Your Guide to Wawa Welcome America, Philadelphia’s Official July 4th Celebration

Wawa Welcome America — Philly’s July 4th festivities — concludes with fireworks on the Parkway / Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

Philadelphia basically invented independence, so of course we’re going to do the Fourth of July up right. Philly’s annual Independence Day bonanza kicks off on Juneteenth and runs through (you guessed it) July 4th. You get 16 days of free activities that not only celebrate freedom, but also highlight so much of what Philly has to offer. From free museums to Rocky on the Art Museum steps to kids’ activities to events that spotlight our incredible local music and food (hello, Wawa Hoagie Day), it’s all on display and ready for the whole city to enjoy.

But there’s so much to do, it’s almost overwhelming. So, to help you get the most out of the festival’s activities, we’re breaking it down for you. Looking for all the free museum days? Free concerts? Free hoagies?! We’ve got you covered.

Fireworks | Parades| Block Parties and Gatherings | Concerts | Free Museum Days

Fireworks

Let’s start with the big show because it’s not July 4th without fireworks. Welcome America has not one, but four displays:

• June 21st, Smith Memorial Playground: This one’s for the kids! Stay after the free, family-friendly Kidchella music festival for a fireworks display. More info below.
• June 28th, 9 p.m., Dell Music Center: The Black Music Month 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert (more info on that below) concludes with a dazzling fireworks display.
• June 29th, 9 p.m., Delaware River Waterfront: Fireworks on the Waterfront (following a concert by United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”)
• July 4th, 9:45 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Parkway: Wawa Welcome America Fireworks (following the Welcome America concert on the Parkway)

Parades

Photograph by by G. Widman

Pomp & Parade

As part of the new Red, White & Blue T0-Do event (see below), a parade featuring “miniature, hand-decorated wagon floats,” performers and community members decked out in patriotic flair will travel from the National Constitution Center to Carpenters’ Hall. Want to be one of those decked-out community members? All you need to do is pre-register. (And if you need help decorating your wagon or bike or whatever apparatus you will be parading down Independence Mall, sign up for Decorating Days.) If you just want to watch, all you need to do is show up —  you know how parades work. July 2nd, 11 a.m.-noon, starts at National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street.

Salute to Independence Day Parade

The parade starts in Old City at 2nd and Market streets, and finishes at City Hall. It’s a parade, so expect floats, military units, marching bands, dance performances, historical characters, and more pomp and circumstance. July 4th, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., starts at 2nd and Market streets.

Block Parties and Community Gatherings

Wawa Welcome America hosts block parties all festival long. / Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

Juneteenth Block Party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Welcome America kicks off with this daylong, all-ages party featuring live performances — including Kid ‘n Play — with the theme “Rhythms of Liberation: Celebrating Juneteenth Through Music.” The block party also includes food trucks, kids’ activities and more. Plus, since this is also the kickoff to Wawa Welcome America, the museum will offer free admission all day (online registration required). June 19th, noon-7 p.m., African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street.

Wawa Hoagie Day

In the grand tradition, Wawa is serving 25,000 free Shorti hoagies on Independence Mall, along with live entertainment. When you’re done eating your hoagie, head across the lawn to the National Constitution Center, which conveniently has free admission that day. And part of that includes “a special Wawa History exhibit showing their more than 100 years of Philadelphia roots.” (What does Wawa have to do with the Constitution? Don’t think about it too hard.) June 27th, noon-3 p.m., Independence Mall.

