National Independence Day Celebration

As expected, the Fourth of July is big business in the nation's capital. The celebration includes spectacular fireworks, arts and crafts exhibits, big-name concerts and numerous food booths. One of the city's largest parades takes place along Constitution Avenue with military bands, marching groups and extravagant floats. You also can listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives; or at the end of the day, before the massive fireworks display, you can see the National Symphony Orchestra perform on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.