 8th Street SE
The following streets will be closed for the Capitol Hill Parade on Barraks Row Parade on Saturday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m:
- 8th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Virginia Avenue SE
- D Street from 7th Street to 8th Street SE
- E Street from 7th Street to 9th Street SE
- G Street from 7th Street to 9th Street SE
- I Street from 7th Street to 9th Street SE
Residents and visitors can text “DC250” to 888-777 for updates about the District’s summer events. Visit www.mpd.dc.gov to learn more about parking restrictions and road closures. Visit www.250.dc.gov to learn more about the holiday weekend events and activities.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at sarahp@hillrag.com.
