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2023 National Memorial Day Concert

May 26, 2023

On Sunday, May 28, the National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol on PBS and streaming online to honor our servicemen and women, their families, and all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for the public and the concert starts at 8:00 p.m.

Note:There is also a full dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, that is open to the public. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

Prohibited Items, Security Measures, and Inclement Weather

The U.S. Capitol Police and concert event staff closely monitor weather conditions. Any changes to the schedule of events based on adverse weather conditions will be announced to the general public. If an evacuation is necessitated by inclement weather, please follow U.S. Capitol Police direction.

Additional security measures will be in place to ensure the safety and security of those in attendance. Anyone attending events on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol must go through security screening before entering the concert. This will include an administrative search of all bags, coolers, backpacks, and closed containers.

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

The following items are prohibited. (Other items also may be prohibited at discretion of security screeners.)

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Glass Bottles
  • Animals (other than service animals)
  • Bicycles and Motorized Scooters of any kind (Devices required for accessibility (ADA) will be accommodated.)
  • 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 (Umbrellas 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

Traffic Restrictions, Road Closures, and Parking Impacts

These traffic restrictions, road closures and parking impacts will be in effect around Capitol Grounds through Wednesday, May 31. For more information about the broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert, please visit www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert.

Thursday, May 25 at 8:00 p.m. – Monday, May 29 at 4:00 a.m.

Road Closures and Parking Restrictions

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

Tour Bus Traffic Restriction

  • Tour buses will be relocated to Union Station

Monday, May 29 at 4:01 a.m. – Wednesday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Road Closure

  • First Street between Peace Circle, NW, and Garfield Circle, SW, will have the following restrictions:
    • One way traffic Northbound from 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • One way traffic Southbound from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

ADA Parking

  • Both sides of Louisiana Avenue between Constitution Avenue, NW, and First Street, NW
  • Both sides of First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Louisiana Avenue, NW

All traffic impacts are expected to be lifted on Wednesday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m.