A Capitol Fourth-
America’s Independence Day Celebration

Tom Bergeron to Host America’s 4th of July Concert in Washington, D.C.

Live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Wednesday, July 4th, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET in High Definition. (check local listings)

America's favorite Independence Day celebration will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical artists, topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. Twenty television cameras will be stationed around Washington, D.C. to capture the sights and sounds of the concert, making at-home viewers feel like they are front and center for the show.

This year’s “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS welcomes a brand new host, Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron, of the hit TV series, “Dancing With the Stars.” Bergeron will lead an all-star cast, which includes “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips, acclaimed Broadway and television star Megan Hilty of NBC’s “Smash;” two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick performing songs from the hit Broadway musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It” with four-time Tony nominee Kelli O’Hara; singer-songwriter and winner of “The Voice,” Javier Colon; country music star Josh Turner; R&B superstars Kool & The Gang; renowned tenor Russell Watson; actress and singer Amber Riley from "Glee"; the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly; eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno will host a tribute to Team USA, honoring the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, featuring five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams conducting his “Olympic Fanfare.”

In celebration of America’s 236th birthday, the show will be capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by The United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now an “A Capitol Fourth” tradition. Also participating in the event will be The Choral Arts Society of Washington, along with The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, the Quantico Marine Corps Band, members of the Armed Forces carrying the state and territorial flags and the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Program Sponsors

“A Capitol Fourth” is made possible by grants from The Boeing Company, the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Department of the Army, PBS and public television viewers nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.

“A Capitol Fourth” can also be heard live over NPR member stations nationwide and is broadcast to U.S. military personnel in more than 175 countries and aboard 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea on the American Forces Network.