On July Fourth A Capitol Fourth America’s National Independence Day celebration honors our country’s birthday with an all-star salute. For over 40 years this television event featuring a parade of superstars — including Frankie Valli Patti LaBelle John Williams Stevie Wonder Aretha Franklin Reba McEntire Carole King Neil Diamond Dolly Parton Steve Martin Josh Groban Gloria Estefan Huey Lewis and the News Little Richard Tony Bennett Faith Hill Ray Charles the Bee Gees Kenny G Aaron Neville Kenny Rogers and the Muppets from Sesame Street — has offered the best in American entertainment and helped set the tone for a spectacular American birthday party.
This top-rated extravaganza features coverage from 20 cameras positioned around Washington D.C. ensuring viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks in the nation.
WHEN TO WATCH
A Capitol Fourth on PBS premieres July 4. Most stations air the Concert at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT and repeat the program at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Check back here approximately two weeks before the live broadcast of A Capitol Fourth to find showtimes for your local station .
The concert is broadcast on PBS as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The concert can also be streamed live on this website on YouTube the PBS app and PBS.org. The concert will remain available for two weeks following the live broadcast.
FAQ's
Where is the concert held?
The concert is held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.
When do the gates open?
Public access typically opens at 3:00 p.m.
The public will not be admitted to the West Lawn of the Capitol before that time.
Checkpoints will be set up and all bags and parcels will be checked.
Guests will be required to enter through a metal detector.
The gates are located at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds.
There are viewing areas for the use of guests with disabilities.
Do I need tickets to attend?
The concert is free and open to the public.
No tickets are necessary.
What time does the concert start and how long does it last?
The concert broadcast begins at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT and is finished at 9:30 p.m. ET.
When does the PBS program air?
The PBS program is broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT so that television viewers across the nation can enjoy the event together with hundreds of thousands of people on-site.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, USA , United States
