America’s National Independence Day Parade takes place annually on July 4th at 11:45 am in Washington D.C. on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street before a street audience of hundreds of thousands of spectators. The Parade consists of invited bands fife and drum corps floats military and specialty units giant balloons equestrian drill teams VIP’s 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. It is a patriotic flag-waving red white and blue celebration of America’s birthday!
The Parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service and produced by Diversified Events which is under contract to the National Park Service.
Participating Bands
Bands are invited based on recommendations from each state’s Governor’s office. Other times these recommendations come from a state’s music educators office or other music education organizations at the governor’s request. Representation from all parts of the United States is the goal of the Parade National Selection Committee. Bands must submit a video recording, photos, and biographical information detailing experience, honors, past adjudication results, festival ratings, etc. The deadline for band applications is January 15th of the year of the parade the band is applying to participate in, and bands are notified of their acceptance no later than February 15th of the same year. Marching bands are selected on the basis of overall quality, as well as geographical, ethnic and stylistic diversity. The parade organisers' annual goal is to have at least one band or unit represent each of the 50 states of the union.
The Nation’s Capitol
DC offers unlimited excitement on July 4th in addition to the parade. A National Folklife Festival on the Mall features different cultures in the Americas and a variety of ethnic groups. That evening, parade participants are all part of the audience of the PBS Concert at the Capitol Building featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and one of the country’s largest fireworks displays. No greater location displays greater excitement on America’s birthday than in our nation’s capital!
The parade will be streamed LIVE from the National Independence Day Parade Facebook page at 11:45 am EDT. You can also watch a recording of the parade at a later date on our YouTube channel.
FAQ's
When does the Parade start?
The parade starts at 11:45 am and runs until 2:00 pm
How long is the Parade route?
The parade route is one mile in length, starting at the corner of Constitution Ave NW and 7th St NW, and ending at Constitution Ave NW and 17th St NW.
Is there seating along the Parade route?
There is limited seating available on the steps of the National Archives Building.
How can I watch the Parade?
The National Independence Day Parade will be available to view LIVE on our Facebook page (facebook.com/National.Independence.Day.Parade) or july4thparade.com/watch on a later date.
Where is the best spot to view the Parade?
Generally, the closer one gets toward the end of the parade route, at 17th St NW, the less crowded it is and therefore, it’s easier to see the route.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Constitution Avenue Northwest, Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, USA, United States