Washington, D.C. is preparing for what organizers say will be the largest 4th of July fireworks celebration in history, but the action begins long before the first fireworks light up the sky.
Throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, dozens of military aircraft, parachute teams and aviation demonstrations will soar above the National Mall as part of the America 250 festivities, creating one of the biggest flyover programs the nation’s capital has ever hosted.
The nearly nine-hour schedule includes appearances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Air Force One, a rare Air Force tri-bomber formation, stealth aircraft and multiple demonstrations from nearly every branch of the U.S. military.
If you’re planning to spend Independence Day on the National Mall, here’s everything you need to know about when the flyovers begin and what you’ll be able to see.
When do the military flyovers over the National Mall start?
The aerial program officially begins at 1:14 pm on Saturday, July 4th, with a NASA F-5 Flyover, before continuing almost continuously until 10:36 pm, when a dramatic B-1 Afterburner Night Pass closes the day’s aviation events.
The demonstrations will take place above the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds, with aircraft appearing at intervals of roughly every 10 to 20 minutes throughout the afternoon and evening.
Once the flyovers conclude, the record-breaking fireworks display will commence around 10:30 pm.
Full Saturday flyover schedule
- 1:14 pm — NASA F-5 Flyover
- 1:24 pm — NASA Fleet Review
- 1:44 pm — U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Flyover
- 1:54 pm — U.S. Coast Guard Fixed Wing Flyover
- 2:09 pm — Golden Knights & Leap Frogs parachute teams
- 2:29 pm — Army Helicopter Flyover
- 2:44 pm — Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 1 (Heavies)
- 2:54 pm — Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 2 (AFSOC)
- 3:04 pm — Air Force Fleet Review — Wave 3 (Fighters)
- 3:29 pm — Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
- 3:39 pm — Marine Corps Fleet Review — Rotary
- 3:49 pm — Marine Corps Fleet Review — Fixed Wing
- 3:59 pm — Navy Fleet Review — Rotary
- 4:09 pm — Navy Fleet Review — Fixed Wing
- 4:19 pm — Navy Fleet Review — Fighters
- 4:21 pm — Navy F/A-18F Demonstration
- 4:59 pm — U.S. Navy Blue Angels
- 5:26 pm — Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
- 5:44 pm — Air Force Fleet Review — Fighters
- 6:02 pm — Air Force Tri-Bomber Formation
- 6:05 pm — Navy F-35C Demonstration
- 6:25 pm — U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration
- 7:03 pm — Air Force One Flyover
- 7:07 pm — Thunderbirds Delta Break
- 7:17 pm — HUGE 1 Flyover led by the newly renovated Air Force One
- 7:38 pm — U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
- 7:39 pm — F-22 Raptor Demonstration
- 7:53 pm — F-22 Raptor Afterburner Pass
- 7:59 pm — B-1 Flyover
- 8:07 pm — B-1 Afterburner Pass
- 8:11 pm — HUGE ONE Flyover Review
- 8:22 pm — Golden Knights Twilight Jump
- 10:36 pm — B-1 Afterburner Night Pass
What aircraft will fly over during the 4th of July celebration?
Saturday’s lineup showcases virtually every branch of the U.S. military, alongside NASA aircraft and elite parachute teams.
Some of the biggest highlights include:
- Blue Angels demonstration at 4:59 pm
- Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration beginning at 6:25 pm
- Rare Air Force Tri-Bomber Formation at 6:02 pm
- Air Force One flyover at 7:03 pm
- Stealth Airpower Flyover at 7:38 pm
- F-22 Raptor demonstration and afterburner passes
- B-1 Lancer flyovers, including an afterburner night pass after the fireworks
- MV-22 Osprey demonstration
- Multiple fleet reviews featuring Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft
- Golden Knights and Leap Frogs parachute demonstrations throughout the day.
The aviation showcase is expected to be one of the largest military flyover events held over Washington, D.C. in recent years, complementing the historic fireworks finale later that evening.
Is it free to attend?
Yes. The military flyovers can be viewed free of charge from public areas around the National Mall.
While organizers have offered free registration for access to portions of the Washington Monument grounds, public viewing areas remain free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Officials are encouraging visitors to arrive early, expect security screenings and prepare for extreme summer heat.
For those interested in viewing the flyovers and the fireworks without going to the National Mall, you can check out our top spots around the District for a less crowded view of the 4th of July festivities.
Visitors should also be aware that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will suspend flight operations from noon until midnight on Saturday to accommodate the flyovers and fireworks, making the skies over Washington almost entirely dedicated to the day’s military demonstrations.
With aircraft filling the skies from early afternoon until late evening, Saturday’s celebration promises to be an unforgettable prelude to what organizers have billed as the largest fireworks display in history.
