NSSE Event Notice:
250th Birthday of the US Army Grand Military Parade
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Increased local security measures will be in place in the days leading up to, during, and immediately following the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade on June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The Army’s 250th Birthday Parade is designated a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security, a designation that is based in part on the event’s significance, size and attendees. Designating an event an NSSE allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as state and local partners, to be used to ensure a robust security plan is in place.
This page will provide public safety information, road closures, and restrictions related to this event.
For information about the US Army's 250th celebration, please visit their website.
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Accessing Events
Those looking to view the parade must enter through the following magnetometer checkpoints:
- C Street, Northwest between 18 and 19 Street
- 14th Street, Northwest between Madison Drive and Independence Avenue: Please enter the line for screening at the intersection of 12th and Madison
- 9th Street at the National Mall, between Madison and Jefferson Drive
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Metro Service
Due to extensive road closures and parking restrictions, attendees are encouraged to use MetroRail service to access these events. The Metrorail system will be offering normal Saturday service.
At the Smithsonian Station, due to the security perimeter for the Festival on the National Mall, the Mall Entrance at Jefferson Drive for Smithsonian Station will be closed. The station will still be available to customers through Independence Avenue at 12 Street SW.
- For those heading to the National Mall for the festival, customers are advised to use other Metro stations including L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, or Archives Navy Memorial to access the area.
- For those viewing the parade, customers may use Farragut West, Farragut North, Federal Triangle, and Archives Navy Memorial to access check points.
Due to the parade route and security perimeter, the following Metrobuses will have detours or delays: 3F, 3Y, 11Y, 16E, 31, 32, 36, 42, 43, 52, 59, 63, 64, 70, 74, 79, N2, N4, P6, S2
Customers are encouraged to download the MetroPulse App for real-time information for all rail and bus service.
Reagan National Airport
To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA – affecting scheduled flights. Customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline.
For more information, please visit the Reagan National airport website.
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Prohibited Items List
The following items are prohibited within NSSE venues:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Animals other than service/guide animals
- Backpacks, bags, and soft-sided coolers exceeding size restrictions (18” x 13” x 7”)
- Bicycles
- Balloons
- Hard-sided coolers of any size
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Flammable liquids
- Folding Chairs or Camp Chairs
- Glass, thermal or metal containers
- Knives
- Laser pointers
- Mace/Pepper spray
- Multitools (Leatherman, Gerber, etc.)
- Packages
- Range Finder
- Razors
- Recreational motorized mobility devices
- Selfie Sticks
- Signs exceeding size restrictions (20’ x 3’ x 1/4”)
- Structures
- Supports for signs and placards
- Toy guns
- Tripods and monopods
- Umbrellas (umbrellas without metal tips will be permitted)
- Weapons of any kind
- Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards
With respect to signs and placards, the USSS has determined that security concerns require that these items be limited to items made of cardboard, poster board or cloth. As noted above, we are asking that supports for signs and placards be prohibited as these items may be used as a means of concealing weapons or as weapons themselves.
Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, folding chairs, displays such as puppets, papier mâché objects, coffins, crates, crosses other than those worn as personal adornment in sizes consistent with jewelry, theaters, cages and statues. It does not include signs meeting the size and material restrictions, portable bullhorns, baby carriages, baby strollers, wheelchairs and other devices for individuals with a disability. Nor does the prohibition extend to structures that are incapable of being moved or relocated for the duration of the NSSE that are in place sufficiently in advance of the event that they are subject to inspection and clearance by the USSS before the public is admitted to the area. These restrictions are similar to the restrictions on the size, physical composition and use of signs, placards and structures on the White House sidewalk set forth in 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5).
Road Closures
In support of public safety and traffic control, this event will require several streets in and around the parade route and National Mall to be closed to traffic. Parking restrictions will also be in effect. Details on these closures are provided in this news release. A map of the affected area is included below and available for download.
Notable Closures:
Friday, June 13 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, June 16 at 6:00 a.m.:
- Independence Avenue between 23 Street and 12 Street, Southwest
- 14 Street south of Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
- Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue, Northwest
Friday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, June 15 at 6:00 a.m.:
- George Washington Memorial Parkway both directions between U.S. 50 and I-395
Road Closure Maps
*Note: maps will appear distorted for phone users, PDF available below*
Bike Detours and Bike Lane Safety
The following detour for people riding bikes provides access from the 14th Street Bridge to the 15th Street, NW, protected bike lane north of the enhanced security zone. Bicyclists should plan extra time to travel through this area and follow all event signs and direction from law enforcement and/or traffic control officers. Bicyclists may experience unexpected closures or detours.
From the 14th Street Bridge, bicyclists can continue to the 15th Street, NW protected bike lane by follow this detour:
- Turn right (east) on Maine Avenue, SW towards The Wharf riding on shared sidewalk
- Turn left (northeast) on 7th Street, SW
- Turn right (east) on I Street, SW
- Turn left (north) on 4th Street, SE
- Turn left (northwest) on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Turn right (north) on 11th Street, NW
- Turn left (west) on I Street, NW
From the 15th Street, NW protected bike lanes, bicyclists can continue to the 14th Street Bridge by follow this detour:
- Turn left (east) on L Street, NW
- Turn right (south) on 11th Street, NW
- Turn left (southeast) on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
- Turn right (south) on 4th Street, NW
- Turn right (west) on I Street, SW
- Turn left (southwest) on 7th Street, SW
- Turn right (northwest) onto Maine Avenue cycle track
- Turn left (south) on Ohio Drive
Marine Safety Information
A temporary security zone in accordance with CFR 33 Part 165.508 Security Zone; Potomac River and Anacostia River, and adjacent waters; Washington, D.C. has been established upon the waters of the Potomac River, within an area encompassing all waters from the 14th Street Bridge to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the Tidal Basin. The Washington Channel will remain open to all vessel traffic. The Security Zone will be established from June 13, 2025, at 2 PM until June 14, 2025, at 10 PM.
From 2 PM on June 13, 2025, to 1 PM on June 14, 2025, if law enforcement vessels are present, mariners may need to seek permission to enter the zone by contacting the Captain of the Port via VHF-marine band radio channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or by telephone number (410) 576-2693. On June 14, 2025, from 1 PM until 10PM, no persons or vessels will be cleared to operate within or in the immediate vicinity of this zone. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by federal, state, and local agencies.
Mariners are encouraged to read and thoroughly understand the boundaries and procedures of the security zone found in the Code of Federal Regulations.
What is a National Special Security Event?
A National Special Security Event (NSSE) is an event of national or international significance deemed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity. These events may include summits of world leaders, meetings of international organizations, presidential nominating conventions, and presidential inaugurations. As the nation's capital, Washington, DC is frequently the setting for NSSE-designated events. This page will provide information on specific events as they are planned and executed. Learn more about the NSSE designation and preventing terrorism.
Media Briefing
Agencies involved in this National Special Security Event held a news conference to discuss security preparations on Monday, June 9. Click here to view the briefing.
