How to watch the July 4th National Mall fireworks: Largest display in history for America's 250th
This Fourth of July, the National Mall in Washington will host what organizers describe as the largest fireworks display in U.S. history, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The event is being orchestrated by Freedom 250, a group formed under President Donald Trump’s direction, and is part of the broader "Salute to America Celebration" — a day-long tribute that also includes military flyovers and a sizable military ensemble.
“To conclude the program, and commemorate this Historic Occasion, I will be launching, what will be, the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY, right here in our Nation’s Capital,” Trump wrote in a social media post on June 15.
The fireworks are set to begin around 10:30 p.m. ET on July 4, according to Freedom 250. The full schedule kicks off with a daytime program at 1 p.m., followed by a live broadcast featuring the Joint Armed Forces Orchestra and national speakers starting at 7 p.m. Trump is expected to deliver keynote remarks at roughly 9:45 p.m., leading into the grand finale.
To break records, Freedom 250 says it will launch 850,000 firework shells from 10 locations across Washington, including the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, barges on the Potomac River, and West Potomac Park. The show is expected to last about 40 minutes.
The event — a centerpiece of the semiquincentennial celebration — comes amid ongoing debates over how the country should commemorate its founding, with Trump’s personal involvement adding a political layer to the festivities. Supporters see it as a patriotic milestone; critics have questioned the scale and cost of the production.
For those unable to attend in person, Freedom 250 will livestream the fireworks show on its official website, Freedom250.org, and across its social media pages. In-person attendees can enter via a queue on 14th St NW, the group said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch July 4th National Mall fireworks on livestream