Tiger Woods is back in town for his annual signature event, the 2009 AT&T National Golf Tournament at the Congressional Country Club (8500 River Rd., Bethesda, Md., 301/365-6946; www.attnational.org). Daily Gallery tickets, which allow access to the Congressional Country Club grounds for one individual on any one day, are still available for between $15 and $30 at attnational.org. 

Start the party early with live music, barbecue and fireworks at Gaylord National’s July 3rd Celebration, taking place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center (201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md.; 301/965-2000; www.gaylordnational.com). Take a stroll through the wine garden, check out cigar-rolling demos or let the little ones loose in the Kid Zone. BIG 100.3 FM’s Lisa Berigan will host the event, which runs from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 person (kids ages 4 and under get in free). Food, beverages, games and other activities are available for an additional fee.  Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, but outside food and beverage are prohibited. 

Kick off America’s 233rd birthday with America’s National Independence Day Parade and A Capitol Fourth 2009 (800/215-6405; www.july4thparade.com). The free parade winds along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street beginning at 11:45 a.m. The concert takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. and admission is free. Two rehearsals also are open to the public on July 2 and July 3, both at 8 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Don’t want to brave the crowds? PBS provides a live broadcast of the concert and fireworks.

Not up for the crowds on the Mall? Join the nearby block party that will be grooving on Pennsylvania Avenue outside Café du Parc (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202/628-9100; www.cafeduparc.com). Rock band Jumpin’ Jupiter will get the party started, playing classic American rock from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. An outdoor crepe station and grill promises a tasty dinner. Don’t forget to try chef Christophe Marque’s “Paris-Washington,” a hamburger with Ossau Irraty cheese, pancetta and tomato. Reservations are not required.

Want the fireworks and the music, but don’t want to go downtown?  Bring the whole family to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg, Md.; 301/258-6350; www.gaithersburgmd.gov) for the Gaithersburg Fourth of July Fireworks. WASH FM will DJ the celebration starting at 6 p.m., followed by a concert by Free Spirit at 7 p.m. It all culminates with the fireworks display at 9:25 p.m. Admission is free and gates open at 5 p.m.