Philadelphia — known as the "the birthplace of America" — will be hosting a number of activities celebrating Independence Day on Monday, July 4.
The main event in Philadelphia on July 4 is the Wawa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which will begin at 9:45 p.m.
The fireworks display is the finale to Wawa Welcome America, a 16-day free festival from June 19 to July 4 that celebrates different perspectives on American independence. The festival has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1993 and has been sponsored by Wawa since 2010.
Prior to the fireworks show, an event with entertainment, food trucks, and games – known as Party on the Parkway – will begin at 12 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the festival will turn into a concert with performances by Jason Derulo, Ava Max, and Tori Kelly. The concert will conclude with music from DJ Ghost and Q102 that will sync up to the fireworks.
Wawa Welcome America also includes the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and the Independence Day Parade on July 4.
The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Independence Hall. It will feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence as well as the presentation of several awards, including the Wawa Foundation Hero Award and Mayor Jim Kenney's Magis Award.
The Salute to America Independence Day Parade will begin marching at 11 a.m. at the intersection of 2nd and Market streets. The parade will then proceed on Market Street towards City Hall. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, and dance performances.
Throughout the weekend, free admission will be offered to a number of museums in Philadelphia. On Sunday, July 3, free admission will be offered to the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
On Monday, July 4, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and the National Constitution Center will be free to visit.
From July 2 to July 4, the National Constitution Center will also offer a recreated Revolutionary War encampment on its front lawn from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is partnering with the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment to present this reenactment, where visitors can witness an Army soldier march, observe a blacksmith create tools out of steel, and talk with the surgeon.
On July 3 at 7 p.m., the Philly POPS concert will occur at Independence Mall in Old City. The concert will feature the nation's largest pops orchestra, playing a variety of patriotic songs and pop hits.
The Spirit of Philadelphia is also offering special Fourth of July cruises, which will feature viewings of the fireworks display from the Delaware River.
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