Washington is experiencing a surge in tourism ahead of Independence Day as visitors from across the country head to the capital during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Hotel bookings for the July Fourth holiday are up 17.1% from last year, according to CoStar data shared with Axios. Marriott also expects strong demand across its Washington-area properties, with a company spokesperson telling Axios that many hotels are on track to sell out over the holiday weekend.
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Short-term rentals are seeing a similar spike. An estimated 87% of Washington-area listings are expected to be occupied over the July Fourth weekend, up from 72% during the same period last year, according to AirDNA, which tracks the short-term rental market.
The influx of visitors coincides with the launch of President Donald Trump’s America 250 festivities. The administration’s Freedom 250 Commission received $68 million in federal funding to help organize events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
One of the marquee attractions is the Great American State Fair, a 16-day festival on the National Mall running through July 10. The event features exhibits representing all 50 states, a 110-foot Ferris wheel, a refurbished Smithsonian carousel, rodeo demonstrations, movie screenings, live musical performances, food vendors, and themed programming. Companies and government agencies, including NASA, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, YouTube, Meta, and the Washington Commanders, also have exhibits at the fair.
Visitors will also have plenty of traditional Fourth of July events to choose from. On Friday, the annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring performances by country singer Trace Adkins, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, and other artists.
On Independence Day, the National Archives will host its annual celebration beginning at 8:30 a.m. with live music, family activities, and a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m.
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In the evening, Trump is slated to deliver remarks around 9:30 p.m., followed by a record-breaking fireworks display.
The holiday rush is also expected to boost demand for the district’s regulated short-term rental market. Washington requires hosts to register with the city and obtain a license before renting their homes, though the process is relatively straightforward for homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements and complete the required paperwork.
