Lee District Park will not be hosting fireworks for July 4th 2010; however, there are other venues hosting fireworks – see more below.

Tips on photographing fireworks, click here.

Alternative Locations (see more information below):

• Lake Fairfax
• Fort Belvoir (not open to public)
• National Mall
• City of Alexandria (on July 10th)

Lake Fairfax
from the Fairfax County Park Authority

Lake Fairfax Park will be the one and only site for fireworks presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority on Independence Day.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has fun in mind for this Fourth of July! At Lake Fairfax Park in Reston the fun begins at 10 a.m. Visitors can picnic in the park, ride a horse on the antique carousel, travel around the lake on a paddle boat or take a leisurely ride on the tour boat. The marina and carousel will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole will be open at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. you can sponsor a duck and participate in the Park Foundation’s Toy Duck Races celebrating the Park Authority’s 60th anniversary. Vendors will offer a variety of food for purchase throughout the celebration, and children will find a moonbounce and other amusements. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Celebrants are encouraged to come early as parking is limited.

Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, VA 20190 (map, click here). For more information contact Lake Fairfax Park at 703-471-5415.

Fort Belvoir
from the Fort Belvoir MWR

Freedom Fest 2010 is  Sunday, 4 July at Freemont Field (on Rte.1) on Fort Belvoir. Festivities begin a 5:00 p.m. and fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Arrive early to receive free 3D glasses for the fireworks show. The activities and fireworks are available to those who already have access to Fort Belvoir (eligible MWR patrons: soldiers, families, dependents, DoD civilians and contractors), but the Fourth of July activities are not open to the public. For more information contact the Fort Belvoir MWR (moral, welfare & recreation) Director’s office at 703-805-2532. Flier, click here.

Map of Fort Belvoir, click here (PDF).

National Mall

4th of July Fireworks on the National Mall at dark, usually around 9:15 p.m. The fireworks are launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and light up the sky over the Washington Monument.

Best places to view the fireworks:

U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
FDR Memorial
East Potomac Park
Southwest Waterfront 4th of July Festival (tickets required)
Rooftop of the W Hotel (tickets required)
Anywhere along the National Mall between 14th Street and the Capitol
Aboard a cruise along the Potomac River (tickets required)

A Capitol Fourth Concert
8 – 9:30 p.m. (Admittance begins at 3 p.m.)
West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

A 4th of July tradition in the nation’s capital includes a live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra and several pop artists performing patriotic music on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building. The concert and show is followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary. The annual event is broadcast live on PBS with a repeat airing at 9:30-11:00 p.m. The concert will also be broadcast over National Public Radio on WAMU – 88.5 FM.

City of Alexandria
from the City of Alexandria

On July 10th, the 234th USA/ 261st Alexandria birthday celebration. Flier, click here.

Alexandria, Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St. (along the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton and Madison Streets), Alexandria, Virginia (map, click here). Celebrate Alexandria’s Birthday & the USA’s on Saturday, July 10, 2010, 4-10 p.m. Enjoy a concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

The City of Alexandria celebrates its own birthday and the USA’s each year on the Saturday following the 4th of July. The annual event includes children’s activities, a concert performed by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake and a fireworks extravaganza. You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, but you are welcome to bring a picnic.