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On July 4, 1776, the United States of America was born here in Philadelphia. 2026 marks the landmark 250th anniversary of the country — and the year-long celebration is well underway in Philly.
The Semiquincentennial in Philadelphia is centered around Independence Day, featuring the 16-day, Juneteenth-to-July-Fourth Wawa Welcome America festival.
Several enormous sporting events come to Philly in 2026, including FIFA World Cup 26, the MLB All-Star Game and the PGA Championship.
Additional big events include the yearlong 52 Weeks of Firsts celebration and the all-day TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures event, plus citywide art showcases A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and ArtPhilly’s five-week-long What Now festival.
And like every milestone national anniversary before, new institutions will open, including the First Bank of the United States museum, the Philly Pride Visitor Center in Midtown Village, the Pennsylvania Hospital Museum, two new permanent galleries at the National Constitution Center and much more.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to special/one-of-a-kind/only-in-2026 events, festivals and exhibitions in Greater Philadelphia — and check back often! New announcements and event updates are added regularly.
Feeling scroll fatigue? We’ve got you covered. To help you navigate the long list of events, we’ve added a filter below to sort by date or category.
Want to learn about the city’s major annual events, exciting exhibitions, can’t-miss festivals and more in 2026? Check out our big roundup here.
Now open
The Penn Museum celebrates the first Americans — the Indigenous tribes that lived here long before the Founding Fathers touched pen to paper — with the opening of this expansive gallery.
Curated in close collaboration with several Indigenous consulting curators, the new gallery explores “the political, religious, linguistic and artistic self-determination” of America’s Indigenous peoples. Over 250 artifacts and art pieces showcase Indigenous history and culture from tribes throughout the country, including the Delaware/Lenape tribe, the Eastern Band Cherokee tribe, the Lingít tribe, and more.
Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
Founded on principles of equality, Philadelphia is a welcoming and inspirational place for LGBTQ+ travelers, offering inclusive arts and nightlife, vibrant shopping and dining, and a long history of LGBTQ+ activism. Philly begins a new chapter of inclusion in 2026 with the opening of one of America’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ visitor centers.
The Philly Pride Visitor Center in the Gayborhood offers souvenirs, attraction ticketing, itinerary planning and other travel information, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ and ally businesses, destinations and cultural institutions. The center also highlights Philly’s role in LGBTQ+ rights and history.
Where: S. 12th Street & Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
An abandoned 19th-century bank in Old City has been transformed into an immersive, 6-story work of art called Ministry of Awe (MoA).
The building-wide work of art inside the former bank celebrates “human-ness” with installations, interactive sculptures, immersive soundscapes, live performances and murals. Global artist and creative mind behind the transformative art experience, Meg Saligman, collaborated with more than 100 artists to create the massive work.
Where: Ministry of Awe, 27 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Now on view
What better way to celebrate the Semiquincentennial than by letting freedom ring?
Bells Across PA — a statewide art exhibition in partnership with America250PA and Mural Arts Philadelphia — is showcasing festively painted Liberty Bell replicas in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, with Philadelphia alone set to display 27.
Philly’s large fiberglass Liberty Bell sculptures have been installed at commercial corridors and public parks, with each bell’s design capturing the spirit and identity of a different neighborhood.
If you’d like to see them all (scavenger hunt, anyone?), check out our guide on where you can find the bells. Happy exploring!
Where: Various locations including Leon H. Sullivan Human Services Center, 1415 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Now on view (dates vary by attraction)
To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Clay Studio — the nation’s largest ceramic arts organization — creates an expansive exhibition showcasing work from 45 artists across 20 arts and culture sites. Artists ground their creative work in historical research conducted at these sites to inspire pieces that explore themes of independence throughout the evolution of America.
Radical Americana’s exhibition showcases works across Greater Philadelphia and the Countryside, including:
Bookmark the official site for updates; dates and times vary by location.
Where: Various locations including The Clay Studio, 1425 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA
This new major exhibition series at the National Liberty Museum showcases three different exhibitions in one, each offering a different perspective on one of the United States’ most core freedoms: the First Amendment’s freedom of assembly — the right to protest, express opinions and gather peacefully for a shared cause.
The immersive new Showing Up Since 1776 exhibition explores how regular people across history used collective action to drive great change, leveraging meeting halls, concert stages and city streets to celebrate culture and demand justice.
Next, the new Art of Free Assembly exhibition explores the full spectrum of assembly, examines why we do it instinctively, and highlights how it sustains local communities and American democracy.
And In the Arena: Sports & Assembly examines how Americans use sporting events to assemble and create traditions, featuring artifacts from some monumental moments in sports history.
Where: National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
In 1751, Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond founded Pennsylvania Hospital to treat Philadelphia’s poorest residents, free of charge. Their legacy lives on at the nation’s oldest hospital, now planning to open a museum on the historic campus.
The Pennsylvania Hospital Museum will transform the Pine Building into a series of galleries showcasing the evolution of modern medicine and the hospital’s long legacy of care, having treated patients from the American Revolution through today.
Where: Pennsylvania Hospital Museum, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, June 14, 2026
Timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial comes the Lantern Theater Company’s Philadelphia premiere of Franklinland at the intimate St. Stephen’s Theater, a 150-seat performance space located in the rear of a Center City church.
While Benjamin Franklin rose to power and fame as a brilliant politician and scientist, he struggled as a father. This irreverent comedy centers around Franklin’s tense relationship with his son, William, as the two spar over politics and the American Revolution.
