Labor Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol
On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the annual Labor Day Capitol Concert, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra, will be held on the West Front of the United States Capitol at 8:00 p.m. The gates will open to the public at 3:00 p.m.
There also will be a dress rehearsal earlier that day, beginning at 3:30 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m.
Both events are open to the public and no tickets are required. For more information about the concert, please visit the Kennedy Center website.
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. Public entrances to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol are:
- North (Senate) side of Capitol Square: 3rd Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- South (House) side of Capitol Square: 3rd Street, SW, and Maryland Avenue, SW
- Mobility impaired entrance – West side of 1st Street, NW, and Constitution Avenue, NW
There is no public parking in the immediate area of the U.S. Capitol.
Limited parking on a first come, first serve basis will be available to mobility-impaired guests and their parties from Sunday, September 1, between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Both sides of Louisiana Avenue between Constitution Avenue, NW, and First Street, NW, and
- Both sides of First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Louisiana Avenue, NW
Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Please visit www.wmata.com to help plan your trip.
Severe Weather, Security Measures, and Prohibited Items
In the event of severe weather, the concert will be held at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall at 8:00 p.m. Please check the National Symphony Orchestra’s social media accounts for information in the event of severe weather.
- Instagram: @natsymphonydc
- Facebook: @national.symphony
- Twitter: @natsymphonydc
Everyone attending events on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol must go through security screening before entering the event site. This will include a routine 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 permitted. Guests are encouraged to bring their own supply of water.
The following items are prohibited:
- 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 ammunition (either real or simulated)
- Explosives of any kind, including fireworks
- Knives, blades, or sharp objects of any length
- Laser pointers, signs, or posters
- Mace, pepper spray
- Sticks or 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, or suitcases
- Drones, model rockets, remote or manually controlled model gliders, model airplanes or unmanned aircrafts, model boats or cars, and other unmanned ground or aircraft systems
- Other items also may be prohibited at the discretion of security personnel
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions
Temporary street closures and parking restrictions will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, through Monday, September 2, at 4:00 a.m. at the following locations:
- First Street, between Constitution Avenue, NW, and Independence Avenue, SW
- Maryland Avenue, between First Street, SW, and 3rd Street, SW
- Pennsylvania Avenue, between First Street, NW, and 3rd Street, NW
Tour buses will be re-routed to Union Station starting at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, from 8:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2.
