THE WOODBRIDGE GAZETTE

June 22, 2026, |   Read online

Photo: Jason Gooljar / Unsplash

America turns 250 this year, and Prince William County is right in the middle of it. We've sorted everything below by distance from Woodbridge — local first, then nearby Northern Virginia, then D.C. Three things to know up front: Saturday, July 4 is a true holiday weekend. Manassas Park moved its fireworks to Thursday, July 2 this year. And D.C.'s fireworks are a world-record attempt — expect the heaviest crowds the region has seen in years.

📌 Events change fast this time of year — rain dates, times, parking rules. We'll keep this page updated, but always double-check the venue's own link before you go.

Prince William County

Where the Gazette lives — and where the celebration starts.

Dale City 4th of July Parade & Family Fun Day

Sat, July 4, 10 a.m. (parade) · Family Fun Day noon–2 p.m. · Dale Blvd., Dale City · Free

Celebrate America — Historic Downtown Manassas

Sat, July 4, 3–10 p.m. · fireworks 9:15 p.m. · Manassas Museum lawn, 9101 Prince William St. · Free

America 250 at the Museum — National Museum of the Marine Corps

Thu, July 2–Sun, July 5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Triangle · Free

Thu concert: U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps + Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.

Manassas Park Fireworks — Signal Hill Park

Thu, July 2, 5–10 p.m. · 9300 Signal View Dr., Manassas Park · Free

Moved from its usual Saturday date this year — mark your calendar.

Occoquan: Sounds of Summer with the U.S. Army Band

Sat, June 27, 7 p.m. · River Mill Park, 458 Mill St., Occoquan · Free

Occoquan: 4th of July Brunch at D'Rocco's

Sat, July 4, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · 301 Mill St. · Reservations: 571-572-3087

Quantico Marine Base

Sat, July 4, evening · Lejeune Field

DoD ID holders only — not open to the public. See the Marine Corps Museum above instead.

Still unconfirmed for 2026 — check before relying on these: Dumfries fireworks, The Freedom Museum open house, FredNats ballpark fireworks.

Nearby Northern Virginia

Within an hour's drive.

George Washington's Mount Vernon — An American Celebration

Sat, July 4, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · daytime fireworks 1 p.m. · 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. · $30 adults / $16 kids

Mount Vernon Evening Fireworks

Fri–Sat, July 3 & 4, 6–10 p.m. · $40–$50 adults / $28.80–$36 kids

Confirm availability directly — listed as sold out in earlier reporting; other sources show it open. Verify before publishing.

Reston Station: Celebrate America 250

Thu, July 2–Sat, July 4 · kickoff 5:30 p.m., fireworks 9:15 p.m. (July 2) · 1800 Reston Row Plaza · Free

Music from Bruce In The USA at 7:30 p.m. on July 2; live music and a movie screening continue July 3–4.

City of Fairfax — Parade & Evening Fireworks

Sat, July 4, parade 10 a.m.–noon · fireworks 6:30–10:30 p.m. · Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run · Free

Lake Fairfax Park (Reston)

Sat, June 27, noon–10 p.m. · 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr. · $20–$25 per vehicle

Workhouse Arts Center (Lorton)

Sat, June 27, 4–9:30 p.m. · 9518 Workhouse Way · Free admission, $50 parking

Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration

Sat, July 11, 6–9:45 p.m. · Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St. · Free

One week after July 4 — fireworks without the holiday crowds.

Washington, D.C.

The world-record show.

Organizers say the 250th National Mall fireworks will run 30 minutes with 800,000+ shells — a world-record attempt, launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool area. Exact start time not yet officially confirmed — historically around 9 p.m. Don't drive in. Park at Franconia-Springfield Metro and take the Blue Line.

National Independence Day Parade

Sat, July 4, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. · Independence Ave. SW, 3rd–12th St. · Free

A Capitol Fourth Concert

Fri, July 3, 8 p.m. · West Lawn, U.S. Capitol · Free, broadcast on PBS

National Archives Celebration

Sat, July 4, daytime · 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW · Free, reservations recommended

The only place to see the original Declaration on its 250th anniversary.

Great American State Fair

Thu, June 25–Fri, July 10 · National Mall · Free

Fifty mini state fairs along the mall — a quieter way to mark the 250th.

Virginia 250th Day Trips

Farther out, but worth it this year.

Yorktown — Where Independence Was Won

Sat, July 4, all day · American Revolution Museum, 200 Water St., Yorktown · Museum admission

8K/5K run, Liberty Celebration, Star-Spangled Cookout. "Give Me Liberty" 250th exhibit opens July 1.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg — America's 250th + Military Week

Mon, June 29–Sun, July 5 · 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., Williamsburg · Park admission, military discounts via ID.me

Skies of Wonder drone show + special July 4 fireworks.

📌 Bookmark this page — we'll update it as plans firm up. Send reader photos to [email protected]. The Woodbridge Gazette covers Woodbridge, Occoquan, Manassas, and Prince William County every Monday morning. Subscribe free at woodbridgegazette.com.

Marie & Dom
The Woodbridge Gazette
Your weekly neighbor along the Potomac.

Publisher & Editor
The Woodbridge Gazette
Your weekly neighbor along the Potomac.
woodbridgegazette.com | [email protected]
@WoodbridgeGazette

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