Fourth of July Guide: Where to See Fireworks in Northern Virginia, DC

Everyone knows that the nation's capital puts on one of the biggest, if not the biggest, fireworks displays in the country on the Fourth of July, on the National Mall in DC. In addition to A Capitol Fourth downtown, there are lots of local fireworks shows in Northern Virginia where you can celebrate.

• The National Mall, Washington, D.C. The big enchilada of fireworks shows, all 17 minutes of it, begins at 9:10 p.m. when the fireworks are shot from an area near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The National Park Service offers a list of best places to view the show and tips for planning your day. The evening begins will a full program of performers and can also be viewed live at home on your PBS station. The list of performers for this year's A Capitol Fourth show includes Barry Manilow and country singer Scott McCreery.

• The City of Alexandria holds its fireworks bash Saturday, July 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. to celebrate Alexandria's 264th birthday this year at Oronoco Bay Park. The evening's program includes children's activities and pre-show entertainment, exhibits by community groups and food sales; followed by awards presentation, birthday cake distribution, musical performances and concludes with fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in Alexandria, including sparklers! Here's more on the fireworks ban.

• Arlington County celebrates the Fourth of July with a free fete featuring the Verve Pipe band, who will headline a day (from 3 to 10 p.m.) of festive doings at Long Bridge Park in Crystal City. Other local bands will also perform, including Jeff From Accounting, a popular local cover band; the celebration will also include a variety of dishes from local food trucks, drop-in kickball by Kickball365, an arts and crafts market, games and a great view of the DC fireworks. For all the scoop, visit the county page about this event.

• (Just looking for a spot in Arlington County where you can get a good view of the Mall fireworks? Here's a list of more than half a dozen county-approved places to see the Fourth of July action.)

• Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington, holds daytime fireworks made from colored smoke fired over the Potomac River at its daylong (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Fourth of July event, "An American Celebration." More information is available here.

• McLean holds its annual fireworks show at Langley High School, 6520 Georgetown Pike in McLean. Grounds open at 8 p.m., and fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The event and parking are free. Shuttle buses will be available from St. John’s Episcopal Church (on Douglass Drive and Georgetown Pike) and the McLean Community Center. 

• Falls Church hosts a celebration at George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike with music starting at 7 p.m. and a fireworks show starting at 9:20 p.m. (The rain date is July 5, same time and location.) This year's celebration will feature a live performance by the Beatles tribute band The Apple Core. Spectator seating on the rain date will be available at the high school, but not the Graduate Center parking lot. The event is free to the public. No alcohol, personal fireworks or smoking is permitted on school grounds. 

• Fairfax City holds an Independence Day parade through the downtown area beginning at 10 a.m. Musical entertainment begins at 7 p.m. at Fairfax High School with a fireworks display when it gets dark (about 9 p.m.).

• Reston will see fireworks at Lake Fairfax, where park grounds open at 7a.m. The Water Mine will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vendors will be set up near the park main office. There will be plenty of other activities for children including a puppet show and carousel rides. The fireworks show will begin at about 9:15 p.m.

• Vienna will host a day of fun on the Fourth of July, including a "Pooches on Parade," which is new this year, also there will be live music, kids' crafts and much more at the Vienna Community Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fun continues at 7 p.m. at Yeonas Park with music from Fat Chance. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at Southside Park. Check out all of the details on Vienna's Web site.