6-12-2025 7:03am

THE HUGE PARADE:

Jeff Barto Editor

Military parade and events the weekend of June 14, 2025

The U.S. Army is marking a major milestone – its 250th anniversary – with a full day of programming and a signature military parade on the National Mall. Whether you're visiting DC for the weekend or a local looking to join in, here's everything you need to know.

Celebrate America’s 250th all year long in 2026 – learn more about DC250.

What is happening on June 14?
This year marks 250 years since the U.S. Army was founded in 1775. On Saturday, June 14, the Army will host a public celebration in Washington, DC, featuring:

A large-scale Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall
A Grand Military Parade along Constitution Avenue
A fireworks display to conclude the day

Tickets are free, but required for the parade and evening celebration.
Reserve your tickets

Schedule of Events

Friday, June 13

6:45 p.m. – Army Day with the Washington Nationals
- Nationals vs. Marlins game featuring appearances by the Army Parachute Team, Drill Team and Army Chorus. Buy tickets and use code VISITDC for discounts starting at 10% off.

Saturday, June 14

8:15 a.m. – Army Birthday Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery
- Open to the public and livestreamed from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Fitness Competition and Awards Ceremony on the National Mall
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall
- Includes military demonstrations, equipment displays, live music, food trucks and more
6:30-8 p.m. – U.S. Army 250th Birthday Parade
- Parade route runs along Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street to 15th Street
9:45 p.m. – Fireworks on the National Mall

What is the Army Birthday Festival?
Held on the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets NW, the festival is free and open to the public. Activities include:

Military equipment and robotics displays
NFL Kids Zone with climbing walls, games and photo booths
Meet-and-greets with Army Soldiers
Music performances by Noah Hicks, Scotty Hasting and DJ Nyla
56 interactive booths, food trucks and giveaways
Live reenlistment ceremony and the Twilight Tattoo
Chance to see and Commanders Coach Dan Quinn, NFL Players, celebrities and more

Some grassy areas will be closed to foot traffic. Access is available via designated security gates.

Where is the parade and how do I watch?
The Grand Military Parade begins at 6 p.m. and runs along Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street to 15th Street. Viewing is available along the parade route or from the Washington Monument grounds.
Expect to see:

More than 6,000 soldiers in historic and modern uniforms
Dozens of Army vehicles including Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and howitzers
Cavalry units, military working animals and marching bands
A flyover of modern and historic aircraft
A parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knights

How do I get there?

Metro: The Smithsonian Metro Station's Mall entrance will be closed. Use the south entrance on Jefferson Drive SW, or nearby stations such as L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Triangle.
Festival entrance: Entry is at 7th Street NW with security screening in place.
Parking: Limited. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use Metro or rideshare services.

View official festival and parade maps for details

Is this a political event?
No. The celebration is focused on the Army’s 250 years of service to the country – not on politics. The day honors Soldiers past and present and highlights the Army’s role in American history.

Are tickets required?
Yes, tickets are required for the evening parade and celebration. You may reserve up to two tickets per mobile number.
Reserve tickets

What is the Army’s 250th birthday theme?
“This We’ll Defend.”
This phrase dates back to the Continental Army and reflects the U.S. Army’s enduring mission to fight and win the nation’s wars.

Where can I learn more or follow along?

Visit www.army.mil/1775 for historical resources and event updates
Follow and tag #Army250 on social media

250th Birthday of the US Army Grand Military Parade

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Increased local security measures will be in place in the days leading up to, during, and immediately following the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade on June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

The Army’s 250th Birthday Parade is designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security, a designation that is based in part on the event’s significance, size and attendees. Designating an event an NSSE allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as state and local partners, to be used to ensure a robust security plan is in place.

This page will provide public safety information, road closures, and restrictions related to this event. For information about the US Army's 250th celebration, please visit their website.

Metro Service Due to extensive road closures and parking restrictions, attendees are encouraged to use MetroRail service to access these events. The Metrorail system will be offering normal Saturday service. At the Smithsonian Station, due to the security perimeter for the Festival on the National Mall, the Mall Entrance at Jefferson Drive for Smithsonian Station will be closed. The station will still be available to customers through Independence Avenue at 12 Street SW.

