Your Guide To Philly's 4th Of July Celebration - Wawa Welcome America!

Wawa Welcome America! is an 11 day-long celebration in Philly that kicks off on June 24 and ends July 4. With three firework shows, concerts curated by Questlove of The Roots, lots of food (and we do mean a lot!) and more, Philly is definitely the place to celebrate. 

Check out everything going on in Philly for Wawa Welcome America!

Concerts

It's time for Philly's ultimate summer jam. We have concerts and performances happening around the city. And, if there's anything Philly knows how to do, it's putting on a good show with hot music. We have some major talent hitting our stages, including Earth, Wind & Fire, The Roots, Estelle, Aaron Neville, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more!

Friday, June 24

Gerald Veasley

7:30 p.m.

Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Insider tip: This is a part of Taste of Philadelphia, so make sure you enjoy some flavors of Philly while you take in the show.

Saturday, June 25

Aaron Neville

8 p.m.
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street 

Insider tips: Singer/songwriter Somi will open up for Aaron Neville. Fireworks will follow Aaron Neville's performance at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 25

Wawa Welcome America! singer/songwriter contest

Time TBD

Front Stage at Penn's Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Insider tip: We hear that two of Philly 360°'s favorite songwriters/producers, Carvin & Ivan, will be judging the competition. The winner will get studio time with the powerhouse production team and a chance to perform on a Music Stage during the Party on the Parkway on July 4.

Sunday, June 26

Gospel Performance

Time TBD

Penn's Landing

Insider tip: The gospel performance will close out Taste of Philadelphia.

Saturday, July 2

US Army Band "Pershing's Own"

7:30 p.m.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Insider tip: Fireworks will follow the performance at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 3
Fam Jams! featuring Emily Osment, Cody Simpson and Tim Urban

1 - 5 p.m.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Sunday, July 3
POPs on Independence featuring Peter Nero and the Philly Pops

8 p.m.

Independence Hall

5th and Chestnut Streets

Monday, July 4

4th of July Jam

Featuring The Roots, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Chin Chin, Nico’s Gun, Kindred the Family Soul and more
5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Between 18th & 23rd Streets

Insider tip: There will be a spectacular fireworks show following the jam.

Festivals & Parade

Like we said, Philly knows how to throw a party, especially when it comes to America's birthday. And we do it big. So big, that we have festivals within festivals. Check below to see what other festivities we have going on to celebration Independence Day.

Sunday, July 2
Chinatown Block Party

12 noon – 4 p.m.

Chinatown

10th and Arch Streets

Monday, July 4
Celebration of Freedom

10 – 11 a.m.

Independence Hall

5th & Chestnut Streets

Insider tip: The star-spangled salute to America features honored speakers, like Mayor Michael Nutter.

Monday, July 4
Independence Day Parade

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Historic Philadelphia

Market Street

Insider tip: The parade will feature 3,500 patriotic and multicultural marchers, musicians, dancers and floats. All five U.S. military branches will be represented.

Monday, July 4
Party on the Parkway

12 noon – 6 p.m.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Between 18th & 23rd Streets

Insider tip: Seven blocks of music, dancing, cultural activities, arts, crafts and live entertainment.

Food

Whether it's a 4.5 ton hoagie, unlimited ice cream or sample dishes from some of Philly's top restaurants, you will definitely get a real taste of Philly when you take part in some of Wawa Welcome America's food events.

Friday, June 24 - Sunday, June 26

Taste of Philadelphia
June 24, 5 - 9 p.m.

June 25, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

June 26, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Insider tips: Bring your appetite and enjoy all the flavors of Philly. You will sample dishes from more than 25 restaurants. Free admission; fees for food samples. There will also be food trucks and cooking demos. See the concert section above for shows happening during Taste of Philadelphia.

Wednesday, June 29

Wawa Hoagie Day

12 noon - 2 p.m.

Independence Visitor Center Lawn, Independence Mall West

6th and Market Streets

Insider tip: There will be a 4.5 ton hoagie served. 

Saturday, July 2 - Sunday, July 3

Super Scooper All-You-Can Eat Ice Cream Festival

July 2, 12 noon – 5 p.m. and 6 – 9 p.m.
July 3, 12 noon – 5 p.m.

Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Insider tip: For just a $7 donation, you can enjoy ice cream for hours each day. All net proceeds will benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund, helping to find a cure for pediatric leukemia.

Fireworks

Philly will sparkle and light up like you've never seen before with three separate nights of fireworks. Get ready to ooh and ahh.

Saturday, June 26

Approximately 9:30 p.m.

Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Saturday, July 3

Approximately 9:30 p.m.

Penn’s Landing

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Sunday, July 4

Approximately 11:00 p.m.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Book Your Trip

If you're planning on making a trip of it, book through our Philly Overnight Hotel Package which includes free parking and more!