Road closures and parking bans set near Arthur Ashe Boulevard for IllumiNATION

If you drive or park near North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, the blocks around the Virginia Museum of History & Culture are about to get tricky in the evenings. A stretch of the boulevard and a handful of nearby streets will close, with new “No Parking” zones going up, for IllumiNATION, the museum’s event tied to its America’s 250th programming.

The closures arrive in two waves. The first was Tuesday, June 16, a smaller night that doubled as an equipment test ahead of the main run. The bigger event takes over the area Thursday through Sunday, June 25-28. The hours hold steady every night.

When the streets shut down

From 6 to 10 p.m., closures cover the southbound lanes of North Arthur Ashe Boulevard in the 300 to 500 blocks, between Hanover and Park avenues. The 2800 block of Kensington Avenue, between Colonial Avenue and the boulevard, also closes during that window.

Things widen at 8 p.m. From then until 10, the northbound lanes of the boulevard in those same 300 to 500 blocks close as well, along with the 2700 block of Kensington Avenue (between Mulberry Street and the boulevard) and the 2700 block of Stuart Avenue (also between Mulberry and the boulevard).

Don’t risk the tow

This part isn’t a suggestion. The no-parking zones will be enforced, and any vehicle left in a restricted area will be towed. If you live nearby or have evening plans in the area on those dates, move your car early.

Full details and event maps are posted at virginiahistory.org/events/americas-250th/illumination.