All fifty states are in the final hours of preparation for tomorrow’s commemoration of Independence Day by Americans everywhere. And this year, 2025, is the 249th anniversary of the day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Towns across the country have organized events to mark the occasion and to prepare for next year’s more significant 250th anniversary.
White House Announces Celebration Plans
The President will welcome the traditional Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House. There will be military bands performing, patriotic readings, and new American citizens will be sworn in at a naturalization ceremony. The First Family will greet some 1,000 guests, including military families, frontline workers, and community leaders.
National Mall Fireworks Display Details
The capital’s awesome fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. over the Washington Monument. The 20-minute pyrotechnic spectacle, which will include new drone light formations along with traditional fireworks, is set to be accompanied by a soundtrack that includes hits from New Zealand artists, as well as other memorable tunes from the past year. National Park Service officials are recommending that anyone who plans to attend the event arrive early, as security screening will start at 5 p.m. The performance will be livestreamed across the country for those who can not be there in the flesh.
Major City Celebrations Across America
New York City will hold its famed Macy’s fireworks display with floaters lining the East River. Celebrating Chicago’s Navy Pier features a daytime air show and evening fireworks. Los Angeles will celebrate with a daylong festival at Grand Park that will end with fireworks set off from five different locations at once. Even smaller towns are planning parades, concerts, and community picnics.
Travel and Transportation Updates
The Transportation Security Administration was on pace to screen more than three million passengers on Friday, the busiest travel day during the holiday period. Amtrak has increased the number of trains on many popular routes, as the most popular driving times were expected through Sunday evening. Cities are increasing public transportation availability to venues hosting celebrations, and many municipalities will provide free, dedicated shuttle services to specific venues.
Weather Forecast for Holiday Weekend
For most celebrations around the country, the weather service is forecasting generally favorable conditions. The Northeast should see clear skies in the low 80s, and brief evening thunderstorms are possible in the Midwest. Western states must brace for very warm temperatures, and areas across portions of the region will be under heat advisories. Coastal areas have been warned about potential elevated rip currents.
Special Military Tributes Planned
Military bases across the country will hold flag-raising ceremonies and open houses. The USO has called for care package drives for those service members on deployment. In a special honor, the Navy is sending out the USS Constitution “Old Ironsides” for one of the first times in recent years to sail around Boston Harbor and fire a 21-gun salute at midday.
Economic Impact of Holiday Celebrations
The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend $9.4 billion on food, decorations, and other holiday items. Fireworks sales are expected to total $2.3 billion, even as many professional displays come back post-pandemic, and backyard shows remain popular. The hospitality sector expects to have a record business when 72 percent of Americans celebrate away from home.
Safety Guidelines for Public Events
Law enforcement agencies have stepped up security at public events, both with and without official remembrance events. Attendees are urged by the department to report any suspicious behavior they observe and establish places to meet in case groups get separated. Fire departments are also reminding people that personal fireworks are banned throughout much of the state.
Historical Reenactments and Educational Events
The Declaration of Independence will be read nonstop at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Colonial Williamsburg has special programming on the Revolution’s last years. At the National Archives, the original is exhibited in the round in a chamber that includes rarely seen documents from the founding era of America.
Some of those who are missing and new this year:
Some of the traditional events are modified because of ongoing fears. Quieter fireworks will make Boston’s Pops Fireworks Spectacular friendlier to veterans with PTSD. To minimize fire hazards and please noise-averse residents, some towns have replaced fireworks with drone light shows.
Presidential Address to the Nation
The President will address the nation from the White House at 7 PM with a speech on national unity and democratic principles. The speech will be accompanied by the annual “Salute to America” military display on the National Mall, with flyovers from all five service branches.
International Celebrations
Receptions will be held at US embassies around the world, including in London, Paris, and Tokyo, where buildings will go red, says the State Department. Overseas, United States military bases will hold their events, and American expatriate communities overseas have scheduled celebrations from Sydney to São Paulo.
Environmental Considerations
Numerous cities have taken up environmentally friendly partying. San Francisco’s fireworks will be biodegradable, and Denver’s displays use stage lighting powered by solar energy. The National Park Service is also carrying on the “Leave No Trace” campaign at all of the federal locations of the celebrations.