Tons of free Wawa hoagies on Independence Mall / Photograph by Laura Swartz

Rocky Movie Night

It’s a Welcome America tradition to watch Rocky together, outdoors, like a proper society. After an indoor detour last year, the screening moves back to the Art Museum steps where it belongs. But wait, there’s more. Come early to participate in one of two free, Rocky-themed, 30-minute boxing classes with Rumble. Also, there’s a beer garden and snacks. And, of course, the new Rocky Shop if you want some memorabilia to go along with your night.  June 27th, 6-10 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Avenue of the Arts Block Party

This party has everything. Live performances, dancing, kids’ activities, a fashion show, a beer garden, even a chair from The Voice. And if you’re bringing the pups, there’ll be wading pools an games just for them, in a section adorably titled Avenue of the Barks. Inside the Kimmel, catch free performances of the upcoming season with performances from Les Misérables and The Wiz, an interview with the Grinch, and a Hamilton sing-along. Outside, there will two more stages with a full day of performances. See the whole schedule here. June 29th, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Broad Street between Walnut and Pine streets.

Red, White, & Blue To-Do

The Welcome America lineup has a brand-new day of celebration, all happening in Old City. And it was all John Adams’s idea? Because if it were up to him, Independence Day would be two days earlier. (That’s when the Continental Congress voted for independence; the Declaration came on the 4th.) Adams wrote that July 2nd should be a day of “Pomp and Parade” across the land.

So, at 11 a.m. on July 2nd, that’s just what we’ll do. The parade kicks off at the National Constitution Center and travels along Independence Mall — and you can even march in the parade with your own decorated wagon! (See above for details.) The day will also include musical performances at four locations throughout Old City (see here for schedules), as well as restaurant specials throughout the neighborhood.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring the kids to Carpenters’ Hall for Go 4th and Learn with the Franklin Institute. TFI’s first-ever exhibit was held in Carpenters’ Hall in 1824, so this is a double anniversary: the Franklin Institute’s 200th and Carpenters’ Hall’s 250th. There will be live science demonstrations and activities, entertainment, and even a Lego model of Carpenters’ Hall!

And to wrap up the day enjoy extended hours and special events at various historical sites from 4 to 7 p.m.

More Community Gatherings:

Jefferson Einstein Community Day
Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital hosts a free afternoon of family fun at Cherashore Playground. The event includes entertainment, refreshments, lawn games and more. June 20th, 4-7 p.m., 851 West Olney Avenue.

Declaration House Block Party
Monument Lab’s newest exhibition, Sonya Clark’s The Descendants of Monticello, will open at the Declaration House on June 24th. The exhibit focuses on the site where Thomas Jefferson and Robert Hemmings “spent several months in Philadelphia during the summer of 1776 during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence,” highlighting the “entangled legacies of freedom and enslavement at the core of our nation’s founding.” The unveiling party will include performances and speakers, plus food and refreshments. June 24th, 5-8 p.m., 700 Market Street.

Celebration of Innovation and Education
Thomas Jefferson University is turning 200(!) and they’ve got a new plaza to show off, so they’re hosting an afternoon of free family-friendly programming out there. June 25th, 3-7 p.m., Jefferson Plaza, 1115 Chestnut Street.

Philadelphia Zoo’s 150th Anniversary Celebration
The nation’s very first zoo is turning 150, and it’s throwing itself a party. Gather outside the zoo for free performances, face-painting, arts and crafts, games and animal visits. Plus, you can get into the zoo free from 3 to 5 p.m. on a first, come first served basis. July 1st, 1-5 p.m. (free zoo admission from 3-5 p.m.), 3400 West Girard Avenue.

Concerts and Performances

Wawa Welcome America includes free concerts around town. / Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

Kidchella

Smith Memorial Playground hosts its annual kids’ concert, Kidchella. The free event will feature four different family-friendly music acts (including our fave, Johnny Shortcake), plus art stations, snacks, giveaways and more. Then stay after for fireworks! It’s free, but reserve your spot online. And bring your own blanket or chairs (though your kids will probably be on their feet to the music). June 21st, 4-9 p.m., Smith Memorial Playground, 3500 Reservoir Drive.

Concilio’s Hispanic Fiesta

With its usual home of Penn’s Landing under construction, this annual two-day celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage moves to the JFK Bridge this year. What stays the same is plenty of music, dance, food, and wellness activations.  June 22nd and 23rd, 2-8 p.m., JFK Bridge, 20th Street & JFK Boulevard.

