(Image courtesy of Leonid Andronov/Alamy Stock Photo)

On July 4, 2019, A Capitol Fourth continues its 39-year tradition of celebrating our nation’s independence on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol building. Two-time Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos (Netflix’s You, Fuller House, ER) returns to host the country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition.

A Capitol Fourth’s family-friendly Independence Day celebration will commemorate America’s 243rd birthday with all-star musical performances, and remains unaffiliated with any other July 4 events around the country, and in other locations in Washington, D.C.

When to Watch

A Capitol Fourth is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, and our troops watching around the world on the American Forces Network.

John Stamos hosts.

The concert will air live on CPTV on Thursday, July 4, 2019 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. It will encore on CPTV starting at 10 p.m., following PBS Previews: Country Music, airing from 9:30 to 10 p.m.

The program will also stream live on this page for a limited time, as well as on Facebook, YouTube, and PBS.org/a-capitol-fourth. In addition, it will be available as Video on Demand for a limited time, from July 4 to July 18, 2019.


An All-Star Lineup

Grammy Award-winning music legend Carole King / Image courtesy of Kirsten Schultz

The 39th annual edition of A Capitol Fourth will feature Grammy Award-winning music legend Carole King with the Broadway cast of the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning musical Beautiful starring Vanessa Carlton; multi-award-winning electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling; Tony-nominated singer-songwriter and actress Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman);  multi-platinum recording artist and star of TV, film, and Broadway Vanessa Williams; double ACM winner, CMA nominee, and Grammy nominee Lee Brice; Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat with her new band Gone West; five-time Grammy Award-winning gospel vocalist Yolanda Adams; 2019 American Idol winner Laine Hardy; singing sensation Angelica Hale (America’s Got Talent); and this year’s winner of The Voice (Season 16), Maelyn Jarmon, performing the National Anthem. The National Symphony Orchestra returns under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. 

Sesame Street characters will appear in the the 39th annual edition of A Capitol Fourth.

The concert will also feature a special treat for the entire family, with Big Bird, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, Elmo, Grover, and Bert & Ernie from Sesame Street on hand to celebrate America’s birthday.  The Sesame Street Muppets will perform a musical medley of patriotic favorites and iconic songs from the groundbreaking children’s television series, currently celebrating 50 years of learning and fun.

The concert will pay tribute to U.S. men and women in uniform with a special performance by the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band and John Stamos. MusiCorps is a conservatory-level music rehabilitation program, formed in response to the needs of service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2007, the program has become a pioneer in the field of adaptive music and has helped countless wounded warriors in their recovery. This inspiring moment will be dedicated to U.S. troops serving around the world, their families, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, fighting for our freedom.

Also participating in the event will be the U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags, the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C., the Choral Arts Society of Washington, and Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music.

This top-rated, award-winning program will be capped off with fireworks over our nation’s iconic skyline and a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.