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OTHER THINGS TO DO

List of Events 

July things to do

 

Thurs., July 2

 

Red, White & Blue To Do:

  • Living Liberty Bell

    • 7:00AM – The day kicks off with 250 people gathering on Independence Mall to form an outline of the Liberty Bell

  • Flag Raising at Betsy Ross House

    • 9:00AM – The bells ring as the official flag raising at the Betsy Ross House signals that museums have opened and the party has begun!

  • All American Block Party

    • 11:00AM – 3rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. The block party will include music, food, family-friendly activities and games, plus highlights from Historic District attractions

  • Colonial Chocolate Making

    • 11:00AM – 2:00PM – Meet colonial chocolate maker Mary Crathorne at the Betsy Ross House and learn how chocolate was made in colonial times

  • Time Capsule Dedication

    • Time TBD – A time capsule with items from all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and 5 U.S. territories will be on display at the Liberty Bell center before being ceremonially buried on July 4 at Independence National Historic Park.

  • Session of Congress

Fri, July 3

  • Free Museum Days:

  • Meet the Revolution with Michele Gabrielson

    • 10:00AM – 5:00PM – Educator and historic interpreter Michele Gabrielson bring Mary Katherine Goddard, printer and postmaster of Baltimore during the American Revolution, to life! Informal drop-in program with storytelling and material items related to printing. Location: Rotunda of the Museum of the American Revolution. Cost: Free

  • 38th Annual Liberty Medal Ceremony

    • 11:00AM – 12:00PM – Pope Leo XIV will be awarded the 38th Annual Liberty Medal via live telecast. Location: Independence Mall. Cost: Free

  • Colonial Kids Quest

    • 11:30AM – 12:30PM – Puppet show adventure where young ones (and adults) will help animal puppets search for a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence! Location: Independence Mall. Cost: Free

  • Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade

    • 12:00PM – 4:00PM – Parade featuring 250 elements featuring all 50 states and U.S. territories with marching bands, floats, historic showcases and special military units. Location: Independence Mall to Logan Circle. Cost: Free

  • Meet Ben Franklin

    • 2:00PM – 2:PM – Meet Ben Franklin in Franklin Court by the historic mulberry tree. Location – Franklin Court, Cost: Free.

  • Pops on Independence

    • 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Outdoor concert of patriotic tunes featuring the Philly Pops, headlined by Idina Menzel. Guests suggested to bring their own chairs or blankets. Location: Independence Mall. Cost: Free.

  • 1776: The Movie Musical

    • 8:30PM – An outdoor screening of 1776! Interactive props, sing-alongs and colonial costume contest and trivia. Location: Betsy Ross House. Cost: $25.00

 

Sat., July 4

 

  • Free Museum Days:

  • Union Pacific Big Boy

    • 9:00AM – 3:00PM – Union Pacific’s famed “Big Boy” train #4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, arrives in Philadelphia! Location: Rail yard south of Xfinity Mobile Arena. Location: Intrepid Ave & Long Island Blvd. Cost: Free

  • Revolutionary War Encampment

    • 10:00AM – 5:00PM – Re-created revolutionary military encampment with reenactors, including an 18th century surgeon, artisans and soldiers. Location: Front lawn of National Constitution Center. Cost: Free

  • Celebration of Freedom Ceremony

    • 10:00 – 11:00 – Ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the country on Independence Mall. Awards, speeches and live music. Location: Independence Mall. Cost: Free.

  • Printmaking & Papermaking

    • 10:00AM – 1:45PM – Printing workshop and papermaking demonstration shows how word was spread about the move towards independence. Location: Lobby of Museum of the American Revolution. Cost: Free.

  • Schoolhouse Rock Live!

    • 11:00AM – 3:00PM (hourly) – 25 minute family-friendly performance & sing-along based on the award-winning television series. Location: Kirby Auditorium, Constitution Center. Cost: Free.

  • July 4th Festival

    • 11:00AM – 1:00PM – The 52 Weeks of Firsts festival celebrating the financial foundation of America. Location: First Bank. Cost: Free

  • A Quiet Roar: Immersive Performance

    • 11:00AM & 12:30PM – A 45 minute interpretive performance will bridge the stories of Bayard Rustin and Sarah Mapps Douglass, two Philadelphia black Quakers from a century apart. Location: Arch Street Meeting House. Free, but registration required

  • Colonial Kids Quest

    • 11:00AM & 12:30PM – Puppet show adventure where young ones (and adults) will help animal puppets search for a missing copy of the Declaration of Independence! Location: 18th Century Garden, 339 Walnut Street. Cost: Free

  • Echoes of Independence

    • 12:00 – 1:00PM – Historic bell and organ concert with a historical talk exploring the story of the bells and their role in the church and city. Location: Christ Church. Cost: $5.00 donation requested.

  • Meet Ben Franklin

    • 1:00PM & 2:30PM – Meet Ben Franklin in Franklin Court by the historic mulberry tree. Location – Franklin Court, Cost: Free.

  • One City Unity Concert for America

    • 5:00PM – 11:45PM – Six hour free concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway, expected to be the largest free concert in America, with immersive fan experiences and diverse selection of food, and fireworks over the Art Museum just before midnight. Gates open at 3:00PM. Location: Ben Franklin Parkway, Cost: Free

 

Sun., July 5

 

  • Stars, Stripes & Sprinkles Family Festival

    • 10:00AM – 3:00PM – Family-oriented Independence Day weekend featuring cake decorating, sing-alongs, party games & crafts and live music. Location: Philadelphia Museum of Art. Cost: Donations requested

  • Philadelphia Freedom Bank Performance

    • 11:00AM – Special musical performance by the Philadelphia Freedom marching band and color guard with jazz and concert ensembles. Location: Plaza in front of Museum of the American Revolution. Cost: Free

  • Sounds of America Rock Opera

    • 7:00PM – 9:00PM – Location: Fringe Arts, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd. Cost: $60.00 - $70.00

  • Paul Simon: A Quiet Celebration Tour

  • Franklin Institute: Universal Theme Parks – The Exhibition (World Premier)

  • Historic Germantown Green Stamp Rally

    • 10:00AM – 6:00PM, Location 5501 Germantown Avenue. Cost: Free

 

Mon., July 6

 

 

Tue., July 7

  • Sarah Mc Lachlan: Better Broken Tour with Allison Russell

  • Buggin’ Out: Meet Your Backyard’s Best Bug Buddies

    • 5:00PM – 7:00PM, Location, Fair Hill in Germantown. Cost: Free

 

Wed., July 8

 

  • Meet former Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels!  

 

Mon., July 10

 

  • Cocktails & Congress

    • 5:30PM – 6:30PM – Enjoy cocktails and light snacks as you witness the founding fathers debate independence in historic Carpenters’ Hall, the site of the First Continental Congress. Location: Carpenters’ Hall. Cost: $50.00 (includes two cocktails)

  • MLB All-Star Game & All Star Week

    • 7:00PM – 11:00PM, The All-Star game returns to Philadelphia for the first time since 1996! Check out the home run derby, celebrity softball game and more fun experiences! Location: Citizens Bank Park. Cost: Paid Admission

 

Tue., July 11

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