Photo by Joanne Quinn (Director of Communication and Marking), courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.

Though I’ll be traveling to Northwest Ohio to spend the holiday with my family, I must admit, there’s nowhere I’d rather be on July 4th than Philadelphia. As the photo above demonstrates, there’s something special about celebrating Independence Day where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. There’s a unique energy that fills the city every July, and this year is sure to be another fabulous jamboree. Starting on June 29th, Wawa Welcome America! will be hosting a number of free festivities throughout the city. So, while I’m at home [in Ohio], eating potato salad [at a cookout], wondering if I’ll be able to see any fireworks, Philadelphia will be celebrating America’s birthday with a magnificent party. Whatever your holiday plans may be, check out these fun events beginning tomorrow:

Museums

• Free Museum Day at the National Constitution Center, Thursday, June 29, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Free Museum Day at Penn Museum, Friday, June 30, 10:00 a.m.  – 5:00 p.m.
• Free Museum Night at Eastern State Penitentiary, Friday, June 30, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Photo by Eastern State Penitentiary, courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.

• Free Museum Morning at One Liberty Observation Deck, Saturday, July 1, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Free Museum Day at the African American Museum, Saturday, July 1, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Museum Day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Pay What You Wish), Sunday, July 2, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Movies

• Philly @ the Movies: “Despicable Me 2,” Thursday, June 29, Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Philly @ the Movies: “The Lego Batman Movie,” Friday, June 30, Panati Playground, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Philly @ the Movies: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Saturday, July 1, Vernon Park, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Philly @ the Movies: “Rocky,” Sunday, July 2, steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

“Rocky,” photo courtesy of IndieWire.

• Philly @ the Movies: “SING,” Monday, July 3, Franklin Square, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Concerts

• Summer Mummers Concert, Thursday, June 29, Mummers Museum, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• The Philadelphia Orchestra Concert & Fireworks, Friday, June 30, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

The Philadelphia Orchestra, photo by Jessica Griffin, courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.

• US Army Band “Perishing’s Own” Concert & Fireworks, Saturday, July 1, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Philly POPS on Independence, Monday, July 3, Independent Hall, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Concert, Tuesday, July 4, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks

• Wawa Welcome America Fireworks, Friday, June 30, Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Wawa Welcome America Fireworks, Saturday, July 1, Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Freedom Festival Fireworks, Tuesday, July 4, Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 p.m.  – 10:00 p.m.
• Wawa Welcome America July 4^th Fireworks, Tuesday, July 4, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 9:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, photo courtesy of NBC Philadelphia.

Independence Day 

• Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, Independence Hall, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• The United States of America’s Independence Day Parade, Independence Mall, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Party on the Parkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• 6^th Annual Birthday Party, Independence Visitor Center, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Entertainment on Independence Mall, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, photo by R. Myers for Visit Philadelphia.

For a complete listing of July 4th events, please explore visitphilly.com. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday, Nova Nation!