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4th of July Weekend in DC: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things to Do with Kids

Marching bands are only part of the fun at the National Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sgt Ethan Scofield, 3d US Infantry Regiment
Marching bands are only part of the fun at the National Independence Day Parade. Photo by Sgt Ethan Scofield, 3d US Infantry Regiment
7/2/25 - By Stephanie Shipman

Looking for the best things to do in DC this Fourth of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It’s 4th of July weekend, and there's no better place to celebrate than our nation's capital. This year, the holiday falls on a Friday and we have a big list of festivities for families to enjoy leading into the weekend, as well as the best places to watch the DC fireworks.

Read on for all of the classic July 4th events going on and choose how to celebrate. When you're done with all the fireworks and parades, you can watch Frog Prince at Glen Echo Park or play putt-putt at Swingers Dupont Circle (Family Days are normally Sundays, but they added one on July 4th this year). There's also a fun pop-up this weekend in DC: The Chocolatey Dynamite Dinosaurs Frostology Lab.

More Things To Do in DC This Week with Kids:

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Swingers Dupont Circle is open to kids on the 4th of July! Photo courtesy of Swingers at Dupont Circle
Swingers Dupont Circle is open to kids on the 4th of July! Photo courtesy of Swingers at Dupont Circle

Top Things to Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

July 4th at Swingers Dupont Circle

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Looking for a memorable way to spend the July 4th holiday? Swingers Dupont Circle welcomes guests of all ages on the 4th of July for crazy indoor mini golf, carnival and arcade games, and more. READ MORE

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, DC - Wednesday - Monday, July 2-7
Free
Through cultural performances, storytelling, workshops, food, and more, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival aims to spark curiosity of various cultures and nurture human connection. READ MORE

Capitol Hill Community 4th of July Parade

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
The annual Capitol Hill Community Fourth of July Parade takes place on Barracks Row for a patriotic celebration of Independence Day. READ MORE

Six Flags America Coca-Cola July 4th Fest

Upper Marlboro, MD - Thursday - Saturday, July 3-5
Celebrate 4th of July all weekend long at Six Flags America with rides, live music, and fireworks every night. READ MORE

July 4th at the National Archives

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The day includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, live music, presentation of the colors, and more. READ MORE

National Independence Day Parade

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
Families can watch marching bands, floats, military units, giant balloons, and more to celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic celebration of America's birthday. READ MORE

Momentum Park(our) at the National Building Museum

Washington, DC - Daily, July 3-20
National Building Museum invites visitors of all ages to experience Momentum Park(our), a bold new installation that transforms the Museum’s Great Hall into an immersive parkour environment. Open from July 3–20, this limited-time exhibition offers a thrilling physical and educational journey through the intersections of movement, design, and spatial awareness.   READ MORE

Washington, DC 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks

Washington, DC - Friday, July 4
Free
The National Park Service hosts its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on the National Mall. From 1-8pm at the Sylvan Theater Family Activity Area, junior spies ages 10 and up can use the password Operation Independence! to embark on a scavenger hunt and learn about spying techniques during the American Revolution. The fireworks start at 9:09pm and launch from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. READ MORE

Baltimore 4th of July Celebration

Baltimore, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate July 4th in Baltimore's Inner Harbor with an afternoon picnic, live music, and a drone and fireworks show over the water.  READ MORE

Germantown Glory (at South Germantown Recreational Park)

Germantown, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Germantown celebrates 4th of July with music beginning at 7pm and fireworks at 9:15pm. READ MORE

Kensington's Annual Fourth of July Bike Parade

Kensington, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
This annual bike parade is open to any and all. Join in with bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers as the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department leads the parade. READ MORE

Rockville's Independence Day Celebration

Rockville, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate 4th of July with live music and a 20-minute fireworks show at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  READ MORE

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience (at Rhode Island Center)

Washington, DC - Daily (except Tuesdays), through January 4, 2026
At Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience, journey through 10 interactive rooms including a huge bubble-bath ball pit, an undersea LED room, a virtual-reality room, an endless infinity experience, and a vast ocean of pink balloons. Dazzling colors, lasers, moving lights, and bubbles integrate with 360-degree projection technology and virtual reality to create a magical experience. READ MORE

Takoma Park 4th of July Parade and Evening Celebration

Takoma Park, MD - Friday, July 4
Free
Takoma Park's 4th of July parade begins at 10am. The evening celebration features music, games, food and drinks, and other fun activities and begins at 6:30pm. READ MORE

4th of July Hometown Celebration & Fireworks (at Great Falls Village Centre)

Great Falls, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
The city of Great Falls celebrates the 4th of July throughout the day with a parade and fun activities in the morning followed by a fireworks display at 9pm. READ MORE

An American Celebration at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, VA - Friday, July 4
Meet George Washington, watch made-for-daytime fireworks, listen to live music, watch a US citizenship ceremony, and more during Mount Vernon's annual Independence Day Celebration. READ MORE

Celebrate America in Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate Independence Day in downtown Manassas with a fun festival with lots of activities for kids beginning at 3pm, followed by a fireworks display at 9:15pm. READ MORE

Vienna's Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks

Vienna, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Celebrate July 4th with live music, kids' entertainment, food trucks, and a 15-minute fireworks show. The fireworks begin at dark, at approximately 9:30pm.  READ MORE

City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade

Fairfax, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Fairfax City's annual Independence Day parade, beginning at 10am, includes high school marching bands, large balloons, floats, and costumed characters. READ MORE

Town of Herndon 4th of July Celebration

Herndon, VA - Friday, July 4
Free
Families can celebrate July 4th with activities, music, games, and a fireworks display in Bready Park. READ MORE

The Frog Prince (The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park)

Glen Echo, MD - Starting Saturday, July 5, then Thursdays - Sundays through July 20
Great Lakes National Puppet Theater presents another classic fairytale. The Frog Prince was first published in Germany in 1812 by the Brothers Grimm. It is the story of a prince who is placed under a spell by a wicked witch and can only be restored by the kiss of a beautiful princess. READ MORE

The Chocolatey Dynamite Dinosaurs Frostology Lab Pop-Up

Washington, DC - Saturday & Sunday, July 5 & 6
Head to a fun dinosaur cookie pop-up with coloring, kid-friendly activities, and of course, Mothers Cookies frosted dinosaur cookies. No reservations are necessary; head there anytime between 10am and 6pm. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Great Falls Village Centre
Historic Downtown Manassas