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July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Time of fireworks: Friday, July 4, 2025 at 9:30 p.m. (subject to change pending weather and performance-length delays)
Independence Day in Philadelphia — the birthplace of the nation — isn’t a one-day event. The city officially celebrates the holiday with 16 straight days of festive events running from Juneteenth to July Fourth during its annual Wawa Welcome America festival.
This massive citywide celebration deserves an equally grand send-off. Hence, Philadelphia’s spectacular — and 100% free-to-all — July 4th Fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The show draws major crowds to the Parkway each year and comes directly after a full evening of free activities and a highly anticipated concert featuring Latin Grammy Award-winning artist Álvaro Díaz and Grammy Award-winning icon JoJo.
The fireworks are set to take off at 9:30 p.m. That said, the illuminated display’s official start time is subject to change without notice pending weather and performance lengths.
After 16 days of festivities — including an all-day festival and star-studded concert on July Fourth, commonly referred to as the Party on the Parkway — Wawa Welcome America closes out the holiday with a show-stopping finale: the city’s largest Independence Day fireworks display.
Guests gather on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to watch as a breathtaking fireworks show paints the skies over the Philadelphia Museum of Art red, white, blue and more.
— Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
Those who’d like to watch the show from the Parkway can enter the festival grounds at Logan Circle (North 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway) and stake out their spot early. The gates open at 4 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
The fireworks go off directly after the concert’s conclusion at 9:30 p.m. (pending weather and performance lengths).
For more information on the July 4th Fireworks, click the button below.
As Independence City, Philly knows its fireworks.
Throughout the July 4th Wawa Welcome America concert, the crowd’s energy was electric as superstars belted out certified bangers. But then, as the music wound down and the fireworks began lighting up the night, silence.
It was a hush so quiet you could hear the drip of melting Firecracker Ice Pops. People stopped in place. All eyes were on the skies as bursts of cascading color rumbled above the Art Museum. For 15 magical minutes, we were family.
Tip: Don’t worry if you can’t get as close as you’d like. There’s not a bad seat on the Parkway.
Thousands of onlookers — Philadelphia residents and visitors alike — flock to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Wawa Welcome America’s fireworks finale.
The festival grounds are a perfect for taking in the breathtaking lights, but they aren’t the only spot to catch the show. If you are looking for alternatives, we have a few recommendations.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
Regardless of where you decide to watch the fireworks, we highly recommend that you arrive well beforehand to ensure you are ready for showtime.
Click the button below for our full guide to where to catch the Fourth of July Fireworks.
Before the dazzling fireworks display, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway plays host to an epic Fourth of July festival and concert on Philly’s biggest stage, headlined by two award-winning musicians: Latin Grammy Award-winner Álvaro Díaz and Grammy Award-winner JoJo.
— Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia
Throughout the day, guests can expect performances by local performers, interactive activities for the whole family and fun giveaways.
On the food front: Hungry attendees can pick up pay-as-you-go grub from local food trucks, and the 21-plus crowd can indulge in wine and cocktails at the on-site beer garden. Rita’s Water Ice and giveaways of Herr’s chips are also on deck.
Festivalgoers looking to watch the concert on the Parkway must go through the entry point at Logan Circle at 20th Street. Gates open at 4 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served. Remember to BYO-blankets, chairs and snacks.
Can’t make it to the party in person? Folks wanting to watch the festivities from the comfort of home can tune in to the live broadcast on NBC10 and a number of streaming platforms.
Click the button below for more info about the July 4th Concert.
The Wawa Welcome America concert and fireworks bonanza draws 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:
Celebrate America’s birthday in America’s birthplace!
Philadelphia, home to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, celebrates the Fourth of July by lighting up the streets, the skies and the stages across the city and region, from the start of the Wawa Welcome America festival to the incredible fireworks finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Again this year, Wawa Welcome America features a variety of family-friendly events commemorating both Juneteenth and the Fourth of July, holidays that together tell a more complete picture of freedom and liberty — from the nation’s founding in 1776 to the end of slavery in 1865.
Pops on Independence — Photo courtesy Wawa Welcome America
Once again, this year’s festivities pay tribute to the richness and diversity of Philadelphia’s communities, cultures and traditions with 16 days of multicultural and multigenerational programming from free admission to museums and attractions in the city, hoagie giveaways from Wawa, community events, concerts, fireworks displays (like this one!) and much more — all for free.
Find our complete guide to July Fourth in Greater Philadelphia by clicking the button below.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?