The D.C. fireworks started just before midnight on July 4, after storm- related delays. The Washington Post described the National Mall display as a 40-minute show that began just before midnight.

Quick Scoop

  • The fireworks were part of the National Mall / “Salute to America 250” celebration.
  • Coverage from NPR said the fireworks lit up after a storm delay.
  • If you mean the exact minute, the reporting I found only gives “just before midnight,” not a precise timestamp.

Context

The show capped a day of extreme heat, lightning, and an evacuation order before the event resumed.
Other coverage also noted the large scale of the display, with roughly 850,000 pyrotechnics over about 40 minutes.

Bottom line

The best-supported answer is: the DC fireworks began just before midnight on July 4, 2026.