The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th anniversary with one of the largest military extravaganzas in recent Washington history, with a day-long series of ceremonies, entertainment, and a massive parade. The event is being planned, with the participation of former President Donald Trump, on Flag Day (and on his 79th birthday), June 14, 2025.
A Day-Long Celebration of the U.S. Army
The event is being celebrated in recognition of the formation of the Continental Army, which was formally created on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress, over a year prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 250th anniversary is not just a historic event in the Army, but also the start of the multi-year celebration leading to the 250th national birthday of America in the year 2026.
The Main Event: Parade Start Time and Route
The climax of the day is, naturally, the great military procession. As per the organizers, the parade is expected to commence at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and last til around 7.45 p.m. ET. To viewers watching in Pacific Time, Desert Sun reminds the viewer that the parade will start at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PST).
The parade route will cross Constitution Avenue NW between 23rd Street and 15th Street, along the National Mall, and near the National Museum of African American History and Culture. There will be restricted access because parts of the route will be closed off, but the event is free and open to everybody. Although tickets are not mandatory to attend, persons who pre-register via the event site on the U.S. Army can be guaranteed priority viewing areas.
Full Schedule of Events Leading to the Parade
The celebrations begin much earlier in the day. The official events commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery at 8:15 a.m. ET (5:15 a.m. PST), headed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Afterwards, the morning and afternoon are packed with a range of family-friendly events.
A military fitness competition will take place between 9.30 a.m. and noon, demonstrating individual and team fitness. Live musical entertainment begins at 11 a.m. with the U.S. Army Band, Latin Music Ensemble, and DJ Nyla, among others. On top of that, there is more music with country singer Noah Hicks performing at 12:30 p.m. ET and Scotty Hastings at 2:00 p.m. ET.
At 4:15 p.m. ET, the official Army Birthday Festival Ceremony will be held, complete with the cutting of the traditional cake. Then, the festive mood will flow straight into the preparations for the parade.
Post-Parade Activities and Fireworks
After the parade ends at 7:45 p.m. ET, the party will move on to an enlistment ceremony and concert on the Ellipse, which is near the White House. It will conclude in the evening with a big fireworks party, illuminating the sky of D.C. in commemoration of the 250 years of the Army’s service.
There are also interactive exhibits, military demonstrations, and kids’ activities all day, with robotics exhibits, rock climbing, and face painting. There has been a special effort by the organizers to make the event family-friendly and accessible.
Watching From Home
For those unable to attend in person, the parade and many of the day’s key events will be livestreamed across multiple platforms. USA Today will carry the parade live on its YouTube channel, while the U.S. Army will stream the event on its social media accounts and official website. Major networks, including CNN, NBC, and Fox News, are also scheduled to broadcast portions of the parade and festival.
Conclusion
The 250th U.S. Army Birthday Parade in Washington, D.C., promises to be a historic and highly visible event, blending solemn remembrance with national pride and public celebration. With a full day of scheduled events, capped by a high-profile military parade starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, the nation’s capital will be the center of attention for millions watching both in person and online.
