A Once-in-a-Lifetime Year: Philly’s Signature 2026 Events

Through Monday, September 7, 2026

How are theme parks made? This world-premiere exhibit, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.

Spanning 18,0000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the experience showcases over 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda, and Universal Monsters. And in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.

Through Saturday, December 26, 2026

52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city’s many historic achievements — every week, all throughout 2026.

Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like the Slinky, cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day and significant locations like the first African Methodist Episcopal church.

The free celebrations take place at the original location of each first (or in spaces that represent where these significant milestones occurred) and include guest speakers, a sculpture, monthly marquee events and historic deep dives by Once Upon a Nation.

Throughout 2026 (dates vary by event)

The organization that helped make Philadelphia “Mural Capital of the World” celebrates America’s 250th anniversary the only way it knows how: by making tons of public art. Mural Arts Philadelphia has a blockbuster lineup of projects for 2026. Here’s just a taste of what the organization has planned:

• Printmaking by the People: Citywide Voices of 2026: Started in the fall of 2024, this special art project engaged the public in 50+ workshops examining the question: “What does freedom require today?” Now in its culminating year, the project reveals hundreds of prints this April in an exhibition at the Free Library of Philadelphia. In June, Mural Arts unveils a major new mural creating a “citywide portrait” of what Philadelphians think about democracy at this moment.
• Vámonos pa’l monte (Let’s Go to the Mountains): In October, artist Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz leads a parade of revelers and community members on a four-mile walk from City Hall to the historically Puerto Rican community of Norris Square. The vibrant public performance reflects on Puerto Rican heritage while paying tribute to the endurance of community identity.
• Murals!: It wouldn’t be Mural Arts without murals. Look out for new ones celebrating: iconic R&B group Boyz II Men coming to South Philadelphia in May; musician Questlove at West Philadelphia High School in October; and LGBTQ+ trailblazer Gloria Casarez coming back to the Gayborhood.

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

“When in the course of human events …” The document from which that seminal phrase originates is the centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming. The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of America’s founding charter and its continuing influence, inspiring over 100 independence movements worldwide.

The Declaration’s legacy is explored through records, art and artifacts, including Thomas Jefferson’s chair, a Marquis de Lafayette-annotated draft of the French Declaration of Rights, the prison bench where Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a spinning wheel from Gandhi and more.

Through mid-2027 (dates vary by attraction)

With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (the country’s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history.

The two institutions team up with avid art collector (and Phillies’ managing partner) John Middleton and his wife and partner Leigh for this blockbuster exhibition titled A Nation of Artists. Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents.

A Nation of Artists debuts as a cultural milestone celebrating the nation’s creative and artistic legacy at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (through Monday, July 5, 2027) and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (through Sunday, September 5, 2027).

December 2026

Yo, Adrian! The original Rocky film turns 50 in 2026, and the Italian Stallion’s hometown is celebrating the golden anniversary of the movie’s release with a year of Rocky-themed events.

A collaboration between the Philadelphia Visitor Center and the Sly Stallone Shop — along with dozens of Philly sites and attractions like the Philadelphia Art Museum (with its iconic Rocky Steps) — the all-ages fest features a series of activities, special events and activations dedicated to Rocky and other real-life Philly athletes. Stay tuned for more info.

Dates vary by gallery

The nation’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution gets a major upgrade just in time for the country’s big anniversary with the addition of two brand-new galleries.

Now open, the new America’s Founding Gallery tells the story of the early fights for American independence, while the second, Governing the Nation, opens May 15, 2026, and focuses on the three branches of government and the balance between the federal government and states’ rights.

Additionally, an original copy of the U.S. Constitution — one of only 14 surviving copies — and a rare first printing of the 17 constitutional amendments as they were debated by Congress will be on display throughout 2026.

Now open

The Penn Museum celebrates the first Americans — the Indigenous tribes that lived here long before the Founding Fathers touched pen to paper — with the opening of this expansive gallery.

Curated in close collaboration with several Indigenous consulting curators, the new gallery explores “the political, religious, linguistic and artistic self-determination” of America’s Indigenous peoples. Over 250 artifacts and art pieces showcase Indigenous history and culture from tribes throughout the country, including the Delaware/Lenape tribe, the Eastern Band Cherokee tribe, the Lingít tribe, and more.

Now open

Founded on principles of equality, Philadelphia is a welcoming and inspirational place for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering inclusive arts and nightlife, vibrant shopping and dining, and a long history of LGBTQ+ activism. Philly begins a new chapter of inclusion in 2026 with the opening of one of America’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ visitor centers.