The Black Music Month 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert

Hosted and curated by Dyana Williams, this new celebration features a free night of performances from musicians including Russell Thompkins Jr. of the New Stylistics, Will Hart of Delfonics, Jean Carne, Laurin Talese, and many more. Stay after for a fireworks display! June 28th, 5-9 p.m., Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive.

Pershing’s Own Concert (and Waterfront Fireworks)

Gather at the waterfront for a concert of old standards, new hits, and patriotic tunes by the U.S. Army’s band, followed by a spectacular fireworks display above the Delaware River. June 29th, 8-10 p.m., Delaware River Waterfront.

Gospel on Independence featuring Tamela Mann

Bring chairs or blankets for an evening of joyful music hosted by WDAS Patty Jackson. This year’s concert “pays tribute to 1 Corinthians 13:13,” and features a performance by Grammy-winning gospel singer and actress Tamela Mann. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so bring your own blanket (or chair). July 1st, 7 p.m., Independence Mall.

Salute to Service: The United States Army Field Band featuring LeAnn Rimes

The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus present “America the Beautiful,” a musical performance that honors our country and its veterans, alongside country star LeAnn Rimes. Bring your own chairs and blankets. July 3rd, 7 p.m., Independence Mall.

Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert (and Firworks) featuring Ne-Yo and Kesha

It all culminates in the big headline concert on the Parkway, this year with Ne-Yo and Kesha. Gates open at 4 p.m., when DJ Diamond Kuts and Snacktime will perform on the Parkway. Also on the Parkway? A photo op with a chair from The Voice, and a “Well-Being on Wheels” experience featuring light therapy and sound meditation with Modrn Wellness and “nutrition takeaways” from Sharing Excess. The celebrations continue with a dazzling fireworks display over the Art Museum. If crowds aren’t your thing, you can watch live on NBC10, Telemundo, NBC’s website and streaming channel, and on Peacock. July 4th, 7-10 p.m. (pre-concert from 4-6 p.m.), Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Free Museum Days

Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

And finally, it wouldn’t be Wawa Welcome America without the opportunity to explore dozens of our museums for free! Every day of the festival, at least one cultural institution opens its doors to guests. Some of them, keen readers may notice, are always free, but they still want to get in on the celebration, so good for them! Anyway, here’s the schedule:

• Wednesday, June 19th: African American Museum in Philadelphia
• Thursday, June 20th: Fairmount Water Works, Independence Seaport Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
• Friday, June 21st: Historic Rittenhouse Town, The Print Center, Christ Church Preservation Trust
• Saturday, June 22nd: Lemon Hill Mansion, Woodford Mansion, Science History Institute, Paul Robeson House & Museum
• Sunday, June 23rd: Laurel Hill, Historic Strawberry Mansion
• Monday, June 24th: The Free Library of Philadelphia Rare Book Department
• Tuesday, June 25th: Stenton, The Underground Railroad Museum at the Historic Belmont Mansion, Elfreth’s Alley Museum
• Wednesday, June 26th: Woodmere Art Museum, Wyck Historic House, the Fabric Workshop and Museum
• Thursday, June 27th: National Constitution Center
• Friday, June 28th: Penn Museum, Fireman’s Hall Museum, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion
• Saturday, June 29th: Arch Street Meeting House, American Philosophical Society Museum, Masonic Temple, Library and Museum
• Sunday, June 30th: Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, American Swedish Historical Museum
• Monday, July 1st: Mütter Museum, Rodin Museum, National Liberty Museum, the Barnes Foundation
• Tuesday, July 2nd: Carpenters’ Hall
• Wednesday, July 3rd: Wagner Free Institute of Science, Weitzman National of American Jewish History, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern State Penitentiary
• Thursday, July 4th: Cliveden House, Johnson House Historic Site

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