Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the concert held?

The concert is held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Do I need tickets to attend?

The concert is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary.

How do I get to the concert?

Taking the Metro to the concert site is strongly advised due to traffic volume and street closures put in place for the event. The nearest stations are Federal Center SW (Orange/Blue lines) and Union Station (Red line).

When do the gates open?

General Admission gates typically open at 5:00 p.m. The public will not be admitted to the West Lawn of the Capitol before that time. Checkpoints will be set up, and all bags and parcels will be checked. Guests will be required to enter through a metal detector. The gates are located at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds. There are viewing areas for the use of guests with disabilities.

Dress rehearsal on the Saturday before the Concert is also open to the public.

More details can be found on the U.S. Capitol Police’s website in the Media Center.

What time does the concert start and how long does it last?

The live performance of the concert begins at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT and is finished at 9:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. CT.

How does the concert accommodate guests with disabilities?

There are two designated viewing areas for guests with disabilities which include a monitor with closed captioning for the hearing impaired. After you arrive at the grounds of the Capitol, let a park ranger or an event staff member in a yellow shirt know you need access to this area and they will be able to direct you.

Who will be hosting and who are the performers at this year’s concert?

Our 2023 hosts and performers are listed in the performers section of this website.

When does the PBS program air?

The PBS program is broadcast live at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT so that television viewers across the nation can enjoy the event together with hundreds of thousands of people on-site at the event. To be certain of the air time in your area, be sure to CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS.

I missed the show but I want to watch it. Will it be on PBS again?

You’re in luck! The vast majority of PBS stations replay the National Memorial Day Concert immediately after the show concludes. In most areas, this would be from 9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET, but CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS to be sure.
Some PBS stations may also replay the show within a few days.
Video on Demand of the show is available for two weeks following the live broadcast.

Is it possible to get a copy of the program or a CD of the music?

Unfortunately, copyright restrictions do not permit us to issue video or audio copies of the program. However, we do hope you are able to watch the broadcast, and we encourage you to tell others about it.

Where can I find a live stream of the broadcast?

The livestream of the National Memorial Day Concert is available on this website, the National Memorial Day Concert Facebook page, the PBS YouTube channel and the PBS app.
Video on Demand of the show is available for two weeks following the live broadcast.

Can I attend the dress rehearsal?

Dress rehearsal on the Saturday before the Concert is open to the public. General Admission gates typically open at 5:00 p.m. The public will not be admitted to the West Lawn of the Capitol before that time. Checkpoints will be set up, and all bags and parcels will be checked. Guests will be required to enter through a metal detector. The gates are located at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds. There are viewing areas for the use of guests with disabilities.More details can be found on the U.S. Capitol Police’s website in the Media Center.
Keep checking until you see the information has been posted.

What can I bring?

A list of prohibited items can be found on the U.S. Capitol Police’s website in the Media Center.