How to watch March for Life 2026 in Washington, with EWTN coverage and event schedule
National March for Life returns to Washington on Jan. 23
The National March for Life is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, in Washington, D.C., marking the 53rd annual gathering organized by the March for Life. Organizers have set the 2026 theme as “Life is a Gift.”
The day’s main public programming is planned to begin with a rally and concert on the National Mall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the march, which typically starts around 1:00 p.m. after the rally concludes. Event materials list the band Sanctus Real as part of the rally and concert lineup, and note that the Friends of Club 21 Choir will lead the national anthem during the rally.
EWTN’s coverage spans the vigil, rally period, and related events
EWTN has announced live programming around the March for Life weekend, including coverage tied to the National Prayer Vigil for Life and events surrounding the march. The network’s schedule includes livestream and televised components across Thursday and Friday, timed to the vigil and the day of the march.
Separate from the National Mall rally, Life Fest 2026 is scheduled for the morning of January 23 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Life Fest is described by its organizers as a rally-and-Mass gathering sponsored by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus, with doors opening at 6:00 a.m. and the program running into late morning.
Key times and locations (publicly posted schedules)
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026: National Prayer Vigil for Life programming begins in the evening at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 (National Mall): Rally and concert scheduled for 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; the march follows, generally beginning around 1:00 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 (Oxon Hill, MD): Life Fest scheduled at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, with doors at 6:00 a.m. and programming extending into the late morning.
What viewers should expect from the live broadcast
EWTN’s announced coverage is structured to capture major moments surrounding the annual gathering, including worship services tied to the vigil and on-the-ground programming connected to March for Life day. Timing matters for viewers: events tied to the vigil occur on Thursday evening and Friday morning, while the National Mall rally window runs late morning into early afternoon, with the march itself beginning after the rally.
For Washington-area commuters and visitors, the schedule concentrates peak attendance around late morning and early afternoon on Friday, January 23.
Organizers have indicated that additional logistical details—including route specifics—may be updated closer to the event. Viewers planning to follow remotely should monitor the broadcaster’s live stream and TV listings for exact start times and any last-minute programming adjustments.