For those heading to the National Mall for the festival, customers are advised to use other Metro stations including L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, or Archives Navy Memorial to access the area.
For those viewing the parade, customers may use Farragut West, Farragut North, Federal Triangle, and Archives Navy Memorial to access check points.

Due to the parade route and security perimeter, the following Metrobuses will have detours or delays: 7A, 10A, 16A, 16C, 16E, 22A, 32, 36, 70, 79, P6Customers are encouraged to download the MetroPulse App for real-time information for all rail and bus service.

Reagan National Airport To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA – affecting scheduled flights. Customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline. For more information, please visit the Reagan National airport website.

Prohibited Items List

The following items are prohibited within NSSE venues:

Aerosols
Ammunition
Animals other than service/guide animals
Backpacks, bags, and soft-sided coolers exceeding size restrictions (18” x 13” x 7”)
Bicycles
Balloons
Hard-sided coolers of any size
Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
Explosives
Firearms
Flammable liquids
Folding Chairs or Camp Chairs
Glass, thermal or metal containers
Knives
Laser pointers
Mace/Pepper spray
Multitools (Leatherman, Gerber, etc.)
Packages
Range Finder
Razors
Recreational motorized mobility devices
Selfie Sticks
Signs exceeding size restrictions (20’ x 3’ x 1/4”)
Structures
Supports for signs and placards
Toy guns
Tripods and monopods
Umbrellas (umbrellas without metal tips will be permitted)
Weapons of any kind
Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

With respect to signs and placards, the USSS has determined that security concerns require that these items be limited to items made of cardboard, poster board or cloth. As noted above, we are asking that supports for signs and placards be prohibited as these items may be used as a means of concealing weapons or as weapons themselves.

Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, folding chairs, displays such as puppets, papier mâché objects, coffins, crates, crosses other than those worn as personal adornment in sizes consistent with jewelry, theaters, cages and statues. It does not include signs meeting the size and material restrictions, portable bullhorns, baby carriages, baby strollers, wheelchairs and other devices for individuals with a disability.

Nor does the prohibition extend to structures that are incapable of being moved or relocated for the duration of the NSSE that are in place sufficiently in advance of the event that they are subject to inspection and clearance by the USSS before the public is admitted to the area. These restrictions are similar to the restrictions on the size, physical composition and use of signs, placards and structures on the White House sidewalk set forth in 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5).

Road ClosuresIn support of public safety and traffic control, this event will require several streets in and around the parade route and National Mall to be closed to traffic. Parking restrictions will also be in effect. Details on these closures are provided in this news release. A map of the affected area is included below and available for download. Notable Closures: Friday, June 13 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, June 16 at 6:00 a.m.:

Independence Avenue between 23 Street and 12 Street, Southwest
14 Street south of Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue, Northwest

Friday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, June 15 at 6:00 a.m.:

George Washington Memorial Parkway both directions between U.S. 50 and I-395

Road Closure Maps

Marine Safety Information A temporary security zone in accordance with CFR 33 Part 165.508 Security Zone; Potomac River and Anacostia River, and adjacent waters; Washington, D.C. has been established upon the waters of the Potomac River, within an area encompassing all waters from the 14th Street Bridge to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the Tidal Basin. The Washington Channel will remain open to all vessel traffic.

The Security Zone will be established from June 13, 2025, at 2 PM until June 14, 2025, at 10 PM.From 2 PM on June 13, 2025, to 1 PM on June 14, 2025, if law enforcement vessels are present, mariners may need to seek permission to enter the zone by contacting the Captain of the Port via VHF-marine band radio channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or by telephone number (410) 576-2693. On June 14, 2025, from 1 PM until 10PM, no persons or vessels will be cleared to operate within or in the immediate vicinity of this zone. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by federal, state, and local agencies.

Mariners are encouraged to read and thoroughly understand the boundaries and procedures of the security zone found in the Code of Federal Regulations.

What is a National Special Security Event? A National Special Security Event (NSSE) is an event of national or international significance deemed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity. These events may include summits of world leaders, meetings of international organizations, presidential nominating conventions, and presidential inaugurations.

As the nation's capital, Washington, DC is frequently the setting for NSSE-designated events. This page will provide information on specific events as they are planned and executed. Learn more about the NSSE designation and preventing terrorism.Media Briefing Agencies involved in this National Special Security Event held a news conference to discuss security preparations on Monday, June 9. Click here to view the briefing. Attachment(s):