Massive July 4 fireworks display in Washington to start later this year
What President Donald Trump has touted as the world’s largest fireworks display on July 4 will begin later than usual in Washington this year.
The celebration is part of Freedom 250, which was launched by Trump late last year tied to commemorating America’s semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Trump said on Truth Social this month that it will be “the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY.”
The fireworks show usually begins at about 9 p.m. ET, according to the National Parks Service, but is expected to start at 10:30 this year and last about 40 minutes, about double the traditional length, Freedom 250 officials said. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters on Monday that the U.S. Secret Service said the show will begin around 11.
Newsweek has reached out to Freedom 250 for comment via email.
July 4 Schedule
“On July 4th, at The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, in beautiful and safe Washington D.C., we are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a “TRIBUTE TO AMERICA.” Trump wrote on Truth Social this month.
Beginning at around 1 p.m. ET, there will be musical performances and military flyovers, what Trump called the “Fourth of July Airshow.”
Trump said the “Tribute to America” rally at the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, beginning at 7 p.m., will include military bands and ceremonial units, flyovers and airshows. Trump is expected to speak at 9.
July 4 is being treated as a National Special Security Event for the first time in D.C. history, a flood-the-zone public safety posture taken during presidential inaugurations and the Super Bowl. U.S. Secret Service official Tara McLeese said the public will need to submit to a “TSA-style magnetometer screening” to enter the National Mall, CBS News reported.
For those unable to attend, the fireworks display will be livestreamed.
How Many Fireworks Will White House Launch?
This year’s show is being put on by Pyrotecnico. The display will be set off from 10 locations, including West Potomac Park, the Reflecting Pool and barges in the Potomac River.
Organizers said the plan is to shoot off more than 850,000 fireworks. The record for a single fireworks display of fireworks is 810,000, set in 2016 at a New Year’s Eve event in the Philippines, according to Guinness World Records. That display lasted for a little over an hour.
As the Reflecting Pool is one of the display locations, a spotlight will be added to the recently renovated space. Trump ordered an overhaul of the Reflecting Pool as part of a broader effort to revamp the National Mall ahead of the 250th anniversary celebration. He said he wanted to give the landmark a deeper “American flag blue” finish.
But the renovation has been beset by controversy. The pool’s the water quickly began looking green and images circulated on social media showing algae spreading across the surface just days after the pool was refilled.
What Is Freedom 250?
Freedom 250 is the official commemoration initiative tied to America’s 250th anniversary. The organization has been tasked with coordinating a range of nationwide celebrations, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, parades and historical programs connected to the milestone.
The initiative is linked to an executive order signed by Trump shortly after he returned to office in January 2025, creating the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The administration later launched Freedom 250 as the primary branding and organizational arm for many of those anniversary-related events.
One of the key events organized by Freedom 250 is the Great American State Fair, which runs on the National Mall through July 10. Organizers have described it as a World’s Fair-style celebration featuring exhibits from all 50 states and U.S. territories, military demonstrations, educational programming and live entertainment.
That event has drawn attention in recent weeks after a number of performers announced they would not participate in associated events. Artists including Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC and Bret Michaels publicly withdrew from planned performances, citing concerns that the event had become politicized.
Following those cancellations, Trump suggested replacing the concert with a “Make America Great Again” rally. The event still retained a musical element, with Alexis Wilkins, country music artist and girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, performing at the kickoff celebration for the fair. Trump though, took center stage, headlining the rally and delivering the keynote speech.
The beginning of the fair came after a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House, becoming the first professional sporting event to be hosted at the presidential residence.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Dave Siminoff.