The show’s one-month run includes several opportunities to stay after the performance for an Artists in Conversation discussion with cast members.
Where: Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen's Theater, 923 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
Timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial, The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s (FWM) latest exhibition examines “the complexity of American-ness” and features the work of 20 past artists-in-residence created over the past 40 years.
Some American Dreams showcases textiles, of course, but also works of furniture, sculpture, video and photography. Guests can see the show for free, but FWM suggests a $10 donation.
The only museum of its kind in the world, FWM devotes itself to creating work in new materials and new media in collaboration with artists coming from diverse artistic backgrounds.
Where: The Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Tuesday, June 30, 2026 (dates vary by event)
The librarians and leaders at the Free Library of Philadelphia know that big history events like the Semiquincentennial always include the people’s stories. So, the library has created a six-month series called Hyperlocal Heritage to help you learn how to preserve your history for posterity.
In addition to the slate of ongoing Philly 250 programming across the Free Library’s 54 neighborhood libraries, you can also check out Parkway Central Library’s Rare Book Department, featuring a new hallway display focusing on events from 1776 to 1876.
Bonus: Visitors can take one of the Rare Book Department’s free behind-the-scenes tours Monday through Saturday at 11 a.m. each day — no sign-up required.
Where: Various libraries including Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, July 27, 2026
Each year, the TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image hosts Philly Photo Day, which encourages anyone living in or visiting the city to submit a photo of Philadelphia for exhibition. This year’s prompt asked photographers to snap pics that responded to the question: How do we stay free?
See all the photographic responses on display in TILT’s Project Gallery in The Crane Arts Building as part of the organization’s How We Stay Free exhibition. The exhibition is free and open to the public, with the photos joining the works of five professional artists on display in TILT’s main gallery.
Where: TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image, 1400 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, July 25, 2026
The Print Center, located in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, presents an exhibition showcasing the works of 37 artists who reflect on the current state of democracy during this monumental anniversary year. America Today: Voices in Contemporary Print features 42 print works, including the designs of five artists from Philly’s Brandywine Workshop and Archives.
In addition to opportunities to view the works, the nonprofit gallery offers many public programs, including conversations with the artists, public tours, extended hours in June and an interactive printing event on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Admission to the gallery is free.
Where: The Print Center, 1614 Latimer Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, August 2, 2026
The best public market in America — Philly’s iconic Reading Terminal Market — has opened up a pop-up plaza to welcome all the visitors heading to the city for summer fun.
Stretching across the 1100 block of Filbert Street right outside the market, visitors can take a break from exploring to grab a drink from Molly Malloy’s bar, shop from pop-up vendors, and kick back and enjoy some entertainment.
Indoors, the historic market boasts over 80 vendors offering prepared food and drink, gifts, specialty items, and surprises around every corner.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Reading Terminal Market Pop-Up Plaza, 1100 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, August 9, 2026
Film, video and immersive art installations tell the stories of how Americans of color have helped shape our shared identity throughout the past 250 years at this Barnes Foundation exhibition timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.
Moving-image artists Arthur Jafa, David Hartt, Garrett Bradley, Ja’Tovia Gary and Tourmaline create a contemporary meditation on the past, present and future, and ask viewers to contemplate how Americans of color have carved out spaces of joy and resistance despite systems that seek to oppress.
Access to the special exhibition comes with regular museum admission, good for two days.
Where: Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, September 7, 2026
How are theme parks made? This world-premiere exhibit, brought to you by The Franklin Institute and Universal Destinations & Experiences, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and world-building that goes into each Universal amusement park.
Spanning 18,0000 square feet and eight immersive galleries, the experience showcases over 100 vehicles, props and other original artifacts from world-famous rides, attractions and live shows, including Jurassic World, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda, and Universal Monsters. And in true Franklin Institute form, the display has an educational focus, playing up all the technology, engineering and artistry involved in theme park design.
Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, September 20, 2026
One of the country’s largest outdoor model train displays gets into the Semiquincentennial spirit as Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ beloved Garden Railway gets a Revolutionary Philly makeover for the celebration.
Tour a miniature version of 18th-century Philadelphia throughout the display that includes 15 rail lines and historic landmarks like Independence Hall and Cliveden, the location of the Battle of Germantown. Train enthusiasts of all ages can also marvel at the artistry that goes into creating the railway structures, all made with natural materials like moss, twigs and stones.
Access to the Garden Railway comes with general admission.
Where: Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Through Wednesday, September 30, 2026
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet, and hotels throughout the city are celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a toast to its birthplace.
More than 30 hotels are shaking things up during Philly’s Semiquincentennial celebrations as part of Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail.
These spots are serving up delicious history all spring and summer long in the form of innovative cocktails and mocktails inspired by Philadelphia’s central role in the nation’s founding.
Where: Participating hotel bars include The Wayward at Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center City, 1170 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
All roads lead to Rocky, don’t they?
Inspired by one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Philadelphia — the Rocky Statue — this brand-new exhibition is all about monuments: Why we make them. Who gets one. And the role they play in society.
Curated by Paul Farber, co-founder of Monument Lab and the host of NPR and WHYY’s acclaimed podcast The Statue (TL:DR: He knows his stuff), the expansive exhibit covers 2,000 years of history and features over 150 artifacts and works of art by 50-plus artists, including Keith Haring, Carrie Mae Weems and Andy Warhol.
The show arrives at the Philadelphia Museum of Art just in time for the 50th anniversary of the movie that started it all.