The Philly Pride Visitor Center in the Gayborhood offers souvenirs, attraction ticketing, itinerary planning and other travel information, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ and ally businesses, destinations and cultural institutions. The center also highlights Philly’s role in LGBTQ+ rights and history.

Now open

An abandoned 19th-century bank in Old City has been transformed into an immersive, 6-story work of art called Ministry of Awe (MoA).

The building-wide work of art inside the former bank celebrates “human-ness” with installations, interactive sculptures, immersive soundscapes, live performances and murals. Global artist and creative mind behind the transformative art experience, Meg Saligman, collaborated with more than 100 artists to create the massive work.

Now open

In 1751, Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond founded Pennsylvania Hospital to treat Philadelphia’s poorest residents, free of charge. Their legacy lives on at the nation’s oldest hospital, now planning to open a museum on the historic campus.

The Pennsylvania Hospital Museum will transform the Pine Building into a series of galleries showcasing the evolution of modern medicine and the hospital’s long legacy of care, having treated patients from the American Revolution through today.

Now open

The Philadelphia Zoo has completed a bear of a project.

After a $25 million renovation, the nation’s oldest zoo reopens its ursine habitat — the new Francis J. Carey Bear Country — now with a new third bear habitat, an extension of the Zoo360 exploration trail allowing the bears to explore (!), interactive educational exhibits and new glass viewing areas where guests can come nose-to-snout with the bears.

The new space also includes digging pits for the zoo’s Andean and sloth bears to forage, a 14-foot climbing structure, and new pools for drinking and splashing.

Now open

Philadelphia has a long history of creating institutions for milestone anniversaries, with the reopening of the First Bank of the United States the most prominent for 2026’s celebration.  

The First Bank — located in Independence National Historical Park — opened to the public for the first time in half a century with a ribbon cutting the morning of July 1, 2026. Expect to experience new immersive, modern exhibits showcasing artifacts and works of art reflecting America’s history and diplomacy with other nations. Special exhibitions remain on display through Monday, February 15, 2027.

Now on view

What better way to celebrate the Semiquincentennial than by letting freedom ring?

Bells Across PA — a statewide art exhibition in partnership with America250PA and Mural Arts Philadelphia — is showcasing festively painted Liberty Bell replicas in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, with Philadelphia alone set to display 27.

Philly’s large fiberglass Liberty Bell sculptures have been installed at commercial corridors and public parks, with each bell’s design capturing the spirit and identity of a different neighborhood.

If you’d like to see them all (scavenger hunt, anyone?), check out our guide on where you can find the bells. Happy exploring!

Now on view (dates vary by attraction)

To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Clay Studio — the nation’s largest ceramic arts organization — creates an expansive exhibition showcasing work from 45 artists across 20 arts and culture sites. Artists ground their creative work in historical research conducted at these sites to inspire pieces that explore themes of independence throughout the evolution of America.

Radical Americana’s exhibition showcases works across Greater Philadelphia and the Countryside, including:

• American Crib: What’s Happening: Roberto Lugo’s solo exhibition at The Clay Studio blends pottery with artistic commentary on society, with a focus on marginalized communities (through Sunday, July 5, 2026)
• Radical Americana: Artists Sophie Glenn and Jody Graff jointly exhibit at Andalusia Historic Home, Gardens & Arboretum showcases Glenn’s works of furniture and Graff’s abstract works using pressed leaves (through Friday, November 14, 2026).
• This Is (Not) a Celebration: Queer Resistance 1976/2026 at Huddle 215: Step back in time with the William Way LGBTQ Community Center and revisit the LGBTQ+ activism, protest and cultural resistance of 1976 — the nation’s Bicentennial —  in this powerful exhibition featuring photography, ceramics, and print and fiber installations by local artists (June 11 through July 3, 2026).

Bookmark the official site for updates; dates and times vary by location.

Now open

This new major exhibition series at the National Liberty Museum showcases three different exhibitions in one, each offering a different perspective on one of the United States’ most core freedoms: the First Amendment’s freedom of assembly — the right to protest, express opinions and gather peacefully for a shared cause.

The immersive new Showing Up Since 1776 exhibition explores how regular people across history used collective action to drive great change, leveraging meeting halls, concert stages and city streets to celebrate culture and demand justice.

Next, the new Art of Free Assembly exhibition explores the full spectrum of assembly, examines why we do it instinctively, and highlights how it sustains local communities and American democracy.

And In the Arena: Sports & Assembly examines how Americans use sporting events to assemble and create traditions, featuring artifacts from some monumental moments in sports history.

