A 2025 Procrastinator’s Guide to Fourth of July events in Philly

Philly is already in the thick of Fourth of July week preparations and festivities with Wawa s Welcome America lineup in full swing and countless other holiday-themed events scheduled across the city And it doesn t end on July which lands on a Friday this year opening up the ensuing weekend to extended celebrations From fireworks and backyard BBQs to museum days and history-infused events to remind us of what and why America once fought for independence Billy Penn is here to help you plan or update your to-do list Wednesday July Red White Blue To-Do Pomp and Parade a m to p m A flag-raising chocolate-making storytelling live poetry and music and more pomp and parade that begins at the Betsy Ross House Then a parade of fun and festive wagon floats each fully decked out with iconic Philly landmarks and patriotic flair leave from the National Constitution Center on what is the longest parade passage yet passing Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and ending on rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets All American Block Party a m to p m Enjoy pay-as-you-go food trucks family-friendly engagements and games special activations and extended hours at local museums and attractions and a performance from DJ Sophia Rocks a -year-old musical prodigy who began DJing at age Where rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets Wednesday Night at Eastern State Penitentiary to p m Reflect on the theme of Independence Incarceration at the historic prison Consider the complex paradox of American freedom inside the walls of this prison-turned-historic-site and reflect on civil rights mass incarceration and social justice Where Fairmount Avenue online in advance at the door Salute to Operation The United States Army Field Band p m The U S Army Field Band returns to Independence Mall as part of the Independence Concert Series Performers will also include husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty Limited seating available on a first-come first-serve basis BYO chair or blanket Where Sphere Street Thursday July Pops on Independence to p m An over- -year tradition returns as the Philly Pops take to the stage for the first time under their new name As a bonus Ben Folds joins the orchestra for a special performance Limited seating available on a first-come first-serve basis BYO chair or blanket Where Independence Mall at Chestnut Street Friday July Patriotic Pet Costume Contest a m Do you have the greater part patriotic pet in Philadelphia Find out at the third annual Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House Well-behaved pets of all kinds are welcome Register in advance or on-site on the day of the event Participation is capped at participants The five prizes include Best in Show Betsy Pet Owner Duo Largest part Inspired by Betsy Majority Patriotic and Best Non-Canine Where Betsy Ross House at Arch Street National Constitution Center Independence Week a m to p m Flag-raising ceremonies a show about the History of Independence a look at a fragment of the Lincoln flag and learning about the four Harriets of U S history Harriet Robinson Scott Harriet Tubman Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Beecher Stowe who confronted slavery through literature lawsuits and direct action Where th and Arch Streets Free admission Battleship New Jersey Fireworks on the Battleship p m Enjoy the view of fireworks from the Camden side of the Delaware River aboard the Battleship New Jersey Live music face painting food concessions and a full-service bar will be available Where Camden N J side of the Delaware River Ferry-accessible tickets The Wawa Welcome America Concert and Fireworks show will feature LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan Courtesy Wawa Welcome America Welcome America Concert and Fireworks Since this festival concert and fireworks show has been a staple of Philly s Independence Day celebrations even as it evolved from a day-long event centered on the Ben Franklin Parkway into a -day multicultural lineup at locations across the city that also incorporates Juneteenth celebrations This year the musical lineup features LL Cool J DJ Z-Trip and Philly s own Grammy winner Jazmine Sullivan The night also kicks off with performances from Grammy-nominated Jojo and Latin trap sensation Alvaro Diaz Gates open at p m for the p m show Tickets aren t needed but prepare for big crowds and tight assurance Bags will be checked The single entrance will be located at Logan Circle at th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway Here s a list of prohibited items including selfie sticks posters alcohol and ski masks The boulevard will be lined with tents for free physical condition screenings local food trucks Rita s Italian Ice and a Herr s chip giveaway Fireworks over the Parkway begin at p m Exercises include a Beer Garden sponsored by Tito s Handmade Vodka with a lemonade spritz cocktail and Chaddsford Wine available for purchase If you can t make it in-person or just want to avoid the crowds the concert and fireworks will air on NBC Peacock Roku