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, November 13, 2026
The Biddle family rose to be one of the most prominent in early America, with members contributing significantly to the military and Congress. In honor of the Semiquincentennial, this new exhibit looks at the family’s integral role in America’s independence movement.
Featuring personal stories, manuscripts and historic objects, the exhibit marks the first time Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum has told the family’s comprehensive story surrounding their role in America’s creation.
The Biddles once called the 200-plus-year-old, 50-acre estate on the banks of the Delaware River home.
Where: Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum, 1237 State Road, Andalusia, PA
Through November 2026
This brand-new exhibition at the National Marian Anderson House — part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places — showcases rare collections honoring one of American history’s most celebrated opera singers and Civil Rights icons.
Along with glass-encased gowns, photos, authentic letters, paintings and original vinyl presses, the exhibition highlights who Marian Anderson was as a person — and how Marian Anderson, at her heart, was a true Philadelphian: kind, approachable, determined and deeply human.
Plus, for 2026, the museum hosts a handful of special events, concerts and celebrations. Advanced tickets are required for both the exhibition tours and the events.
Where: National Marian Anderson Museum, 762 Martin Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, December 5, 2026 (dates vary by event)
One thing that has continued to ring true for 250 years and counting: The people who call Philly home are what make the city so vibrant, innovative and historic.
Celebrate Philly communities, cultures and small businesses with Ring It On!, a citywide event series featuring street fests, culinary and cultural celebrations, and supersized editions of Philly’s favorite annual events.
Popping up in neighborhoods from Northeast Philly to Chinatown to Overbrook, the series includes new and returning favorites, like the Africatown Diapora Village Festival (June 26, 2026), El Central de Oro Feria del Barrio (September 26, 2026) and the Chinatown YesShi Night Market (October 8, 2026). Check out the full schedule on the official website.
Where: Various locations including 5900-6500 Block of Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, December 26, 2026
52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly pioneering by celebrating the city’s many historic achievements — every week, all throughout 2026.
Featured Philadelphia “firsts” include inventions like the Slinky, cultural milestones such as Mother’s Day and significant locations like the first African Methodist Episcopal church.
The free celebrations take place at the original location of each first (or in spaces that represent where these significant milestones occurred) and include guest speakers, a sculpture, monthly marquee events and historic deep dives by Once Upon a Nation.
Where: Various locations including Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Thursday, December 31, 2026
When early Philadelphians established the nation’s first penitentiary at Eastern State, they hoped to change the justice system.
For the Seminquincentennial, the site’s year-long slate of programming reflects on that history while also looking to the future.
A Time for Liberty features five family-friendly festivals, nine panel discussions and two new exhibitions, plus a Saturday Firstival in October and much more.
Where: Eastern State, 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The Mütter Museum — part of Philadelphia’s oldest medical society at The College of Physicians — hosts a slate of exhibitions to celebrate medical milestones throughout the past 250 years.
Revolutionary Botany kicks off the year by tracing the evolution of medicine in America from medicinal plants to the modern pharmacy. Then in May, the museum examines Philly’s headline-grabbing outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease during the Bicentennial. Creating a City of Medicine opens in June and looks at Philadelphia’s role in the evolution of American medicine and medical schooling.
Exhibitions remain open throughout 2026.
Where: The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Heroes to some, villains to others, the infamous Doan Gang once roamed what is now Bucks County during the earliest days of the American Revolution, plotting, scheming and plundering their way through a world divided.
This immersive exhibition at Doylestown’s Mercer Museum explores the Doans’ legendary exploits, from espionage and robberies to mythical lost treasures. Learn how these local outlaws plotted and schemed through a divided world, and why their loyalty to the British rule made them enemies of the Founding Fathers.
Where: Mercer Museum, 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA
Through December 2026 (dates vary by event)
A Northwest Philly neighborhood dating back to 1683, a pivotal Revolutionary War battleground and an important stop on the Underground Railroad, Historic Germantown celebrates the Semiquincentennial with a fun and educational mix of new and returning programming and events.
A highlight: 26 Weeks of Walking Tours. Visitors can uncover colonial-era history, stories from the Underground Railroad, historic architecture and more during this brand-new series of guided walking tours highlighting 10 Germantown sites. Tour themes change seasonally, so check the official website for more information (through November 2026, select dates).
Historic Germantown also has a number of exhibits, film screenings, dinners and other programming in the works for the year. Be sure to check out the website for the full lineup of 2026 happenings.
Where: Various locations including Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Throughout 2026 (dates vary by event)
The organization that helped make Philadelphia “Mural Capital of the World” celebrates America’s 250th anniversary the only way it knows how: by making tons of public art. Mural Arts Philadelphia has a blockbuster lineup of projects for 2026. Here’s just a taste of what the organization has planned:
Where: Various locations including the Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA
When wealthy Philadelphia banker and merchant Stephen Girard died in 1831, he left a huge sum of money in his will to create a school for poor orphans — a school known today as Girard College. The school’s Founder’s Hall Museum marks the Semiquincentennial year with a slate of programs.
On one Wednesday each month, the museum invites the public to get up close views of (and even touch!) household artifacts from Girard’s early American home. A May walking tour takes participants through the nearby Fairmount neighborhood, while a June tour visits Old City, stopping by iconic Girard-affiliated sites.
Where: Founder's Hall Museum at Girard College, 2101 S. College Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
At the University of Pennsylvania, the Semiquincentennial is an excellent opportunity to take a retrospective look at the past, present and future of our nation with a schedule of exhibitions, art commissions, performances and more:
Where: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, January 3, 2028
We all know how the American Revolutionary War ended. Now, a brand-new exhibition at the Independence Seaport Museum explores how our new nation built its economy back up in the aftermath.