Through Saturday, July 25, 2026

The Print Center, located in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, presents an exhibition showcasing the works of 37 artists who reflect on the current state of democracy during this monumental anniversary year. America Today: Voices in Contemporary Print features 42 print works, including the designs of five artists from Philly’s Brandywine Workshop and Archives.

In addition to opportunities to view the works, the nonprofit gallery offers many public programs, including conversations with the artists, public tours, extended hours in June and an interactive printing event on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Admission to the gallery is free.

Through Saturday, August 1, 2026

What if Benjamin Franklin’s kite-and-key experiment actually unleashed rock ‘n’ roll and ol’ Ben became America’s first rock star? That’s the premise behind The Sound of America, making its world premiere at FringeArts, right in the shadows of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

The rock musical rooted in American history features 23 original songs eager to become anthems. Each ticket includes a 45-minute musical walking tour led by the Founding Father himself.

Bonus: The production donates money from royalties to Teen Cancer America, a partner program of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Through Sunday, August 2, 2026

All roads lead to Rocky, don’t they?

Inspired by one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Philadelphia — the Rocky Statue — this brand-new exhibition is all about monuments: Why we make them. Who gets one. And the role they play in society.

Curated by Paul Farber, co-founder of Monument Lab and the host of NPR and WHYY’s acclaimed podcast The Statue (TL:DR: He knows his stuff), the expansive exhibit covers 2,000 years of history and features over 150 artifacts and works of art by 50-plus artists, including Keith Haring, Carrie Mae Weems and Andy Warhol.

The show arrives at the Philadelphia Museum of Art just in time for the 50th anniversary of the movie that started it all.

Through Sunday, August 2, 2026

The best public market in America — Philly’s iconic Reading Terminal Market — has opened up a pop-up plaza to welcome all the visitors heading to the city for summer fun.

Stretching across the 1100 block of Filbert Street right outside the market, visitors can take a break from exploring to grab a drink from Molly Malloy’s bar, shop from pop-up vendors, and kick back and enjoy some entertainment.

Indoors, the historic market boasts over 80 vendors offering prepared food and drink, gifts, specialty items, and surprises around every corner.

Through Sunday, August 9, 2026

Film, video and immersive art installations tell the stories of how Americans of color have helped shape our shared identity throughout the past 250 years at this Barnes Foundation exhibition timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.

Moving-image artists Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja’Tovia Gary and Tourmaline create a contemporary meditation on the past, present and future, and ask viewers to contemplate how Americans of color have carved out spaces of joy and resistance despite systems that seek to oppress.

Access to the special exhibition comes with regular museum admission, good for two days.

Through Sunday, August 16, 2026

Light up the night at historic Franklin Square with the must-see Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Old City, featuring all-new lanterns for 2026. Celebrate the Year of the Horse among dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns, including soccer-themed designs reflecting the countries of teams coming to Philly for FIFA World Cup 26 (see below).

Enjoy live cultural performances, folk art, fountain shows, festival-themed crafts and lots of international food and drink, including signature cocktails. Advanced tickets (timed Fridays through Sundays) are required to attend the event, which starts at 6 p.m. each night.

Through Monday, September 7, 2026

Wanna hear a story? Expert wordsmiths with a knack for the overlooked and hidden history of Philadelphia man sites across the Historic District during the warm-weather months.

Costumed History Makers regale visitors with memories from their past, while specially trained, uniformed storytellers are stationed at benches near historic sites, bringing to life free three- to five-minute tales.

In honor of the milestone year, Once Upon a Nation adds several additional storytelling benches to its roster — bringing the total to a whopping 13 — and an expanded cast of History Makers.

Through Sunday, September 20, 2026

One of the country’s largest outdoor model train displays gets into the Semiquincentennial spirit as Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ beloved Garden Railway gets a Revolutionary Philly makeover for the celebration.

Tour a miniature version of 18th-century Philadelphia throughout the display that includes 15 rail lines and historic landmarks like Independence Hall and Cliveden, the location of the Battle of Germantown. Train enthusiasts of all ages can also marvel at the artistry that goes into creating the railway structures, all made with natural materials like moss, twigs and stones.

Access to the Garden Railway comes with general admission.

