Watch the Grand Military Parade Live: Start Time, Stream Links & Key Highlights

June 14 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Searches for “military parade live” are spiking as the U.S. Army marks its 250th anniversary with a massive procession down the National Mall on Flag Day, which is also former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Here is everything viewers, commuters and visitors need to know to catch the spectacle in real time and understand the story behind it. How to watch the military parade live • Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET; pre-coverage began at 5 p.m. after organizers pushed the step-off an hour earlier to dodge forecasted thunderstorms. • Official streams: Army.mil/live, the Army’s YouTube channel, the Pentagon’s Defense Visual Information site and C-SPAN. • Network coverage: PBS NewsHour, ABC, CNN, Fox News and major local affiliates are carrying uninterrupted feeds. • On mobile: Search “military parade live” on YouTube, Facebook Live or X (Twitter) for real-time clips and commentary. Tip: Turn on captions; flyovers and artillery salutes get loud. Route, lineup and timetable • Formation point: Arlington Memorial Bridge, crossing the Potomac into D.C. • Path: Constitution Ave. → 17th St. → Independence Ave. → Capitol Reflecting Pool dispersal. • Ground column: More than 4,000 troops from every branch, including the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps, West Point cadets, Army Rangers and Medal of Honor recipients riding vintage jeeps. • Hardware highlights: M1A2 Abrams tanks, Stryker infantry vehicles, HIMARS launchers and the Army’s new robotic combat vehicle prototypes roll past the Lincoln Memorial. • Air segment: Dual B-2 Spirit stealth bombers headline a 21-plane flyover that also features Apache, Black Hawk and Lakota helicopters. • Finale: Army Band plays “The Army Goes Rolling Along” while howitzers fire a 50-gun salute—one round for each state. Why June 14 matters June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army—14 months before the Declaration of Independence. The date later became Flag Day and coincides with Trump’s birthday; the former president requested a military parade during his first term but COVID-19 scuttled the plan. Today’s event fulfills that wish and doubles as the capstone to a year-long “Army 250” heritage campaign. Security, closures and transit • Road closures: The National Park Service shut Constitution and Independence avenues from 4 a.m. to midnight; expect gridlock south of K Street. • Metro: Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations close at 3 p.m.; riders should use L’Enfant Plaza or Farragut North. • Bag policy: Clear bags only; no drones, umbrellas or folding chairs. TSA-style screening at 17 entry points around the Mall. Protests and political backdrop Progressive coalition “No Kings” is staging peaceful sit-ins at Freedom Plaza and Lafayette Square, objecting to parade costs and Trump’s 2024 election claims. Early arrests were minimal after police redirected demonstrators away from armored columns, but chants remain audible on live mics. Despite an estimated $35 million price tag, Republicans say private donors and Pentagon readiness budgets cover most expenses, while Democrats warn that heavy equipment damages historic streets. What happens after the parade? At 8 p.m. a ticket-only concert on the Capitol’s West Front features country star Luke Combs and the Army Field Band, capped by a 15-minute fireworks show over the Reflecting Pool. City officials expect streets to reopen by 1 a.m.; tank transporters will haul armored vehicles back to Fort Belvoir overnight. Quick FAQ • How long will the parade last? Roughly 90 minutes. • Can I still attend? National Mall standing areas remain first-come, first-served until capacity (about 200,000). • Is rain a threat? Forecast shows isolated storms after 9 p.m.; ponchos allowed, umbrellas banned. • Will other cities mark the Army 250? Yes—smaller parades occur today in St. Louis, Fort Benning and Honolulu, but Washington hosts the only heavy-equipment display. Whether you stream on your phone or stake out a patch of lawn below the Washington Monument, today’s military parade promises a rare convergence of history, hardware and politics—one best experienced live.