This July 4, America's national Independence Day celebration will mark 30 spectacular years on air featuring the most dazzling display of fireworks anywhere in the nation, captured by 18 TV cameras stationed around Washington, D.C.
The 30th anniversary broadcast will be hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, with unrivaled performances from some of the country's biggest musical names - including multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning country music superstar Reba McEntire, legendary R & B artist Gladys Knight, country music sensation Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish), singer David Archuleta (American Idol), and actor and singer John Schneider, as well as world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, under the direction of Norman Scribner.
The July 4th concert finale includes Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" - featuring the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery. Also featured are the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard and the State and Territorial Flags of the Military District of Washington.
The concert, which is held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., is open to the public, and it is free. No tickets are necessary. Taking the Metro to the concert site is strongly advised due to traffic volume and street closings put in place for the event. The nearest stations are Capitol South, Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue line) and Union Station (Red line). Please note that on July 4, the Smithsonian Metro stop (Blue/Orange line) will be closed.
Please allow extra time for travel if you are planning to attend the Concert, as heightened security measures will be in place. General Admission gates will open at 3:00PM. The public will not be admitted to the West Lawn of the Capitol before that time. Checkpoints will be set up for search of bags and parcels. Guests will be required to enter through a metal detector. Access is at the Southwest corner of the Capitol grounds.
Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Sunday, July 4th, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm ET in High Definiti