Through Sunday, September 27, 2026 (dates vary by event/artwork)

The Delaware River waterfront marks the Seminquincentennial by transforming into an open-air art gallery this summer, featuring seven large-scale art exhibits — all free and open to the public —  including: 

• Let Freedom Ring at Cherry Street Pier: The Association for Public Art presents artist Paul Ramírez Jonas’  towering, large-scale installation that allows participants to Let Freedom Ring, literally. The interactive bell tower sculpture plays My Country ’Tis of Thee — only up to the very last note, when onlookers can then pull a lever to ring the 600-pound bell and complete the song. The message? We can only realize the unfinished promises of our nation’s founding when we work together as a society (June 4 to September 27, 2026)

• Sail Through This to That: Through a partnership with ArtPhilly, artist Indira Allegra explores the lives of Ona Judge (Martha Washington’s enslaved seamstress) and late Philly fashion designer Rem’mie Fells through the creation of three schooner sails using historic sewing techniques and fabrics. After a community procession (Thursday, May 28, 2026) following Judge’s escape route, visitors can view the sails on exhibition through Thursday, July 30, 2026) 

• Wings and Water: The Space Between at Cherry Street Pier: GrioXArts and the Mason Stitch Art Collective create a new version of the American flag constructed from community-created bandannas (July 3 to August 1, 2026).

Through Wednesday, September 30, 2026 

It’s Philly’s biggest year yet, and hotels throughout the city are celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a toast to its birthplace.

More than 30 hotels are shaking things up during Philly’s Semiquincentennial celebrations as part of Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail.

These spots are serving up delicious history all spring and summer long in the form of innovative cocktails and mocktails inspired by Philadelphia’s central role in the nation’s founding.

Through Sunday, October 25, 2026 (select dates)

Philly has always been a city of neighborhoods, and for 20 weeks this spring, summer and fall you can take free, insider-curated tours to explore what makes each neighborhood special.

Each week, the Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series heads to a different ‘hood to visit local restaurants, shops, parks and historical landmarks — all led by an experienced guide.

Tours happen Fridays at 2 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration is required in advance, so hit this link to sign up. Bonus: Participants get a free neighborhood tote!

Through Sunday, November 8, 2026

How have Philadelphia’s artists portrayed their ideas of America throughout the past 250 years? The Woodmere — an art museum set on six acres of land in northwest Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood — hopes to answer that question with its commemorative exhibition curated to coincide with the citywide Semiquincentennial celebration.

Pulling from the museum’s expansive collection of more than 8,000 paintings, sculptures and works on paper from Philadelphia artists, Arc of Promise focuses on art from the 1790s to today that examines the country’s painful histories while remaining hopeful about America’s future.

Through Friday, November 13, 2026

The Biddle family rose to be one of the most prominent in early America, with members contributing significantly to the military and Congress. In honor of the Semiquincentennial, this new exhibit looks at the family’s integral role in America’s independence movement.

Featuring personal stories, manuscripts and historic objects, the exhibit marks the first time Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum has told the family’s comprehensive story surrounding their role in America’s creation.

The Biddles once called the 200-plus-year-old, 50-acre estate on the banks of the Delaware River home.

Through November 2026

This brand-new exhibition at the National Marian Anderson House — part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places — showcases rare collections honoring one of American history’s most celebrated opera singers and Civil Rights icons.

Along with glass-encased gowns, photos, authentic letters, paintings and original vinyl presses, the exhibition highlights who Marian Anderson was as a person — and how Marian Anderson, at her heart, was a true Philadelphian: kind, approachable, determined and deeply human.

Plus, for 2026, the museum hosts a handful of special events, concerts and celebrations. Advanced tickets are required for both the exhibition tours and the events.

Through Saturday, December 5, 2026 (dates vary by event)

One thing that has continued to ring true for 250 years and counting: The people who call Philly home are what make the city so vibrant, innovative and historic.

Celebrate Philly communities, cultures and small businesses with Ring It On!, a citywide event series featuring street fests, culinary and cultural celebrations, and supersized editions of Philly’s favorite annual events.

Popping up in neighborhoods from Northeast Philly to Chinatown to Overbrook, the series includes new and returning favorites, like the Africatown Diaspora Village Festival (June 28, 2026), El Central de Oro Feria del Barrio (September 13, 2026) and the Chinatown YesShi Night Market (October 8, 2026).  Check out the full schedule on the official website.

Through Sunday, December 13, 2026 (dates vary by exhibit)

The Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at St. Joseph’s University celebrates America’s big birthday with two major art exhibitions.

First up, Philly Voices: Celebrating the Heartbeat of a City, showcases art that demonstrates what makes Philly, well, Philly. Expect art that shows off the city’s diversity of people, cultures and neighborhoods (June 20 to August 2, 2026).

Then, regional contemporary artists take over for Evolving Freedoms: Exploring Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, highlighting print-based works and photography that embody the ever-changing notion of freedom. (September 2 to December 13, 2026).

