A Capitol Fourth-
America's Independence Day Celebration

Jimmy Smits To Host America’s Best Fourth of July Concert

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

America's favorite Independence Day tradition will feature unrivaled performances from some of the country's best-known musical names 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.

Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jimmy Smits will host the all-star lineup that includes: Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor and musician Steve Martin performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers; multi-platinum recording superstar Josh Groban; Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of stage and screen who has just released his debut self titled album Matthew Morrison (Glee); American Idol winner Jordin Sparks; rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard performing with the cast of the Broadway smash hit Million Dollar Quartet; three time Tony-nominated Broadway star Kelli O'Hara; and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.

In celebration of America's 235th 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 U.S. Air Force Ceremonial 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.

A Capitol Fourth (2011) will feature stunning visuals of the National Mall and the memorials and monuments representing the ideals underpinning our democracy. Discover more about how you can help sustain our treasured National Mall.  

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, the National Endowment for the Arts, 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.