Locals and tourists hitting the District of Columbia on July Fourth can catch rides on Metrorail and Metrobus for free after 5 p.m.

Parking will also be free all day at Metro-run garages and lots.

In addition to the free fares after 5 p.m., the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced service adjustments systemwide on Independence Day.

During the afternoon, Metrorail will run at rush hour levels in order to accommodate the holiday crowds. The Metrorail system will also open Friday at 6 a.m. instead of the usual 5 a.m., though it will still close at its normal time of 2 a.m. Saturday.

Metrobus will run on a Sunday schedule, Metro said.

WMATA noted that the Blue, Orange and Silver lines’ Smithsonian station could get overcrowded following the day’s festivities. The National Independence Day Parade starts at 11:45 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m., while the capital’s Fourth of July fireworks will go off starting at 9:09 p.m., the National Park Service said.

Metro recommends using stations within walking distance of the Smithsonian station, including Judiciary Square or Union Station on the Red Line, Gallery Place or Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange and Silver lines, Archives on the Green and Yellow lines, L’Enfant Plaza on the Green, Yellow, Blue, Orange and Silver lines or Capitol South, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle and Foggy Bottom-GWU on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.