Featuring roughly 150 rarely seen objects and artifacts, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade and the Making of America examines how the dream of America survived (and thrived) through new economic relationships and international trade alliances — and how China helped build America into the global superpower it is today.
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, January 3, 2027
“When in the course of human events …” The document from which that seminal phrase originates is the centerpiece of the Museum of the American Revolution’s 2026 programming. The Declaration’s Journey exhibition traces the history of America’s founding charter and its continuing influence, inspiring over 100 independence movements worldwide.
The Declaration’s legacy is explored through records, art and artifacts, including Thomas Jefferson’s chair, a Marquis de Lafayette-annotated draft of the French Declaration of Rights, the prison bench where Martin Luther King Jr. penned “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a spinning wheel from Gandhi and more.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Unbeknownst to many, the Declaration of Independence served many roles and went through numerous drafts before becoming the document we know today. The American Philosophical Society Museum (APSM) tapped into its vast holdings to tell a fuller version of the document’s history in its latest exhibit, timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary.
In addition to the many copies of the Declaration in the free exhibit, visitors can also see a rare first printing of Thomas Paine’s influential Common Sense, as well as the chair Thomas Jefferson sat in while he wrote.
Where: American Philosophical Society Museum, 104 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, January 8, 2027
In addition to contributing to the Revolutionary City Portal, a digital resource spotlighting Philly’s role in the founding of the nation, the curators at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania have been hard at work, digging into their archives to craft not one, but two brand-new exhibitions honoring 250 years of American history:
Where: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Monday, January 18, 2027
The Barnes Foundation commissioned Indigenous artist Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) to create 11 immersive panels for the museum’s Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court — all to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.
Hopinka’s immersive panels layer emotion-laden landscape photographs on copper sheets and ask viewers to ponder America’s complex history with Indigenous peoples — and what remains of their land. Free and open to the public through 2027, the exhibition also features a slate of programming that includes an artist discussion and several deep-dive talks.
Through Sunday, January 31, 2027
Over the last 250 years, few things have become as synonymous with America’s Independence Day celebrations as the loud crack and colorful sparks of a fireworks display. But the origins of the dazzling light shows are much, much older — going as far back as the second century B.C.
The Science History Institute in Old City illuminates the history and chemistry of fireworks in an explosive new exhibition, featuring historic rare books, fine art, the latest in modern-day pyrotechnic technologies and more.
Where: Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Saturday, February 13, 2027 (dates vary by event)
Channeling the spirit of the 1976 Sin Colonias March (aka “the People’s Bicentennial”), Fairhill Puerto Rican arts and culture organization, Taller Puertorriqueño, marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with WE WILL NOT HIDE: Hidden Histories, Collective Voices and Creative Futures, a year-long slate of programs amplifying Puerto Rican and Afro-Latine perspectives, including:
Where: Taller Puertorriqueno, 2600 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, February 14, 2027
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson tasked Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with exploring the nation’s western territories after the Louisiana Purchase. But did you know that Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences is home to nearly all the explorers’ original journals and preserved specimens related to their botanical research in its Lewis & Clark Herbarium?
For 2026, the institution highlights that collection in the new Botany of Nations exhibit, tracing the team’s journey through the stories and science of the plant knowledge with which they returned, imparted on them by the continent’s Indigenous nations.
Where: The Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Through Sunday, April 25, 2027 (dates vary by event)
Montgomery County’s Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center commemorates the 250th with a full year of events, programs and exhibits, focusing on the area’s rich Revolution-era history. On the calendar:
For the full list of events, check out the official website.
Where: Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
Through mid-2027 (dates vary by attraction)
With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (the country’s very first art school and museum) delve into the richness and diversity of American art history.
The two institutions team up with avid art collector (and Phillies’ managing partner) John Middleton and his wife and partner Leigh for this blockbuster exhibition titled A Nation of Artists. Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names — including Mary Cassatt and Charles Willson Peale — exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists and contemporary talents.
A Nation of Artists debuts as a cultural milestone celebrating the nation’s creative and artistic legacy at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (through Monday, July 5, 2027) and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (through Sunday, September 5, 2027).
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dates vary by gallery
The nation’s only museum dedicated to the U.S. Constitution gets a major upgrade just in time for the country’s big anniversary with the addition of two brand-new galleries.
Now open, the new America’s Founding Gallery tells the story of the early fights for American independence, while the second, Governing the Nation, opens May 15, 2026, and focuses on the three branches of government and the balance between the federal government and states’ rights.
Additionally, an original copy of the U.S. Constitution — one of only 14 surviving copies — and a rare first printing of the 17 constitutional amendments as they were debated by Congress will be on display throughout 2026.
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dates vary by exhibition/gallery
The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History marks the Semiquincentennial by overhauling its space to include two new permanent exhibit spaces and a 4,500-square-foot special exhibition space.
Now open, the space’s first special exhibit, The First Salute, takes a look at never-before-told stories of the Jewish community’s connections to the American Revolution. The exhibit features rare artifacts, original films and immersive videos, all weaving together a story about religious freedom, antisemitism in the colonial world, trade and life on the high seas (through April 2027).
Two new permanent exhibits open throughout 2026. Colors of Creation, a family-friendly exploration of the creation story, opens in July. A second permanent exhibit documents contemporary antisemitism, opening later in 2026.
