Celebrate Independence Day a day early with the Washington ARTCC during vZDC's Annual Fourth of July Preparty! As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, join us on July 3, 2026 from 2300z-0300z for a special night of flying in the skies above the nation's capital during one of the most historic Independence Day weekends in the country's history.
Pilots can expect coverage at Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI), featuring everything from iconic river visual approaches into DCA to heavy international arrivals into Dulles and the harbor views of Baltimore.
With America's semiquincentennial celebrations just hours away, expect packed frequencies, realistic operations, and patriotic atmosphere across the eastern seaboard. Whether you're flying a quick regional hop, bringing in overseas traffic, or departing the capital for your own holiday getaway, this event is the perfect way to kick off the Fourth of July Weekend.