Through December 2026

When America turned 100 years old, Philadelphia made history by hosting the very first World’s Fair in North America. The year was 1876 and 10 million people from around the globe came to see mechanical marvels like Baldwin locomotives, typewriters and the first telephone.

The city invites residents and visitors alike to revisit that grand celebration at a new exhibition that recreates the experience of the World’s Fair. Four large pavilions mimic the Centennial setup featuring items and stories from that iconic event. Bonus: Read about where to see historic relics from the fair in today’s Philadelphia.

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026

When early Philadelphians established the nation’s first penitentiary at Eastern State, they hoped to change the justice system.

For the Seminquincentennial, the site’s year-long slate of programming reflects on that history while also looking to the future.

A Time for Liberty features five family-friendly festivals, nine panel discussions and two new exhibitions, plus a Saturday Firstival in October and much more.

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026

The Mütter Museum — part of Philadelphia’s oldest medical society at The College of Physicians — hosts a slate of exhibitions to celebrate medical milestones throughout the past 250 years.

Revolutionary Botany kicks off the year by tracing the evolution of medicine in America from medicinal plants to the modern pharmacy. Then in May, the museum examines Philly’s headline-grabbing outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease during the Bicentennial. Creating a City of Medicine opens in June and looks at Philadelphia’s role in the evolution of American medicine and medical schooling.

Exhibitions remain open throughout 2026.

Through Thursday, December 31, 2026

Heroes to some, villains to others, the infamous Doan Gang once roamed what is now Bucks County during the earliest days of the American Revolution, plotting, scheming and plundering their way through a world divided.

This immersive exhibition at Doylestown’s Mercer Museum explores the Doans’ legendary exploits, from espionage and robberies to mythical lost treasures. Learn how these local outlaws plotted and schemed through a divided world, and why their loyalty to the British rule made them enemies of the Founding Fathers.

Through December 2026 (dates vary by event)

A Northwest Philly neighborhood dating back to 1683, a pivotal Revolutionary War battleground and an important stop on the Underground Railroad, Historic Germantown celebrates the Semiquincentennial with a fun and educational mix of new and returning programming and events.

A highlight: 26 Weeks of Walking Tours. Visitors can uncover colonial-era history, stories from the Underground Railroad, historic architecture and more during this brand-new series of guided walking tours highlighting 10 Germantown sites. Tour themes change seasonally, so check the official website for more information (through November 2026, select dates).

Historic Germantown also has a number of exhibits, film screenings, dinners and other programming in the works for the year. Be sure to check out the website for the full lineup of 2026 happenings.

Throughout 2026 (dates vary by event)

When wealthy Philadelphia banker and merchant Stephen Girard died in 1831, he left a huge sum of money in his will to create a school for poor orphans — a school known today as Girard College. The school’s Founder’s Hall Museum marks the Semiquincentennial year with a slate of programs.

On one Wednesday each month, the museum invites the public to get up close views of (and even touch!) household artifacts from Girard’s early American home. A May walking tour takes participants through the nearby Fairmount neighborhood, while a June tour visits Old City, stopping by iconic Girard-affiliated sites.

Through December 2026 (dates vary by event)

At the University of Pennsylvania, the Semiquincentennial is an excellent opportunity to take a retrospective look at the past, present and future of our nation with a schedule of exhibitions, art commissions, performances and more:

• The Time to Right All Wrongs: France, Haiti, and Philadelphia in a Revolutionary Age at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center: America’s history-making declaration set off a worldwide freedom movement — from the Americas to Europe to the Caribbean. It also cemented Philly as a harbor for revolutionary refugees on all sides and an epicenter of thought leadership. Featuring rare books, documents, objects and images, this exhibit allows visitors to weigh in on the questions facing people during the revolutionary era (through Friday, September 4, 2026).

• Nursing the Revolution at the Barbara Bates Center for the History of Nursing: Where would our country be without nurses? This new exhibit looks at how revolutionary nurses were in shaping a young America’s healthcare landscape, explores the huge role nurses played during the Revolution and shows that nursing did not begin with Florence Nightingale — as many widely believe. The exhibit is open to the general public by appointment. Email [email protected] to schedule a visit (through Friday, November 20, 2026).

Through Monday, January 3, 2028

We all know how the American Revolutionary War ended. Now, a brand-new exhibition at the Independence Seaport Museum explores how our new nation built its economy back up in the aftermath.

Featuring roughly 150 rarely seen objects and artifacts, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade and the Making of America examines how the dream of America survived (and thrived) through new economic relationships and international trade alliances — and how China helped build America into the global superpower it is today.