Where: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
Ongoing
Six local, independent businesses and organizations have opened pop-up shops — collectively called Meantime on Market — along the 900 block of Market East throughout Philly’s jam-packed summer.
Where: Meantime on Market, 924 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
An epic year of celebrating requires an equally epic array of food and drink specials in our very culinary city, including:
Where: Various locations including McGillin's Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA
May 22 – September 27, 2026 (dates vary by event/artwork)
The Delaware River waterfront marks the Seminquincentennial by transforming into an open-air art gallery this summer, featuring seven large-scale art exhibits — all free and open to the public — including:
Where: Various locations including Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
With the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration well underway, what better moment to look back at the last two-and-a-half centuries of American life and ask, “What now?”
Enter: ArtPhilly. The goal: a five-week arts and culture festival that answers that question through more than 30 experiences. The multidisciplinary arts and culture festival makes all of Philadelphia a stage, shining the spotlight on the city’s creative community with an impressive slate of thought-provoking performances, exhibitions and other artistic programming.
What Now: 2026 challenges artists and audiences to imagine what the future holds for both our city and country.
Where: Various locations including The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
May 29 – October 25, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays only)
Philly has always been a city of neighborhoods, and for 20 weeks this spring, summer and fall you can take free, insider-curated tours to explore what makes each neighborhood special.
Each week, the Neighborhood Jawnts Tour Series heads to a different ‘hood to visit local restaurants, shops, parks and historical landmarks — all led by an experienced guide.
Tours happen Fridays at 2 p.m., and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Registration is required in advance, so hit this link to sign up. Bonus: Participants get a free neighborhood tote!
Where: Various neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Originally built as part of America’s bicentennial festivities in 1976, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts hits the big 5-0 this year.
In celebration of both the anniversary milestone and America’s 250th anniversary, the beloved open-air music venue is collaborating with titans of Philly arts and culture for four major celebratory performances, plus a brand-new mural by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Don’t miss a weekend of epic ballet performances with Ballet X (June 4-5, 2026), a world premiere concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Grammy Award-winning choir The Crossing (Wednesday, June 17, 2026), and a culminating commemorative concert with the orchestra (Thursday, June 18, 2026).
Later in the summer, don’t miss the free Highmark Mann Milestone Mashup (August 22, 2026), a community day featuring live performances, vendors and more.
Where: Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Opens Thursday, June 4, 2026
The Philadelphia Zoo has completed a bear of a project.
After a $25 million renovation, the nation’s oldest zoo reopens its ursine habitat — the new Francis J. Carey Bear Country — now with a new third bear habitat, an extension of the Zoo360 exploration trail allowing the bears to explore (!), interactive educational exhibits and new glass viewing areas where guests can come nose-to-snout with the bears.
The new space also includes digging pits for the zoo’s Andean and sloth bears to forage, a 14-foot climbing structure, and new pools for drinking and splashing.
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Light up the night at historic Franklin Square with the must-see Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Old City, featuring all-new lanterns for 2026. Celebrate the Year of the Horse among dozens of massive, intricate and handcrafted lanterns, including soccer-themed designs reflecting the countries of teams coming to Philly for FIFA World Cup 26 (see below).
Enjoy live cultural performances, folk art, fountain shows, festival-themed crafts and lots of international food and drink, including signature cocktails. Advanced tickets (timed Fridays through Sundays) are required to attend the event, which starts at 6 p.m. each night.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
America’s most famous seamstress and her historic home celebrate the Semiquincentennial with an expanded, nine-day Flag Fest featuring free, family-friendly activities like English country dancing, crafts, textile demonstrations and interpreters donning Colonial garb — like Betsy herself.
Flag Fest kicks off with a Saturday Firstival celebrating the first American flag. Festival highlights include: immersive tours and historical re-enactments; a series of Curator’s Corner presentations showcasing rarely seen artifacts; the annual Philadelphia Heritage Chorale concert (Saturday, June 13, 2026); and an epic unveiling of a new artifact — publicly displayed for the first time on Flag Day (Tuesday, June 14, 2026).
Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Imagine that Founding Father Benjamin Franklin hid powerful, weather-altering inventions deep beneath Philadelphia. When siblings Temple and Arturo find those magical inventions in present-day Philly, they must battle to keep the tools from falling into the wrong hands.
Back by popular demand, Pig Iron Theatre Company’s award-winning sci-fi/history mash-up Franklin’s Key returns this year to the cozy Plays & Players Theatre to coincide with the ongoing Semiquincentennial.
Co-director Dan Rothenberg calls the show “a love letter to Philadelphia,” featuring stunning special effects, an original score and iconic Philadelphia landmarks. Tickets are required.
Where: Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA
Celebrate two monumental milestones — the Semiquincentennial and the 150th anniversary of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church — at this jubilant, free concert. Enon was the first African American Baptist church to open in the city’s Germantown neighborhood, way back in 1876.
Enjoy the sounds of more than 300 voices from the Enon Tabernacle Mass Choir celebrating that history as they fill the church’s East location with joyful music. The concert remains free to all, but guests must register ahead of time.
Where: Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church (East), 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Visit Philadelphia and TED are collaborating to create TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures — a one-day event at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Held in honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, this flagship event marks the culmination of Visit Philadelphia’s three-year partnership with TED Democracy.
The full-day event features more than a dozen brand-new TED Talks from the Marian Anderson Hall stage, as well as interactive activations, performances, culinary pop-ups and networking opportunities. Attend in person at the ticketed event or watch via TED Democracy LIVE livestreaming at 65 libraries across the country.
