‘Capitol Fourth’ Concert Road Closures Announced

WASHINGTON — With Independence Day just around the corner, it’s time to get ready for the annual road closures associated with “A Capitol Fourth,” the holiday concert broadcast live by PBS from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

This year’s concert will be broadcast on Tuesday, July 4, at 8 p.m., and the festivities will also be streamed online.

There’s also going to be a dress rehearsal for the concert on July 3, and both events are free and open to the public.

On both days, public access to the West Front of the Capitol will open at 3 p.m.

In a notice sent to the media today, the U.S. Capitol Police said they and concert staff will be closely monitoring the weather as the big event approaches, and that any changes to the planned program due to severe weather will be announced via the department’s social media sites and the local press.

Security and Prohibited Items

Additional security is being deployed around the Capitol to ensure the public’s safety before, during and after the concert and dress rehearsal. 

Everyone attending events on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol will have to go through security screening before entering the area. This will include a search of all bags, coolers, backpacks and closed containers. 

For this event, food items and beach/camp chairs that sit low to the ground are allowed. Guests are encouraged to bring their own water.  

The following items are strictly prohibited: 

Alcoholic Beverages

Glass Bottles

Animals (other than service animals)

Bicycles and Motorized Scooters of any kind (Devices required for accessibility [ADA] will be accommodated.)

Firearms and Ammunitions (either real or simulated)

Explosives of any kind, including Fireworks

Knives, Blades or Sharp Objects of any length

Laser Pointers, Signs, Posters

Mace, Pepper Spray 

Sticks, Poles

Electric Stun Guns

Martial Arts Weapons or Devices

Umbrellas larger than 36” in diameter (Umbrellas smaller than 36” will be allowed.)

Pocket or Hand Tools such as a “Leatherman”

Sealed Packages, Large boxes, Duffle bags, Suitcases

Drones, Model rockets, Remote or Manually controlled Model Gliders, Model Airplanes or Unmanned Aircrafts, Model Boats and/or Cars, and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems.

Traffic Restrictions, Road Closures and Parking Impacts

Traffic restrictions, road closures and parking impacts will be in effect from Saturday, July 1, through Saturday, July 8.

Here is the current breakdown on traffic impacts:

Saturday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m. – Wednesday, July 5 at 4:00 a.m.

Road Closures and Parking Restrictions:

First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW

Pennsylvania Avenue between Third Street, NW, and First Street, NW

Maryland Avenue between Third Street, SW, and First Street, SW

Tour Bus Traffic Restriction  

Tour buses will be rerouted to Union Station

Wednesday, June 21 – Saturday, July 1

Road Closures:

First Street between Peace Circle, NW, and Garfield Circle, SW, will have the following restrictions:

One way traffic Northbound from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

One way traffic Southbound from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Wednesday, July 5 at 4:00 a.m. – Saturday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m.

Road Closures:

First Street between Peace Circle, NW, and Garfield Circle, SW, will have the following restrictions:

One way traffic Northbound from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

One way traffic Southbound from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

ADA Parking:

Both sides of Louisiana Avenue between Constitution Avenue, NW, and First Street, NW

Both sides of First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Louisiana Avenue, NW

All road closures associated with the festivities at the Capitol are expected to open on Saturday, July 8 at approximately 8:00 p.m.  

Speaking of Road Closures

The latest installment of the Marvel movie franchise is filming in downtown D.C. this week, with a number of road closures and parking restrictions being put in place near the White House.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department the following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking from Monday, June 26, 2023, at 12:00 a.m. through Friday, June 30, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.:

15th Street from G Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

F Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW

Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW

Lower Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. through Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 6:00 a.m.:

15th Street from G Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

F Street from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW

Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW

Lower Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 15th Street, NW