2019 Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol Marks 30th Anniversary

On Sunday, May 26, 2019, the annual National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol. This year's event marks the 30th anniversary broadcast of the concert. The program honors our servicemen and women, their families, and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, and gates will open to the public at 5 p.m. There also will be a full concert dress rehearsal for this event on Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m. Gates will open to the public on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Prohibited Items and Security Measures

Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending these events must adhere to security screening procedures before entering the event site. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks, and closed containers.

For this event, food items and camp/beach chairs that sit low to the ground are permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water.

In addition to any other items at the discretion of security screeners, the following items are prohibited.

• Alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles
• Animals (other than service animals)
• Bicycles and Scooters
• Firearms and Ammunitions (either real or simulated)
• Explosives of any kind (including Fireworks)
• Knives, Blades or Sharp objects (of any length)
• Laser pointers, Signs, Posters
• Mace, Pepper spray, Sticks, Poles
• Electric Stun Guns
• Martial Arts weapons or devices
• Umbrellas larger 36" in diameter (those smaller than 36" will be allowed)
• Pocket or Hand tools such as a "Leatherman"
• Sealed packages, Large boxes, Duffle bags, Suitcases
• Drones, Model rockets, Remote or Manually-controlled Model Gliders, Model Airplanes or Unmanned Aircrafts, Model Boats and/or Cars, and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems

Public and Accessible Entrances, Parking, and Travel Tips

All public entrances are wheelchair accessible. Mobility impaired guests and their parties will be accommodated at any public entrance. Limited parking on a first come, first serve basis will be available to mobility-impaired guests and their parties along the south curb of Constitution Avenue between First and Third Streets, NW.

Public entrances to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol are as follows:

• North (Senate) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• South (House) Side of Capitol Square: Third Street, SW, and Maryland Avenue, SW

The use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Please visit www.wmata.com to plan your trip.

Tour Bus Rerouting

Tour buses will be rerouted from First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW, to Third Street, between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW, for passenger drop-off and pick-up from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 24 until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27. The ADA shuttle will pick up passengers at Third Street and Maryland Avenue, SW, to transport visitors to the Capitol Visitor Center on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions

Various street closures will be in effect from Thursday, May 16 through Thursday, May 30, including full closure of First Street between Peace and Garfield Circles.

Friday, May 17, to Thursday, May 23, 2019: First Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Maryland Avenue, SW, will open as follows:

• One way traffic Northbound from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• One way traffic Southbound from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Beginning Friday, May 25 at 12:01 a.m. to Monday, May 27 at 4 a.m. the following streets will CLOSE:

• First Street between Independence Avenue, SW, and Constitution Avenue, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between First Street, NW, and Third Street, NW
• Maryland Avenue between First Street, SW, and Third Street, SW

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 27, to Thursday, May 30: First Street between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, to Maryland Avenue, SW, will open as follows:

• One way traffic Northbound from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• One way traffic Southbound from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For additional information about the Memorial Day Concert, please visit www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert.

For questions about this event, contact the U.S. Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677.

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