Where: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
June 14 – July 4, 2026 (select dates)
The eyes of the world turn to Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL’s Eagles) this summer, one of just 11 U.S. stadiums to hold matches during the FIFA World Cup 26 soccer tournament. The Linc hosts five Group Stage “pool play” matchups — featuring national teams from semi-randomly assigned groups — leading up to a July Fourth Round-of-16 Knockout Stage tilt for the right to advance to the Quarterfinals.
In addition, Philly remains the only U.S. city hosting a FIFA Fan Festival for all 39 days of the World Cup at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, featuring giant game-watch screens, food, music, parties and more. The Fan Festival is free to attend with registration.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA
Lemon Hill Park, Sedgley Drive & N. Lemon Hill Drive, Philadelphia, PA
The cornerstone of Independence Day festivities in Philadelphia — the annual Wawa Welcome America festival — kicks off on Juneteenth and keeps going until the fireworks explode high above the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Independence Day.
This year’s festivities promise to be bigger than ever to mark the nation’s 250th birthday, featuring the largest July Fourth parade in the country and six nights of fireworks.
Philly residents and visitors alike can also expect dozens of free and festive events leading up to July Fourth, including:
Check out our complete guide to Wawa Welcome America 2026 here.
Where: Various locations including the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
How have Philadelphia’s artists portrayed their ideas of America throughout the past 250 years? The Woodmere — an art museum set on six acres of land in northwest Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood — hopes to answer that question with its commemorative exhibition curated to coincide with the citywide Semiquincentennial celebration.
Pulling from the museum’s expansive collection of more than 8,000 paintings, sculptures and works on paper from Philadelphia artists, Arc of Promise focuses on art from the 1790s to today that examines the country’s painful histories while remaining hopeful about America’s future.
Where: Woodmere, 9201 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
June 20 – December 13, 2026 (dates vary by exhibit)
The Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at St. Joseph’s University celebrates America’s big birthday with two major art exhibitions.
First up, Philly Voices: Celebrating the Heartbeat of a City, showcases art that demonstrates what makes Philly, well, Philly. Expect art that shows off the city’s diversity of people, cultures and neighborhoods (June 20 to August 2, 2026).
Then, regional contemporary artists take over for Evolving Freedoms: Exploring Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, highlighting print-based works and photography that embody the ever-changing notion of freedom. (September 2 to December 13, 2026).
Where: Frances M. Maguire Art Museum at Saint Joseph's University, 50 Lapsley Lane, Merion Station, PA
Spring 2026 through Winter 2027
German-speaking people played a significant role in the founding of our nation — from politics to military to religion — and Historic Trappe in Montco commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary with three milestone initiatives across its three historic properties.
The Speaker’s House, the former home of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, opens to the public in 2026 in all its restored glory; the Muhlenberg House offers tours of the elegant home where indentured German and enslaved African servants once lived; and the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies hosts a landmark exhibition that highlights the lived experiences of Pennsylvania Germans, featuring original journals, family bibles, firearms, redware and more.
Where: Historic Trappe, 301 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA
As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we cannot forget that Jefferson’s words — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” — did not extend to all Americans in 1776.
Each year, the Philadelphia Juneteenth Parade & Festival honors the anniversary of when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865.
One of the largest in the nation, Philly’s Juneteenth Parade typically features 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and over two-dozen floats parading through West Philly.
The day culminates with music, vendors, a youth pavilion, a car show and more at the Juneteenth Festival at Malcolm X Park. Stay tuned for more details about this year’s event.
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
June 25 through December 2026
When America turned 100 years old, Philadelphia made history by hosting the very first World’s Fair in North America. The year was 1876 and 10 million people from around the globe came to see mechanical marvels like Baldwin locomotives, typewriters and the first telephone.
The city invites residents and visitors alike to revisit that grand celebration at a new exhibition that recreates the experience of the World’s Fair. Four large pavilions mimic the Centennial setup featuring items and stories from that iconic event. Bonus: Read about where to see historic relics from the fair in today’s Philadelphia.
Where: The Lits Building, North 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
What if Benjamin Franklin’s kite-and-key experiment actually unleashed rock ‘n’ roll and ol’ Ben became America’s first rock star? That’s the premise behind The Sound of America, making its world premiere at FringeArts, right in the shadows of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
The rock musical rooted in American history features 23 original songs eager to become anthems. Each ticket includes a 45-minute musical walking tour led by the Founding Father himself.
Bonus: The production donates money from royalties to Teen Cancer America, a partner program of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Where: FringeArts, 140 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Opens Wednesday, July 1, 2026
From Memorial Hall in 1876 to the African American Museum in 1976, Philadelphia has a long history of institutions constructed for milestone anniversaries. The most prominent for 2026 is the reopening of the site of the First Bank of the United States, which will be publicly accessible for the first time in half a century with new temporary exhibits.
The First Bank — located in Independence National Historical Park — originally opened in 1797 under Alexander Hamilton as the nation’s first centralized national bank, and opens again with a ribbon cutting the morning of July 1, 2026.
Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming exhibits (which include an exhibit being displayed for the first time ever in the United States), as well as special events like the First Bank Gala on June 16, 2026.
Where: First Bank of the United States, 120 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Before July 4 was known as Independence Day, John Adams predicted the nation would celebrate the occasion on July 2 each year, given that was the day in 1776 that the Continental Congress officially declared independence from Great Britain.