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

Unbeknownst to many, the Declaration of Independence served many roles and went through numerous drafts before becoming the document we know today. The American Philosophical Society Museum (APSM) tapped into its vast holdings to tell a fuller version of the document’s history in its latest exhibit, timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary.

In addition to the many copies of the Declaration in the free exhibit, visitors can also see a rare first printing of Thomas Paine’s influential Common Sense, as well as the chair Thomas Jefferson sat in while he wrote.

Through Friday, January 8, 2027

In addition to contributing to the Revolutionary City Portal, a digital resource spotlighting Philly’s role in the founding of the nation, the curators at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania have been hard at work, digging into their archives to craft not one, but two brand-new exhibitions honoring 250 years of American history:

• The Changing Faces of Independence: On view during library hours, the free, two-phase exhibit looks at the paper trail our ancestors left in their documents ahead of two other big birthday celebrations: America’s 100th and 200th birthdays. The first half of the exhibit runs through Friday, April 24, 2026, and focuses on Pennsylvania in the 1800s, with a look at the 1900s coming in October 2026.
• Paths to Independence: In 10 short years, Founding Fathers and everyday Philadelphians alike went from identifying as loyal royal subjects of King George III to rebels demanding independence. This exhibit traces the dramatic evolution using rare original documents — letters, pamphlets, drafts of the Articles of Confederation and more (May 7 through September 18, 2026).

Through Monday, January 18, 2027

The Barnes Foundation commissioned Indigenous artist Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) to create 11 immersive panels for the museum’s Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court — all to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.

Hopinka’s immersive panels layer emotion-laden landscape photographs on copper sheets and ask viewers to ponder America’s complex history with Indigenous peoples — and what remains of their land. Free and open to the public through 2027, the exhibition also features a slate of programming that includes an artist discussion and several deep-dive talks.

Through Sunday, January 31, 2027

Over the last 250 years, few things have become as synonymous with America’s Independence Day celebrations as the loud crack and colorful sparks of a fireworks display. But the origins of the dazzling light shows are much, much older — going as far back as the second century B.C.

The Science History Institute in Old City illuminates the history and chemistry of fireworks in an explosive new exhibition, featuring historic rare books, fine art, the latest in modern-day pyrotechnic technologies and more.

Through Saturday, February 13, 2027 (dates vary by event)

Channeling the spirit of the 1976 Sin Colonias March (aka “the People’s Bicentennial”), Fairhill Puerto Rican arts and culture organization, Taller Puertorriqueño, marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with WE WILL NOT HIDE: Hidden Histories, Collective Voices and Creative Futures, a year-long slate of programs amplifying Puerto Rican and Afro-Latine perspectives, including:

• Children’s Art Exhibition: The art of Taller’s teen’s and children’s art programs take center stage for this exhibition featuring works that explore the traditions of masking in Latin American cultures as well as youth perspectives on the 1976 march (June 12 to July 4, 2026).
• Tramando Exhibition: This exhibition focuses on Kensington’s rich textile history and heritage. Helmed by textile artist Richie López, viewers get the opportunity to see stunning finished pieces (July 17 to August 15, 2026).
• en su SITIO: Celebrating 10 years of Taller’s El Corazón Cultural Center, this exhibition examines how our built environments impact our identities, showcasing the work of the cultural center’s lead architect, Antonio Fiol-Silva (September 11 to November 14, 2026)
• Taxonomy of a Dream: This exhibition by Philadelphia-based illustrator Armando Veve wraps up the year-long series with his dreamlike art that reflects on what it means to be alive (December 4, 2026 to February 13, 2027).

Through Sunday, February 14, 2027

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with exploring the nation’s western territories after the Louisiana Purchase. But did you know that Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences is home to nearly all the explorers’ original journals and preserved specimens related to their botanical research in its Lewis & Clark Herbarium?

For 2026, the institution highlights that collection in the new Botany of Nations exhibit, tracing the team’s journey through the stories and science of the plant knowledge with which they returned, imparted on them by the continent’s Indigenous nations.

Through Winter 2027

German-speaking people played a significant role in the founding of our nation — from politics to military to religion — and Historic Trappe in Montco commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary with three milestone initiatives across its three historic properties.

The Speaker’s House, the former home of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, opens to the public in 2026 in all its restored glory; the Muhlenberg House offers tours of the elegant home where indentured German and enslaved African servants once lived; and the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies hosts a landmark exhibition that highlights the lived experiences of Pennsylvania Germans, featuring original journals, family bibles, firearms, redware and more.

