Arlington has no fireworks of its own; crowds watch the National Mall show from the Marine Corps War Memorial, Long Bridge Park and Gateway Park.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. The 2027 plans are not out yet, so the details below are from July 4, 2026, from the Arlington County Police Department’s road closure release and the county Fire Marshal’s fireworks permits page. We will update it when the 2027 plans are announced.

Arlington does not put on its own Fourth of July fireworks. It watches Washington’s. The National Mall show is visible across the Potomac, and the county’s best-known viewing spots are the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Long Bridge Park and Gateway Park, where Arlington County police handled road closures and security in 2026. For questions on the day, call police non-emergency at 703-558-2222.

What this means for you

  • Take Metro if you can. The Rosslyn Metro station is about five blocks north of the Marine Corps War Memorial, police said.
  • Expect bridges into Washington to close from early morning, and major Rosslyn roads from the afternoon.
  • No alcohol, grills or fireworks on county or federal parkland during the events.
  • Stopping or standing in a traffic lane to watch is illegal, and police may ticket you.

Where to watch

  • U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), off Marshall Drive near Rosslyn. Vendors not approved for the event are kept out of the area.
  • Long Bridge Park, on Long Bridge Drive. Long Bridge Drive from Boundary Channel to 6th Street South closed from 4:30 p.m. in 2026.
  • Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd. in Rosslyn.
  • The Air Force Memorial was closed on July 4, 2026, according to police. Check the memorial’s page before going in 2027.

Road closures in 2026

Arlington County police, Virginia State Police, U.S. Park Police and VDOT closed these roads on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Reopening times were approximate.

From Closure
5 a.m. Memorial Bridge, Memorial Circle and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
6 a.m. I-395 ramps 10B (southbound) and 10C (northbound) to the northbound GW Parkway
2 p.m. Northbound GW Parkway from the I-395 ramp to Theodore Roosevelt Island; Marshall Drive from Route 110 to N. Meade Street; N. Meade Street from Marshall Drive to N. Fairfax Drive; several Route 50 ramps near Rosslyn; local-traffic-only blocks around N. Rhodes Street, N. Nash Street and 14th Street North
4:30 p.m. Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive; Long Bridge Drive from Boundary Channel to 6th Street South
9 p.m. Eastbound Arlington Boulevard from N. Pershing Drive to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
10:30 p.m. Southbound Fort Myer Drive at Wilson Boulevard; Fort Myer Drive between 19th Street North and Arlington Boulevard; eastbound I-66 from Fairfax Drive to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and its ramps
11:35 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Southbound I-395 on the 14th Street Bridge, during the fireworks

Most closures lifted around 1 a.m. July 5. Street parking near the closures was restricted, and illegally parked cars could be ticketed or towed. The county posted a closure map.

Fireworks at home

Arlington County requires a Fire Marshal’s permit for the sale, storage, display or use of fireworks and for pyrotechnic special effects. Applications go to firepermits@arlingtonva.us. During the Independence Day events, fireworks are banned on county and federal parkland, as are alcohol and grills.

Other rules for the day

  • All of Arlington County is inside the Washington-area “no-drone zone” set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
  • Sign up for Arlington Alert to get emergency and weather messages, and follow police directions if plans change.
  • Plan a sober ride home.

Related guides: getting around Arlington, road construction and closures and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Fourth of July fireworks in Arlington, Virginia?

Arlington has no county fireworks show. Crowds watch the National Mall fireworks from the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, Long Bridge Park and Gateway Park, where Arlington County police provide security.

Is the Air Force Memorial open on the Fourth of July?

It was closed on July 4, 2026. Check the memorial’s own page before July 4, 2027.

Can I set off fireworks in Arlington?

Not on county or federal parkland during Independence Day events, where fireworks, alcohol and grills are banned. Selling, storing or displaying fireworks in Arlington County requires a permit from the Fire Marshal.

What roads close in Arlington on July 4?

In 2026, Memorial Bridge, Memorial Circle and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge closed from 5 a.m. July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5, with more closures around Rosslyn, Route 50, I-66 and Long Bridge Park in the afternoon and evening.