To mark the occasion, Philadelphia’s Historic District celebrates with the Red, White, & Blue To-Do each July 2, featuring a big parade and block party that include concerts, games, extended hours at historic attractions, restaurant happy hour specials and much more. 2026’s lineup features the addition of a huge picnic, fueled by numerous food trucks.
Where: Various locations including Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA
This national historic park — a gift from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the American people in honor of America’s last big birthday — toasts its Golden Jubilee with a weekend of free festivities.
The celebration kicks off with a bang on July 3, 2026 with musket firings near the huts at Muhlenberg’s Brigade. Then, head to the National Memorial Arch for the family-friendly big birthday bash on July 4, 2026, featuring live music and a reenactor portraying Anna Morris Holstein, who helped pave the way for the site’s preservation. Living history demos (and more muskets!) wrap up the celebration on July 5, 2026.
Note: The park offers a free hop-on/hop-off shuttle all three days.
Where: Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA
Bucks County’s popular destination town, New Hope, joins the Seminquincentennial fun with America Celebrates 250, a three-day festival featuring concerts, a drone and firework show, and a parade. Kick off the long Independence Day weekend on Friday evening by watching 200 drones light up the skies over the Delaware River with patriotic images, plus fireworks and music to round out the experience.
Independence Day features live music and a pub crawl. The celebration wraps up on Sunday, July 5, 2026, with a Freedom Parade and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Where: Various locations inclduing Main Street, New Hope, PA
When the Declaration of Independence was first written, its message spread throughout the region — and the country — through a series of public readings. Relive that experience in honor of America’s birthday at historic homes and sites across Montgomery County (like Valley Forge National Historic Park) during July Fourth weekend.
The readings include discussions of the document and democracy, and a chance to hear the words as our ancestors did in 1776. Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board leads the effort, so check back closer to summer for more details.
Where: Various locations including Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 5 p.m. – midnight
This year’s Independence Day festivities go out with a (literal) bang. Following the conclusion of Wawa Welcome America, the new free-for-everyone One Philly Unity Concert for America on the evening of July Fourth brings some of music’s biggest names to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sponsored by Wawa and hosted separately by the city of Philadelphia, the free concert features live musical performances by Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott, The Roots, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kathy Sledge, State Property, Seal and many more — with the show emceed by comedy legend Wanda Sykes and a big fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Looking for a low-key way to celebrate Independence Day in Philadelphia with festive fireworks? Check out Freedom Fest 2026 along the Delaware River waterfront in Northeast Philadelphia.
Expect two stages of live music, food trucks, vendors, a Ferris wheel and tons of fun for kids, including carnival games and bounce houses. Then, spread out in Pleasant Hill Park’s waterfront green to enjoy a stellar fireworks show over the river, starting around 9 p.m. The festival is free and open to all with no registration required.
Where: Pleasant Hill Park, 8900 N. Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
July 4, 2026 & November 7, 2026
Reflecting on the past and leaving mementos for future generations comes part and parcel with a monumental event like the semiquincentennial. Enter the time capsule.
Where: Various locations including Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
It’s not a party until the sing-a-long starts! Sashay on down to the Rittenhouse Grill for an epic Seminquincentennial-themed cabaret sing-along starring KT Sullivan and Eddie Bruce.
Get ready to belt out all of your favorite patriotic tunes while enjoying a curated menu for dinner with Kobe Pigs-in-a-Blanket and other tasty bites, plus a red-white-and-blue ice cream sundae for dessert.
Reservations are required, with two seatings for the show. Note: The $65 ticket includes a $35 credit for food and drinks.
Where: Rittenhouse Grill, 1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Midsummer Classic returns to Philly for the first time in 30 years when the 96th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Stars from across the National and American leagues will descend on Philly for the fifth time in the event’s existence — and first ever at “The Bank” — with the city previously hosting in 1943, 1952, 1976 and 1996.
Ahead of the game, All-Star Week festivities also include the Home Run Derby, All-Star Futures Game, the opening rounds of the MLB Draft, the Capital One All-Star Village and more.
Where: Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA
In addition to Philly’s year-long Seminquincentennial celebration, the iconic Benjamin Franklin Bridge turns 100 this year, with a free, open-to-the-public birthday party.
The best part: The bridge closes to all traffic, and you can walk straight across to Camden, where the Delaware River Port Authority hosts a birthday party set up near the toll booths on the Jersey side. (Fun fact — the BFB was once the world’s longest suspension bridge!)
Stay tuned for more information about the free, family-friendly event, with a rain date of Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Bridge, 1 Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s prime location between two rivers, the Schuylkill and Delaware, helped our nascent nation blossom in its early years. To celebrate America250, 100-plus kayakers don red, white and blue as they create a patriotic parade of paddlers through the heart of Center City.
Starting at Walnut Street dock, residents and visitors alike can cheer on the kayakers as they journey south on the Schuylkill to its confluence with the Delaware, ending at historic Fort Mifflin. A party follows with refreshments and canons!
Registration to participate in the Philly Phlotilla opens in April.
Where: Various locations including Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road, Philadelphia, PA
The borough of Newtown in Bucks County honors America’s 250th birthday with an action-packed day of events in early August 2026. The free, family-friendly event features historical displays, graveyard tours at the Old Presbyterian Church of Newtown, period music at the Historic Newtown Theatre and more.
Throughout the day, more than 60 reenactors, including British soldiers, William Penn and the notorious Doan Gang, bring Newtown’s rich history to life at sites across town.
Where: Various locations throughout Newtown including Newtown Theatre, 120 N. State Street, Newtown, PA
Another major sporting event heads to Philadelphia this summer as the UFC 330 comes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. It’s been 15 years since the arena hosted a UFC mixed martial arts championship event.
