What time is Trump’s DC military parade? See full June 14 schedule

Armored tanks arrive in DC for Trump’s military birthday parade

As Washington, D.C. prepares for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, armored tanks have begun to arrive ahead of Saturday’s celebration.

The U.S. Army is marking its 250th anniversary Saturday, June 14, with a day-long festival, music performances, fireworks and a pomp-filled procession through the streets of the nation’s capital in a display with few precedents.

The parade and festival, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day, will consume several blocks of central Washington, D.C., taking place primarily on the National Mall.

The day kicks off at about 8:15 a.m. ET with a wreath-laying ceremony headed by Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery. It will be livestreamed here, and followed by a succession of all-day events including an evening parade and wrapping up with a fireworks display. The parade, along with several other events and concerts, will also be livestreamed.

The festivities are the “opening event” for the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, organizers say. While planning for the 2026 bisesquicentennial started nearly nine years ago by an act of Congress, planning began for the June 14 parade a little over a month ago, according to USA TODAY reporting. The administration has repeatedly said that the Army’s anniversary and Trump’s birthday are coincidental, though it is unclear if the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps will get their own celebrations during their 250th birthdays this fall.

Here is the latest schedule of events, as of a June 11 information sheet published by the U.S. Army’s Public Affairs team, along with how to watch.

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When and where is the June 14 DC military parade?

The military parade is slated for Saturday, June 14, in the heart of Washington, D.C., spanning six blocks and bisecting the National Mall. Organizers say the procession begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Festivities kick off earlier in the day, but shift from festival to parade at 6 p.m. ET, organizers say, with updated procession times listing a 6:30 p.m. ET start time on Constitution Avenue and lasting until approximately 7:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Afterwards there will be an enlistment ceremony, a concert on the Ellipse and fireworks.

More information, including any possible changes or updates, are likely to be available on the Army’s event website, www.army.mil/1775/.

Graphic of parade route: See where the procession will go through central DC

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List: DC military parade, festival schedule

Here’s a breakdown of other events throughout the day, according to the U.S. Army event page as of June 12:

• About 8:15 a.m. ET: Wreath-laying ceremony headed by Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery
• 9:30 a.m. to noon: Fitness competition
• 11a.m.: Music performances by the U.S. Army band and U.S. Army Drill Team, among others; cooking demonstration by celebrity chef and U.S. Army veteran Andre Rush
• 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Noah Hicks performance on main stage
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: NFL “Skills and Drills” event
• 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Medal of Honor recipients recognition event
• 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.: Scotty Hasting performance on main stage
• 2:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.: “Army Astronaut Special Presentation” event
• 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.: 250th Army Birthday Festival official ceremony with cake cutting, livestreamed
• 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Festivities transition to parade
• 6:30 p.m.: Parade begins
• Approximately 7:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Festivities shift to an enlistment ceremony, concert at the Ellipse and fireworks

When are Army Birthday Festival on Saturday?

The free festival will be held on the National Mall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, according to Army organizers.

Attendees are advised to enter at 7th Street between the National Gallery 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 will feature opportunities to interact with soldiers, watch military demonstrations and displays, listen to live music.

Organizers say the festival is family friendly, pointing to robotics displays, celebrity meet-and-greets, face painting, games and a rock wall available for kids.

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What are some of the events during the Army Birthday Festival?

The U.S. Army will hold a fitness competition earlier in the day, from 9:30 a.m. ET to noon, organizers say, with events “highlighting the fitness of both individuals and squads” to “test how the teams work under stress and motivate ach other” to cross the finish line.

Rather watch the fitness competition than participate? You can tune in to the livestream here, scheduled to begin at 9:10 a.m. ET. Competition awards will be given out at noon, which will also be livestreamed.

At 11 a.m., upon the start of the festival, there will be a cooking demonstration by celebrity chef and U.S. Army veteran Andre Rush, who has worked as a chef in the White House during four prior administrations.

Music performances also commence at 11 a.m., with performances by the U.S. Army band and U.S. Army Drill Team, among others, lasting until 1:30 p.m.

How to watch the Army’s 250th anniversary parade

The parade will be livestreamed on all U.S. Army social media platforms, and on the U.S. Army’s livestream page.

Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Tom Vanden Brook

Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and on X @KathrynPlmr.