The 44th edition of the annual A Capitol Fourth event is returning to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol this Fourth of July, and the star-studded performance lineup was revealed on Tuesday (June 18).
Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz and The Tantrums, Chloe Flower, Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary, Loren Allred and Britt Stewart will performing at the event, while Maestro Jack Everly will be conducting the National Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Alfonso Ribeiro will be hosting the broadcast.
“I can’t wait to celebrate America’s Birthday on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol,” said Ribeiro in a press statement. “I’m incredibly excited and honored to be your host of A Capitol Fourth once again. It is going to be a great 4th of July party, and we’re going to get everyone in our nation’s capital and all those watching at home on their feet dancing!”
The event will also host a Tribute to Team USA, hosted by former Olympian Shawn Johnson East, delivering a send-off to the athletes competing in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France. The National Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare,” a song that was composed for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The broadcast will wrap with the annual fireworks display, presented by the National Park Service, over the National Mall and Memorial Parks, as well as the Washington, D.C., skyline.
A Capitol Fourth airs on Thursday (July 4) at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, as well as to our troops around the world via American Forces Network. The program will also be streaming on YouTube and PBS’ website.