Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1981, PBS has broadcast the Independence Day celebration on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, with fireworks, a live performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, and musical numbers by world-renowned guest musicians and singers. The celebration ends with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.
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In 2025, PBS aired A CAPITOL FOURTH live on Friday, July 4 from 8-9:30pm ET (live)/PT (tape), with Alfonso Ribeiro hosting this celebration of America's 249th birthday, which features the greatest display of Independence Day fireworks anywhere in the USA lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline. A CAPITOL FOURTH lineup includes:

- the iconic multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys;
- world-renowned Motown stars The Temptations;
- Grammy-Award nominated multi-platinum-selling country music superstar Josh Turner;
- Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle;
- legendary Grammy Award-winning musician and producer and New Orleans icon Trombone Shorty;
- platinum-selling hitmakers LOCASH, named "country music's iconic feel-good duo" by People;
- four-time Grammy-Award Award-winning Gospel music legend Yolanda Adams;
- acclaimed singer-songwriter and AMERICAN IDOL Season 22 winner Abi Carter;
- the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.

The event also includes:

- A celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps and the 2.8 million men and women of our all-volunteer armed forces defending our nation, culminating in a rousing Armed Forces Medley with the service branch color teams.

"Honoring the Greatest Generation" commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II, paying tribute to the millions of Americans who served the nation in uniform and on the home front with several of these heroes in attendance.

- "Thank You and Salute to our First Responders" -- Fire, Police, EMT and paramedics and emergency health care professionals in our communities around the country are honored for protecting and caring for us.

- A stirring rendition of the "1812 Overture" accompanied by live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an A CAPITOL FOURTH tradition, kicks off a musical and fireworks finale.

- Rousing patriotic favorites performed by The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and The Joint Armed Forces Chorus will cap off the musical finale and the dazzling fireworks display, presented by the National Park Service, over the National Mall and Memorial Parks and the iconic skyline of our nation's capital.

Also participating in the event will be Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags, the Armed Forces Color Guard and Service Color Teams provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C., the Choral Arts Society of Washington and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music.