Samsung TV Plus Amazon Fire TV Pluto and Xumo Play as well as nbc com and the NBC app Saturday July Yacht Rock Cook Out Noon to p m A Fourth of July weekend classic cookout in the Evil Genius Beer Company beer garden with DJ Bob Beast At p m New Yacht City plays a free live show at the taproom Multi-Day Events Free Museum Days various dates and times The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts M tter Museum and Historical Library Historic St George s Museum and Archives and Cliveden of the National Trust are among the multiple museums and historical institutions hosting free admission days for the holiday Fireworks Good viewing locations for Penn s Landing fireworks Penn s Landing and its staircase Anywhere along Dock to South streets Spruce Street Harbor Park Race Street Pier or Cherry Street Pier Good viewing locations for Art Museum fireworks Lemon Hill Schuylkill Banks Kelly Drive Paine s Park Belmont Park Girard Avenue Bridge Drexel Park Fireworks safety Are fireworks legal in Philly Yes but only consumer fireworks like bottle rockets and firecrackers and only for adults age and older Where and when you can set off fireworks Review our handy guide to Philly s rules and regulations before the big day For non-holidays quiet hours are either after p m Philly s ordinance or between p m and a m a state law However July and the weekend before it allow an exception a a m cutoff Where can you buy fireworks Not in Philly according to the state list There are a insufficient sellers in the suburbs though National Fire Protection Association statistics show fireworks start more than fires per year and cause an average of million in direct property damage If you re using fireworks be safe about it General safety A happy holiday means a safe holiday So keep these tips for BBQ safety grilling safety and driving safety in mind going into the long weekend Drive safely Wear a seatbelt when in a car or truck Wear a life vest when on the water Pennsylvania state officers also shared their annual reminder this week to stay sober while driving whether that s a car boat bike or other moving carriage Drink responsibly The state Fish and Boat Commission will be doing sobriety tests on the water and Pa State Police say During the July th holiday we re showing zero tolerance to drunk driving Use oven grill mitts and gloves and don t wear long sleeves or anything loose that can catch fire when grilling Keep children away and don t leave a barbecue pit unattended Ensure your grill has good ventilation and no leaks DIY outdoor grills and kitchens are popular so make sure they re also safe and have no recalls Keep them on a flat surface and outdoors not indoors Clean your grill after use Don t leave grease to accumulate and cause a fire hazard Know your history Go beyond the touristy spots This primer on Philly s Revolutionary-era history map included will take you to Cliveden and Fort Mifflin on the Delaware the Thaddeus Ko ciuszko National Memorial and dozens of historical markers Join a non-traditional walking tour which explores the city s diverse cultural history led by women LGBQT pioneers South Asian Americans Jewish Americans and others Which museums are free Family-friendly Cover less-known communities This historic landmark index will help you narrow down your Philly options Go on a self-guided tour of Philadelphia s abolition history starting from the WHYY Studio on the site of the former Pennsylvania Hall built as a meeting place for abolitionists in then burned down by anti-Black rioters three days after opening Pay your respects to fallen soldiers founding fathers and notable historical figures alike In addition to this guide to war memorials around Philly there is the Christ Church burial ground where Ben Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried and foreseen African American burial grounds where pioneers in the group rest Explore specific of Philly s unique murals and architecture The Philadelphia region has an thought-provoking tie to Juneteenth Soldiers who trained at Camp William Penn were part of the army corps that secured Union control of Galveston Texas a limited days before Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No the proclamation of freedom on June Protest is patriotic In after the Supreme Court reversal of Roe vs Wade people took to the streets to advocacy women s rights and reproductive freedom Before that the summer of was full of protests amid national outcry over the murder of George Floyd and others And this isn t a new thing here are five notable Fourth of July protests from the th to st centuries The city has commemorated the Fourth of July with everything from presidential visits to parades and picnics The Bicentennial Celebration in is widely considered a flop But it s the reason we have Valley Forge National Historic Park the clothespin statue the LOVE sculpture and an expanded Independence Mall that includes the Liberty Bell As Philly gears up for the semiquincentennial let s hope we learn from past mistakes The post A Procrastinator s Guide to Fourth of July events in Philly appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY