A CAPITOL FOURTH Returns for 40th Year

A CAPITOL FOURTH is returning for its 40th anniversary. The national July 4th TV tradition on PBS will take place this year, co-hosted by two-time Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer John Stamos (Netflix’s YOU, FULLER HOUSE, ER) and multi-platinum recording artist and star of television, film, and Broadway Vanessa Williams.

Now celebrating the nation’s 244th birthday, this 40th edition A CAPITOL FOURTH will feature new performances from locations across the country, including Washington, D.C, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, as well as highlights from the concert’s forty-year history. The fireworks display will be covered live and captured by more cameras than ever before.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional live A CAPITOL FOURTH will not be held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol; instead, to ensure the health and safety of all involved, this year’s concert performances were pre-taped without a live audience. These performances include:

Grammy Award-winning legend Patti LaBelle; Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty; world-renowned four-time Grammy Award-winning soprano superstar Renée Fleming; legendary Motown stars The Temptations who are on the eve of celebrating their 60th Anniversary; country music star and Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry Trace Adkins; multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer; five-time Grammy Award-winning Gospel vocalist extraordinaire Yolanda Adams; hard-rocking multi-platinum country music singer/songwriter Brantley Gilbert; platinum-selling country music star Lauren Alaina; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell; Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara and Broadway and television star Mandy Gonzalez (HAMILTON, IN THE HEIGHTS); with members of the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.  

“For four decades A CAPITOL FOURTH has paid tribute to our nation’s birthday and the hopes and dreams of all Americans,” said Executive Producer Michael Colbert.  “This year, our broadcast will reflect what we as a country have faced and the challenges ahead, while showcasing our message of inclusion, patriotism, and love.”

The 40th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTHairs on PBS Saturday, July 4, 2020 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.  The program can also be heard in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide.  The concert will also be streaming on Facebook, YouTube, and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2020.