Armored Tanks arrive in DC for Trump’s military birthday parade
Armored tanks have begun arriving ahead of Saturday’s celebrations as Washington, DC prepares for the 250th anniversary of the US Army.
The US military celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday, June 14th, marking its glamourful processions through the city of the country’s capital with a one-day festival, musical performances, fireworks and several precedent exhibitions.
Parades and festivals coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and flag day consume a few blocks of central DC, Washington, DC, which takes place primarily at the National Mall.
The day will begin around 8:15am on ET and be held at a ceremony led by the SEC, decorated with wreaths. Defensive Pete Hegses at Arlington National Cemetery. It will be streamed live here and then the entire day events will be held, ending with an evening parade and a display of fireworks. The parade will be streamed live alongside several other events and concerts.
The festival is an “opening event” to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026, organizers say. According to a report by USA Today, Bisesquicentententententen in 2026 began nearly nine years ago due to acts of Congress, while Bisesquicentententententen was planning its second anniversary, but the June 14th parade began a month ago. The administration has repeatedly stated that military anniversary and Trump’s birthday are coincidence, but it is unclear whether or not they will receive their own celebrations while the US Navy and Marines celebrate their 250th anniversary this fall.
Here is the latest event schedule, along with information sheets for June 11th issued by the US Army’s public relations team, along with how to watch it.
When and where will the DC Military Parade be held on June 14th?
The military parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th, spanning six blocks in central Washington, D.C., bisecting the National Mall. Organizers say the queue begins at 6:30 pm ET.
The festival starts earlier in the day, but will move from the festival to the parade at 6pm on ET, organizers say, with the latest queue times listing the start times on Constitutional Avenue at 6:30pm and lasting from 7:45pm to 8pm. After that there will be an enlistment ceremony and a concert about ovals and fireworks.
More information, including possible changes and updates, may be available at the Army Events website www.army.mil/1775/.
Parade route graphics: Check where the matrix passes through the central DC
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List: DC Military Parade, Festival Schedule
According to the US Army Events page as of June 12th, this is a breakdown of other events throughout the day.
- 8:15am ET: Sec. Defensive Pete Hegses at Arlington National Cemetery
- 9:30am to noon: Fitness competition
- 11am: In particular, musical performances by US Army bands and US Army drill teams. Cooking demonstration by celebrity chefs and US Army veteran Andre Rush
- 12:30pm to 1pm: Noah Hicks performance on the main stage
- 1pm to 2pm: NFL “Skills and Drills” Event
- 1:30pm to 1:45pm: Medal of Honor Winner Recognition Event
- 2pm to 2:50pm: Scotty Hasting performance on the main stage
- 2:45pm to 3pm: “Special Army Astronaut Presentation” Event
- 4:15pm to 5pm: Official ceremony of the 250th anniversary birthday festival with cake cuts, live streaming.
- 6pm to 6:30pm: The festival will transition to a parade.
- 6:30pm: The parade begins.
- 7:45pm to 8pm: The festival will move to inauguration ceremonies, ovals and fireworks concerts.
When is the Army Birthday Festival on Saturday?
According to Army organizers, the free festival will be held at the National Mall from 11am to 6pm.
Participants are encouraged to enter 7th Avenue, between the National Museum of Art and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, between Madison Drive NW and Jefferson Drive SW. It is open to the public and features opportunities to interact with soldiers, watch military demonstrations and exhibitions, and listen to live music.
Organizers say the festival is family-friendly and refers to robotics displays, celebrity encounters and melting, face painting, games and rock walls available to children.
What events are during the Army Birthday Festival?
The U.S. Army will hold a fitness contest from 9:30am to noon on ET, and organizers will “test how teams work under stress and motivate others to ACh” at the event that “emphasize fitness for both individuals and squads.”
Rather than taking part in, do you see fitness competitions? You can tune it to a live stream here. The competition awards will be awarded at noon, but they will also be streamed live.
At 11am at the start of the festival, there will be a culinary demonstration by celebrity chef and US Army veteran Andre Lash.
Music performances will also begin at 11am, with performances from the US Army band and US Army drill teams continuing until 1:30pm
How to watch the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade
This parade will be streamed live on all US Army social media platforms and on the US Army live stream pages.
Contributions: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Tom Vanden Brook
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.