Wawa Welcome America! – July 4th in Philadelphia

All photos by G. Widman for GPTMC

Philadelphia, the city where America’s independence was born, is the best place to celebrate Independence Day. The 11-day Wawa Welcome America! festival kicks off on June 24 and continues through July 4 with a full day (and night!) of patriotic festivities. Stay a few extra days for even more patriotic events!

Here’s a look at what’s going on in Philly for the Fourth!

Fireworks & Concerts | Festivals | Movies | Food | Street Closures

Fireworks and Concerts

Waterfront Concert and Fireworks Display

Date: June 25
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

Enjoy a live concert from Aaron Neville before the first of three breathtaking fireworks shows—presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation — lights up the skies above the Delaware River. Free.

Concert and Fireworks at Penn’s Landing

Date: July 2
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street | (215) 683-2200 |More Details

Enjoy a military band concert with “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band along with dazzling fireworks, presented by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Watch the show from both sides of the Delaware River, as speakers will be set up on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides. Free.

Fam Jams

Date: July 3
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street | (215) 683-2200

Families can enjoy a free concert by internationally renowned artists Emily Osment and Tim Urban.

POPS on Independence

Date: July 3
Details: Details: Independence Hall | 5th and Chestnut Streets | (215) 683-2200

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops celebrate America’s birthday during POPs on Independence, the annual free concert at Independence Hall at 8:30 p.m.

4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks

Date: July 4
Details: Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 18th & 23rd Streets | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

Cap off Independence Day weekend at the nation’s largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert, headlined by The Roots, followed by an eye-popping, jaw-dropping, light-up-the-sky fireworks display from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Free.

Ongoing Updates

For even more tips about where to watch the July 4th fireworks and concerts, check out our in-depth July 4th coverage on our blog.

Wawa Welcome America! Festivals

Go 4th and Learn About History

Date: June 27
Details: Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets | (215) 683-2200 | welcomeamerica.com

Mayor Nutter and local celebs share Historical Story Time with children. Don’t miss the Wawa Dairy exhibit where you can get a lesson in cow-milking and more. The first 200 participating children will receive a free book.

Go 4th and Learn About Performance Art

Date: June 28
Details: The Dell Music Center | Ridge Avenue and Huntingdon Drive | welcomeamerica.com

Learn all about music, dance and art at the Dell Music Center from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. The first 200 participating children will receive a free book.

Go 4th and Learn About Science

Date: July 2
Details: The Franklin Institute | 222 N. 20th Street |(215) 683-2200 | welcomeamerica.com

Kids’ faces light up as they delve into the science of fireworks from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Afterwards, participants can explore the museum’s other exhibits and learning spaces such as the beloved Giant Heart.

Chinatown Block Party

Date: July 2
Details: Chinatown | 10th and Arch Streets | (215) 683-2200 | welcomeamerica.com

Experience a taste of Philadelphia’s Asian culture at the Chinatown Block Party from 12 noon – 4 p.m.

Celebration of Freedom

Date: July 4
Details: Independence Hall | 5th & Chestnut Streets | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

The star-spangled salute to America features honored speakers, like Mayor Michael Nutter, and patriotic ceremonies from 10 – 11 a.m. Free.

Independence Day Parade

Date: July 4
Details: Market Street | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

What’s red, white and blue all over? The old-time Fourth of July parade that winds through Historic Philadelphia from 11 – 1 p.m. Free.

Party on the Parkway

Date: July 4
Details: Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 18th & 23rd Streets | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

Music, dancing, cultural activities, arts and crafts and live entertainment make for an afternoon of family fun from 12 noon – 6 p.m. Free admission.

Philly @ the Movies

Best in Show
Date: June 27
Details: Piazza at Schmidts | 2nd and Hancock Streets |welcomeamerica.com

Fame
Date: June 28
Details: Dell East | North 33rd Street & W Dauphin St. | welcomeamerica.com

Rocky
Date: June 29
Details: Philadelphia Museum of Art | 26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway | (215) 683-2200 | welcomeamerica.com

The Devil Wears Prada
Date: June 30
Details: Rittenhouse Square | 225 South 18th Street | welcomeamerica.com

Hairspray Sing-Along
Date: July 1
Details: Love Park |15th and Arch Streets | welcomeamerica.com

Food and Fun

Taste of Philadelphia

Dates: June 24-26
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, (215) 683-2200 | More Details

A favorite of foodies, Taste of Philadelphia returns for the fifth year, with more restaurants than ever joining the gastronomical festivities. Some of the city’s most popular eateries serve up their specialties, and entertainment by Gerald Veasley and local gospel choirs add to the festive atmosphere. Free admission; fees for food samples.

Wawa Hoagie Day

Date: June 29
Details: Independence Visitor Center | 6th and Market Streets | More Details

Grab your piece of the mile-long Wawa hoagie and enjoy live music, contests and other iconic Philly treats. Free.

Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival

Dates: July 2-3
Details: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street | (215) 683-2200 | More Details

Forget about calories, and enjoy all-you-can-eat buffet of the coolest summer treat. Participants’ $7 donations will benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, helping to find a cure for pediatric leukemia.

Open Saturday from 12 noon – 5 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m.
Open Sunday from 12 noon – 5 p.m.

Click here for street closures during Wawa Welcome America!