This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 242nd birthday, as A Capitol Fourth welcomes back Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos to host the festivities! On July 4, from 8-9:30 p.m. ET, watch the THIRTEEN broadcast or stream here, or on YouTube or THIRTEEN/WNET Facebook Share your reactions and celebration on social media with #July4thPBS.
Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, this 38 year-tradition puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline. Twenty cameras positioned around the city capture the best views.
As we come together as one family of Americans to celebrate our freedom and independence, the concert will pay special tribute to our men and women in uniform by world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming, who will perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” her show-stopping anthem from the current hit Broadway production of Carousel. The inspiring moment will be dedicated to our troops serving around the world, their families, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, fighting for our freedom.
The concert will also feature a special tribute to The Beach Boys.
Performers at the July 4 Concert
The country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition will feature all-star musical performances by:
- Jimmy Buffett with the Broadway cast of the new musical Escape To Margaritaville, making their first stop after Broadway at the U.S. Capitol before a national tour.
- The Beach Boys, who will be honored for their extraordinary musical career as the fifth-ever recipients of A Capitol Fourth’s National Artistic Achievement Award.
- Pentatonix, the three-time Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist.
- Andy Grammer, multi-platinum pop singer and songwriter
- Chita Rivera, theatrical icon (West Side Story; Kiss of the Spiderwoman) and one of Broadway’s greatest triple-threat talents.
- The Temptations, legends of Motown
- Luke Combs, the acclaimed multi-platinum country music singer-songwriter and winner of the iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New Country Artist (see his intimate Front and Center concert).
- Lauren Alaina, country music star and American Idol alum.
- Twelve-time Grammy Award-winner and gospel legend CeCe Winans.
- Joshua Bell, internationally acclaimed Grammy award winning violinist.
- Kyla Jade, The Voice Season 14 finalist.
- The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.
A Capitol Fourth will feature a special video message from film composer John Williams in honor of the 40th anniversary of Superman.
Also participating in the event will be Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music, the Choral Arts Society of Washington, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
How to Watch
The 38th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.
Do you know your Peony from your Chrysanthemum when it comes to fireworks? See samples and learn what the different blooms of fireworks are called – there’s even “Cake!”
The 2018 A Capitol Fourth will be live-streamed on this page, on PBS.org, YouTube and THIRTEEN/WNET Facebook. Share your reactions and celebration on social media with #July4thPBS.
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