Through Sunday, April 25, 2027 (dates vary by event)

Montgomery County’s Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center commemorates the 250th with a full year of events, programs and exhibits, focusing on the area’s rich Revolution-era history. On the calendar:

• Independence Weekend: A local community collaboration hosts three days of food, fireworks and family-friendly fairs (July 3 to 5, 2026).
• Evolution of the Pennsylvania Longrifle: Early Years: A collection of rifles showcasing the artistic workmanship and global origin of historical firearms (July 18 to October 18, 2026).

For the full list of events, check out the official website.

Dates vary by exhibition/gallery

The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History marks the Semiquincentennial by overhauling its space to include two new permanent exhibit spaces and a 4,500-square-foot special exhibition space.

Now open, the space’s first special exhibit, The First Salute, takes a look at never-before-told stories of the Jewish community’s connections to the American Revolution. The exhibit features rare artifacts, original films and immersive videos, all weaving together a story about religious freedom, antisemitism in the colonial world, trade and life on the high seas (through April 2027).

Two new permanent exhibits open throughout 2026. Colors of Creation, a family-friendly exploration of the creation story, opens in July. A second permanent exhibit documents contemporary antisemitism, opening later in 2026.

Ongoing

Six local, independent businesses and organizations have opened pop-up shops — collectively called Meantime on Market — along the 900 block of Market East throughout Philly’s jam-packed summer.

• Grab a cuppa joe from Two Persons Coffee at 920 Market Street.
• Savor the flavor of summer in Philly by trying some water ice at Siddiq’s at 938 Market Street.
• Wear the runway when you grab some artisan-made threads at Almost Famous at 922 Market Street.
• Learn about the inaugural ArtPhilly festival and grab a schedule of performances and events at 932-934 Market Street.
• Pick out some fab furnishings at Rarify at 924 Market Street.
• Kick back in the Clubfriends Radio & Records’ living room to listen to some vintage vinyl at 926 Market Street.

Ongoing

An epic year of celebrating requires an equally epic array of food and drink specials in our very culinary city, including:

• McGillin’s Olde Ale House: Philly’s oldest continuously operating pub has got a timely special to savor throughout 2026. For $17.76, visitors can enjoy an Angus beef burger slathered with Bleu cheese, caramelized onions and roasted red peppers, all on a brioche bun, plus fries and a pint of Troegs Independent Brewing’s McGillin’s 1860 IPA.
• Philly First Brew: They say the best parties start with a great pour. Raise a pint to Philly’s biggest year yet with a brand-new brew even the Founding Fathers would approve of. Visit Philadelphia (hey, that’s us!) and Victory Brewing Company teamed up to create Philly First, a nostalgia-invoking beer proudly paying tribute to all the amazing firsts that happened in Philadelphia. Check Victory’s official Beer Finder for a map of locations serving up the beer.
• R&D Cocktail Bar: Fishtown’s R&D Cocktail Bar has launched a brand-new, themed drink menu to shower Philly’s cocktail connoisseurs with love this anniversary year, crafting drinks that honor the city’s neighborhoods, iconic places and historic moments (RIP Hitchbot).
• $17.76 Philly First Beer and Cheesesteak Special at Campo’s: Cheesesteaks and beer: name a more iconic duo — we’ll wait. The Old City staple for Philly’s official sandwich, Campo’s, joins America’s 250th birthday festivities with a limited-time steak-and-sip special, pairing the sando with Visit Philly’s (that’s us!) and Victory Brewing’s anniversary brew, Philly First, for only $17.76.

Keep America’s year-long birthday party going as the borough of Newtown in Bucks County honors America’s 250th birthday with an action-packed day of events.

The free, family-friendly event features historical displays,  a cookout with free hot dogs, chips and drinks, a fife and drum band, crafts for kids, a Revolutionary War encampment, graveyard tours at the Old Presbyterian Church of Newtown and more.

Reenactors portraying British soldiers, William Penn and Harriet Tubman bring Newtown’s rich history to life at sites across the area. Check out the extensive list of happenings at the official website.

The 126th United States Amateur Championship comes to Merion Golf Club’s East Course this August, adding another competition to the club’s honor of hosting the most USGA Championships in history. 

The week-long event brings the top male amateur golfers from across the country to the Montgomery County club for two days of stroke play before the main competition kicks off on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. 

Take SEPTA to Ardmore Avenue Station, steps away from the club’s entrance. Limited parking is available at Villanova University, with shuttle service to the club.

Another major sporting event heads to Philadelphia this summer as the UFC 330 comes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. It’s been 15 years since the arena hosted a UFC mixed martial arts championship event.

