WHAT: Free Museum Day at the Philadelphia History Museum
Visitors can enjoy free admission to the Philadelphia History Museum on July 4 as part of Wawa Welcome America’s Free Museum Days. The museum’s collections and exhibits reflect Philadelphia’s history and diversity.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Philadelphia History Museum – 15 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
WHAT: Free Museum Day at National Museum of American Jewish History
The National Museum of American Jewish History is offering free admission on July 4 as part of Wawa Welcome America’s Free Museum Days. Visitors will experience 360 years of American Jewish history community through spotlight talks, story times, and arts and crafts.
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: National Museum of American Jewish History – 101 S. Independence Mall E.,
Philadelphia, PA 19106
WHAT: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
Join Honorable James F. Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, and City Representative Sheila Hess on the morning of July 4th for a patriotic ceremony at Independence Hall. Mayor Kenney will present the Magis Award to Philadelphia Hometown Hero Ralph Galati. Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman will join The Philly POPS BIG Band in a special reading of an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. The Wawa Foundation Hero Award will be presented by the Wawa Foundation to a Philadelphia non-profit organization.
The United States Of America’s Independence Day Parade
The annual United States of America’s Independence Day Parade will be held from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Independence Mall. 4,000 participants will parade through Historic Philadelphia during this year’s patriotic parade. For the full parade route visit https://welcomeamerica.com/event/independence-day-parade/.
WHO: Honorable James F. Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia
City Representative Sheila Hess
Philly POPS BIG Band
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson
Councilman Mark Squilla
City Council
Boyz II Men Members Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris
Chris Gheysens, President & CEO of Wawa Inc.
Jay Culotta, President of the Wawa Foundation
WHEN: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The United States Of America’s Independence Day Parade – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: In front of Independence Hall – 6th & Chestnut Streets
ADDITIONAL
INFO: No-Drone Zone and No helicopter activity prior and during events for Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and concert & fireworks on the Ben Franklin Parkway, 7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
WHAT: 6th Annual Birthday Party
On the morning of July 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m., a five-tier cake will be decorated and 2,500 cupcakes displayed in the shape of an American flag. At 1:00 p.m., when decoration of the cake is complete, Betsy Ross, accompanied by a fife and drum, will lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” and cut the cake to celebrate our nation’s 241st birthday. Termini Bros. Bakery will serve the cake and cupcakes to the public for FREE. First come, first served.
WHEN: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE: Independence Visitor Center – 6th Street & Market Street
WHAT: Entertainment on Independence Mall
Independence Mall will host free entertainment from 1 – 5 p.m. Visitors can explore Historic Philadelphia at a number of sites including Independence National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the New Hall Military Museum, Franklin Court, the Bishop White House and the Graff House – all for free!
WHEN: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Independence Mall – 5th Street & Market Street
WHAT: Flaghouse Chapter NSDAR’s Children’s Naturalization Ceremony
Thirteen newly naturalized American children will take the Oath of Allegiance at the Betsy Ross House on our nation’s birthday.
WHO: Honorable James F. Kenney, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Betsy Ross House – 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
WHAT: Party on the Parkway
Following the Independence Day Parade, along the Bejamin Franklin Parkway guests can enjoy five blocks of free entertainment, food and fun for the whole family. An interactive kids area will feature the Strider Bikes obstacle course, a zip line and other games. Guests can bring their pets to the Amtrak All Aboard Pet Zone. For those 21+, enjoy cold brews and Barefoot wine at one of the featured pop-up beer gardens. At 1 p.m., KIDZ BOP Kids will take the stage to perform a free live concert on the Parkway. Guests can also interact with fun activations from the US Army and enjoy free entertainment on the PA Lottery Groove Stage. Ditch your keys and Uber to one of our events. New users get $15 off their first trip with code WELCOMEAMERICA.
WHEN: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE: 20th St. and Eakins Oval on the Ben Franklin Parkway
WHAT: Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert and Fireworks
Mary J. Blige is the headliner of this year’s Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert. This year’s concert will also honor Philadelphia’s own Boyz II Men and feature guest performers The Philly POPS, Tony DeSare, Mandy Gonzalez, and Luis Figueroa. Guests can enjoy food trucks, beer gardens and other fun activities along the Parkway. The concert will begin promptly at 7 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Following the concert at 9:30 p.m., the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks display will be held over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The sky will light up red, white and blue in honor of our nation’s birthday. The show will be aired on NBC10 and Telemundo62.
WHO: Mary J. Blige
Boyz II Men
Philly POPS BIG Band
Mandy Gonzalez
Tony DeSare
Luis Figueroa
WHEN: Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert – 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks – 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