UFC 330 brings its trademarked eight-sided ring, called the Octagon, to provide fans with excellent views of the bout.
The fight card and ticket information remain under wraps. Sign up for UFC notifications to be the first to get the details when they become available.
Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Women’s professional tennis returns to Philadelphia this summer for the Philadelphia Tennis Classic, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament, on the only U.S. stop on the East Coast ahead of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
Spectators can enjoy sweet views of the city skyline at the host site — the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center — with an additional 1,200 temporary seats coming to center court for the event.
Philly’s history of hosting pro women’s tennis started way back in 1887 when the Philadelphia Cricket Club hosted the first U.S. National Women’s Championships.
Where: Hamlin Tennis Center, 3701 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Delaware County hosts a family-friendly Semiquincentennial celebration in August, culminating in a dazzling drone show.
The day-long event transforms the Haverford High School Football Stadium into a huge festival, featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, a craft village, costumed historical characters, a dedicated kids’ zone with inflatables, and — the grand finale — an illuminated and choreographed drone show.
Visit Delco sponsors the event, free and open to the public, with recommended pre-registration tickets.
Where: Haverford High School Football Stadium, 200 Mill Road, Havertown, PA
Break out the spandex! The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back after a decade-long hiatus as part of Philly’s monster year celebrating America’s 250th.
The internationally renowned race — a beloved tradition in the city for more than 30 years — returns for the first time since 2016 with both men’s and women’s races.
A 14.4-mile circuit course will take riders down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Lemon Hill and up the “Manayunk Wall,” a grueling hill featuring a 17% grade. Ouch. Catch us rooting from the sidelines.
Where: Begins at Logan Square, 200 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fairmount Park’s largest historic house hosts an art exhibition curated to coincide with the Semiquincentennial that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Committee of 1926 — the group that oversees the Historic Strawberry Mansion. The exhibition showcases the works of Philadelphia-based artists who were excluded from showing their art at the time the committee formed.
Invisible no more, the works of renowned Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ artists proudly take the spotlight in this exhibition featuring an array of media on display, including paintings, textiles, photographs, pottery and three-dimensional art.
Where: Historic Strawberry Mansion, 2450 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Late summer 2026
Coming this summer, the country’s best city for public art opens its highly anticipated interactive showpiece: FloatLab, a 75-foot-wide floating art installation and classroom in the Schuylkill River along the southern shoreline of Bartram’s Garden in Kingsessing.
FloatLab’s ADA-compliant platform gives visitors a constant eye-level river view, as the system of ballast chambers allows the platform to ebb and flow as the tide comes in and out. The space can hold an entire class or group of visitors and offers an endless list of opportunities to see and experience the river (and Philly!) from a completely different vantage point.
Stay tuned for more info about how and when the public can access this exciting new space.
Where: FloatLab at Bartram’s Garden, 56th Street Plaza, 3000 S. 56th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Summer 2026
Wanna hear a story? Expert wordsmiths with a knack for the overlooked and hidden history of Philadelphia man sites across the Historic District during the warm-weather months.
Costumed History Makers regale visitors with memories from their past, while specially trained, uniformed storytellers are stationed at benches near historic sites, bringing to life free three- to five-minute tales.
In honor of the milestone year, Once Upon a Nation adds several additional storytelling benches to its roster — bringing the total to a whopping 13 — and an expanded cast of History Makers.
Where: Various locations including Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Summer & Winter 2026
Washington Crossing Historic Park — the site of George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware — honors the bravery, dedication and lasting legacy of the general and the Continental Army.
In addition to its regular lineup of living history programs, guided tours and more, the park is set to host three major community-wide events in 2026: an expanded Independence Day celebration and fireworks display and two reimagined December Crossing Reenactments.
The park also debuts some exciting new enhancements to the visitor experience, including upgrades to its Visitor Center Gallery and renovations to its historic buildings. Stay tuned to the official website for more information.
Where: Washington Crossing Historic Park, River Road, Washington Crossing, PA, USA
October 1-31, 2026 (dates vary by event)
The Philadelphia Film Festival turns 35 this year! Time to bust out the popcorn for these film-tastic celebrations:
Where: Various locations including Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Salute the 70,000 vets who live in the Philadelphia region at the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade and Festival — scaled up to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The dramatic arrival of parachuters — timed to coincide with a performance of the national anthem — officially kicks off the massive Benjamin Franklin Parkway procession of over 3,000 paraders, including marching bands, honorarium brigades, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, local celebrities, and 200 (!) motorcyclists.
The fun culminates with vendors, food and entertainment at an all-ages festival at Eakins Oval.
Where: Parade begins at Benjamin Franklin Parkway & 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA
December 2026
Yo, Adrian! The original Rocky film turns 50 in 2026, and the Italian Stallion’s hometown is celebrating the golden anniversary of the movie’s release with a year of Rocky-themed events.
A collaboration between the Philadelphia Visitor Center and the Sly Stallone Shop — along with dozens of Philly sites and attractions like the Philadelphia Art Museum (with its iconic Rocky Steps) — the all-ages fest features a series of activities, special events and activations dedicated to Rocky and other real-life Philly athletes. Stay tuned for more info.
Where: Various locations including Rocky Statue, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Senior Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
Contributing Writer
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet!
Make the most of it by booking the Visit Philly Overnight Package, which comes with free hotel parking and complimentary tickets to some of the most popular attractions in each of Greater Philadelphia’s five counties including Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County and Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County.
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