UFC 330 brings its trademarked eight-sided ring, called the Octagon, to provide fans with excellent views of the bout.

The fight card and ticket information remain under wraps. Sign up for UFC notifications to be the first to get the details when they become available.

Women’s professional tennis returns to Philadelphia this summer for the Philadelphia Tennis Classic, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament, on the only U.S. stop on the East Coast ahead of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

Spectators can enjoy sweet views of the city skyline at the host site — the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center — with an additional 1,200 temporary seats coming to center court for the event.

Philly’s history of hosting pro women’s tennis started way back in 1887 when the Philadelphia Cricket Club hosted the first U.S. National Women’s Championships.

Delaware County hosts a family-friendly Semiquincentennial celebration in August, culminating in a dazzling drone show.

The day-long event transforms the Haverford High School Football Stadium into a huge festival, featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, a craft village, costumed historical characters, a dedicated kids’ zone with inflatables, and — the grand finale — an illuminated and choreographed drone show.

Visit Delco sponsors the event, free and open to the public, with recommended pre-registration tickets.

Break out the spandex! The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back after a decade-long hiatus as part of Philly’s monster year celebrating America’s 250th.

The internationally renowned race — a beloved tradition in the city for more than 30 years — returns for the first time since 2016 with both men’s and women’s races.

A 14.4-mile circuit course will take riders down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Lemon Hill and up the “Manayunk Wall,” a grueling hill featuring a 17% grade. Ouch. Catch us rooting from the sidelines.

Fairmount Park’s largest historic house hosts an art exhibition curated to coincide with the Semiquincentennial that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Committee of 1926 — the group that oversees the Historic Strawberry Mansion. The exhibition showcases the works of Philadelphia-based artists who were excluded from showing their art at the time the committee formed.

Invisible no more, the works of renowned Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ artists proudly take the spotlight in this exhibition featuring an array of media on display, including paintings, textiles, photographs, pottery and three-dimensional art.

Late summer 2026

Coming this summer, the country’s best city for public art opens its highly anticipated interactive showpiece: FloatLab, a 75-foot-wide floating art installation and classroom in the Schuylkill River along the southern shoreline of Bartram’s Garden in Kingsessing.

FloatLab’s ADA-compliant platform gives visitors a constant eye-level river view, as the system of ballast chambers allows the platform to ebb and flow as the tide comes in and out. The space can hold an entire class or group of visitors and offers an endless list of opportunities to see and experience the river (and Philly!) from a completely different vantage point.

Stay tuned for more info about how and when the public can access this exciting new space.

Summer & Winter 2026

Washington Crossing Historic Park — the site of George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware — honors the bravery, dedication and lasting legacy of the general and the Continental Army.

In addition to its regular lineup of living history programs, guided tours and more, the park is set to host three major community-wide events in 2026: an expanded Independence Day celebration and fireworks display and two reimagined December Crossing Reenactments.

The park also debuts some exciting new enhancements to the visitor experience, including upgrades to its Visitor Center Gallery and renovations to its historic buildings. Stay tuned to the official website for more information.

Produced by the Center for Architecture and Design, DesignPhiladelphia highlights the brilliance and creativity of Philadelphia’s design community — from young aspiring artists to the most seasoned designers.

Now in its 22nd year, the multi-day fest features a whole host of events and installations. Be on the lookout for panels, parties, hands-on family-friendly activities and tours when this year’s programming is announced on the event’s official website.

Good for: First looks at groundbreaking design
Know before you go: Check the official website for updates.

October 1-31, 2026 (dates vary by event)

The Philadelphia Film Festival turns 35 this year! Time to bust out the popcorn for these film-tastic celebrations:

• Surprise! 35: Already underway, the Philadelphia Film Society showcases one rarely screened film each month. The catch? You need to show up to see what’s playing. Surprise! (Ongoing)
• 35mm Screenings: October means an extended festival season, starting with two weeks of classic films — all presented in 35mm glory (October 1 to 14, 2026).
• 35th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival: Lights, camera … action! Each year, PFS travels the world to find innovative new films to feature, this year promising world, U.S. and Philadelphia premieres (October 15 to 25, 2026).

Salute the 70,000 vets who live in the Philadelphia region at the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade and Festival — scaled up to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The dramatic arrival of parachuters — timed to coincide with a performance of the national anthem — officially kicks off the massive Benjamin Franklin Parkway procession of over 3,000 paraders, including marching bands, honorarium brigades, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, local celebrities, and 200 (!) motorcyclists.

The fun culminates with vendors, food and entertainment at an all-ages festival at Eakins Oval.