A Capitol Fourth 2020

Tune In to CPTV or Watch Online Starting July 4 at 8 p.m.

John Stamos

The 40th anniversary presentation of A Capitol Fourth will be co-hosted by two-time Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos and multi-platinum recording artist and star of television, film and the Broadway stage Vanessa Williams.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional live celebration will not be held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol; to ensure the health and safety of all involved, this year’s concert performances were pre-taped without a live audience. These new performances were filmed in iconic locations across the country, including Washington, D.C, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Vanessa Williams

This year’s celebration will also feature highlights from the concert’s 40-year history and stirring patriotic favorites. Additionally, the fireworks display over Washington, D.C.’s iconic skyline will be covered live during the broadcast, captured by multiple cameras stationed around the city.

Where to Watch

A Capitol Fourth will premiere Saturday, July 4, 2020 at 8 p.m. on CPTV, followed by an encore at 9:30 p.m. It will also encore on Sunday, July 5 at 3:30 p.m. on CPTV.

In addition, the program will stream in the video player below on July 4 beginning at 8 p.m., and will also stream on Facebook, YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth, and will be available as Video on Demand for a limited time, July 4-July 18, 2020.

See encores of past years’ celebrations as well, including:

  • A Capitol Fourth 2017, airing Friday, July 3 at 1 p.m. on CPTV Spirit and 10:30 p.m. on CPTV
  • A Capitol Fourth 2018, airing Friday, July 3 at 2:30 p.m. on CPTV Spirit
  • A Capitol Fourth 2019, airing Sunday, July 5 at 2 p.m. on CPTV

More About the Program

A Capitol Fourth 2020 will feature a tribute to our nation’s workers on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, a segment honoring the contributions of African American heroes from our nation’s past and present, and a salute to America’s wounded warriors and their families.

Performers will include Grammy Award-winning legend Patti LaBelle; Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty; world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming; legendary Motown stars The Temptations celebrating their 60th  anniversary; country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; multiplatinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer; five-time Grammy Award-winning Gospel vocalist extraordinaire Yolanda Adams; hard-rocking multiplatinum country music singer/songwriter Brantley Gilbert; platinum-selling country music star Lauren Alaina; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; and Broadway and television star Mandy Gonzalez (Hamilton, In the Heights); with members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. The broadcast will also feature highlights of iconic performances from previous concerts.

The special tribute by John Stamos to those putting their lives at risk on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis will include a musical performance of the Oscar-nominated song “I’m Standing with You” by SAG Award-winning and Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actress Chrissy Metz (This Is Us, Breakthrough).

For more information, visit www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth