The Fairfax City Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. this Saturday, July 4, marching through Old Town to kick off a full day of celebration across Northern Virginia.
This year the fireworks carry extra weight. 2026 marks America’s Semiquincentennial — 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. From the National Mall to the town greens of Fairfax County, the region is throwing its biggest Fourth in a generation.
Here is where to watch, close to home and beyond. Times and details come from each host; confirm at the linked pages before you go.
Vienna — Thursday, July 2. Yeonas Park hosts family activities, live music, and fireworks from 6 to 10 p.m. Free. viennava.gov.
Mount Vernon — Saturday, July 4. George Washington’s home marks the Fourth with daytime fireworks over the Potomac, military demonstrations, a naturalization ceremony, and family programming. mountvernon.org.
Fairfax City — Saturday, July 4. The Independence Day Parade runs 10 a.m. to noon in Old Town Fairfax. An evening show and fireworks follow at Fairfax High School, with entertainment starting around 6:30 p.m. Free. fairfaxva.gov.
Great Falls — Saturday, July 4. A hometown celebration opens with a 10 a.m. parade on the village green, followed by evening fireworks at Turner Farm Park. The day adds a 5K, kids’ events, music, and food. celebrategreatfalls.org.
Herndon — Saturday, July 4. Evening festivities near the Herndon Community Center bring entertainment, games, and food, with fireworks launched from Centennial Golf Course around 9:30 p.m. Free. herndon-va.gov.
Manassas — Saturday, July 4. Celebrate America fills Historic Downtown Manassas from 3 to 10 p.m. with live music, family activities, food vendors, and fireworks after dark. visitmanassas.org.
Leesburg — Saturday, July 4. A 10 a.m. downtown parade leads into an evening concert and fireworks at Ida Lee Park, beginning around 6 p.m. idalee.org.
Purcellville — Saturday, July 4. Franklin Park hosts live music, children’s activities, food vendors, and fireworks from 5 to 10 p.m. loudoun.gov.
Manassas Park — Sunday, July 5. Signal Hill Park closes out the weekend with food trucks, live music, and an evening fireworks show. City of Manassas Park.
Alexandria — Saturday, July 11. Oronoco Bay Park marks both the nation’s 250th and the city’s own birthday from 6 to 10 p.m. with live entertainment and fireworks. alexandriava.gov.
Salute to America 250 — Saturday, July 4. The National Mall hosts a daytime program of music and military flyovers, an evening broadcast with the Joint Armed Forces Orchestra, and one of the largest fireworks displays in the country. freedom250.org.
The National Independence Day Parade travels Constitution Avenue at 10:30 a.m., with marching bands, military units, and floats. For more of Virginia’s 250th programming, see va250.org.
However you spend it, take a moment on the Fourth to remember what the fireworks are for. Two hundred fifty years on, the experiment still holds. Happy birthday, America.
Event roundup informed by Patch’s 2026 Northern Virginia guide. Dates and times are subject to change — confirm with each host.