2025/2026 New Year's Eve Concert & Fireworks on the Parkway in Philly: What to Expect

What do I need to know about the concert and fireworks?

New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia will be lit even more than usual this year, as the city and nation welcome 2026 to celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Expect crowds from across the Greater Philadelphia area to gather in the thousands along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Similar to the big Wawa Welcome America celebration each July, partygoers line the street with the concert stage set up in Eakins Oval, in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

LL Cool J   — Photo by P. Yang

Unlike July, though, the air will no doubt be icy, so dress in layers and keep moving. That shouldn’t be too hard, since the music will keep you groovin’ the night away.

The expansive Benjamin Franklin Parkway has plenty of room for all, with amazing views of the fireworks display from all along the flag-lined street.

Who will perform on the Parkway on New Year’s Eve?

LL Cool J blazed onto the music scene in 1984 as one of Def Jam Recordings’ first artists. He dominated the music charts with his debut album, Radio, and his 1990 album, Mama Said Knock You Out, with timeless songs like Around the Way Girl.

The hip-hop legend’s long list of accolades includes being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and two Grammy awards. He was also the first rapper to gather 10 platinum-plus albums in a row. LL will headline the show and be the last to perform.

Special guests set to perform include musician and Grammy-award-winning writer Adam Blackstone, DJ Jazzy Jeff — who first hit the music scene with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince — hard rock group Dorothy with Dorothy Martin as the front woman, and Bronx-based hip-hop DJ Technician The DJ.

Adam Blackstone   — Photo courtesy ESM Productions

What are the best places to watch the fireworks on the Parkway?

The fireworks are displayed over the iconic Philadelphia Art Museum, offering views from numerous vantage points. If you plan to go to the concert, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of the best spots in the city to catch the show.

If you’d rather skip the concert and just catch the fireworks, there’s a long list of great places to watch, from outdoor locations like Belmont Plateau and Schuylkill Banks to warm and cozy bars and restaurants along the Parkway, like Assembly Rooftop Lounge.

Check out this curated list of spots we put together for the July 4th show each year — all locations are perfect to see the NYE fireworks show, albeit a bit chillier.

So there are two locations for fireworks shows this year? 

Philadelphia sure knows how to throw a party, and with 2026 being such a special year, the city has gone all out to provide not one, not two, but THREE fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve.

In addition to the concert and fireworks on the Parkway with the fireworks above the art museum, there are two fireworks displays along the Delaware River waterfront — one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight.

The Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features bright bursts of color exploding in the night sky against a beautiful backdrop of the illuminated Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

  — Photo courtesy Independence Blue Cross RiverRink

Feeling ambitious? Catch the 6 p.m. fireworks show on the waterfront, then head to the concert on the Parkway.

No matter where you decide to go, you’re in for a stellar celebration, Philly style.

Click the button below for more about the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

How do I get to the concert and fireworks on the Parkway?

The New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks bonanza is set to draw thousands of attendees. Large stretches of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed to vehicle traffic, and nearby parking will be scarce.

Translation: Public transportation is your friend.

Several SEPTA routes leave you just a short walk away from Logan Circle and all the action, including:

• The Suburban Station stop on SEPTA’s Regional Rail (a 10-minute walk),
• The Race-Vine subway stop on SEPTA’s B (Broad Street) subway line (a 12-minute walk), and
• Plenty of stops along major streets like JFK Boulevard, Spring Garden Street and 20th Street, via buses like SEPTA’s No. 33 (just watch for detours).

Want to make getting around the city much easier? Book a hotel and stay over! Many hotels in the area have New Year’s Eve deals, and you’ll be ready to roll the next morning for the 125th annual Mummers Parade.